The stratigrapher
Many stratigraphers are employed in the oil industry both within oil companies, and more commonly, in service companies; their task is to determine the geological succession in well sections, in…
Worldwide
Getting More with Less
Will low oil prices bring the unconventional revolution to its knees? The past few years have brought some major changes to the global oil markets. The US has taken over as the…
Why Share Data?
Malcolm Fleming is CEO of Common Data Access Ltd (CDA), which was established with the aim of sharing the costs and benefits associated with managing subsurface UK E&P data through…
Just Like the Real Thing
3D printing offers a novel non-destructive method of petrophysical rock analysis. Understanding the petrophysics of a reservoir rock, defined as the study of the physical and chemical properties of rocks…
Geophysics: A Simple Guide to Seismic Amplitudes and Detuning
Seismic amplitude changes may tell us something about reservoir lithology, porosity, and/or fluids. However, seismic tuning effects are potentially much larger than amplitude variations due to geological changes. Understanding this…
Patience in the Time of Collaboration
Lessons from history. With apologies to Gabriel Garcia Marquez. ‘Wisdom comes to us when it can no longer do any good.’ Gabriel García Márquez, Love in the Time of Cholera As I…
The Need For New Frontier Exploration
Over the last years offshore exploration activity has been at a historic high, without any significant corresponding discoveries. The result is a considerable increase in the global average discovery cost.…
Seismic to Simulation… and Beyond
Emerson Process Management has recently increased its full reservoir lifecycle capabilities through the acquisition of flow assurance and production optimization software company Yggdrasil and the incorporation of its solutions within…
Gas Hydrates Part IX – Hydrates in Outer Space (2)
Previously (Part VIII) we discussed the possibilities of gas hydrates on Mars. Here, we look at such possibilities elsewhere in outer space. I don’t think the human race will survive…
Well Completion Technology for Complex Environments
The new Weatherford technology for optimal completion design. Two key focus areas in unconventional exploitation are cost efficiencies and managing well production variance. A better understanding of rock behaviour as measured by…
Little and Large
Seismic supply companies are helping operators face the downturn by providing cost-effective enhancements to existing product portfolios. With the oil price for this year staying at the low levels seen…
Cognitive Interpretation
Human vision and cognition have evolved over millions of years into an incredibly powerful system that enables us to actively seek the information we need to make sense of and…