E&P Magazine - February 2014
As I See It
It’s all about perspective
The news that the renewables sector is the fastest-growing segment of the energy industry should come as no surprise to anyone. But as usual, it’s all about where you start counting.
Cover Story
Curable resin-coated proppant prevents proppant flowback
The right curable resin-coated proppant can maximize a well’s performance and net present value.
Industry aims to unlock mysteries of fracturing downhole
Whether it is sliding sleeves vs. PNP or slick water vs. crosslinked gel, proponents of fracturing technology are passionate about their preferences.
Exploration Technologies
Finding faults with Mother Nature
Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place?
Drilling Technologies
Rotary steerable systems find home in Gloucestershire
Western England is an unlikely place to discover a hotbed of RSS manufacturing and development.
Completions and Production
Solar-enhanced system serves up ‘pie in the sky’ a la mode
System reduces pumpjack strokes while maintaining production rate and providing a ‘zero-waste solution.’
Offshore Advances
‘Core on deck!’
International organization explores the depths below the seafloor in search of scientific discoveries.
Digital Solutions
Balancing people, assets, information achieves operational excellence
Like orchestra conductors, oil and gas executives must ensure everything is precisely in tune before operations can be performed in total harmony.
Features
Arctic activity warms up as global interest spikes
Fragile environment could yield massive hydrocarbon returns for those companies willing to tap its potential.
Brine-based fluid sees wide application in Permian
Replacing oil-based muds with a reusable brine-based system results in reduced torque and drag, increased ROP, and gauge wellbores.
Elemental spectroscopy yields ultimate answer
TOC combined with matrix-corrected porosity directly determines accurate hydrocarbon saturation.
Evaluating production strategies for liquids-rich shale wells
Results from the reservoir modeling of a liquids-rich well in the Eagle Ford shale provide insight into the best completion and production conditions.
Fluids maintain wellbore integrity in technically challenging wells
Flat-rheology invert emulsion drilling fluids have made strides in maintaining a fluid that is resistant to sag.
Geosynthetic liners help manage water issues
The use of common landfill techniques can help operators better control wastewater impacts on the environment.
Growing pains in Utica set to ease as more solutions come online
As infrastructure improves for NGL transport throughout the Utica and Marcellus plays, operators can focus on other production and separation challenges.
Hybrid system combines benefits of WBMs, EBMs
Operators no longer have to trade performance for environmental protection.
If it’s broke, fix it!
New studies examine the ways shale operators can maximize their investments.
Increased subsea production driving valve developments
Rotary gate valve design is a key enabling technology for next-generation subsea processing systems.
Keeping the harmony by cutting the noise
A new active front-end VSD technology promises to greatly minimize harmonic distortion.
Mitigating casing failure problems
Operators should be prepared to prevent casing failure at every step of the purchasing process.
Momentum builds, but there’s a long row to hoe for natural gas engines
Dual-fuel engines have the edge in the short term, but dedicated natural gas engines offer longer term appeal once the industry establishes infrastructure.
Neural nets optimize well targets
Neural net technology aids in reserves forecasting in the Marcellus.
Process control for energy production enters deeper waters
A new SAM extends the reach of controllers for use in subsea applications.
Schiehallion challenge met with integrated approach
The redevelopment of BP’s Schiehallion field is one of the most innovative offshore brownfield projects ever undertaken.
UK incubating shale’s early growth
Interest in the potential of shale oil and gas in the UK has gone through the roof in recent months. The government has been quick to create the right conditions to nurture early interest and give its nascent shale sector the chance to develop.
Ukraine makes another push for independence
The former Soviet Republic aims to reduce its reliance on neighboring Russia by diversifying its energy resources.
Tech Watch
Putting erosion-resistant epoxy coatings to the test
A new filler-free polymer alloy technology offers competition for traditional ceramic-filled epoxy coatings claiming to be ‘sprayable.’
Tech Trends
Activity Highlights
On The Move
Last Word
Why big data matters to the energy industry
New approaches to handling big data could improve its current and future value.
Industry Impact
Surface gas detector can enhance fluid evaluation
Technology can correct for changes in temperature during reservoir evaluation.
Management Report
Attract, train, retain – capturing the armed forces talent pool
As the UK prepares to lay off thousands of its military personnel, the oil and gas industry has an opportunity to recruit for its future.