E&P Magazine - February 2012
As I See It
Cover Story
New Plays Take Center Stage
From the icy waters surrounding Greenland to the vast expanse of China, operators are queuing up the next round of super fields.
Exploration Technologies
Taking A Microscopic View Of The Shales
New electron microscopy techniques provide another look at unconventional reservoirs.
Drilling Technologies
Despite Lag, GoM Activity Continues To Grow
New findings show an increase in permit approvals for deepwater GoM projects.
Completions and Production
EOR Project Has The Right Mix
A linkup between an NOC and an IOC must be replicated elsewhere.
Digital Solutions
Three-D Real-Time Visualization Service Facilitates Accurate, Timely Decisions
The industry has been challenged to visualize disparate datasets together as they are acquired in real time and in the context of relevant earth models. The goal is to process an enormous volume of information so collaborators can make accurate and timely decisions on something that will never actually be seen. A real-time 3-D visualization service can help achieve these goals.
World-Class Data Centers Meet Oil, Gas HPC Needs
Co-located data centers offer a cost-effective alternative to internal data environments.
Features
A War Of Giants Could Cut Off Persian Gulf Production
With the instability of the global market – a market that historically has experienced severe fluctuations as a result of regional political issues – it is in the world’s best interest to avoid the outbreak of war with Iran.
Arctic Activity Warming Up
Opportunities in the often-frozen northern seas are growing for explorers looking for that ‘first mover’ advantage.
Australia Extends Gas Development To CBM
With an estimated 198 Bcm of CBM resources, Australia is working to move more reserves into production.
China: Headed For A Shale Gale?
China has the resources in the ground, but does it have the resources on the surface?
Drill Bits Evolve To The New ‘Normal’ In Drilling Practices
Advancements in materials, modeling, and best practices have given rise to products that are performing at rates unheard of just 10 years ago.
Fixed Cutter Bit Allows Longer Runs, Higher Speeds In Shales, Carbonates
Slower ROP due to bit cleaning efficiency is now becoming history.
Geophysics Has A Role In Shale Plays
Shale operators are beginning to learn that rapid development does not always equal optimal development. Reservoir characterization can help.
GGI Reduces Risk, Cost In Shale Plays
Providing an adjunct to seismic, gravity gradiometry images structural complexity at a fraction of the cost of a 3-D survey.
Global Changes Impact The Future Of Natural Gas
LNG imports could be the success story of 2012.
High-Efficiency Vector-Accurate PDC Bit Optimizes Directional Control
Newer designs use a number of combined features to increase ROP in situations once considered “off limits.”
Hybrid Completion Isolates 38 Bakken Zones With No Lost Time
An operator maximizes contact with the reservoir and increases initial production rates while also saving on rig time.
Improved Cutter Technology Increases Overall Performance
Drill bit design is only one part of the puzzle.
Low-Gravity Wells In Canada Respond To New CHOPS Chemistry
A new chemical dispersant technology is boosting recovery rates without thermal assistance in heavy oil wells by improving viscosity and sand management.
LPG Fracing Gains Acceptance As Viable Alternative
Closed-loop reservoir stimulation system offers operators an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods with promising production increases.
Namibia’s Deepwater Oil Potential Beckons
This deepwater West Africa bright spot could be on par with the massive hydrocarbon province that exists offshore Brazil, where the first presalt discovery was made.
New Approach Increases Heavy Oil Production In Egypt
Developing new technology to conduct effective production logging in extreme conditions is vital to the future of unconventional oil production.
New Cutter Design Improves Average Penetration Rate
One of the key factors facing drillers is the ability to maintain good directional control while achieving high penetration rates.
R&D Is Vital To Reaching Further, Going Deeper
A commitment to developing and embracing new technology is critical to achieving advances in subsea technology.
Shale Operators Must Follow Best Practices
Abiding by new DOE recommendations will help minimize public resistance to natural gas development.
Subsea Well Intervention Technology Delivers At Depth
New ultra-deepwater riserless intervention technology is improving production at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.
US Midstream Segment In For Major Overhaul
Regardless of President Barack Obama’s decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, the country is overdue for a pipeline overhaul.
Williston Basin Oil Boom Gains Momentum
Williston basin operators are making progress in the Bakken-Three Forks play, where new zones and technology advances are proving the region’s long-term oil potential.
‘Drill Here’ Models Reduce Shale Play Risk
An integrated, scientific approach is critical for identifying and interpreting key factors and unlocking the resource potential of shale plays.
Tech Watch
Warning System Mitigates Earthquake Damage
Early warning system analyzes seismic waves to anticipate tremors.
Tech Trends
On The Move
Activity Spotlight
Transactions Spur Renewed Interest In GOM Shelf
The Gulf of Mexico shelf and the jackup rig markets are the latest to exhibit evidence of an improving 2012 offshore picture.
Management Report
Recruiting Gets A New Look
Forward-looking companies are showcasing their strengths to attract the next generation of workers.