Issue: March 2009
Drilling in multiple surface casing strings at Peng Lai Field saved time and money.
Lack of quality control techniques for cross-dipole sonic inversion meant that improvement was needed to advance the state-of-the-art for this application.
In water injection wells in Saudi Arabia, techniques used to extend the reach of coiled tubing stimulations included use of nitrified fluids and viscoelastic surfactant friction reducer, as well as optimizing the pull-test frequency in open hole.
Always remember the basics with log responses. This tutorial reminds us that, despite evolutionary improvements, log responses are often misunderstood.
In HPHT or deepwater operations, differences in shale and sand fracture gradients can result in kicks with simultaneous gains and losses. Options for handling these scenarios are available, but must be applied in a logical sequence.
Developments include improvements in wireline depth accuracy; new methods for tool deployment; casing evaluation tools; LWD batteries and telemetry systems; azimuthal-density imaging; and digital-outcrop modeling.
A fluid pressure transmission pill met several drilling challenges in an HPHT environment, including successfully balancing reservoir pressure.
Frankenslime
Exploration discoveries
Turning crisis into opportunity in Brazil
The exploration industry looks to have had an excellent year for new field discoveries in 2008. This success owes much to drilling in 400 m of water or more.
Heroes of the oil patch
Meetings and Events
New Products
People in the Industry
Chavez wins referendum; US oil and gas leases canceled and pulled from sale; Iran signs new Turkmen gas deal; Italy suspends Total Italia’s Gorgoglione project
