E&P Magazine - April 2012
As I See It
Cover Story
Balancing Risk & Reward
‘Always be prepared’ is not just for Boy Scouts anymore.
Exploration Technologies
USBs – Friend Or Foe?
The lowly, ubiquitous USB port is at the center of a controversy at major companies.
Drilling Technologies
New RSS Drills From Spud To TD In One Run
System offers smarter well bores with more directional control.
Completions and Production
Is The Industry Brave Enough To Freeze Its Arctic Plans?
With Gazprom to start production drilling soon in the Arctic offshore, the need for the industry’s oil spill prevention and response capabilities in the frozen North to be ready for action should be paramount.
Digital Solutions
Virtual Reality Simulation Improves Offshore Training, Safety
Three-D virtual reality simulators provide high-fidelity operations, maintenance, and safety training in a cost-effective, low-risk setting.
‘Big Data’ Requires Efficient Analytics, Bandwidth, Content
As the amount of important information continues to increase, companies will need to think creatively to manage and act on it.
Features
Brazilian E&P Spending Fuels Major Supply Vessel Growth
A massive increase in upstream expenditure in Brazil is driving a strong demand for supply vessels as oil companies tackle deep and ultra-deepwater areas where there is little or no infrastructure.
Collaboration Enhances Process Safety
Working with service companies early in the planning process drives efficiency.
Collaboration Is Key To Expanding Subsea Technologies For Deep Water
As oil company subsea portfolios become increasingly large and diverse, the resultant demand for more complex technology solutions is driving the industry to innovate more rapidly than ever before.
Combined Experience Brings Designed-For-Purpose Top Drive To Market
Much like major operators, the top drive market is driven by a select number of players globally. A small Houston-based company hopes to level this playing field engineering an evolved generation of top drives from the ground up.
Geological Review Of Deepwater Liberian Basin Outlines Prospectivity
New data and drilling results show great promise offshore Liberia.
India In A Race Against Time To Find New Reserves
India’s thirst for more energy to feed the world’s second-fastest growing economy means it needs to find and produce new and large oil and gas reserves quickly if it is to achieve its growth goals.
Iranian Discoveries Continue
In this world-class setting, the potential for major gas discoveries is high.
Navigation Sensor Technology Aids Marine Seismic Survey
A new digital compass provides a clear view of the geology from the seabed.
New Approach Describes The Indescribable
An innovative application of advanced mathematics has provided geoscientists and engineers with an accurate, model-independent way to predict critical reservoir properties from well log data.
Offshore Drilling Regulation Two Years After the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Redundancies and additions affect safety and cost in new government regulations.
Offshore Support Fleet Steering A Positive Course
After troubled times for some regions, the OSV market around the world looks set to enjoy better times as offshore support vessel operators move to meet growing demand from oil and gas companies.
Seabed Compression Advances Boost Development Options
A Norwegian player is lining up a queue of gas compression projects that will greatly enhance the industry’s subsea toolbox for IOR and much more.
Seismic Can Be Relevant In Shales
A novel interpretation and characterization of an Eagle Ford shale play used geometric, mechanical, and full-azimuth seismic attributes.
The Classic ‘Elephant’ Hunter Takes Aim In Central Asia
An independent operator in three underexplored republics in Central Asia has the know-how to access a huge pool of resources in the region’s vast and prolific hydrocarbon basins.
The Haynesville Can Compete
As the largest producing gas play in North America, the Haynesville shale is a highly competitive asset.
Two Brakes In One Improve Performance, Maintain Cost
In many situations, engineering innovation helps to contain development costs rather than contribute to the upward spiral.
Ventura Basin Still Holds Hidden Treasure
A multimeasurement exploration approach breathes new life into an old basin.
Tech Watch
R&D Investment In Brazil Continues To Surge
Increased investment at Cenpes and other Brazilian research centers is facilitating growth in technology R&D and innovation.
Tech Trends
Activity Highlights
On The Move
Last Word
Methane In Water Wells Unrelated To Hydraulic Fracturing
An extensive study backs what the locals already know – water wells in Pennsylvania have contained methane for hundreds of years.
Management Report
The Face Of The Oil And Gas Industry Is Changing
How are large, global organizations – many with long and entrenched histories and practices – aligning their workforces to leverage today’s business opportunities in the new world?
Using Balanced Scorecarding In Mature Fields
A ‘balanced view’ can help ensure that efforts in field management are supporting the overarching goals of the corporation.