Intelligent Wells/Completions

World's first multiple fiber optic, intelligent well completion. The Weatherford International system comprised multiple fiber optic pressure and temperature gauges in a single well, as well as a distributed temperature-sensing fiber. All of the fiber optic sensors were run along with surface- operated, intelligent- completion flow- control components. This article details the technology, its installation and initial performance for operator Norsk Hydro in the North Sea.

What is an intelligent well? What are the best uses for intelligent well data? Baker Oil Tools answers these questions with an overview of intelligent well systems, their diverse data types, uses and limitations. Also discussed is the value to operators of the various intelligent completion types. This is an excellent, succinct profile of the intelligent completion industry today and in the near future.

How to optimize intelligent well control. Written by ChevronTexaco EPTC and colleagues at Stanford University, this valuable article tells operators how to best employ downhole, mechanical flow devices for reservoir engineering. It is generic with respect to the type of downhole flow control, but gives specific techniques, ideas and working equations to achieve the best reservoir performance.

 MWD and LWD

Latest advances in MWD and formation evaluation. Our well-received SPWLA guru, Shell's David Patrick Murphy, gives his annual wrap-up of new technology in the areas of Logging While Drilling and Measuring While Drilling technology.

 Exploration

Using the LMR technique to differentiate rock properties and fluid effects. Building on the earlier success of Bill Goodway's LMR technique, Author David Gray – a researcher from Veritas DGC – shows how a variation on Goodway's technique reduces noise considerably in seismic sections processed using this AVO inversion method.

 World Supply and Demand

Global energy resources – recent trends. Author Dr. R. K. Bhargava, an ASME Fellow working at Universal Ensco, presents a well-researched article about future energy supplies. He makes the case that Asia Pacific and Central & South America hold the future for energy markets.

 Petroleum Technology Digest

World Oil's regular monthly feature is published in association with the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council. The brief-yet-complete format features an article that gives practical information for increasing profits by solving technical problems in production.

 Angola: The Awaking Giant

This special, separately bound, supplement will present the most comprehensive look ever taken at Angola's upstream industry. Much of the content results from Managing/International Editor Kurt Abraham's trip to West Africa. Major features chronicle the activity and technical achievements of the major operators: ChevronTexaco, TotalFinaElf, ExxonMobil and BP. Additional articles look at economics, politics, geology, community development and ex-pat life.