October 2019 ///
Special Focus
John Evans, Catherine Sampson, Gyrodata
Innovative drilling solutions must use specific combinations of high-performance drilling motors, RSS and MWD to accurately and efficiently drill significantly longer laterals.
Kirby Wedewer, NOV
With persistent calls for an increase in capital returns, hitting the sweet spot is now one of drilling’s most critical tasks.
Claire Webber, Halliburton; Marc Langford, Spirit Energy
A bespoke non-aqueous drilling fluid system developed through a reservoir-centric collaborative process eliminated pack-off problems and sidetracking for a lower-cost, high-productivity well.
Christopher E. Von Eberstein, William H. Von Eberstein, Landing String Solutions, LLC
Up to 80% of landing string weight can be offset using a buoyancy module system.
Features
Craig Fleming, World Oil
Declining U.S. drilling activity and significant reductions in OFS stock prices over the past year are starting to take a toll on R&D efforts. Despite the slowdown, some manufacturers have launched new technologies designed to increase ROP and lengthen bit life in different types of formations.
Staff, World Oil
The takeover pioneer who famously explained “it’s cheaper to look for oil on the floor of the NYSE than in the ground,” Pickens expanded his interests into renewables, in a bid to establish America’s energy independence.
Adam K. Harper, Hexion Inc.
New case study data from the Permian basin show how an operator reduced water disposal costs and improved oil production.
Eduardo Trinchero, Luis Vernengo, Pan American Energy LLC
Efficiently identifying potential hydrocarbon bearing formations is becoming more challenging. The use of updated technologies is essential to recognize new reserves and reduce development costs. Incorporating innovative analysis methods is increasing the probability of success.
Ron Bitto, Contributing Editor
Leading producers plan to increase output, replace reserves
Manoj Nimbalkar, Weatherford
There are many compelling reasons for operators to harness the power of next-generation digital technologies, all offering the potential to improve oilfield productivity significantly.
Bruce Mackenzie, Oceaneering International, Inc.
Tendeka, Tendeka
Use of AICDs has shown that it can significantly increase oil production, extend well life, and lead to greater ultimate oil recovery in a veteran field offshore Norway.
Columns
Kurt Abraham, World Oil
Canadian companies look southward for business
William (Bill) Head, Contributing Editor
Exploration is back to the future
Jim Redden, World Oil
Steadier as she goes
Don Francis, World Oil
The (not so) new oil
Øystein Noreng, World Oil
Challenges to dollar oil pricing
Karr Ingham, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
Alliance takes on oilfield water issues in Texas
Craig Fleming, World Oil
LNG players jockey for position
News & Resources
A waterflood project has been sanctioned at St. Malo field, about 280 mi south of New Orleans. The project, which is Chevron’s first in the deepwater Wilcox trend, is expected to contribute an estimated recovery of more than 175 MMboe.
Saudi Arabia’s oil production was cut by half after explosive drones struck the kingdom’s largest crude-processing plant. The attack caused Brent futures to jump $11.70/bbl to $72/bbl, immediately after the bombing.
Ronald J. (Ron) Bitto, a long-time oil and gas professional and World Oil contributing editor, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 30, 2019, after a brief illness at age 67.
BP has awarded a contract to Sparrows Group for delivery of deck operations services on the UKCS. The contract win is expected to make Sparrows the single point of contact for all lifting and handling operations across the region’s Andrew, Clair Ridge, ETAP (pictured) and Glen Lyon platforms.