E&P Magazine - February 2014

As I See It

It’s all about perspective

The news that the renewables sector is the fastest-growing segment of the energy industry should come as no surprise to anyone. But as usual, it’s all about where you start counting.

Cover Story

Curable resin-coated proppant prevents proppant flowback

The right curable resin-coated proppant can maximize a well’s performance and net present value.

Industry aims to unlock mysteries of fracturing downhole

Whether it is sliding sleeves vs. PNP or slick water vs. crosslinked gel, proponents of fracturing technology are passionate about their preferences.

Exploration Technologies

Finding faults with Mother Nature

Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place?

Drilling Technologies

Rotary steerable systems find home in Gloucestershire

Western England is an unlikely place to discover a hotbed of RSS manufacturing and development.

Completions and Production

Solar-enhanced system serves up ‘pie in the sky’ a la mode

System reduces pumpjack strokes while maintaining production rate and providing a ‘zero-waste solution.’

Offshore Advances

‘Core on deck!’

International organization explores the depths below the seafloor in search of scientific discoveries.

Digital Solutions

Balancing people, assets, information achieves operational excellence

Like orchestra conductors, oil and gas executives must ensure everything is precisely in tune before operations can be performed in total harmony.

Features

Arctic activity warms up as global interest spikes

Fragile environment could yield massive hydrocarbon returns for those companies willing to tap its potential.

Brine-based fluid sees wide application in Permian

Replacing oil-based muds with a reusable brine-based system results in reduced torque and drag, increased ROP, and gauge wellbores.

Elemental spectroscopy yields ultimate answer

TOC combined with matrix-corrected porosity directly determines accurate hydrocarbon saturation.

Evaluating production strategies for liquids-rich shale wells

Results from the reservoir modeling of a liquids-rich well in the Eagle Ford shale provide insight into the best completion and production conditions.

Fluids maintain wellbore integrity in technically challenging wells

Flat-rheology invert emulsion drilling fluids have made strides in maintaining a fluid that is resistant to sag.

Geosynthetic liners help manage water issues

The use of common landfill techniques can help operators better control wastewater impacts on the environment.

Growing pains in Utica set to ease as more solutions come online

As infrastructure improves for NGL transport throughout the Utica and Marcellus plays, operators can focus on other production and separation challenges.

Hybrid system combines benefits of WBMs, EBMs

Operators no longer have to trade performance for environmental protection.

If it’s broke, fix it!

New studies examine the ways shale operators can maximize their investments.

Increased subsea production driving valve developments

Rotary gate valve design is a key enabling technology for next-generation subsea processing systems.

Keeping the harmony by cutting the noise

A new active front-end VSD technology promises to greatly minimize harmonic distortion.

Mitigating casing failure problems

Operators should be prepared to prevent casing failure at every step of the purchasing process.

Momentum builds, but there’s a long row to hoe for natural gas engines

Dual-fuel engines have the edge in the short term, but dedicated natural gas engines offer longer term appeal once the industry establishes infrastructure.

Neural nets optimize well targets

Neural net technology aids in reserves forecasting in the Marcellus.

Process control for energy production enters deeper waters

A new SAM extends the reach of controllers for use in subsea applications.

Schiehallion challenge met with integrated approach

The redevelopment of BP’s Schiehallion field is one of the most innovative offshore brownfield projects ever undertaken.

UK incubating shale’s early growth

Interest in the potential of shale oil and gas in the UK has gone through the roof in recent months. The government has been quick to create the right conditions to nurture early interest and give its nascent shale sector the chance to develop.

Ukraine makes another push for independence

The former Soviet Republic aims to reduce its reliance on neighboring Russia by diversifying its energy resources.

Tech Watch

Putting erosion-resistant epoxy coatings to the test

A new filler-free polymer alloy technology offers competition for traditional ceramic-filled epoxy coatings claiming to be ‘sprayable.’

Tech Trends

Activity Highlights

On The Move

Last Word

Why big data matters to the energy industry

New approaches to handling big data could improve its current and future value.

Industry Impact

Surface gas detector can enhance fluid evaluation

Technology can correct for changes in temperature during reservoir evaluation.

Management Report

Attract, train, retain – capturing the armed forces talent pool

As the UK prepares to lay off thousands of its military personnel, the oil and gas industry has an opportunity to recruit for its future.