April 2012

• Balancing Risk & Reward

  ‘Always be prepared’ is not just for Boy Scouts anymore.

• Iranian Discoveries Continue

  In this world-class setting, the potential for major gas discoveries is high.

• Geological Review Of Deepwater Liberian Basin Outlines Prospectivity

  New data and drilling results show great promise offshore Liberia.

• Seismic Can Be Relevant In Shales

  A novel interpretation and characterization of an Eagle Ford shale play used geometric, mechanical, and full-azimuth seismic attributes.

• Combined Experience Brings Designed-For-Purpose Top Drive To Market

  Much like major operators, the top drive market is driven by a select number of players globally. A small Houston-based company hopes to level this playing field engineering an evolved generation of top drives from the ground up.

• Navigation Sensor Technology Aids Marine Seismic Survey

  A new digital compass provides a clear view of the geology from the seabed.

• New Approach Describes The Indescribable

  An innovative application of advanced mathematics has provided geoscientists and engineers with an accurate, model-independent way to predict critical reservoir properties from well log data.

• Ventura Basin Still Holds Hidden Treasure

  A multimeasurement exploration approach breathes new life into an old basin.

• Collaboration Is Key To Expanding Subsea Technologies For Deep Water

  As oil company subsea portfolios become increasingly large and diverse, the resultant demand for more complex technology solutions is driving the industry to innovate more rapidly than ever before.

• Two Brakes In One Improve Performance, Maintain Cost

  In many situations, engineering innovation helps to contain development costs rather than contribute to the upward spiral.

• The Classic ‘Elephant’ Hunter Takes Aim In Central Asia

  An independent operator in three underexplored republics in Central Asia has the know-how to access a huge pool of resources in the region’s vast and prolific hydrocarbon basins.

• The Haynesville Can Compete

  As the largest producing gas play in North America, the Haynesville shale is a highly competitive asset.

• Seabed Compression Advances Boost Development Options

  A Norwegian player is lining up a queue of gas compression projects that will greatly enhance the industry’s subsea toolbox for IOR and much more.

• Collaboration Enhances Process Safety

  Working with service companies early in the planning process drives efficiency.

• Offshore Drilling Regulation Two Years After the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

  Redundancies and additions affect safety and cost in new government regulations.

• India In A Race Against Time To Find New Reserves

  India’s thirst for more energy to feed the world’s second-fastest growing economy means it needs to find and produce new and large oil and gas reserves quickly if it is to achieve its growth goals.

• Offshore Support Fleet Steering A Positive Course

  After troubled times for some regions, the OSV market around the world looks set to enjoy better times as offshore support vessel operators move to meet growing demand from oil and gas companies.

• Brazilian E&P Spending Fuels Major Supply Vessel Growth

  A massive increase in upstream expenditure in Brazil is driving a strong demand for supply vessels as oil companies tackle deep and ultra-deepwater areas where there is little or no infrastructure.

• Integrated workflow key to managing risk in shale plays

• The New Look For 2012

• ‘Big Data’ Requires Efficient Analytics, Bandwidth, Content

  As the amount of important information continues to increase, companies will need to think creatively to manage and act on it.

• Virtual Reality Simulation Improves Offshore Training, Safety

  Three-D virtual reality simulators provide high-fidelity operations, maintenance, and safety training in a cost-effective, low-risk setting.

• USBs – Friend Or Foe?

  The lowly, ubiquitous USB port is at the center of a controversy at major companies.

• New RSS Drills From Spud To TD In One Run

  System offers smarter well bores with more directional control.

• The Face Of The Oil And Gas Industry Is Changing

  How are large, global organizations – many with long and entrenched histories and practices – aligning their workforces to leverage today’s business opportunities in the new world?

• Using Balanced Scorecarding In Mature Fields

  A ‘balanced view’ can help ensure that efforts in field management are supporting the overarching goals of the corporation.

• International Highlights

• On The Move

• Is The Industry Brave Enough To Freeze Its Arctic Plans?

  With Gazprom to start production drilling soon in the Arctic offshore, the need for the industry’s oil spill prevention and response capabilities in the frozen North to be ready for action should be paramount.

• Tech Trends

• Methane In Water Wells Unrelated To Hydraulic Fracturing

  An extensive study backs what the locals already know – water wells in Pennsylvania have contained methane for hundreds of years.

• R&D Investment In Brazil Continues To Surge

  Increased investment at Cenpes and other Brazilian research centers is facilitating growth in technology R&D and innovation.