E&P Magazine - July 2011

As I See It

Cover Story

North American Shales Show Production Gains

US shale gas production could contribute 22 Bcf/d within a decade.

Exploration Technologies

Take The Core Lab To The Well Site

PetroArc International plans to speed up the process of core analysis through a combination of innovative techniques.

Drilling Technologies

Is The industry Obsessed With Automation?

In Europe, the question of “human-free drilling” continues as a major topic of discussion.

Digital Solutions

Taking Control Of Real-Time Systems

Selecting a single well construction data monitoring and aggregation system enables operators to realize greater benefits across the organization.

The Digital Oil Field Gets A New Look

Microsoft’s MURA Initiative seeks to solve infrastructure challenges.

Features

Drilling Rigs Keep The Pace

Land rig development prepares for current and future demand.

Fluid Fingerprinting – A Real-Time Analysis Tool For Deep Water

New in situ fluid analysis combines with asphaltene nanoscience to deliver a major breakthrough in reservoir reconnaissance.

How To Control Inflow To Restrict Gas Influx

Early gas breakthrough can impair oil production while bleeding off reservoir pressure. After study and simulation, Statoil found a solution.

Industry Warms To Mediterranean’s Eastern Promise

Huge discoveries are putting the Mediterranean back on the E&P radar screen.

Monetizing Marcellus

In short time, operators have proven the Appalachian Marcellus’ production potential. They’re working now on increasing recovery and getting the bounty to markets.

Multi-Disciplined Support Services Deliver HUC Cost, Efficiency Benefits

On-time and on-budget hookup and commissioning lead to faster time to production.

New Design Offers Less Maintenance, Continuous Reliability

Top drive offers zero-related nonproductive time and provides ample torque for extended reach drilling.

New Frontier Offers Opportunities, Challenges

Presalt discoveries provide an impetus for regulatory change.

Petrobras, Foreign Partners Set The Pace For High Tech In The Presalt

In an exclusive interview for E&P, Petrobras President José Sergio Gabrielli shared his views about Petrobras’ plans for investment in its deepwater and ultra-deepwater projects.

Prelude To A New Era

Shell’s pioneering FLNG scheme sets the tone for remote offshore gas production.

Pulse Technology Tackles Subsea Blockages

New blockage removal system offers a timely and cost-effective alternative to traditional remediation methods.

Real-Time Fluid Sampling Creates Opportunities

An LWD tool that can stop and take fluid samples provides more new, actionable information.

Rocky Mountain Area Leads Shale Oil Boom

Top shale operators provide insight into the liquids-rich rush.

Santos Basin: Answering The Call For Improved Subsalt Images

Improvements in imaging, velocity model building, and input data preparation are leading to a better understanding of Brazil’s presalt province.

Super Vessel To Carry Up To 110,000 Metric Tons

Revolutionary transport ship is set to hit the seas in late 2012.

Technology Pushes Frontier In Unconventional Exploration

A new tool is delivering faster, longer cores.

The Sky Is Not Falling

Amidst the usual rumors of peak oil doom and gloom, one industry pundit maintains that the world has plenty of oil and gas.

Unconventional Wisdom: An Executive Interview With Hess Corp.’s Greg Hill

The global E&P is seeking to expand its diverse portfolio.

Will Niobrara Turn Up Next Rockies Oil Boom?

Time will tell if the Niobrara’s novelty as a resource play gives way to proven shale reserves.

Tech Watch

Comprehensive Service Optimizes Shale Play Production

A new program brings a scientific approach to creating high-efficiency fracturing plans.

Tech Trends

Tech Trends

EV has launched the Neptus Wireless Subsea Camera to reduce operational risk and time while conducting downhole and wellbore operations in deep water. The company also has unveiled the Optis Electric-Line video camera, a fully digital sideview and downview wellbore camera that can operate in temperatures to 257°F (125°C) and withstand pressures to 15,000 psi.

On The Move

On The Move

BOEMRE has named Dr. James Kendall Director of the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf region.

Last Word

Bringing Digital Geology Back To Life

Advancements in technology rooted in classic geologic concepts are giving mainstream geologists a whole new spectrum of interpretation tools.

Activity Spotlight

Redesigned Filter For Produced Water Treatment

A new generation of walnut shell filters is able to raise flux rates both onshore and offshore.

Management Report

Training For The Corner Office

University energy management programs merge technical and business skills.