Well Control and Intervention

New lubricator/riser monitoring and safety system for through-tubing well interventions. Coiled tubing, hydraulic workover and wireline units are becoming increasingly sophisticated due to floating platforms, complex wellheads and higher wellhead pressures. BP and CTES jointly developed the Zeta safety system to monitor stresses on the lubricator and riser, using fiber optic strain gauges.

Criteria for blowout ignition. Cudd Pressure Control discusses what is involved in the decision to light a blowout. A presentation of API RP 68, Recommended Practice for Oil and Gas Well Servicing and Workover Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, is included, as well as the ignition of non-toxic blowouts, ignition methods, problems with radiant heat, and the necessary blowout contingency plan.

Diagnosing underground blowouts (UGBOs). Underground blowouts are often neither seen nor heard. They must be detected by other means. But, left unchecked, they can be as expensive as their surface cousins. This article by Neal Adams of Neal Adams Firefighters describes common manifestations of UGBOs, including some of the unusual and often extraordinary behaviors. The article also tells operators and drillers what can be done to prevent them.

 Deepwater Drilling Technology

A novel safety device for surface BOP stacks. Authors from Total and Cameron describe an important application of a mudline-level shut-off system. It allowed safe deepwater drilling using a surface BOP stack in 6,500-ft water offshore Indonesia. Riser design for the deepwater application is described.

 Seafloor exploration

How the new breed of geotechnical deepwater vessels is helping operators. This interesting article from Fugro Geoscience describes how purpose-built vessels like the Fugro Explorer are fulfilling regulatory and HSE requirements while acquiring a wealth of seafloor data, including jumbo piston cores; 10,000-ft water-depth-rated drilled cores; logging with specialized tools in these shallow, deepwater holes; and onboard lab analysis. These ships are finding active petroleum systems and valuable lease-reconnaissance information while providing near-seafloor hazard identification for well siting.

 Petroleum Technology Digest

This popular feature is published in association with the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council. This month, Magnum Hunter Resources and GrailQuest Corp. present, Affordable, efficient "volumetric balancing" locates remaining recoverable hydrocarbons leading to successful workover program. As part of a geologic study, using new volume-balancing software, two years and over 100 workovers later, an 80% success rate was achieved. Field production has increased to over 900 bopd from 600 bopd.

 Tubing Tables

World Oil's popular reference guide for tubing up to 5-in OD and production-tubing couplings. The reference gives connection dimensions, steel grades, coupling type, sealing mechanism and minimum joint-tension strength. Connection manufacturer contact information is also provided.

 Norwegian Innovations

As the name implies, this 24-page sponsored supplement features technology and products made in Norway. A separate magazine, it will be poly-bagged with the regular January issue.