Issue: August 2008

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Special Focus

Coalbed methane expansion stalls

After falling precipitously for the first time in 2007, US CBM faces an uncertain year.

North American drilling: Price volatility is breathtaking

High prices are causing even more optimistic drilling plans.

North American offshore rig market stable at a lower rate

Global rig demand and utilization grow along with the expanding fleet, while deepwater GOM projects slip.

Reservoir characteristics and production potential of the Woodford Shale

With enough oil and gas to potentially become a major unconventional hydrocarbon reservoir, the Woodford is a viable play.

Rising demand for drilling services means tight land rig market

Oil is bringing in more money than gas, but as shale plays proliferate, high-spec, high-horsepower rigs might reach 100% utilization before newbuilds can help.

Shale oil pilot projects proliferate

In situ technology offers hope for better economic and environmental performance. High oil prices and government programs help.

Unconventional plays grow in number after Barnett Shale blazed the way

The Haynesville and Marcellus are becoming exciting new gas plays, while activity in the Woodford and Fayetteville continues.

Features

Equalization of the water injection profile of a subsea horizontal well

Combination of inflow control device and premium sand-control screen increases oil rate while decreasing watercut.

Hydraulic pump dewaters low-rate wells

The pump successfully added production and made available new gas reserves from existing wellbores in a group of Devon wells in central Alberta.

Multiphase flowmeter yields accurate test measurements on SAGD well

Innovative engineering combines venturi and nuclear fraction metering.

Smaller companies dominate Southeast Asia E&P expansion

High local demand and big profits drive a flurry of new activity.

Tucker Lake SAGD liner design, fabrication and installation evaluation

Sand control device prevents production of plugging, erosive sands while allowing smooth production without excessive pressure drop.

Wire wrapped screens in SAGD wells

Designs must consider structural capacity, installation and thermal loads downhole.

Special Report

Algeria: New found attention

Vol. 229 No. 8 2008 Middle East & North Africa Outlook ALGERIA New found attention Gordon Feller

Coming of age: The Iraqi petroleum industry

Vol. 229 No. 8 2008 Middle East & North Africa Outlook IRAQ Coming of age: The Iraqi petroleum industry He

Egypt: Gas continues to soar

Vol. 229 No. 8 2008 Middle East & North Africa Outlook EGYPT Gas continues to soar Gordon Feller

Libya: High taxes do not seem to matter

Vol. 229 No. 8 2008 Middle East & North Africa Outlook LIBYA High taxes do not seem to matter Gordon Felle

Production trending up but provincial disputes hinder long-term development

Vol. 229 No. 8 2008 Middle East & North Africa Outlook IRAQ Production trending up but provincial disputes hi

The economic boom continues, but with accelerating inflation and little reform

Vol. 229 No. 8 2008 Middle East & North Africa Outlook The economic boom continues, but with accelerating inflation and lit

Tunisia: Most successful of the region, with plans to keep it that way

Vol. 229 No. 8 2008 Middle East & North Africa Outlook TUNISIA Most successful of the region, with plans to k

Unprecedented oil prices fail to mask uncertain future

Vol. 229 No. 8 2008 Middle East & North Africa Outlook IRAN Unprecedented oil prices fail to mask uncertain f

Columns

Drilling advances

Wind power

Editorial comment

The end is nigh, capitulation, and feckless wimps

Exploration discoveries

Vol. 229 No. 8 ARTHUR BERMAN, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, ber

Oil and gas in the capitals

Disaster in the air

What's new in exploration

The high price of oil

What's new in production

Saudi production expands

News & Resources

Companies in the news

Vol. 229 No. 8 Oilfield service company Expro agreed to acquire the oil and gas metering business of CiDRA Corp. , based in Connecticut.

Industry at a glance

Vol. 229 No.8 The June international rotary rig count continued creeping b

Meetings and Events

Vol. 229 No. 8 Meeting & events AUGUST SPE , Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition (with IADC), Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug.

New products

Vol. 229 No. 8 Fracture diagnostics

People in industry

Vol. 229 No.8 Medco Energi US has appointed five new vice presidents as a part of a realignment of executive positions.