2 July 2009 in Production (PO), US/Canada
Sonic Technology Solutions and Shell Canada Energy have teamed up to develop novel oilsands extraction processes, and their work has warranted a patent application. The patent was filed jointly between Shell and Sonic subsidiary SonoOil for the recovery of bitumen from oil sands. Read more »
18 March 2009 in Facilities (PFC), JPT, US/Canada
The world’s deepest spar is now complete. Shell Oil Company has successfully completed installation of the drilling and production platform atop a 555-ft cylindrical spar at the Perdido Development, located 200 mi from Houston in the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and in 8,000 ft of water. Read more »
9 March 2009 in Drilling (DC), HSE, JPT, US/Canada
With energy demand projected to increase in the coming decades, the oil and gas industry will be looking to move into more environmentally sensitive areas for future drilling and production. Helping the industry do this in low-impact and responsible ways is the goal of a new collaborative research program called the University/National Laboratories Alliance. Read more »
17 December 2008 in Facilities (PFC), JPT, US/Canada
The Perdido Development Project in the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has produced two world records for deepwater technological achievement. Shell Oil Company announced a water depth record for drilling and completing a subsea well 9,356 ft below the ocean surface, while FMC Technologies announced an installation record for its enhanced vertical deepwater tree (EVDT), which was used to complete the well. Read more »
11 December 2008 in JPT, Reservoir (RDD), US/Canada
Texas-based independent producer EnerMax recently announced the successful spudding of Permian basin wells using two new technologies that aim to increase the likelihood of pinpointing sizable oil reserves. The proprietary technologies, called GeoMax and StrataMax, promise greater than 80 percent accuracy in finding reserves in parts of the Permian that were previously not considered commercially viable. Read more »
5 December 2008 in JPT, Production (PO), US/Canada
ConocoPhillips and the University of Kansas (KU) have recently announced a collaborative research program focused on nanotechnologies for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations. The energy giant will contribute USD 400,000 per year to KU over three years toward the development of new nanotechnology-based tools aimed at oilfield stimulation. Read more »
3 December 2008 in JPT, Production (PO), Reservoir (RDD), US/Canada
Oilfield services giant Schlumberger has inaugurated a new oilfield regional technology center (RTC) in Calgary devoted exclusively to heavy oil. Known as the Heavy Oil RTC, the facility provides a working environment for clients to work closely with Schlumberger scientists on a variety of technical challenges related to heavy oil recovery. Read more »
24 October 2008 in Industry Updates, JPT, Management (MI), US/Canada
When it comes to adopting and managing standards for its daily activities, the oil and gas industry lags behind other industries, according to Chevron Fellow Jim Crompton. He outlined the reasons for this lag in his address at Energistic’s Third Annual Standards Summit, held recently in Houston, Texas. Read more »
21 October 2008 in Facilities (PFC), HSE, Industry Updates, JPT, Production (PO), US/Canada
Geothermal power provider Ormat Technologies has announced the successful coproduction of geothermal power at a producing oil well. This joint project with the US Department of Energy (DOE) reportedly marks the first of its kind by providing on-site, fuel-free power that will increase the productivity and possibly extend the longevity of existing US oil fields. Read more »