Offshore Exclusives

Tayvis Dunnahoe, senior drilling editor, E&P, reports from Offshore Northern Seas in Stavanger. International operators are still working in the North Sea, but independents are moving in.

With BP poised to close the first chapter in a three-month saga, analyst Neil Dingmann says, “Now, we move to the fallout from the disaster.”

Gov. Rick Perry said, "Once again, the Obama administration has demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the rights and economies of states and the well-being of those whose jobs depend upon a safe and vibrant energy industry, many of whom live in Texas."

BP will conduct additional well integrity tests following its recent two-pronged static kill procedure.

Industry pundits hope lag time will lead to more rational rules.

As clean-up costs continue to soar, the company is divesting billions of dollars in assets.

According to the presidents of IPAA and API, the new CLEAR bill passed by the House of Representatives on Friday will not resolve the issues with offshore drilling. Instead it will continue to put the nation’s economy at risk.

Ernst & Young forecasts several bright spots for the energy industry during the 3Q in spite of facing significant unknowns.

Although the near future is unclear for oil and gas operations in the GoM, experts believe the current stoppage of work is only temporary.

For 2Q 2010, a healthy number of new projects is on the books, but analysis reflects a drop in overall investment value.

Independents are major participants in GoM developments, but new policies may push them out.

Two lawsuits with potentially damaging consequences stir contractors to action.

Watch video and download the detailed study that outlines how the Obama administration’s offshore moratorium will negatively impact industries nationwide.

Global deepwater production (2,000 ft or 610 m of more water depth) capacity has more than tripled since 2000.

Scotland’s Secretary of State has high hopes for offshore operations worldwide.

The first hurricane of the season has entered the GoM with clean-up efforts from the Deepwater Horizon incident far from over.

Operating in a new environment posed challenges, but an experienced team, the willingness to use new technology and perseverance has led to operations success.

The IADC’s 2010 World Drilling Conference opened today at the Corinthia Grand Hotel in Budapest, Hungary.

The presence of oil over a large surface area in the GoM could impact hurricane formation.

Neighborhoods, communities, other industries will be affected by idle offshore.

Attorney General Eric Holder: The Department of Justice will ensure the American people do not foot the bill for this disaster.

In response to the recent accident in the GoM, Atlantic Canada is reinforcing safety guidelines for offshore operations.

Ultimately, drilling costs will go up due to increased safety procedures and government scrutiny, and NPVs will be in question.

In response to the "unprecedented" oil disaster in the Gulf, President Obama has extended the moratorium on deepwater drilling by six months.

BP senior executive vice president Kent Wells: "We do have oil and gas coming to the surface. We should anticipate in the next two days being able to measure (the amount of) oil taken in."

Discussion shifts to the future of supply, demand, and market prices during Webinar Q&A.

In conjunction with other options to cap the well, two "top hat" devices are being prepared for deployment at the spill area.

A recent cooperative agreement between an engineering group and class society will make use of pooled resources to address riser technology.

To remove any hint of a conflict of interest, the US Minerals Management Service’s regulatory duties will be separated from its royalty collection.

Governor Bobby Jindal declares a state of emergency.

Formed subsequent to the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon on Apr. 22, the oil and natural gas industry task forces are working in conjunction with the Interior Department’s Outer Continental Shelf safety oversight board.

Subsea source control and containment work continues to attempt to bring the MC252 well under control.

OPITO’s MIST helps keep offshore workers safe on the job.

Industry executives share their industry knowledge and experience with young professionals during the "Next Wave" program.

ITF’s goals are ambitious. It believes it can stimulate the technology to double field recovery factors to 60%.

International companies are encouraged to help the hydrocarbon-rich nation to diversify its domestic economy and to assist in developing renewable energy and unconventional resources.

NETL’s Knowledge Management Database offers DOE R&D to the industry.

A recent survey addresses the trends in the North Sea and how decommissioning requirements affect activity.

With dozens of applications on land or offshore, the company has taken the proactive step to ensure its engines and generator sets meet the latest environmental standard, so their customers are not impaired in their objectives waiting for compliant power packs.

