OTC celebrates 50th anniversary of showcasing offshore innovation

Emily Querubin, World Oil

The flagship Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is not only gearing up for another year at NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park) in Houston, but it is celebrating its 50th anniversary!

OTC Spotlight on New Technology Awards: Innovation continues as offshore recovers

As the offshore sector of the global E&P industry shows signs of finally turning the corner, the strong pace of technical innovation is continuing.

Technology at OTC: Latest advances target additional efficiencies, cost-cutting

This year’s collection of new technologies and products carries on the spirit of last year’s advances, and perhaps even more aggressively, in terms of wringing out further efficiencies and cost reductions.

Optimized drill pipe connection increases efficiencies in extended-reach applications

Nelson Allen, Glenn Brown, Guillaume Plessis, Andrey Matveyev, Alan Iravani, NOV

A new drill pipe connection, capable of faster makeup and breakout, is reducing NPT in extended-reach drilling and challenging well environments, while remaining economically competitive with other premium connections.

Riser project management— far beyond just rolling steel

Jeff Bockmiller, Michael Tricarico, Vallourec

Helping the customer beyond just product delivery, a manufacturing company successfully delivers a full package of products and services: API 17G qualifications, coatings, logistics, and accessories included.

Maybe it’s a recovery. . .

Mike Slaton, Contributing Editor

Shhh… Don’t scare this thing off. After four years of declining drilling activity, permits are up, rig count is up, and there is cautious optimism afloat on a bubbling current of hallelujahs.

Integrated technology drives P&A efficiencies

Lyndsay Harley, Coretrax

A one-trip system for annular cementing combines multiple tools to speed operations, improve safety, and reduce costs.

What’s new in well logging and formation evaluation

Ron Bitto, Contributing Editor

Recent advancements in logging-while drilling and wireline logging technology have improved the industry’s ability to place wells in the reservoir, evaluate adjacent formations, and understand targeted reservoirs and the rocks and fluids that comprise them.

Majors double down as takeaway crunch eases

Jim Redden, Contributing Editor

They may have arrived late to the shale soiree, but the super-majors have shown up with overflowing wallets, lofty production targets, and they’re setting the tone for the next wave of development in the transcendent Permian basin.

Long game: Reliable, interventionless completions for toe stages

Travis Harris, Packers Plus Energy Services

Adjusting completion plans in extended-reach laterals can reduce risk, lower costs, and expedite bringing wells online.

Israel’s chief geologist touts improved offshore bidding round, sees potential onshore

Kurt Abraham, World Oil

During a recent visit to Houston, Israel’s chief geologist, Dr. Michael (Miki) Gardosh, who operates within the Ministry of Energy, visited with World Oil Editor-in-Chief Kurt Abraham, providing an update on the country’s E&P sector. Activity remains solid offshore, buoyed by a current bidding round, and there also is some renewed interest onshore.

Visualizing what lies beneath: A new era for fiber optics

Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Silixa Ltd.

A new engineered fiber optic and sensing system provides exceptional data quality on permanent and intervention cables. The improved sensitivity lowers operational costs by reducing the source effort and increasing the frequency of the measurements.