Whether it is wireline or coiled tubing, hydraulic workovers or slickline units, well intervention is a key element in optimizing oil and gas production today. The last few years have also... more

Nearly every operator has faced the frustration of losing production because something in the well bore gets in the way. Most of the solutions for getting rid of that frustration... more

In production since 1982, the Valhall reservoir in the North Sea has recently entered a new phase of enhanced recovery with the commencement of a pilot waterflood to maintain pressure... more

The Blanca field in Ecuador has entered a new era with the introduction of superior logging-while-drilling (LWD) capabilities including capture spectroscopy and Sigma measurements. These new measurements provide a step-change... more

One of the goals of today’s geoscientist is to provide the reservoir engineer with a description of the reservoir from which he or she can work, optimizing reservoir production over... more

Dual-gradient drilling methods have been proposed as a means to provide simpler, safer, more economic well designs and therefore increase the ultimate development and utilization of deepwater gas resources. Two... more

The ability of the riser fluid used in a dual-density drilling system to retain sufficient solids suspension and cutting transport properties after heavy dilution of the well fluid with an... more

The industry continues to demand drill bits that are more application-specific and that extend the performance envelope in terms of rate of penetration (ROP), bit life, (particularly in harder, more... more

The drill bit industry is now focusing on the study and measurement of downhole vibration, the primary cause of drilling inefficiency. More than 10 years ago ReedHycalog began developing tools... more

The evolution of steerable PDC technologies has four key milestones: 1) quantification of bit stability; 2) quantifying hole quality and the negative effects of overly aggressive gauges; 3) addressing tool-face... more

A patented roller cone balancing process introduced in 2002 began to manipulate forces to increase cutting efficiency. This yielded more aggressive bit designs with tougher cutting structures that extend bit... more

Drilling with casing (DwC) typically eliminates 20% to 30% of rig time by removing the need for a pilot hole. It virtually guarantees getting to the planned casing depth, minimizes... more

Rate of penetration (ROP) and bit durability (BD) have the biggest effects on operational costs. Both must be improved to increase drilling performance. This is more critical in hard and... more

If there’s any doubt about the sincerity of Middle East producers making good on their pledges to increase production to meet world oil demand and provide a buffer against price... more

Good petroleum reservoir management focuses on maximizing profitability, production and ultimate reserves recovery by integrating technical, commercial and risk management in a dynamic and uncertain environment. Constraints (technological, physical, financial,... more

When Western Geophysical and Geco-Prakla merged in 2000, it suddenly put their main competitors — CGG, Veritas DGC and PGS — at a distinct disadvantage. The five companies had been... more

While the spotlight shines on glamorous, exotic semisubmersible and drillship advances, lurking in the shadows are interesting developments in the lowly land rig. For example: Rocket Rig’s flair The wordplay... more

Here at E&P magazine, we talk a lot about conditions that stand in the way of efficient production of oil and gas. We present readers with techniques such as managed-pressure... more

Randomly thumbing through technical papers maybe doesn’t offer the highest probability of finding comic gems. But believe it or not, it happens. OK, it happened once. If you made it... more

On Feb. 1, 1997, a fire started in the Kariya plant of Aisin Seiki, a major automotive parts supplier to Toyota, Japan (HBR, July 2005). This plant supplied 99% of... more

Increased drilling activity caused by long-term, elevated oil price stability is driving technology development and new application practices and techniques at a record pace. The ability to capture, retain and... more

When an oilman’s gamble pays off with a producing oil well, much remains to be done before the oil can make it to market. In 1859, “Colonel” Edwin Drake used... more

Those of you who read this column regularly know of my commitment to energy education. It is imperative that we bring to the general public a better, more factual picture... more