“The World Deepwater Market Forecast,” published by energy analysts Douglas-Westwood, forecasts continued growth in the deepwater sector with annual expenditures reaching over US $24.6 billion by 2012.

Deep water brings with it demanding operating conditions for subsea equipment. A new vertical christmas tree resolves some of these challenges as it takes production to greater depths.

As a significant part of its efforts to find new resources for meeting this demand, the oil and gas industry continues to push the boundaries of deepwater exploration and development.

Since its entry into the offshore in 1997 with the purchase of the Noble Drilling jackup, Pride International has been a company in transition. With its recent move toward deepwater, the company is establishing a new niche for itself on a global scale.

A new method for survey design overcomes repeatability issues.

Time-lapse or 4-D seismic is gaining in popularity. But processing issues remain.

Thick, deep salt structures challenge wellbore design, making cement a key factor in ensuring casing integrity and isolation over the life of the well.

In cemented completions, maintaining long-term zonal isolation is critical to helping ensure that worker health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards are met and that the well is operated economically.

Active set-cement technology mitigates risk of future gas leaks in the Central Alberta Foothills region.

Norway and North Sea operators want to use shore power offshore if they can justify the cost. Now, they can.

Software tools can help companies to improve compliance in real time, increase operational efficiencies and take advantage of new opportunities such as emissions credits trading markets.

Wetlands and coastlines are also beneficiaries.

Advanced technology and innovative approaches to environmental management can improve operations and increase efficiency.

A hub-and-spoke development approach offshore Trinidad and Tobago has involved local companies in establishing unmanned platforms as a viable means of producing gas.

The scarcity of mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) for the Gulf of Mexico is pushing research and development groups to think about drilling in new ways. A new spar design takes a proven production process and adds to it the ability to perform green-field drilling.