Backdropping the oil industry’s historical supply/demand fluctuations, every upswing typically brings new challenges as well as open-ended opportunities. As shareholders of super-major oil companies evaluate the balance between production and... more

As the world struggles to address increasing demand and decreasing supply of energy, producers are compelled to explore and produce in more challenging places. Technology has always been a key... more

In underbalanced drilling (UBD), the pressure throughout the well bore is intentionally kept lower than the formation pressure, allowing the well to produce during the drilling operation. This is done... more

Dynamic Pressure Control (DPC) is a managed-pressure drilling (MPD) service to maintain constant bottomhole pressure (CBHP) while drilling. Operators drilling the challenging environments found in mature fields are benefiting from... more

There are many locations worldwide where drilling cost reduction or production improvement is likely to result through application of directional underbalanced drilling (UBD). The main benefit of underbalanced drilling is... more

Currently, production from sand-prone environments accounts for approximately one-third of BP’s current total production, and this will grow significantly as many of BP’s new growth areas ramp up production over... more

For years, offshore operators have relied on dedicated stimulation vessels for high-rate pumping operations such as hydraulic fracturing, frac packing and acidizing. Contracting these vessels can be extremely expensive, and... more

In the first part of the 1990s, cased-hole gravel pack was the primary sand control measure in Statoil; however, during the last decade openhole solutions have been taking over. Statoil... more

The external interface management process is useful to ensure that the myriad of project elements are properly coordinated, responsibilities assigned, problems identified, conflicts resolved, resolutions documented and roles understood by... more

Acergy has steadily been building up experience in using standard flange connectors for the tie-in of deepwater pipelines and risers. To date, more than 100 flanges have been successfully connected... more

Major oil companies bypassed Madagascar in times past, but now it’s on ExxonMobil’s short list of hot offshore prospects, and the latest licensing round has drawn interest from other major... more

The oil and gas sector is a high-risk industry in anyone’s estimation — working with high-pressures, volatile liquids, flammable and toxic gases, heavy equipment in remote and harsh conditions, and... more

New rig designs tackle a host of difficult conditions.As access to the world's oil and gas reserves becomes constrained outside Europe and North America, the interest in and potential for... more

Operators know the island nation's potential, but they have to deal with the uncertainty.Major oil companies bypassed Madagascar in times past, but now it's on ExxonMobil's short list of hot... more

The importance of preparing for, responding to and managing emergencies should not be underestimated.The oil and gas sector is a high-risk industry in anyone's estimation - working with high- pressures,... more

Operators drilling with Dynamic Pressure Control expand access to previously undrillable reserves while reducing mud costs and NPT.Dynamic Pressure Control (DPC) is a managed-pressure drilling (MPD) service to maintain constant... more

Drilling underbalanced brings unique problems, but overcoming them can result in a successful well not attainable with traditional drilling techniques.There are many locations worldwide where drilling cost reduction or production... more

Because of the presence of both compressible and incompressible fluids, accurate multiphase flow modeling is necessary for the planning and implementation of most UBD projects.In underbalanced drilling (UBD), the pressure... more

A remote connection system enables flanges to be used safely and effectively at depth.Acergy has steadily been building up experience in using standard flange connectors for the tie-in of deepwater... more

A workable teamwork approach to construction management reduces the chance of costly misunderstandings.The external interface management process is useful to ensure that the myriad of project elements are properly coordinated,... more

Expandable completions will play a bigger role in operators' sand control portfolios.Currently, production from sand-prone environments accounts for approximately one-third of BP's current total production, and this will grow significantly... more

New system makes high-rate pumping accessible and affordable in remote areas.For years, offshore operators have relied on dedicated stimulation vessels for high-rate pumping operations such as hydraulic fracturing, frac packing... more

Packer system, lightweight gravel offer solution for North Sea openhole gravel pack.In the first part of the 1990s, cased-hole gravel pack was the primary sand control measure in Statoil; however,... more

Seismic data processing requires huge chunks of compute power. Computing-on-demand helps meet this burgeoning need.Backdropping the oil industry's historical supply/demand fluctuations, every upswing typically brings new challenges as well as... more

Talk about a cyclic industry - geophysical contractors have seen it all. Here's how they survived the tough times and are embracing the good times.In the immortal words of Jerry... more

Multiples provide unexpected benefits in illuminating complex reservoirs.As the world struggles to address increasing demand and decreasing supply of energy, producers are compelled to explore and produce in more challenging... more

Suits under the Alien Tort Claims Act could threaten international operations.Despite the US Supreme Court's effort to clarify the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA), the divergence between lower courts interpreting... more

The industry owes a great debt to the pioneers of the 20th century.The history of oil fields covers a broad scope and evolving technology that today encompasses real-time monitoring of... more

