JPT December 2021 Issue
On the Cover
The arms of Nabors’ robotic pipe handler automatically pick up the next section of drillpipe, or other downhole hardware, and move it over the drill center for connection. Source: Nabors.
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Monthly Features
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Drilling automation is not “there” yet, but it no longer seems like a pipe dream. -
The failure of the Raptor rig to drill its first-ever well offers a short history of the challenges that came with creating the first automated drilling rig. -
Totally automated drilling today looks like a robot doing all the heavy lifting on a drilling floor. By 2025, there may no longer be anything surprising about it. -
Gazprom Neft Courts Middle East NOCs With Digital Technologies as it Seeks Bigger Role in the RegionA delegation from the Moscow-headquartered oil company recently visited Dubai with a slew of advanced technologies to see if anyone was interested in making a deal.
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East Med gas production, leveraged by Egypt’s position at the mouth of the Suez Canal, is redefining geopolitical relations as North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East strive to create a new distribution hub for energy, legacy, and renewables.
Guest Editorial
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For more than a century, the oil industry magnificently improved the lives and health of humankind. Those gains help support a moral case to expand some use of fossil fuels but not to release them. Now it is time to lean in to solving the last step of our direct emissions.
President's Column
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The ability to travel has become less restricted by COVID-19, but the world’s recovery from the pandemic remains fragile. At last month’s in-person COP26 in Glasgow, Ben-Naceur addressed potentially smooth energy transition trajectories.
Comments
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COP26 concluded with mixed results. The journey to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement will not be easy, and no one thought it would be. Even before COP26 began, a pledge made in 2009 and reaffirmed at the 2015 Paris meeting was stirring up frustration.
E&P Notes
Tests confirm significant progress in deep shale gas exploration at a depth of over 4,000 meters.
Deal marks state-owned energy company’s entry into Canada’s offshore sector.
Planned seismic survey will cover shallow water acreage ahead of a planned bid round in 2023.
New discovery at Cataback builds confidence in the greater Turbot area.
Large gas development expected to come online as early as 2025.
Deal with OMV raises interest to 35% on Barents Sea project slated to come online in 2028.
Producer gets minority interest in two licenses offered in 12th Offshore Round.
SPE Members
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View 2021 ATCE on-demand content, connections, and companies for 90 days. AIME celebrates the organization’s 150 years.
People
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This section lists with regret SPE members who recently passed away.
Reserves Management
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The papers selected this year highlight some complex considerations and the importance of using all the tools provided by the industry resource classification systems to navigate projects through to viable and sustainable development reasonably and transparently for all stakeholders.
Production and Facilities
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After 9 years of contributing to JPT, it’s time to hang up my spurs. I wanted to use this opportunity to raise a couple of issues, namely the effect and utility of machine learning and the usage of point-and-click engineering software.
Bits and Bottomhole Assemblies
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Well construction must always be executed safely at reduced operational costs, while ensuring appropriate wellbore quality and placement, per asset team requirements. Consequently, analysis of drilling efficiency, a critical performance indicator, has moved from maximizing rate of penetration to improving cycle time.
Water Management
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As the oil and gas industry evolves to become more socially responsible with using natural resources such as water, economics constraints are an ever-present concern. The three highlighted papers share different approaches regarding how produced water could be managed economically.
SPE Members: Access the free technical papers synopsized above through 31 January.