What's Ahead in 2002

World Oil's editorial advisors present their popular reviews of the industry for the volatile year 2001, and what they expect next year. The nine industry experts represent a cross-section of operator, drilling contractor, equipment supplier and consulting companies from both Europe and the U.S.

Marine Drilling Rigs 2001/2002

Annual 70-page reference illustrates and describes each of more than 600 mobile offshore drilling units operating worldwide in the drilling mode, in non-inland waters. Information includes four-color photographs of each rig class and performance data of each rig, by owner.

Technology At Work

World Oil exclusive feature presents a wrapup of recently tested/applied operating advances. Planned for this report are: 1) Example application of automated drill-pipe tong (Hawk Industries); 2) All-electric, multizone, intelligent well completion (Baker Oil Tools); 3) Helicopter portable seismic line staking/surveying (HeliStaker Canada Ltd.); 4) Advantages/applications of data warehousing (Sense Corp.); and 5) Independent operator field operation (PTTC).

Technical Articles

EXPLORATION: A cross-matching scheme for 3-D seismic data
(Heriot-Watt University). New technique increases repeatability of 3-D data for 4-D monitoring of important reservoir properties.

DRILLING: Planning for swab/surge pressures
(Landmark Graphics/BP). Pressure while drilling data confirm dynamic model predictions of critical pressure surges to plan onsite operations.

PRODUCTION: Integrated automation solution for Jotun oil field
(ExxonMobil/Kvaerner Engr./Honeywell). Unified, facility-wide control solution makes field development profitable.

MANAGEMENT: Interview with British Energy Minister
World Oil poses wide-ranging questions for Brian Wilson, UK Minister of State for Energy and Industry on North Sea operations/regulations.