The SEG Foundation has founded Geoscientists Without Borders to apply the science of geophysics to aid humanity.

Study gives companies a view of the market, projects outlook for 2010.

Integrated system addresses cost and time issues in maintaining subsea assets.

IDS was defined as IDentification & Sampling, and addresses one of the highest priority needs of the oil industry—to quickly characterize the formation fluid so sound decisions can be made regarding ‘next steps’ in the well construction program.

Stena Drilling’s new drillship, DrillMAX ICE IV, is currently under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries Shipyard in South Korea.

Deepwater is a challenging environment, and mooring systems for floating structures are critical to moving production safely into this frontier.

Despite global economic turmoil and oil price fluctuations having a marked impact on activity levels, the deepwater sector is forecast to quickly recover and resume its previous growth.

Robert W. Patterson is vice president, upstream major projects, Americas, for Shell International Exploration & Production Inc. He has been responsible for two major offshore projects; Perdido in the US Gulf of Mexico and BC-10 in Brazil.  

Increasing industry demands are pushing the practical limits of line pipe construction.

New rigs increase expertise in deepwater exploration.

New technologies have the potential to unlocking deepwater areas by resolving the industry’s most challenging issues.

A recent survey shows that the energy industry is taking advantage of the recession by investing in the future.

For 41 years, OTC has brought together companies from all over the world to share their knowledge, services, and technologies with colleagues in hopes of reaching new frontiers.

Annual award honors 12 new technologies.

Daily updates are expected until spill is contained.

Deepwater drilling in the GoM created thousands of domestic jobs, boosted the economy, and filled the government coffers.

Companies join forces to offer environmentally friendly subsea concepts for regeneration projects.

In an exclusive interview, Dave Hutchinson, president of Aker Solutions’ subsea business in Asia Pacific, talks about the company’s investments, major projects, and the strategic direction for the business in APAC.

Moving into ultra-deepwater brings significant production challenges. Kieran Kavanagh is addressing some of those challenges through JIP work developing technology and industry standards and through his technology leadership role in Wood Group’s subsea engineering and integrity management companies.

A newly developed means of displacing fluids in the riser allows for simplified disconnects that save time and money.

Early miners in England took caged canaries into mines to warn of the presence of toxic gases. A 21st century version of this practice extends marine riser field life.

A customized isolation solution smoothes the way for the safe repair of a damaged riser in the UK sector of the North Sea.

For reliable stimulation in deepwater wells, downhole tools, surface equipment, and fluids must operate with maximum efficiency.

FMC plans and provides subsea equipment for BP’s Greater Plutonio and Total’s Pazflor projects.

Technologies applied on the Norwegian Continental Shelf will soon enter the Gulf of Mexico.

Leading companies in the oil and gas industry will meet soon to discuss security issues in the Asia-Pacific region and how to protect oil and gas reserves.

While more and more operators are moving to the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM), some are finding that there is a steep learning curve for executing projects in the area. 

Silicone-based resin combined with glass microspheres is one of the newest subsea insulation materials.

There are approximately 4,000 oil and gas producing subsea wells across the globe, and this number is increasing. With many now more than a decade old, intervention is crucial to extracting all possible recoverable oil.

A partnership between Trelleborg and First Subsea has produced a bend stiffener connector that can be installed using an ROV.

The increased focus on natural gas has been a catalyst for interest in FLNG, a business sector that is expected to see US $23 billion invested between 2010 and 2016.

Production from deep water will remain steady though 2020, but new projects will need to be developed in the longer term.

Since starting Common Resources LLC two years ago, Roger Jarvis has made a splash in North America’s unconventional plays.

For an industry with little tolerance for missed deadlines, a recent spike in delayed offshore newbuild projects has frustrated yards, suppliers, owners, and customers alike.

An innovative approach in subsea construction provides a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to offshore cable installation.

System flexibility extends the limits of successful subsea boosting.

High-pressure capabilities and large crew accommodations will enable the Blue Dolphin to offer nonstop operations in multiple well locations.

