Issue: October 2024

SPECIAL FOCUS: ADVANCES IN DRILLING

Technology advances in casing running extend the reach of automation

Consistency and repeatability improve efficiency in drilling operations, delivering safety gains in conjunction with reductions in flat time.

Improving drilling performance through intelligent and automated operating parameter planning

Engineers leveraged data analytics, domain knowledge, and physics and machine-learning models to generate a depth-based optimum operating parameter roadmap automatically. This workflow enables ROP improvement and the reduction of drilling risks, becoming a key element for evolution of autonomous drilling operations and well cost reduction.

U-lateral drilling innovations: Making breakthroughs possible for directional projects

U-laterals are being employed increasingly by operators to gain access to greater amounts of reserves while simultaneously yielding significant savings.  

U.S. footage drilled per well continues to creep higher

(WO) -- We’ve all heard plenty of evidence that U.S. operators continue to strive to drill more footage per well to maximize oil production, and World Oil research indicates that both goals are being achieved. That being said, the performance varies among some key states. 
Features

Will EOR become the unsung hero of oil and gas decarbonization strategies?

The oil and gas industry has used CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in mature reservoirs for 50 years. Now, as CCUS becomes a critical part of the industry's decarbonization strategy, lessons learned from EOR can help solve CO2-related subsurface challenges. 

Oil's well that ends well: Recovering value, managing costs and reducing emissions during decommissioning

North Sea decommissioning costs are escalating and could exceed £20 billion, but the deployment of separation technologies represents an opportunity to significantly reduce costs and emissions while recovering valuable resources. A smarter approach can transform waste into profit, contributing to more efficient, cost-effective decommissioning efforts.  

Regional report: Middle East — Investment in key projects continues

(WO) – The Middle East has historically been an important contributor to the global oil and gas market, with numerous prolific reservoirs. Accordingly, analysts and investors expect to see some big changes over the next 12 months.
Columns

Water management: Under pressure

Although not my favorite David Bowie song, “Under Pressure” really does reflect Produced Water Management today. Most people would agree the seismicity issue is probably on the top of the list when it comes to the complexity of managing produced water.  

First oil: How the U.S. election goes will shape future O&G policy

What's new in production: Banking crisis

The economic consequences of a banking crisis, if not addressed preemptively or in time to limit the damage, are numerous and dire, and need not be detailed here. Just the same, condensate banking in a gas well can also become a productivity and economic crisis, if ignored or not properly addressed proactively.
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