Hydrate formation in oil and gas operations has been a multi-billion dollar problem for many years. Nalco's Noah Morales discusses some of the chemicals his company has developed in answer to hydrate challenges and provides a case history about one of its new low dose hydrate inhibitors (LDHIs)…
Its boosters say radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which is gaining wider acceptance in retail and other industries, offers cost-effective and convenient applications for oil & gas companies, particularly in tracking assets. So why has the industry been slow to adopt RFID…
Integrators charged with building chemical injection skids for medium-pressure applications face some formidable obstacles. Two of the chief obstacles concern critical fluid system components: medium-pressure instrument ball valves and reliable end connections for use with SAF 2507 tubing…
Over the last few years, Baker Hughes has invested heavily in technology R&D and the infrastructure to support the search for innovative technologies. At the same time, 2009 saw the service company change the way it endeavors to provide technology solutions to its clients…
Why has the inhospitable West of Shetland region consistently bucked the trend of enhanced conservatism felt throughout the wider offshore market? And what is driving this activity? Infield Systems' Luke Davis, Gregory Brown and Dr Roger Knight…
CCS which stands for carbon capture and storage or sequestration has been the great hope of middle-of-the-road characters, people other than radical ‘greenies’ or their ‘right-wing’ adversaries. Oil companies and governments have jumped on this…
Drilling with casing continues to draw interest for its ability to overcome troublesome formations. Jennifer Pallanich reviews Weatherford’s recent applications of the technology offshore Brazil and West Africa.Weatherford carries out its…
Historically, the Middle East play has been an onshore story, with one notable exception: the South Pars/North Field offshore Iran and Qatar. That looks to be a changing trend as operators pursue the offshore gas potential. Jennifer Pallanich reports…
Landing a helicopter on a fixed platform can be testing at the best of times, but landing on a floating vessel with changing vessel motion and significant weather variations throughout the day quite another matter. Fugro’s Anthony Gaffney discusses…
Earlier this year, Indonesia’s Graha yard launched its first newbuild jackup rigs. Jennifer Pallanich talks to owner Drydocks World about the the yard’s journey so far and its plans for the future.Drydocks World bought Labroy Marine’s Graha facility on Indonesia’s Batam Island in early 2008…
Major players in the marine seismic market are playing it cool, but there must be some apprehension about the impact of recent moves by the Chinese contractor BGP. Andrew McBarnet reviews the plot so far.The Houdini act performed by ION…
The recent building boom in jackups will peak in 2010, with more than two dozen new rigs, many without contracts, scheduled to enter a market still trying to dig out from under a global recession. But hopes abound that the market will be able…
The monetary and environmental cost of the 72-day Montara field oil leak which culminated in a devastating two-day platform fire in the Timor Sea has yet to be determined, but the Australian Government has been quick to establish a Commission…
The South Pars gas field, located in the Persian Gulf between Iran and Qatar, is one of the largest independent gas reservoirs in the world. The estimated 14tcm of gas and 18 billion barrels of gas condensates on the Iranian part of the field…
Border disputes, political upheaval and environmental concerns have helped keep offshore E&P in Central America mostly at bay. But activities offshore Nicaragua could signal a change in direction for some countries in the region. Russell McCulley reports…