Innovative mooring anchors developed by Petrobras will soon be installed in a new region.

Advances in mooring techniques are simplifying floatover installations.

New find will take everything the industry can throw at it.

Despite some rather inclement weather, a platform is successfully removed from the GoM.

A recent report shows industry salaries remain fairly flat, but that geologists, geophysicists and geological/geophysical technicians will see the biggest jump in compensation in the near term.

It is exactly 43 years since the first exploration well was spudded on the NCS. The well, located in the North Sea, was dry, but it paved the way for the successes to come, amounting to proven reserves of more than 60 Bboe throughout the NCS.

Recently rolled out government incentives, attempting to attract investment in the more challenging new UK fields, are a positive sign of government and stakeholder engagement.

Brazil’s massive presalt reserves and the need for development open opportunities for services providers.

According to a report released in late July by Infield Systems Ltd., Asia is leading the world in growth in new fixed platform installation.

Success in Brazil will depend on a perspective that takes advantage of every step in the E&P process.

The oil and gas industry became known as an inhospitable employment sector following the talent bloodbath that took place throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s. So, the findings of a recent Deloitte Consulting LLP survey suggesting that oil and gas companies are effectively managing their Generation Y are pleasantly surprising.

A newly introduced drillship concept delivers ultra-deepwater capabilities with a smaller footprint.

Talk in Washington about energy security has focused on renewable energy resources, but a successful agenda will have to include the entire energy spectrum.

The pursuit of a policy for energy independence in Washington has an admirable goal, but experts caution that the route to energy security cannot bypass oil and gas.

The industry made some painful adjustments following a reversal of fortunes in 2008, but as oil and gas markets pick up in the second half of this year, a large number of forward looking companies are investing for growth.

A new concept for developing marginal deepwater fields has arrived in the GoM and is scheduled to begin operations early next year.

A simple technology advances rig safety and provides cleaner working environments

While the long-term outlook for deepwater drilling rigs remains more optimistic, jackup markets continue to soften as operators delay or cancel drilling programs to wait out the recession.

Fields on the Grand Banks offshore Newfoundland produce 360,000 b/d of oil, and companies have found oil in wells on the Flemish Pass and Orphan Basin.

The task of designing an optimal riser system for a given application is complicated because no two developments present identical logistical parameters. Some of the best minds in the industry are looking for solutions.

The goal is to identify technologies needed to effect improved oil recovery.

A new methodology is helping to test, qualify, and develop ideas to promote echnological breakthroughs, innovative solutions, and substantial savings.

Electrical power generation technology that has been in use in other industries is now making its debut in the oil and gas arena.

Another hurricane season is about to begin, and there is a 90% chance that a tropical storm or hurricane will impact GoM operations.

A winner of Hart’s E&P’s Meritorious Awards for Engineering Innovation, Cameron’s all-electric subsea production system sets another industry first.

With the expectation that 150 FPSOs will be in service or on order by 2010, ABS has established requirements for conversions and plans to announce newbuild requirements soon

An advanced surface treatment process improves corrosion and wear resistance of aluminum alloys for use in subsea applications.

Company continues to push water depth boundaries.

As OTC celebrates its 40th year, Oil States Industries Inc. is proud of its perfect attendance at the event.

Accurate, reliable, clamp-on measurement of wet gas flow has been a long-standing challenge for the upstream oil and gas industry. Sonar-based technology could be the answer.

Risk-based integrity management is ensuring flexible pipe technology remains a competitive and safe enabling solution for harsh and deepwater offshore environments.

In an exclusive interview, Andrei Gaidamaka, Lukoil’s director of strategic development, discusses the company’s role as an independent Russian oil company and explains how Lukoil is carving out a place for itself in the global marketplace.

Enhanced Enterprise-class drillships are in a class of their own.

As operators seek innovative solutions to manage the cost of developing deepwater subsea fields, the use of TOW installation methods is demonstrating that significant system installation cost reductions can be accomplished.

In the current circumstances of global financial instability and turbulent oil prices it is not surprising that people are questioning what the potential impact on the offshore oil and gas industry will be. This forecast examines the expected impact on the floating production systems market.

