E&P Magazine - January 2014
As I See It
Innovation drives the industry
The goal of our magazine is to stay abreast of new technology developments. Sometimes it’s tough to keep up!
Cover Story
NOCs push R&D boundaries
From subsea advances to nanotechnology, NOCs are contributing their fair share to the global R&D spend.
Exploration Technologies
Marine sources poised for breakthroughs
Long overshadowed by ‘sexier’ technology, marine sources are starting to get the attention they deserve.
Drilling Technologies
‘Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on’ in the oil patch
The geoscience of saltwater injection wells will need to tackle the challenge of reducing induced earthquakes.
Completions and Production
New subsea factory presents glimpse into future
Statoil teams with NASA to explore new frontiers and improve productivity.
Offshore Advances
Stimulating times in the GoM
GoM operators will soon have a new option for meeting their well stimulation needs.
Features
Advances in technology enhance permanent completion safety
How stricter legislation, safety initiatives, and the drive to gather more downhole data are affecting the industry.
Calming the waters
The innovative use of technology normally associated with flight simulators is helping employees at offshore facilities ‘walk to work’ by eliminating waves – and other more expensive transfer options – from the equation.
Flogging an Argentinian ‘dead cow’ could be profitable
Lack of foreign investment hampers Argentina’s efforts to jump-start Vaca Muerta shale development.
Improvements in seismic interpretation
Multiple factors are making interpretation more accurate and quantifiable.
Integrated methodology devised for ultra-HP/HT completion tool
Success of new permanent bridge plug and production packer hinged on layered design verification and optimization standards.
Integrating geomechanics improves drilling performance
Optimized well design enables operators to reduce wellbore instability and reach planned TD without incurring losses.
Marcellus market report
Growing Utica activity may slightly boost business in the Marcellus formation this year.
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow
Offshore mobile rigs have come a long way since the days of Mr. Charlie, but just how large, high-tech (and unavoidably expensive) can they be?
New approach to production well testing in mature fields
Method using new clamp-on tool shaves days off the production testing process.
Optimizing big data in the oil field
Operators can make intelligent predictions and solve their toughest problems by using mathematical optimization techniques.
Presalt pursuit drives West African exploration
West Africa’s shining offshore potential beckons, and companies respond.
Promise and potential of accessing big data in the digital oil field
As a new wave of data-driven, technology-based tools moves into the energy ecosystem organizations have an opportunity to profit in big ways.
Russia considers new subsoil legislation
The potential loosening of Russian red tape could provide enough slack for both foreign and domestic oil and gas companies to increase profits and build partnerships.
South Atlantic in the spotlight
Industry attention is increasingly focusing on the Falkland Islands as they attempt to emerge from decades of political friction to sit on the cusp of becoming a viable world-class oil and gas province.
Standardized natural gas well pads improve production efficiency
Well pad information collected by the SCADA system from the XRC RTUs gives the operator access to a large toolbox of choices for optimization.
The value of an integrated G&G interpretation system
Collaboration leads to better interpretations.
Ultra-high temperature drilling fluid provides stable rheology
Thin filter cake produces a slick wellbore surface and reduces NPT by avoiding stuck logging tools.
Tech Watch
Efficiencies of improved 3-D printing inspire innovation
As 3-D printing technology advances and becomes more widespread, the possibility of moving from prototype production to manufacturing high-quality parts fast and on site is not far off.
Tech Trends
Activity Highlights
On The Move
Last Word
Drilling in the land-locked Caspian Sea poses challenges
Two jackups were built in modular form in Sharjah, shipped through the Volga-Don Canal System, and assembled in Astrakhan, Russia.
Industry Impact
Wellbore strengthening toolkit enables depleted zone drilling
Technology seals drilling-induced fractures to prevent lost circulation.
Management Report
Complex planning benefits from experienced consultants
Consultants should demonstrate strong relationships, proven communication skills, a reputation for quality, and a passion for project management.