E&P Magazine - February 2008
As I See It
What are you voting for?
Considering how frequently — basically, in every election for everything, everywhere — candidates bleat the theme of change, it is remarkable how little of the fundamental variety the candidates clamor for actually occurs.
Exploration Technologies
An old idea with a new twist
The concept of mentoring is not new. Just about everything else in SEG’s new “Geo-Mentoring” initiative, however, is.
Drilling Technologies
Drilling efficiency increases – not!
The relentless flow of new tools and techniques to improve drilling efficiency is not having the desired effect, according to one operator.
Completions and Production
The world is getting smaller
Not long ago, the national oil companies (NOCs) of the world looked little further than their own borders for investment opportunities. Today, many NOCs are as international as the international oil companies (IOCs), and some of them carry a lot of clout.
Special Report
Using satellite imagery at Shell
Oil and gas E&P activities are now supported using imagery from a range of active and passive satellite-based sensors and have raised expectations across the industry.
Digital Solutions
Application hosting delivers performance, savings
Moving E&P software and data to high-performing computers and storage devices in a centralized location offers important benefits.
Features
Abandon gravel pack zone with gel
Technique saved time and money in isolating a non-productive zone in an offshore well.
Automation enhances casing running operations
Tool initially developed to enable drilling with casing proves to be an effective method for automating casing running operations.
Balance technology for specific applications
Ranking the relative importance of key performance indices in specific applications enables optimal technologies to be applied to improve drilling performance.
Bridging technology overcomes depleted formations
A customized bridging solution aided drilling in Saudi Arabia.
CT meets new challenges
Unconventional reservoirs, multilateral wells, horizontal wells and mature fields pose new challenges for long-established coiled tubing (CT) technologies.
Diverting acid for better stimulation
Optimized acid and diversion technology and long operations experience improve Saudi production and injection wells.
Drilling system goes electronic
A proven pneumatic drilling system that could only be controlled locally becomes an electronic system that permits remote control.
Dynamically model the total drilling system
Sophisticated simulation process accurately models the total drilling system from individual cutter contact with the formation to the surface drive mechanism.
Eliminate turbulent flow problems
Roller cone drill bit platform design incorporates a new approach to engineered hydraulics.
Ensure consistent directional control
PDC directional bit technology enhances steering performance by balancing the bit’s face and lateral aggressiveness with the application.
Generate micro-cores of formations while drilling
Low ROP and lack of quality cuttings are among the main drilling challenges in HPHT environments.
Investment continues to grow in Colombia
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Hernan Martin Torres, Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, discussed Colombia’s goals and how his country is working to achieve them. This is the third in a series of E&P interviews with industry leaders.
Match drill bit designs to specific drilling systems
A bit should be designed to complement the unique qualities and capabilities of each individual drilling system.
Microseismics add value
Integrating microseismic monitoring technology into an E&P asset management process pays dividends for operators.
Multitasking supplements intervention
Light, multitasking vessels lower risks, costs for activities in existing offshore wells.
PDO, Shell extract more oil with EOR
PDO and Shell employ high-pressure steam and other aids to raise oil production and extend the life of reservoirs in Oman.
Reservoir geophysics in difficult areas
Oman/Shell joint venture PDO uses seismic quantitative interpretation to maximize business impact in Oman.Impedance inversion
Seismic-driven reservoir characterization
New tools allow the geoscientist to effectively and efficiently make use of multi-dimensional data in the search for new reservoirs or in the optimum depletion of existing ones.
The evolution of closed-loop drilling systems
Understanding of drilling dynamics, both through drilling dynamics models and validation of those models with downhole measurements, has progressed significantly.
What is all the buzz about?
BE is a novel technique for extending the usable bandwidth of seismic data.
Workover rigs meet high technology
Sophistication offers top efficiency and safety for operators.
Zamora invites foreign investment in Colombia
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Armando Zamora, Director of Colombia’s Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH) talks about exploration opportunities and foreign investment. This is the second in a series of E&P interviews with international industry leaders.
Tech Trends
New safety valve eliminates high-pressure circuit
Operating at a consistently low control line pressure regardless of depth or well pressure, the valve requires only the low-pressure circuit in the umbilical.
Tech Trend briefs
Tech trend briefs.
On The Move
On the move
Who's going where in the upstream industry.
Last Word
A lesson learned
Energy related problems that afflict the current age and an equally reasoned discourse on the impact the US presidential elections might have on those problems and the global economy.
Activity Spotlight
New Zealand opens new bidding round
After a decade of declining reserves, onshore exploration may supplement offshore gains.
Another Perspective
1,500 Tcf of natural gas is yet to be produced
The greatest challenge is to develop stranded gas at a cost low enough to justify the investment in the face of market risk.
A visual change to desktop integration
Many of the biggest players in the oil and gas industry have adopted the latest visualization tools for virtual collaboration, analysis and decision-making. These technologies are not only linking people with data but linking experts with experts for the ultimate in team-based analysis.
Change to get a change
With the massive numbers of new people entering the industry, it is very popular to talk about how the new generation looks very different from the previous demographic bulge.
Eliminate hole instability
Designer fluid combines with a novel wellbore strengthening concept to overcome the challenges of drilling in the Wilcox sands and the Midway shale.
Fluid meets Bu-Hasa field challenge
Special drilling fluid solution stops excessive mud losses and maintains wellbore integrity in a vuggy limestone formation with substantial natural fracturing.
Fluids solve sand screen plugging
Wells flow freely after fluid dissolves blockage in screens.
Industry conditions ripe for CNG
New technology expands stranded gas development options.
Overcome severe torque and drag
Lubricant helps to overcome torque and drag, minimize stick and slip concerns and allow drilling a longer section than initially planned.
Technique adds to reservoir understanding
Advanced technologies such as crosswell imaging are being used more often to provide a level of ultra-high resolution information that can reliably support drilling, production and EOR operations.
Technique trims non-productive time
Weighted fluid helps operator lower time of transition from mud to completion fluid.
Using stranded gas to revive production
Energy generated from waste gas restores marginal fields.
Wellbore program reduces mud losses
Tailored solution saves money for operator in sensitive well bore.
Management Report
A changing landscape
Companies that provide drilling services are no longer in a “do as you’re told”environment.
Plan technology for Arctic operations
Arctic oil and gas development requires specialized techniques for production and people.
News & Analysis
News and Analysis
February exploration news and analysis.
Oilfield History
Shell traveled bumpy highway
Potholes and detours littered the road leading to one of the top spots among world oil companies.