More and more, engineers are developing new ways to improve on the old way of doing things. As Hart Energy ramps up for its DUG Eagle Ford Conference to be held in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 10-12, the question of how technology impacts unconventional resource development has become a major focus for the E&P editors.

Newer tools, such as rotary steerable systems and real-time acquisition devices designed specifically for horizontal applications (i.e. an average shale well), make headlines on a regular basis. Rig design, namely in the areas of automation, pad drilling, and smaller footprints, are a major focus for many operators and the companies that supply these rigs to market.

The debate looms large over whether or not the burgeoning unconventional resource sector requires an unconventional approach to rig design. This debate is compounded by the generation gap among all fields within the industry. As older, more experienced crews become exposed to newer, more advanced systems, there often is resistance to adopting these tools or even admitting that they sometimes work. The "old school" is often the only school when discussing the best methods to drill a well.

The expression "Nintendo generation" is sometimes used to refer to the newest generation of oil and gas workers. These engineers are characterized by a high level of computer literacy, a keen disposition to plug-and-play technology, and a tendency to lose interest in careers that do not consistently introduce more advanced technology at a rapid pace. The "new school," as it seems, will require different approaches to drilling technology, which is often set on doing things the old way. The difficult decision is for drilling contractors and their customers to determine exactly what tools and equipment are obsolete, which ones will be standard in the future, and what other technologies can have major benefits if adopted for the oil and gas industry. In an effort to define some of these possibilities, the E&P editors are currently organizing an in-depth workshop to look at this scenario as well as many others that have a direct effect on a company's bottom line. Namely, it takes more than just capital to drill a well. Having the right tools and the right people is a defining factor in overall drilling costs. By now, the industry has devised a number of innovative approaches that are proving themselves daily in shale plays throughout North America. New equipment is accepted readily if it drastically improves productivity; but in areas where the equipment "works just fine," the more important question is, "Are we using the right tools for today, or was it the right tool for 20 years ago?"

Comments