February 2008

• CT meets new challenges

  Unconventional reservoirs, multilateral wells, horizontal wells and mature fields pose new challenges for long-established coiled tubing (CT) technologies.

• Generate micro-cores of formations while drilling

  Low ROP and lack of quality cuttings are among the main drilling challenges in HPHT environments.

• Eliminate turbulent flow problems

  Roller cone drill bit platform design incorporates a new approach to engineered hydraulics.

• Ensure consistent directional control

  PDC directional bit technology enhances steering performance by balancing the bit’s face and lateral aggressiveness with the application.

• Balance technology for specific applications

  Ranking the relative importance of key performance indices in specific applications enables optimal technologies to be applied to improve drilling performance.

• Dynamically model the total drilling system

  Sophisticated simulation process accurately models the total drilling system from individual cutter contact with the formation to the surface drive mechanism. 

• Match drill bit designs to specific drilling systems

  A bit should be designed to complement the unique qualities and capabilities of each individual drilling system.

• The evolution of closed-loop drilling systems

  Understanding of drilling dynamics, both through drilling dynamics models and validation of those models with downhole measurements, has progressed significantly.

• Automation enhances casing running operations

  Tool initially developed to enable drilling with casing proves to be an effective method for automating casing running operations.

• Drilling system goes electronic

  A proven pneumatic drilling system that could only be controlled locally becomes an electronic system that permits remote control.

• Bridging technology overcomes depleted formations

  A customized bridging solution aided drilling in Saudi Arabia.

• Diverting acid for better stimulation

  Optimized acid and diversion technology and long operations experience improve Saudi production and injection wells.

• PDO, Shell extract more oil with EOR

  PDO and Shell employ high-pressure steam and other aids to raise oil production and extend the life of reservoirs in Oman.

• Microseismics add value

  Integrating microseismic monitoring technology into an E&P asset management process pays dividends for operators.

• Seismic-driven reservoir characterization

  New tools allow the geoscientist to effectively and efficiently make use of multi-dimensional data in the search for new reservoirs or in the optimum depletion of existing ones.

• Reservoir geophysics in difficult areas

  Oman/Shell joint venture PDO uses seismic quantitative interpretation to maximize business impact in Oman.Impedance inversion

• Multitasking supplements intervention

  Light, multitasking vessels lower risks, costs for activities in existing offshore wells.

• Workover rigs meet high technology

  Sophistication offers top efficiency and safety for operators.

• Abandon gravel pack zone with gel

  Technique saved time and money in isolating a non-productive zone in an offshore well.

• What is all the buzz about?

  BE is a novel technique for extending the usable bandwidth of seismic data.

• Investment continues to grow in Colombia

  In an exclusive interview, Dr. Hernan Martin Torres, Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, discussed Colombia’s goals and how his country is working to achieve them. This is the third in a series of E&P interviews with industry leaders.

• Zamora invites foreign investment in Colombia

  In an exclusive interview, Dr. Armando Zamora, Director of Colombia’s Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH) talks about exploration opportunities and foreign investment. This is the second in a series of E&P interviews with international industry leaders.

• New Zealand opens new bidding round

   
  
  After a decade of declining reserves, onshore exploration may supplement offshore gains.

• Change to get a change

  With the massive numbers of new people entering the industry, it is very popular to talk about how the new generation looks very different from the previous demographic bulge.

• What are you voting for?

  Considering how frequently — basically, in every election for everything, everywhere — candidates bleat the theme of change, it is remarkable how little of the fundamental variety the candidates clamor for actually occurs.

• Application hosting delivers performance, savings

  Moving E&P software and data to high-performing computers and storage devices in a centralized location offers important benefits.

• An old idea with a new twist

  The concept of mentoring is not new. Just about everything else in SEG’s new “Geo-Mentoring” initiative, however, is.

• Drilling efficiency increases – not!

  The relentless flow of new tools and techniques to improve drilling efficiency is not having the desired effect, according to one operator.

• A changing landscape

  Companies that provide drilling services are no longer in a “do as you’re told”environment.

• Plan technology for Arctic operations

  Arctic oil and gas development requires specialized techniques for production and people.

• News and Analysis

  February exploration news and analysis.

• Shell traveled bumpy highway

  Potholes and detours littered the road leading to one of the top spots among world oil companies.

• On the move

  Who's going where in the upstream industry.

• The world is getting smaller

  Not long ago, the national oil companies (NOCs) of the world looked little further than their own borders for investment opportunities. Today, many NOCs are as international as the international oil companies (IOCs), and some of them carry a lot of clout.

• Tech Trend briefs

  Tech trend briefs.

• New safety valve eliminates high-pressure circuit

  Operating at a consistently low control line pressure regardless of depth or well pressure, the valve requires only the low-pressure circuit in the umbilical.

• A lesson learned

  Energy related problems that afflict the current age and an equally reasoned discourse on the impact the US presidential elections might have on those problems and the global economy.