August 2015

Improving coiled-tubing serviceability in sour environments through metallurgical design

Mariano Coloschi, Bruce Reichert, Martin Valdez, Thu-Va Nguyen, Claudio Morales, Tenaris

Results of testing, to evaluate different mechanisms that could damage the product in the presence of a sour environment, indicate a positive effect from full-body heat treatment.

Casing-wear factors: How do they improve well integrity?

Aniket Kumar, Robello Samuel, Halliburton

A detailed, comprehensive approach, addressing all of the involved uncertainties, should help simulate a more actual scenario and improve the accuracies of wear estimation.

Operators take shelter from the oil price storm

Kurt Abraham, World Oil

Although this year’s major upstream downturn is inflicting considerable pain on producers and equipment/service companies, alike, it also is stimulating additional technical creativity and progress across all disciplines of the North American industry.

Canadian E&P striving for economic recovery

Robert Curran, Contributing Editor

In response to the prolonged oil slump, operators have slashed spending, postponed large-scale projects and laid off staff. Canada’s industry associations have downgraded their 2015 forecasts, as well.

Mexico places hopes in reform to boost oil and gas production

Mauro Nogarin, Contributing Editor

Less than a year after the enactment of Mexico’s new energy reform law, which was promulgated in June 2014, the Director General of national oil company Pemex, Emilio Lozaya, announced significant new oil and gas discoveries in the country.

Designing steam-injection flow-control devices for SAGD oil recovery

Ryan McChesney, Frederic Felten, Scott Hobbs, Halliburton; John Edlebeck, Southwest Research Institute

SAGD oil recovery requires the most efficient use of the generated steam. Researchers set out to build a steam-injection flow-control device capable of operating reliably throughout the life of a well.

Offshore Europe 2015: Inspiring the next generation

Emily Querubin, World Oil

Although the upstream industry is mired in tough market conditions, its future depends on drawing and retaining the proper people, as well as developing more advanced technologies, both of which can be a challenge.

Regional report: UK-Norway

Zaki Hasan, Catherine Plowdon, Theo Bull, Alex Gorman, Wood Mackenzie

The drop in oil price has had a significant negative impact in a region with already many challenges. The UK has been hit hardest, with Norway suffering less; but, still forced to delay projects.

ShaleTech: Eagle Ford/Pearsall

Jim Redden, Contributing Editor

Fewer rigs, less production

Subsea decommissioning growing in consequence

Bruce Crager, Endeavor Management

Now, more than ever before, operators must identify best practices for subsea decommissioning of wells and infrastructure, to reduce cost and minimize the risk of pollution.