E&P Magazine - April 2011

As I See It

Cover Story

Marine Seismic Surges Ahead

Despite two years of setbacks, the marine geophysical sector is poised for busy times.

Exploration Technologies

Geophysicists Take On The Next ‘Grand Challenge’

SEAM’s next phase will tackle land seismic issues.

Drilling Technologies

Managing Sand From The Outset

SMP technology is entering the world of well construction.

Completions and Production

The Adventure Continues

In my final column, I want to challenge each and every one of you to pay a little back to the industry that put food on your table, a roof over your head, and a sense of accomplishment in your heart.

Digital Solutions

New Standard Streamlines Software Integration

ISDS provides guidelines for tackling costly software integration challenges that slow down commissioning.

The Industry Needs Next-Generation Content Management

In a world that has been rocked by new computing techniques, the oil and gas industry cannot afford to be left behind.

Features

Bakken Activity On The Rise

New technologies are increasing recovery, and operators are moving to delineate areas outside the core Bakken region.

Bed Boundary Mapping Technology Improves Success

Rotary steerable systems combined with deep azimuthal measurements are keeping horizontal wells within the pay zone of thin, low-resistivity contrast reservoirs of the Bone Spring formation.

Canada Invests In Technologies To Improve Oil Sands Development

Canadian government agencies are assisting companies in developing technologies that will increase production, decrease water use, and lead to faster reclamation in Alberta’s oil sands.

Deepwater Production Technology Gets A Boost

Facing technical challenges akin to the first moon landing, Shell attacked a low-pressure reservoir in 8,000 ft water depth.

Dynamic Design Tools Increase Safety

Advanced finite element analysis tools facilitate offshore risers and flowlines design, help operators anticipate the effects of any dynamic scenario, and prepare for it in the design phase.

Geophysical Data Home In On Sweet Spot Drilling

Seismic data can be harnessed to optimize shale field production and development.

Geosteering In Unconventional Shale Reservoirs Has Potential

As North American shale development continually evolves, operators must determine if there is an agreement between final production results and gamma ray stratigraphy.

GGI Helps Level The Playing Field For Independents

Independent oil and gas companies today are a major driving force behind exploration activities.

John Hofmeister Weighs In On North America’s Energy Supply

Restricted production in the Gulf of Mexico will push America to increase oil imports.

Land 3-D Seismic Survey Designed To Meet New Objectives

When the need for higher channel count and better imaging bumps up against a requirement for greater environmental stewardship, planning land seismic surveys can be a balancing act.

Managing The Threat Of Riser Gas

MPD advances are taming an old adversary by measuring and managing downhole gas influxes.

New Dynamics Ahead For Energy, Oil

'It is difficult to make predictions, particularly about the future' - Niehls Bohr, 20th century Danish physicist.

New Integrated Seismic Technology Improves Well Placement

The full potential of seismic data for drilling applications is increasingly being realized by advanced earth model building and new rapid imaging technologies.

New Tool Makes Riser Handling Faster And Safer

An innovative hydraulic riser-handling tool provides a means of fully supporting a drilling riser system during installation and recovery.

Piceance Creek Pushes The Land Seismic Envelope

A massive survey has resulted in a dataset with many surprises.

Riser Bend Stiffener Connections Prepare To Go ROV-less

New approach eliminates divers and ROVs for safer and faster installation.

Tech Trends

Tech Watch: Fractures Detected Without Shear Waves

A new technique provides fracture information at a much lower cost.

On The Move

Last Word

R&D Needs Government Boost

New technology is the way forward in producing the remaining reserves in maturing oil and gas fields on the UKCS, but a more united approach is needed.

Activity Spotlight

All Projects Are Integration

Geo-spatial, search and analytics in a single interface: upstream benefits from portal-based integration efforts.

West Coast Gas Bonanza Lights Up Australia’s Offshore Future

The west coast of Australia has emerged from the shadows to become a major E&P hotspot for the offshore oil and gas industry, dominating the Australasian region as both domestic and international majors sink billions of dollars of investment into several massive LNG schemes.

Management Report

Make On-The-Job Training Work

Imparting tacit understanding is a big part of a mentor’s job.

New Model Exists For Engineering Consulting

iEngineering has the potential to accelerate subsurface studies.

New Recruitment Strategy Removes Guesswork In ‘Big Crew Change’ Era

Balancing the loss of older skilled talent with the influx of new technical talent has become an unprecedented recruitment challenge in the oil and gas industry.