E&P Magazine - February 2011

As I See It

The world is getting smaller

Cover Story

Expandable reamers move from marginal to integrated components

While reamers have been in use for more than a century, reliability issues have kept them out of the spotlight… until now.

Exploration Technologies

Making sense of it all

Paradigm Ltd.’s founder and CEO discusses the challenges the industry faces as the data explosion accelerates.

Drilling Technologies

New bit design provides better cuttings

Rock data are key parts of full field development, although rock flour is the most available substance being circulated up the annulus for now.

Completions and Production

A lesson worth re-learning

George Santayana was right. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Digital Solutions

Cloud computing stacks up for SPE-friendly reserves management

An online solution helps oil companies manage their most important assets.

IT advances provide a pipeline for efficient communication

Oil and gas professionals can work smarter, improve productivity, and enable access to critical information in real time by streamlining communication and business decision-making.

Features

A legend embraces deepwater MPD technology in Indonesia

The rig was known as the Glomar Explorer when it was launched in 1974 by Howard Hughes to secretly recover a lost Soviet submarine. Today the Transocean GSF Explorer continues a tradition of innovation.

Advanced microseismics optimize unconventional development

Microseismic analysis is moving beyond the mapping of single fractures, providing a wealth of information about complex reservoirs.

Bridging the resolution gap

Better reservoir modeling tools lead to better decisions.

Drilling efficiency gains allow operators to drill more wells

As the quest for new fields and untapped reserves becomes more challenging, the value of time grows exponentially.

Hybrid bit technology finds new ground

Early concepts of hybrid bits were researched in the early 1930s, but were deemed impractical and even unreasonable; only recently – using 21st century advancements – has the myth become a reality.

Innovative technology takes on the Arctic challenge

Enormous reserves volumes have drawn the industry’s attention to the Arctic, but a broad range of technologies must be further developed and implemented if the hope of producing these vast resources is to be realized.

LWD provides solution for bolstering shale gas economics

Real-time formation evaluation expedites accurate well placement.

New PDC designs produce major successes

Extensive post-run evaluation leads to improved designs and major successes for operators.

New sensor allows leak detection for subsea structures

Leak detectors routinely are specified for subsea installations. In reality, the majority of leaks still are discovered either through routine ROV inspection or observation of surface oil slicks.

New technologies help break Arctic E&P barriers

The ability to access hydrocarbon resources from increasingly challenging environments will be critical in meeting growing global energy demand.

Oil markets tightening quickly

Research indicates that the industry has recovered from the recession and is going to be hard-pressed to meet growing demand.

Operators take a closer look at the Utica

This enormous shale play could be the largest natural gas field ever discovered.

PDC bits optimized for shale development

With the rapid increase in drilling activity in North America’s unconventional shale plays, there has been a significant push to develop application-specific technologies to increase economic feasibility.

Radioactive sources: their importance, challenges, and opportunities

Radioactive sources provide the most accurate measurement of porosity, but their use is causing increasing concern.

Strake technology extends spar field life

Vortex-induced motions exert stresses on risers and moorings, which can lead to overstressing, buckling, brittle fractures, or fatigue. The motion and stresses can be mitigated by attaching strakes to the hull. A new approach to construction could mean a longer life for spars.

Taking a new look at North America

In late 2009, Devon Energy decided to refocus its efforts on the US and Canada. Executive vice president of E&P Dave Hager talks about the excitement of staying closer to home.

Utica shale is young but promising

The Utica shale is finding its way from exploration to development.

Versatile tool solves several well problems

It can be difficult to anticipate all possible problems or issues that could arise in the course of completing a well or maintaining production after completion.

Tech Trends

Tech Watch: A new approach meets an old need

A new formation evaluation tool provides the missing link to accurately determine water volume.

On The Move

Last Word

Taking the measure of reliability

Programs and processes from other industries are helping to improve product and service reliability in oil and gas operations.

Activity Spotlight

Uruguay presents offshore opportunities

Building on the success of the first bidding round, Uruguay offers nine offshore blocks for exploration and development.

Management Report

Integrated solutions are an adaptive change

An integrated solution needs an appropriate environment for strategic execution.