Offshore LNG has different process requirements from LPG or traditional on-land, base-load liquefication plants. Three generic technology options are being put forward to satisfy key LNG requirements for remote, offshore environments.

Optimizing production in active fields has become one of the focus areas of oil and gas industry development. In Western Siberia, optimization is being achieved not only through extensive application of new advanced oil recovery technologies, but also through revival of traditional methods.

With current demand for hydrocarbons, the undeveloped resources in arctic regions will undoubtedly become an increasingly economic and profitable development opportunity. However, the extreme conditions force risk based management and unified approaches for operation and transport.

Transporting and installing the Shtokman semisubmersibles will break new ground in the arctic.

A new approach is needed for managing the increasingly complex software embedded as part of safety and business-critical systems.

The Sakhalin II project in Russia is one of the largest integrated oil projects in the world, and the LNG plant is at the heart of the development.

Hurricanes in 2005 destroyed many of the ports that service the GoM, but judicious reinvestment has brought services at the Venice Port Complex to a new level.

Pekka Paasivaara, member of the executive board for the Germanischer Lloyd Group talks to Judy Maksoud, Executive Editor, E&P about the recent merger between Noble Denton and Germanischer Lloyd. The companies have joined forces to form a fully integrated technical assurance and consulting company, and unlike many other mergers that are taking place in a time of financial crisis, this joining of forces is one that is expected to lead to expansion.

As the US works to define its energy policy, ideology is the biggest impediment to success.

Investment in technology during the downturn is laying the foundation that will be necessary for the industry to move into challenging frontiers when the investment climate improves.

Being bought brings with it access to innovation, expertise in market-centric product management, and capabilities for supply chain discipline.

Subsea gas-liquid separation coupled with liquid boosting can be an effective means of oil reservoir exploitation. Examples from several recent projects — including Pazflor, BC-10, and Perdido — demonstrate that recovery can be improved considerably more than with just boosting alone, while adding only limited incremental costs.

The world’s most powerful subsea raw water injection system requires subsea pumps capable of daily injecting nearly 90,000 bbl of untreated seawater back into the Tyrihans reservoir.

A dual pressure/temperature trigger APB solution tackles extreme conditions in wells drilled in water depths greater than 1,600 ft.

Deepwater E&P is the focal point for many operators in the global oil and gas industry today, and increased development of deepwater prospects is presenting fresh technology challenges.

When natural disasters strike, they create situations that require immediate attention, and creative thinking becomes a very valuable commodity.

With the global economy in the grip of a potentially lengthy downturn, it is a good time to consider some of the challenges facing deepwater players in the months and years ahead.

Deepwater E&P activity has long been a focal point for the global oil and gas industry. With fewer onshore and shallow-water reserves available, companies have to consider opportunities in ever increasing water depths.

Hydraulically expandable tubular systems are delivering real improvements in well design and integrity, providing more flexibility for North Sea operators. The range of possibilities for new expandable solutions applies to deep, slimhole wells and extended reach horizontal wells in workover or repair stages.

New FPSOs for Brazil, Subsea 7 lands Brazil contracts, World first for AGR.

On an offshore oil platform, the brakes that hold the mooring winches do not get a lot of attention — that is until they are called on to provide the demanding tension control for critical operations.

Remote service extends access to medical resources for offshore platforms.

Never mind arguments about peak oil, the theory that global oil supply will decline. Management consultancy Arthur D. Little is questioning the energy industry’s conventional wisdom that oil demand will rise ever higher, driven in particular by the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China).

StatoilHydro has taken stock of world financial crisis, and though the company has decided to postpone some of its projects, it is continuing to invest in technology.

Ola Morten Aanestad, vice president for media relations at StatoilHydro, talks to E&P about drilling restrictions on the Norway Continental Shelf (NCS).

The demand for oil and gas is going up as production from some of the world’s largest fields is starting to decline. The time is ripe for re-evaluating drilling in areas previously designated as off limits.

Keppel adds to global fleet; Dropping rig count good news for CFPA; Investment continues in deepwater