E&P Magazine - May 2012
As I See It
Cover Story
Deepwater Challenges & Solutions
Riser gas risk mitigation on a drillship uses closed-loop circulation drilling systems
Longer, Deeper, Colder
As oil and gas companies push the limits in terms of water depths and remote locations, the challenge of developing technologies and practices that can lower huge upfront costs is being met collaboratively through joint industry initiatives and technology partnerships around the world.
Exploration Technologies
Does the US government need a lesson in economics?
Will geophysical contractors shoot seismic in the Atlantic Ocean just for the heck of it? Probably not.
Drilling Technologies
Completions and Production
Turning fast talk into fast results
The digital oil field concept has come a long way in a short time, with results in terms of increased production now backing up all the early talk.
Special Report
Two sides of the same sea
The Caspian region presents lucrative but different visions for oil and gas investment
Digital Solutions
Digital automation solution enhances oil recovery in Caspian Sea
Automation services and technologies will help recover additional oil from the massive Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field in the Caspian Sea.
Integrated operations platform overcomes production challenges
By improving data quality, automating routine operations, integrating workflows, and uniting data and models in a common environment, a new platform gives operators a clear picture of field production.
Features
2012 Meritorious Awards For Engineering Innovation
Judges choose top 17 industry projects
A flexible solution for corrosion mitigation
The first successful application of a solution for repairing damaged flexible risers without using costly intervention techniques has been carried out for an independent operator in the North Sea.
Broadband acquisition a step-change for deepwater imaging
A wider range of frequencies, combined with multicomponent data, are helping geoscientists peer beneath complex overburdens.
Enhancing asset performance should not compromise safety
Process management tools help reduce costs and improve HSE.
EOR system creates seismic shift in waterflood technology
A new approach practically shocks reservoirs into giving up more oil.
Finding 'the next big thing'
The recipe for a successful geoscientist? Travel the world and ask a lot of questions.
Gulf Of Mexico: Mexico to realize its deep potential
With declining domestic onshore and shallow-water production levels, the deepwater Gulf of Mexico represents the country's main chance to restore its upstream fortunes.
Managing sand through flow control in the modern completion
Operators are continually searching for improved ways of working smarter and more cost-efficiently while still enhancing production.
Marine seismic acquisition gets improvements
Broader frequency spectrums and increased fold are providing better data than ever.
Reservoir modeling extends field life
Accurate models help improve recovery rates.
RFID technology optimizes riser asset tracking, maintenance
Deepwater drilling contractors have significant investments in riser assets, which have to perform without failure.
Riser Technology: Connectors Stiffen Caesar Tonga's Resolve
The supply of the first bespoke 'male latch' bend stiffeners helped to reduce costly downtime after an issue with a deepwater production riser system threatened to delay first oil.
Shale gas is poised to become international phenomenon
Overcoming obstacles to develop vast unconventional resources across the globe will be crucial to meet rising energy demands.
Uniform designs win out in ultra-deepwater activity
Deepwater activity is picking up in the US Gulf of Mexico.
US Upstream Promises Opportunities
A new report shows US production – and optimism – on the rise.
WEA technique saves time, money
A new multispecies effluent test encompasses the range of responses obtained from higher order tests.
Tech Watch
Tech Trends
Activity Highlights
On The Move
Last Word
Deep water is the fastest growing offshore sector
Southeast Asia plays a vital role.
Activity Spotlight
Newbuild Rigs, Higher Rates Illustrate Expanding Offshore Demand
Global drillship construction has reached the 53-unit mark while day rates for deepwater and ultradeepwater rigs continue to reach new highs above $600,000 per day.
International Spotlight
New Zealand 2012 bid round opens new offshore areas
Twenty-five blocks have been selected by New Zealand in a bidding round that covers onshore and offshore for both North Island and South Island, including coal-seam gas acreage.
Management Report
Asset management services provide 'modular solutions' offshore
A power system upgrade offshore Western Australia was successfully completed at sea using asset management strategies without significant operational stoppages.