E&P Magazine - April 2010
As I See It
Exploration Technologies
Conference to focus on global issues
WEC Montreal 2010 will bring together an impressive roster of speakers to address energy challenges.
Drilling Technologies
A warm welcome, home that is...
Although I have been busy, it has not been difficult to keep up with the milestones achieved within the last year.
Completions and Production
What’s the problem with natural gas?
Natural gas has a lot going for it, according to those at the 5th annual DUG conference in Fort Worth. So, where is natural gas going?
Special Report
Shell realizes its deepwater dream
Robert W. Patterson is vice president, upstream major projects, Americas, for Shell International Exploration & Production Inc. He has been responsible for two major offshore projects; Perdido in the US Gulf of Mexico and BC-10 in Brazil.
Digital Solutions
Lose the mouse
A variety of new ways to interact with computers can ease the drudgery of point and click.
Transforming the way data is delivered
Beat the competition with the click of a button.
Features
Billy Bergeron on discovering mooring systems solutions for floating structures
Deepwater is a challenging environment, and mooring systems for floating structures are critical to moving production safely into this frontier.
Combined technologies enhance production, extend reservoir life
With operators looking to extend reservoir life and maximize reserves from new and existing wells, the spotlight is increasingly on completions technology providers to come up with more efficient and effective solutions.
Completions: Renaissance WDCL damaged control line system by Weatherford International
Weatherford solves damaged control line issues.
Continued investment boosts deepwater capabilities
New technologies have the potential to unlocking deepwater areas by resolving the industry’s most challenging issues.
Deepwater spending to reach $35 billion in 2014
Despite global economic turmoil and oil price fluctuations having a marked impact on activity levels, the deepwater sector is forecast to quickly recover and resume its previous growth.
Depleted reservoir gets new life with UBD program
Improved production and lower costs make the difference in aging assets.
Drill Bit: Quantec Force by Baker Hughes
A force to be reckoned with.
Drilling Tools: Secure Drilling System by Weatherford
Drilling system measures losses in real time
Enhanced process improves production of 18-in. deepwater UOE line pipe
Increasing industry demands are pushing the practical limits of line pipe construction.
Exploration Technology: PGS Hyperbeam by PGS
The implications for depth imaging of seismic data are significant.
Formation Evaluation: OPTV imaging system by Superior Well Services
The technology is particularly well-suited to shale reservoir evaluation.
High-spec assets in new deepwater frontiers
New rigs increase expertise in deepwater exploration.
Improved Oil Recovery: Deeplook EM by Schlumberger
Crosswell imaging sees between wells.
Intelligent field sets pace in GoM
As operators push depth limits in ultra-deep water, they also continue to push the envelope on IO to achieve more precise field management and more efficient production.
Intelligent Systems and Components: Resflow Inflow control device by Schlumberger
Sweep efficiency boosted in world’s largest offshore field.
Let’s make some noise
Proponents of simultaneous sources are banking on newer, better processing techniques to take advantage of the cost-savings this technique enables.
Locating bypassed oil at the Alba field using time-lapse seismic
A dedicated time-lapse survey finds new well locations in a North Sea field.
Maersk Oil sets the pace in Qatar, sets sights for deep water
Jakob Thomasen, president and CEO of Maersk Oil, talks about the company’s milestone achievements and the path to future goals.
New drillship being strengthened for Arctic work
Stena Drilling’s new drillship, DrillMAX ICE IV, is currently under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries Shipyard in South Korea.
Optimizing horizontal well production by sustaining water-cut
Two technologies combine to place wells precisely in the target reservoir while forestalling premature water break-through offshore China.
Production Technology: Sureflo-298EX by Baker Hughes
The innovative design incorporates differential pressure technology with a fullbore mechanical construct.
Remediation: Gamma Frac System by Superior Well Services
New system allows flowback water reuse.
Stimulation: PSET Method using fracstar array by MicroSeismic, Inc.
New microseismic frac monitor eliminates downhole sensor requirement
The reservoir and the environment
Permanent seismic installations help mitigate offshore problems.
Treatment efficiency gets a boost
Sometimes the very permeability operators are trying to improve contributes to ineffective distribution of stimulation fluids.
Tech Trends
Offshore liner drilling future builds on past success
Liner drilling has the potential to drill at new depths.
Tech Trends
Tech trends for May.
Last Word
E&P Industry benefits from data exchange standards
As the industry generates more and more information in varied formats, there is an increasing need for industry-wide exchange standards.
Activity Spotlight
Opportunity offshore Jamaica not for the faint of heart
New data suggests there are large potential prospects offshore Jamaica, which is about to restart exploration after a 15-year hiatus.
Management Report
Safety, environmental management system requirements change
New MMS Rule expected in June 2010 will set new expectations for the US OCS.