E&P Magazine - July 2000
Cover Story
Conventional wisdom
Conventional thinking is perhaps the most serious threat to our future if it is used by the chief planners and shapers of our future.
Drilling Technologies
Pulsation improves cementing, prevents gas migration problems
GRI and its contractor CTES LC of Conroe, Texas, have developed a straightforward technology to improve the quality of cement jobs in gas wells.
Features
GLOBAL Exploration & appraisal
Analysis of the world's exploration zones by E&P's global upstream network.
Tech Watch
Build it. Break it. Fix it. Optimize it.
Hydrate and paraffin formation, which blocks pipelines, may be today's largest risk factor holding up development of cold, deepwater reserves.
Activity Highlights
Sack time
A few years ago, fans of the New Orleans Saints football team attended home games with paper sacks over their heads, because the team's performance embarrassed them.
Another Perspective
A Pregnant Pause
The frenzy of seismic activity in Brazil has lessened somewhat. Now the world waits with anticipation for the first wells to be drilled.
Building on its early success
Brazil successfully attracted foreign investment with its first licensing round. The second round already has drawn more interest.
Drop-in drum set to boost returns
Hydra Rig, a division of Tuboscope's coiled tubing (CT) and wireline group, has developed a drop-in drum (DID) and mounting system for steel CT that eliminates respooling from a shipping drum onto a work drum.
Petrobras fast-tracks J-lay tower
Petrobras used the world's first gimbaled J-lay tower from Houston's Radoil Inc. to install its P26/P18 subsea pipeline and connect the steel catenary riser to a P18 floating production system.
Reinjection technology improves
Since 1995, new technological features introduced into very-high-pressure gas reinjection compressors have simplified auxiliary systems, reduced operating costs and improved rotor dynamic behavior.
Squeeze Play
Compression gets cleaner and more efficient as the nation's reliance on natural gas grows.
Triumph in time for Triton
Triton is nearly a year late, but given the complexity of the process, the partners are pleased with the accomplishment.
Venezuela turns up gas burner
Venezuela wants to boost its gas production, but operators need a lot of answers before putting their money on the table.
World Map
Back to basics
Remember regional geology? Seems it's almost disappeared from some oil companies' exploration strategies. But many argue it's still the starting point for finding oil.