By modeling NMR outputs synthetically, a new software system can determine permeability with conventional log data. In the ongoing research and development process to enhance formation evaluation, establishing a strong relationship... more

A dual-method nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) interpretation analysis helped characterize Niger Delta reservoirs. Even when several development wells have been drilled in certain Niger Delta reservoirs, key questions about the true... more

Innovative dopeless technology eliminates the need for thread compound and all its associated disadvantages. All operators face the challenge of maintaining low finding and development costs with increasingly complex drilling... more

Expandable sand screens have been around for some time, but new designs feature mechanical integrity that is key to their post-expansion screenability benefits. Mechanical integrity was the primary consideration in developing... more

Remote monitoring and control works for unspectacular wells in ordinary fields. Field automation has historically been biased toward keeping the upper crust of wells - the very highest producers - in... more

Digital techniques and automated operations can revolutionize oilfield cost savings. Some integrated and independent operators are getting a competitive edge by building digital foundations into new fields as they seek to... more

Texas Tech, Permian Basin operators and service companies monitor sucker rod pump performance. Because of huge investments in production equipment, operators should expect reliable information about equipment performance and vital... more

Two major players in the offshore construction market have been operating in the sector for years. Both plan to stay there, but recognize they might have to adapt to new... more

Tim Watson was formerly decommissioning manager for Amoco with responsibility for the North West Hutton platform and other Amoco assets in the North Sea before leaving to become an independent... more

BJ Tubular Services leaped at the opportunity to provide pile-driving services for Murphy Sarawak Oil Company of Malaysia and its partner Petronas Carigali at their jackup-deployed platform installation off the... more

Work is planned to re-route the Frigg Transportation System pipeline which carries gas from UK and Norway fields into the UK St. Fergus gas terminal near Aberdeen, Scotland. In order... more

With extremely tight margins, drillers of coalbed methane (CBM) wells are looking to save money any way they can. Here's an innovative solution. CBM production is a growing component of the... more

There's always an industry report floating about somewhere. One of them that recently came into my possession was the subject of a high level debate about the future of the... more

Two new fluid analysis modules for the Modular Fluid Dynamics Tool (MDT) have been introduced by Schlumberger. The Composition Fluid Analysis (CFA) and the Live Fluid Analysis (LFA) modules provide... more

According to the company, the tool offers several innovations. Previous systems used collet types that provided limited weight-down capabilities but not enough to hold the tools in position. Keeping the... more

Amerada Hess discovered the Ceiba field in 1999, 22 miles (35 km) off the coast of Equatorial Guinea in Block G of the Rio Muni Basin. There was a lot... more

NORTH AMERICA Knowledge Systems named James Webster chief operating officer. Intec Engineering Inc. named Jerry F. Wenzel vice president of LNG engineering services. Dresser Inc. announced that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Patrick... more

Democratic security is working, but it's too early to call victory. Since taking office in August 2002, President Álvaro Uribe has almost single-handedly galvanized the state's response to the chronic... more

NORTH AMERICA 1. Vintage Petroleum Inc., Tulsa, Okla., staked a location in Section 12-20s-19e, Kings County, Calif., for a remote wildcat. The company's 1 Fabry Trust, 2 1/4 miles (3.6 km)... more

SOUTH AMERICA 1. Kappa Resources Colombia Ltd. plans 10 wells this year in an aggressive exploration and production campaign in the Middle and Upper Magdalena Valley of Colombia. It began drilling... more

GULF OF MEXICO 1. Shell is talking with other operators working the area north of the doughnut home on the Gulf of Mexico border with Mexico for a hub-and-spoke system for... more

1. Total continued drilling its block 206/1a West of Shetland Laggan gas and condensate appraisal well 15.6 miles (25 km) northwest of BP's Clair field after spudding the 100-day well... more

1. BP Egypt announced a gas and condensate discovery in the western Nile Delta. The Raven 1 exploration well in the North Alexandria (N Alex) concession is the fourth discovery... more

1. Transmeridian Exploration Inc. is drilling its South Alibek 5 well, the fourth in a series at South Alibek field in western Kazakhstan and the SA-17, the fifth well, both... more

1. Occidental Petroleum clinched a production sharing contract for the development of a cluster of gas finds in Syria's Palmyra area as part of a consortium. Its partners are operator... more

1. Pearl Oil (Tungkal) Ltd. is seeking pre-qualification bids for equipment, procurement and construction contracts for the development of the Mengopeh oil field in the Tungkal block in Jambi province,... more

Operators share their secrets for creating value through exploration. Back before I was anointed exploration editor of this august publication, I wrote for one of E&P's predecessors and covered a variety... more

It's easy to see the attractions of "bundling" services. By integrating contracts for equipment and services you can reduce suppliers and paperwork. In this way, fewer demands are made on... more

Increased industry emphasis on development of fully integrated completion and production systems and production optimization has spurred construction of a world-class engineering facility. With no small amount of fanfare, Schlumberger revealed... more

Two new rotary steerable systems tackle tough directional drilling challenges. Schlumberger has added two new rotary steerable systems (RSS) to its PowerDrive RSS family of services: a powered RSS for fast... more

May has come and gone and, with it, another OTC. That's a bunch of OTCs for me, and for many of you. It was good, with some nice new technologies... more

The traditional triumvirate, people, processes and technology, is suffering growing pains. Getting the trio to pull together to achieve production enhancement goals calls for a visit to the doctor. Around... more

Employee absenteeism is a worldwide problem. One US solution could help all companies. Employee abuse of the Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA), also known as the "Take off anytime you want... more

Operators look to the unconventional to maintain reserve levels. As conventional gas supplies in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin hide in deeper, more complex pockets, Canadian operators increasingly follow the US... more

Over the course of a career, many people are asked to do something that they believe is wrong from a technical, business or ethical perspective. My e-mail confidants shared examples... more