E&P Magazine - July 2018
Digital
Gone are the days where lateral lengths in unconventional wells measured in hundreds of meters (or feet) where considered long. While it is not uncommon to hear of lateral lengths measuring in miles in plays like the Bakken, those lengths are starting to crop up with more frequency in the Permian Basin, Utica and elsewhere.
According Stratas Advisors, the trend to longer laterals and more intensely fractured wells is expected to continue. Lateral lengths are estimated to increase by another 10% in 2018, according to the analysts. Proppant intensity is a good proxy for the level of intensity on the completion, with Stratas estimating proppant intensity also to increase 10% in 2018.
The articles in this month’s cover story feature the technologies, from 3,000-hp rigs to redesigned pressure pumping systems and more, making it possible for operators to get more shale oil and gas in the pipeline by going longer.
As I See It
UN Weighs In On Shale Gas
A special report presented facts, analysis and neutrality on the potential for development of global unconventional resources.
Cover Story
Bustin’ Dust: Integrated System Enables New OSHA Regulation Compliance
An integrated system enables compliance with new OSHA dust regulations.
Collet-activated Sleeve Meets Demand Challenges
A new sliding sleeve fracturing tool addresses limitations of single-point entry systems.
Engineering A New Pumping Approach
Improvements began with building reliability and performance into pressure pumping systems.
Examining The Water Challenge
Emerging technologies tackle issues with longer laterals and increased water demand.
Got Shale?
Longer laterals drive demand higher.
Higher Horsepower Rig Making Waves In The Delaware Basin
An ultrahigh-specification rig with three high-horsepower mud pumps is making long lateral wells a reality in the Permian.
Raising The Bar On Refracture Modeling
An integrated workflow expands the understanding of depletion and lateral coverage for multiwell pads.
World View
Making Barrels In Midland
Operators use science to help further tweak their development plans in the Permian Basin.
Industry Pulse
Safety Is Job One
Program identifies risks in work locations and ensures personnel are trained to safely work in any environment.
Market Intelligence
War Of The Worlds
Chemical producers promote integrated approach that benefits the life of the well.
Exploration Technologies
Old-fashioned Detective Work
Not everything in Mexico’s exploration blocks up for bid will be prospective, but operators are off to a fine start.
Drilling Technologies
Big Lift, Bigger Reward
With the successful installation of the drilling topsides onto its jacket, a history-making NCS project draws closer to first oil.
Completions and Production
Opportunity In The Atlantic
Two new projects emerge as the Canadian government initiates a development plan.
Offshore Advances
Mexico Achieves Unprecedented Development
Transparency and competitive fiscal terms encourage foreign investment.
Special Report
Shale Technology Showcase 2018
In this special section, E&P highlights some of the latest products and technologies for shale and examines how they will benefit companies in their ongoing search for improved production and more effective operating techniques.
Digital Solutions
Field Life Extension Through Digitalization
Digital twins help extend the life of producing assets.
Offshore Solutions
An Uncommon Approach To Offshore Interventions
A retrievable inflatable bridge plug was used for thru-tubing intervention in the deepwater GoM.
Operator Solutions
Bridging The Disconnect To Optimize Well Performance
Breaking down traditional barriers between ESP and production chemical teams is providing better production solutions.
Features
Backup Cutter Provides Increased Footage And ROP
A change in cutter layout on a drillbit improved engagement with formation rock.
Chasing Shales In Mexico
Renaissance Oil Corp. got an early foot in the door to develop these potentially giant fields.
Controlling Drillbit Efficiencies At The Rock Face
The geometry of a PDC cutter customized to rock type delivered an improved ROP.
Customized Cutters Key To Bit Performance Advances
Two new variations of raised profile cutters deliver impressive results in the Delaware Basin and Stack resource plays.
Downhole Data Accessibility
Integrated technologies allow operators to make informed decisions on well integrity.
FPSO Experts Achieve Progress Through Cooperation
Collaboration leads to advances in FPSO technology.
FPSO Sector Gains Strength
Newbuild orders, contracts and redeployments reflect improved market conditions.
Getting Data To Market
Effective production optimization starts with good data.
Improving Production Through Enhanced Flowback Programs
A successful application of engineered flowback services in unconventional wells reduces completion damage and improves performance.
Improving Zonal Isolations When Refracturing
Advancements in expandable liners provide more options.
Industry And Academia Collaborate On Vaca Muerta Project
An RCP/Wintershall venture examines usefulness of multicomponent data.
Understanding Fracture Networks
An Eagle Ford operator reduces completion costs by increasing stage length.
Unconventional Report
Great White North Among Top Oil Producers
Despite transportation issues, Canada remains a top global producer.
Tech Watch
Analytics In The Digital Oil Field
Production intelligence can help optimize oil and gas equipment performance and predict failures.
Tech Trends
Tech Trends
Check out the latest technologies for the upstream oil and gas industry.
Activity Highlights
International Highlights
Check out the latest activity highlights from around the world.
On The Move
On The Move
Check out the latest new hires, promotions and other company news.
Last Word
The Big Data Conundrum
Are we getting ahead of ourselves before we have the right data?
MEA Innovations
Photos: 2018 MEA Winners Awarded At OTC
The E&P editors and staff proudly presented the winners of the 2018 Special Meritorious Awards for Engineering Innovation at the Offshore Technology Conference in May.