Natural gas compressors are a necessary part of almost every oilfield operation. For natural gas wells, compression is used to boost wellhead flowing pressure to pipeline intake pressure. In addition,... more

Oil companies around the globe have made substantial investments in both software and computer resources to support advanced interpretation techniques for 3-D seismic. It has been observed, however, that the... more

The promise of easy access to multiple quality sources of oil and gas data, regardless of location, remains an elusive goal for interpreters, data managers and commercial data providers. Even... more

A newly developed high-pressure jet wash system field tested for Talisman Energy in a three-branch multilateral well displayed favorable results with respect to operational and treatment effectiveness. Operating parameters clearly... more

Directional and horizontal wells are now being drilled using a new surface technology called Slider, which greatly enhances the efficiency of conventional downhole motor/measurement-while-drilling (MWD) systems without introducing any new... more

Simplifying the complex is not always easy; sometimes it takes a back-to-basics approach and a focus on the fundamentals. A case in point is the recent effort to re-invent the... more

Behind-casing measurements delivered complete formation evaluation on Pemex's Cafeto Sur-1 well, Chilapilla-Jose Colomo asset, Mexico. When conditions prevented openhole logging, and traditional cased-hole logs proved inadequate to clearly identify gas-bearing... more

Careful selection of "previously owned" platforms can reduce facilities costs by more than 40% in offshore field developments. Offshore oil and gas operators have traditionally used a new-build jacket and deck... more

Swell packer technology is giving brownfield developments a new lease on life by changing the economic landscape for well construction costs. With 60% of the world's oil production coming from... more

Few areas offer the perfect seismic acquisition setting. Weather, sea, topographical, geological, ecological, environmental and manmade conditions, among others present variables that must be managed during seismic acquisition and processing... more

Three-D visualization and integrated interpretation technologies are driving changes in how exploration and production (E&P) companies explore and manage hydrocarbon assets. Today, 3-D visualization technology is clearly the catalyst for... more

Slender well systems that use smaller diameter drilling risers and drill-through systems are both seen as cost-saving technologies for deepwater drilling operations. Slender well systems save because riser diameters less... more

The Reservoir Control Valve (RCV) is a mechanically actuated isolation system that provides both a downhole barrier and positive reservoir control. Designed by Baker Oil Tools, it features open on... more

NORTH AMERICA Burlington Resources Inc. appointed Steven J. Shappiro as executive vice president of finance and corporate development. National Oilwell Varco Inc. announced the retirement of John F. Lauletta, chairman of... more

North America 1. The 2004-2005 winter drilling season closed on the North Slope of Alaska with nine wildcats drilled, five onshore and four offshore, according to IHS Energy. 2. Northern Sun... more

Many oil and gas exploration companies once invested thousands of dollars each day enlisting the services of roving well inspectors to keep a watchful eye on resources in the field.... more

As a busy professional and mother of a teen-ager, I find that multitasking is second nature to me. So it was that, as I toured ancient sites in Syria on... more

Many of us have had the dubious experience of being on one of "those projects" at least once in our careers. You know the type: urgent, important, but, despite the... more

How do you improve upon a 10,000-year old success story? Organization structure in use in most of the oil and gas industry mirrors the compelling logic that has been gradually... more

Attending one of the soirées that have come to define OTC-week in Houston, I was contemplating a bowl of gelatinous gunk, which I took to be dip, only because of... more

IHS Energy has signed an agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) of Cambridge, United Kingdom, to market a global biodiversity information module to the... more

Wearing of tools and materials is always a problem when drilling. Operators complain that tooljoints tear up their casing, and drilling contractors want to protect their tooljoints from wear and... more

The REDA Hotline 550 high temperature electrical submersible pump (ESP) system recently introduced by Schlumberger is designed to address the special needs of high-temperature production wells involved in steamflood operations.... more

To address the growing need to reduce onboard processing turnaround time, WesternGeco has introduced Q-Xpress. The system integrates marine acquisition systems with onboard quality control (QC), quality assurance and data... more

The silo-tank floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) for harsh weather environments was conceived because current designs have operating issues during extreme weather conditions. All FPSOs currently operating in... more

Sparks are flying in a Chinese shipyard as a new generation construction barge, called Sapura 3000, takes shape. Built by a consortium of Sembawang Shipyard and Huisman-Itrec, the new vessel... more

It is August in Houston. Between the afternoon deluges and the unbearable heat, it is hard to get motivated for a ripping column. Besides, I might have to abandon my... more

At the recent American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) meeting, Andrew Latham, vice president of upstream consultancy for Wood Mackenzie, presented "Recent Exploration Performance - Evidence of a Downturn?" Latham... more

Using outdated decision-making processes during the implementation of new technology can lead to improper summarization and possible failure of the new technology. Often, acceptance is slowed - sometimes halted -... more

It's easy to spot a good neighbor in a community. He moves in, sets up a business, gets involved in community activities and soon becomes a part of the infrastructure... more

Bill Pike, editor of this magazine, recently mentioned the large percentage of petroleum industry workers reaching retirement age and the small percentage of young workers interested in the petroleum industry.... more