Subsea Well Intervention Systems

While their value cannot be disputed, industry has yet to standardize intervention designs. That may be best, since in some cases, wireline is sufficient, while in others, tubing or coiled tubing may be needed. This article details what's being used, as well as what's on the drawing boards of this evolving industry, including contributions from Expro, RWLI (Island Offshore, FMC, Maritime Well Service), Sonsub, QinetiQ/OTG, the Wellships Group and ExxonMobil.

 Production Report

What's new in subsea production systems. Authors from Petrobras and Curtis Wright present the current status of the important topic, subsea multiphase boosting, with special emphasis on the new Petrobras/Curtis Wright multiphase effort.

From Georges to Katrina: Lessons learned. The recent spate of hurricanes has made the offshore industry acutely aware that the success of past practices was, in part, a product of good luck. Now that bad luck has returned in the form of several powerful hurricanes, the weak links in offshore structures and infrastructure are becoming better known. What we've learned, and how to mitigate the effects, are discussed in this eye-opening report.

A review of mitigation methods for severe slugging. Flowlines, producing facilities and pipelines all suffer from occasional slugging. Solutions need to be matched with the problem, as discussed by an author from Cranfield University, England.

New pumps. A report on two new, mind-boggling pumps with amazing potential to change how fluids are pumped. One is a radical, new thermal/hydraulic pumping technology invented by Brian Hageman of Deluge, Inc. This pump won the Outstanding Technology Development" award from the DOE. The other is a spherical, positive displacement pump with a rotating wedge that can pump an incredible amount of fluid relative to its size.

 Information Technology

Dynamics of a successful turnkey solution that resulted in some interesting ancillary benefits. Magnolia field was discovered by ConocoPhillips in 1999. After a two-year appraisal and evaluation period, Magnolia was sanctioned for development in January 2002. ConocoPhillips recognized that considerable value could be added to the project by taking a "fast track" approach, which reduced the time between discovery and first oil, from the typical 4 5 years to just 2.5 years. Authors from ConnocoPhillips and Schlumberger describe an Information Technology and Telecommunication system that was the first of its kind. It provided several intended benefits and some interesting side benefits as well.

 New Bit Designs

New advancements in drill bit technology. This is a report on new bit technology from the major manufacturers. Every year, bit designers, like car designers, use newly developed technology to make drill bits run faster, drill deeper, and last longer in an effort to give operators more value for their bit dollar. In some cases, the added value is real, while in other cases, it is simply perceived.

 Petroleum Technology Digest

This highly useful feature is published in association with the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council. November's article shows how operator Cano Petroleum is finding that, in the current economic environment, the EOR method of surfactant-polymer flooding needs to be re-examined. The company is finding it very beneficial, recovering up to half again as much oil as has already been extracted through primary and secondary production in some operations.

 Deepwater focus:

Global deepwater activity report. Data analysts and consultants IHS go around the world's deepwater basins and tell us what's happening today and what's likely to happen tomorrow.

 World Oil 4th Annual Awards

A special bound-in supplement that describes the winners of this year's awards in 10 categories.