We have only recently surmounted the lengthy hypothesis/test cycle-time problems that other industries have conquered.Computer modeling and simulation is common in many industries today. In the early days of computing,... more

Hard-core libertarians may disagree, but in the vast stew of activities funded by the US federal government a few morsels actually return value for money spent. Unlike the infamous Alaskan... more

I think I am beginning to get the hang of this IT/Intelligent Energy thing. After moderating a couple of conference sessions, it may all be coming together for me. Up... more

The Intelligent Oilfield (IOF) is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Part one of this three-part series defines the IOF and looks at the business case for it. The dynamic and dramatic... more

As the price of oil fluctuates, so does the industry's approach to moving technology forward. When the price of oil was low, many operators looked to major service companies to... more

Deep Marine Technology Inc. hired Jerry Streeter as vice president of business development. Streeter will be responsible for managing the sales department and leading and directing new business activities. Microsoft's... more

Nano-structured material successfully combines the often conflicting properties of hardness and impact resistance.Downhole tools often operate in extremely abrasive, erosive, corrosive and chemically aggressive environments. These conditions reduce tool life... more

New riserless technology succeeds in tophole drilling applications.Those of you placing bets on The Next Big Thing in offshore drilling technology may want to check the current odds on riserless... more

A new invention that enables rotation in both directions overcomes coiled tubing's (CT) biggest limitation and promises a dramatic increase in CT capabilities and applications.The invention of a completely new... more

Instant gratification only works on the Internet.The Royal Bank of Scotland unleashed a disturbing report for the United Kingdom in late August. It said oil production dropped 4% from May... more

Blackbeard was a duster. What does this portend for the Deep Shelf play?The speculation was fun while it lasted. Newfield Exploration Co., along with partners ExxonMobil, BP, Petrobras, Dominion Exploration... more

The dynamic and dramatic evolution of the oil industry continues. It was a mere 10 years ago that the industry was feeling bloated with staff as energy demand provided only... more

The speculation was fun while it lasted. Newfield Exploration Co., along with partners ExxonMobil, BP, Petrobras, Dominion Exploration & Production Inc. and BHP Billiton Petroleum, was sitting on the details... more

Those of you placing bets on The Next Big Thing in offshore drilling technology may want to check the current odds on riserless drilling. This technology continues to evolve and... more

The Royal Bank of Scotland unleashed a disturbing report for the United Kingdom in late August. It said oil production dropped 4% from May to June and 13% from June 2005... more

Spectraseis has developed a new type of passive seismic method leveraging the low frequency ambient waves that are present everywhere in the Earth’s crust, continuously generated by natural events such... more

Technology jointly developed by GE Oil & Gas and Aker Kværner has been selected for a pilot program in Norway’s Ormen Lange natural gas field that will be the first... more

Expro International Group had a successful application of its Cableless Telemetry System (CaTS) for the monitoring of the reservoir pressure and temperature response in an abandoned subsea well. The CaTS... more

The first North Sea oil well employing Ability Subsea's advanced Riserless Mud Recovery (RMR) technology has been successfully drilled by Total E&P UK PLC on the Jura West 3/15-10 prospect.... more

Passive seismic method measures wave fieldsSpectraseis has developed a new type of passive seismic method leveraging the low-frequency ambient waves that are present everywhere in the Earth's crust, continuously generated... more

The invention of a completely new device to rotate CT was driven by the numerous advantages that such a capability would provide. This new concept, called the Tubing Intervention Manipulator,... more

Downhole tools often operate in extremely abrasive, erosive, corrosive and chemically aggressive environments. These conditions reduce tool life and cause significant downtime. This has substantial cost and time implications and... more

Hard-core libertarians may disagree, but in the vast stew of activities funded by the US federal government a few morsels actually return value for money spent. Unlike the infamous Alaskan... more

ExplorationBrazil plans Round 8Brazilian energy regulator ANP will offer 284 blocks in seven basins in its eighth licensing auction on Nov. 28 this year as it pinned down a date... more

Despite the US Supreme Court’s effort to clarify the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA), the divergence between lower courts interpreting the law continues to expand. While some courts have construed... more

Computer modeling and simulation is common in many industries today. In the early days of computing, simulation replaced physical experimentation only in simple cases where the simulations executed faster than... more

The history of oil fields covers a broad scope and evolving technology that today encompasses real-time monitoring of producing fields, geophysical techniques that greatly reduce drilling risk, and sophisticated engineering... more

While governments have their definitions of a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME), mine is when an SME has an annual turnover that is less than the stationery budget of its... more

Once considered high on the list of kidnapping capitals of the world, Colombia has done a turnaround and now represents an attractive opportunity for oil and gas investment. “It has good... more

I think I am beginning to get the hang of this IT/Intelligent Energy thing. After moderating a couple of conference sessions, it may all be coming together for me. Up... more