E&P Magazine - March 2011

As I See It

Cover Story

Unconventional Shale Gas Could Soon Be A Global Resource

There are many compelling reasons to develop shale gas outside of North America.

Exploration Technologies

Silicon Valley Meets The Oil Patch

A new company combines geoscience expertise with computer power.

Drilling Technologies

New Solution For An Old Problem

Tools designed using acoustic theory can mitigate he costs and lost time associated with stuck pipe.

Completions and Production

A Perfect Storm?

?As commodity prices continue their upward creep, the regulators dithering in Washington could be creating a monumental crisis of their own making.

Digital Solutions

Cloud Computing Can Be Applied For Reservoir Modeling

Modeling with Amazon? It is closer than ever.

Digital Oil Field Creates Real-Time Data Fire Hose

The digital oil field allows an enormous amount of real-time data to be collected. the challenge is to move from raw data to actionable information.

Features

'It's All Acquisition's Fault'

Advanced time-lapse seismic acquisition improves quality and delivers results more quickly.

Adjusting Fluid Properties Maximizes Shale Recovery

?New fluid starts with high viscosity to carry proppant through surface equipment and long horizontal sections, then breaks in the formation to maximize the complexity of the created fracture network.

Barnett Provides Future Returns

?Why the Barnett might be a good investment.

Bit Performance Is indicative Of Success

?The results are in, and E&P’s Drill Bit Records updates for 2011 show a wide range of performance improvements across the globe

Gulf Of Guinea To Get Second Wind In The Next Five Years

?Due to a reallocation of assets and a redirection of policy, the West African offshore market will diversify more in the next five years than it has ever done before.

Hybrid CT Rigs Enter The Unconventional Market

CT technology is helping to push performance in field development.

Improve Frontline Practice Through Risk Management

While many companies invest in planning and production, some have yet to realize the enormous value that can be derived from improved work execution.

IO, IM Position Subsea System Providers As Valuable Partners

?When IO and IM programs are implemented appropriately, they help operators increase recovery, reduce operating expenses, increase efficiency in execution, and optimize asset availability.

Less Is More

A new approach to hydraulic fracturing using relative permeability modifiers increases oil production while holding water in check.

Refraction Monitoring Shows Promise In Heavy Oil Field

A new technique could provide on-demand information about steam conformance.

Single-Sweep Methods Offer Efficiency Gains

Seismic acquisitions using extended-duration single-sweep technology provides comparable datasets in less time.

Small-Diameter Sonic Logging Tool Opens Access To Challenging Wells

For operators challenged with cost-effectively extracting hydrocarbons from complex reservoirs access to high-resolution, real-time reservoir information is essential.

Subsea Sampling Delivers Value

?Accurate and reliable well data are critical in meeting the challenge of maximizing production from geologically complex and remote fields.

Survival Of The Fittest

After years of hearing, "Who are these guys?" tiny ERHC is poised for growth in the Gulf of Guinea.

Technology Transfer Steps Up The Pace Of R&D

Partnership is key to rapidly accelerating safe and reliable technologies to meet demand growth.

Tech Trends

Low-Frequency Seismic Illuminates Shale Plays

?LF seismic has the potential to provide valuable information before drilling and fracturing.

Last Word

Knowledge Is Power

?Educating stakeholders about the role geophysical technologies play in reducing E&P risks will help change the negative perception of the oil and gas industry.

Management Report

Five Steps To Turning The Talent Management Tide

Putting the right processes and tools in place can lead to greater employee retention and productivity.