E&P Magazine - October 2011
As I See It
Cover Story
Transformation To A Digital Age
As oil and gas resources become more difficult to find and produce, the industry has turned its focus to technologies that allow better real-time decision-making, more automation, and improved collaboration.
Exploration Technologies
The Ears Of The Ocean
A new system promises to vastly improve marine mammal detection and operational mitigation.
Drilling Technologies
Can Wells Talk? What Do They Say?
Managed pressure drilling is moving from a high cost, high end feature to a standard practice that saves time and money when it comes to HP/HT drilling environments.
Completions and Production
From surface to seafloor
Operators are using ‘subsea factories’ to move processing from topsides to the seabed for greenfield and brownfield projects.
Digital Solutions
Real-Time Data Can Be Turned Into Wellsite Answers
Predictive software allows operators to avoid drilling problems before they start.
Features
Air Drilling Improves Efficiency In Challenging Well Bores
Advances in energized systems, chemicals, and bit technology are providing efficiency and cost savings.
Bar Set Higher For Deepwater, Complex Well Interventions
Intervention challenges have increased the focus on operational efficiency.
Energy Plays Major Role In World History
Hart Energy speaks with Daniel Yergin, chairman and co-founder of IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA).
Expert Evaluations Are Essential In Shale Oil Plays
A case study from the South Texas Eagle Ford illustrates how partnering with experienced consultants can ensure success.
Get Ready…This Is Not A Drill
The recent growth in drilling activity has thrust the industry into a new era of technical innovation.
Hybrid Elastomers Deliver The Best Of Both Worlds
Advances in swellable elastomer packer systems are enhancing long-term well performance at reduced costs for operators by delivering greater flexibility in well design and more reliable isolation results.
Imaging Breakthrough Promises More Reliable SRV Calculations
Accurate evaluation of the volume of a reservoir that has been effectively stimulated by fracturing operations is central to generating returns from unconventional resources.
Microseismic Data: Understanding The Uncertainty
Microseismic monitoring can help mitigate risks associated with fracing unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Middle East Dominates World Oil, Gas Supply
The Middle East continues to add reserves in both legacy assets and underexplored areas.
New Software Removes Guesswork From Directional Applications
Toolface control while sliding is an important element in saving costly rig time in directional drilling applications.
North Sea Production Platform Gets Vibration Monitoring Control Upgrade
The need to deal with equipment obsolescence has led to the implementation of new technology and improved monitoring.
Oklahoma’s ‘Back Yard’ Turns Up World-Class Resource
Source of the deepest active shale play in the US delivers liquids-rich pay.
Pipe-In-Pipe Riser System, Bends Overcome HP/HT Challenges
Innovative construction techniques provide superior performance.
Preaching To The Anti-Choir
The IPAA has been joined by local landowners in shale plays to separate fact from fiction.
Tech Watch
They Came From Outer Space
Great technologies, that is. Now the Johnson Space Center is looking for industry partners to explore the next frontiers.
Tech Trends
Activity Highlights
On The Move
Last Word
Environmental Concerns Stymie NY Shale Development
Banishing demons in the Marcellus shale could bring new opportunities to New York.
Activity Spotlight
Poland's Stelmach: Nation Fully Supports Shale-Gas Development
Undersecretary of state says exploration is in a growth mode.
Management Report
Cultural Change Delivers Drilling Performance Improvement
Collaboration across disciplines increases efficiency.