Amazingly long, wireline-conveyed, high-fidelity vertical seismic profiling (VSP) arrays are delivering better data at reduced rig time cost, opening the door to more comprehensive use of the resulting datasets. Operators' interest... more

Fiber-optic sensors show promise in offering cost-effective multicomponent seismic data in deep water. The goal of optimum reservoir recovery has moved a step closer following the formation of a transatlantic partnership... more

Two complementary tools are taking the guesswork out of wellhead stress modeling and management, making intervention operations safer than ever before. With increasingly complex well servicing operations being carried out, wellheads,... more

Today's designs are driving down drilling costs with major improvements in efficiency, safety and reliability, both offshore and on land. The recently announced mega-merger of two of the world's most prestigious... more

Continually evolving, experience-based technology is improving rig efficiency and safety while delivering more economical and reliable tools. By carefully balancing the benefits of new technology with the advantages of simple solutions,... more

Petrobras used an innovative horizontal sand control completion system from Schlumberger to execute a successful openhole gravel pack (OHGP) using the alpha/beta (A/B) placement technique from a drillship on a... more

Technique and technology combine to enable successful Frac-pack completions near water contacts. As the quality of prospects continues to decline, Gulf of Mexico shelf wells must have improved completion efficiency to... more

Modularized subsea processing technology developed in the United Kingdom is heading for its first field trial and could significantly enhance the toolbox available for subsea tiebacks. Ian Ball, head of Shell's... more

A specially developed subsea connector designed and built for harsh environment service is being used for the first time on BP's Thunder Horse project in the Gulf of Mexico. These connector... more

Famed American cowboy raconteur and humorist, Will Rogers, once observed, "I never met a man I didn't like." Legendary oilwell firefighter Red Adair never met a well he couldn't tame. In... more

There's a common thread - literally - running through this column involving a couple of offshore structures - one in the North Sea and one off Trinidad and Tobago. One of... more

The Subsea Intervention Lubricator System (SILS) from Oceaneering/Superior is a complete wireline system configured for riserless and diverless operations. The SILS design integrates safety for personnel, assets and the environment,... more

According to Schlumberger, ScalePROP technology protects the proppant pack from scale deposition for extended periods of time compared to previously used methods. Key to the technology is a base proppant... more

Traditional materials used as lifting or mooring lines in deepwater exploration and production include steel chain and wire. However these materials have limitations in deep water primarily due to their... more

NORTH AMERICA The board of directors of ConocoPhillips elected James J. Mulva to succeed Archie W. Dunham, who is retiring as chairman of the board. Mulva will continue to serve... more

Francisco Carrasquero, head of the National Electoral Council (CNE), reported on Aug. 16 the preliminary results of the Aug. 15 recall referendum which showed that, with 94.4% of the ballots... more

1. Vintage Petroleum Co. Inc., Tulsa, Okla., has staked the 1125 Pleito Ranch new pool wildcat in Pleito field in Kern County, Calif. The proposed well is in Section 25-11n-21w. 2.... more

1. Shell plans to start appraisal drilling this year at its Great White oil discovery on Alaminos Canyon 857. Many people in the industry see Great White as the center... more

1. First production from Tartan North was declared by Talisman Energy after tapping the field initially at 6,000 b/d of oil. Talisman said it brought the Block 15/16a discovery onstream... more

1. First Calgary Petroleums appears to have come up trumps yet again in Algeria. Preliminary drilling results from the MZLN-1 well, on the Ledjmet Block (405b) appear positive with initial... more

1. Toreador Resources as operator, with partners Stratic Energy Corp. and TPAO, the Turkish national oil company, are drilling ahead at the Ayazli-1 wildcat on the South Akcakoca prospect in... more

1. Repsol YPF has started drilling its Ciporo 2X well on the Barrancas onshore gas block in Venezuela. According to BN Americas, authorities at Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PdVSA) anticipate... more

1. Iran's plans for its latest licensing round may have to be cancelled after the Iranian Parliament rejected a modification in the country's buy-back formula for foreign investors. Bids for... more

1. ConocoPhillips, Talisman Energy and Pertamina have signed an agreement for the sale of 2.3 Tcf of gas over a 17-year period from the Corridor production sharing contract (PSC) in... more

Landmark Graphics saw an opportunity. While the company continually launched new products to offer its clients an increasingly integrated platform, there was a growing sense of unease amongst the ranks... more

Although the reality of a commercial monobore does not exist yet, most of the essential technology has been proven. This makes a single trip mono-diameter casing string from wellhead to... more

Owner of arguably the most beautiful and pristine environments on the planet, but faced with significant production challenges, Norway has its priorities straight. I have never written political commentary, considering my... more

The giant 2,135 sq miles (5,466 sq km) Priobskoye oil field is bisected by the Ob River in the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region of western Siberia. Discovered in 1982, production began... more

Once again the offshore community has been visited by a serious - potentially catastrophic - storm and not found wanting. Hurricane Ivan came ashore on the US Gulf Coast early... more

Engineers are surprised and frustrated when a new product or technology, which has clear benefits, is not readily accepted, or is even rejected, by its users. While there are several... more

Over two and half thousand years ago a Chinese General named Sun Tzu wrote a book call the "Art of War" (edited and with a foreword by James Clavell, Delta... more

A growth surge has started in Southeast Asia as supplies ramp up to meet demand. Operators are ramping up operations in Southeast Asia and governments are putting out special efforts to... more

A new bit-frame combination proved to be the right concoction offshore. Hughes Christensen did a little innovative work and came up with a solution that allowed the Cuulong Joint Venture Operating... more

Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." That is my view of the current state of engineering, procurement, installation and... more