Offshore articles from January 2008

Offshore archives from January 2008

DOT returns to Houston.(COMMENT)(Deep Offshore International Conference & Exhibition )
January 1, 2008... The Deep Offshore International Conference & Exhibition (DOT) will return to Houston on Feb. 12-14 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The conference; sponsored by ExxonMobil, will feature a program of more than 90 presentations on...

Active rig fleet, December 2007.(GLOBAL DATA)
January 1, 2008... Active rig fleet, December 2007 Floaters Jackups US GoM 37 (0) 79 (2) Mex Gom 6 (0) 34 (2) North Sea 39 (-1) 36 (0) East Atlantic 1 (0) 0...

GoM drilling permits issued.(GLOBAL DATA)
January 1, 2008... Drilling permits June 55 July 50 Aug. 41 Sept. 35 Oct. 55 Nov. 56 Dec. 31 Source: US Minerals Management Service Note: Table made from bar graph.

Gulf of Mexico day rates.(GLOBAL DATA)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Gulf of Mexico day rates Month/Year Minimum Average Maximum Drillship Jan 2007 $190,900 $243,599 $295,200 Feb 2007 $190,900 $250,262 $301,700 Mar 2007 $190,900 $250,783 $301,700 April 2007...

Gulf of Mexico costs hit record levels.(GLOBAL DATA)(exploration and development expenditures)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The Gulf of Mexico region is often characterized as a high cost market. A recent survey of major US operators conducted by the EIA supports this characterization. According to survey results, exploration and development expenditures (excluding...

Reliance Exploration and Production has signed a production sharing agreement with Oman for offshore block 41.(Middle East)
January 1, 2008... Reliance Exploration and Production has signed a production sharing agreement with Oman for offshore block 41. The 20,000-sq km (7,722-sq mi) block, with water depth of 3,000 m (9,842 ft), is adjacent to a 2005 award to Reliance. Reliance says...

Bulgaria's government has awarded exploration rights to a shallow water block in the Black Sea to Melrose Resources.(Caspian Sea)
January 1, 2008... Bulgaria's government has awarded exploration rights to a shallow water block in the Black Sea to Melrose Resources. The Galata block surrounds the company's Galata gas field. The company has identified three structures in the new block with...

Sonangol EP of Angola has made March 13, 2008, the deadline for submitting bids in Angola's 2007-08 Licensing Round.(Africa)
January 1, 2008... Sonangol EP of Angola has made March 13, 2008, the deadline for submitting bids in Angola's 2007-08 Licensing Round. This round includes the shallow water block 9, deepwater blocks 19, 20, and 21, and the ultra deepwater blocks 46, 47, and 48....

Drilling is scheduled for 1Q 2008 in Aje field, offshore Nigeria, in OML 113.(Africa)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Drilling is scheduled for 1Q 2008 in Aje field, offshore Nigeria, in OML 113. The Aje-4 appraisal well is 24 km (15 mi) from the coast. The Aje partnership consists of operator Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum; Chevron Nigeria Deepwater; Vitol...

A second round of offshore licensing has opened in Liberia with 10 blocks of 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq mi) area to 3,000 m (9,842 ft) water depth, according to reports citing the National Oil Co. of Liberia.(Africa)
January 1, 2008... A second round of offshore licensing has opened in Liberia with 10 blocks of 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq mi) area to 3,000 m (9,842 ft) water depth, according to reports citing the National Oil Co. of Liberia. Bidding is scheduled to be open until...

Bounty Oil & Gas NL has encountered gas shows in its Kiliwani #1 well offshore Tanzania.(Africa)
January 1, 2008... Bounty Oil & Gas NL has encountered gas shows in its Kiliwani #1 well offshore Tanzania. Encouraging gas shows were recorded at 1,163-1,241 m (3,8154,072 ft) at the intermediate casing point.

SuperNova has signed a five-year deepwater exploration agreement with Petroguin.(Africa)
January 1, 2008... SuperNova has signed a five-year deepwater exploration agreement with Petroguin, Guinea-Bissau's national oil company.

EnerGulf Resources and partners have established an offshore Namibia location in block 1711 to drill the Kunene #1 well using the drillship Deep Venture.(Africa)
January 1, 2008... EnerGulf Resources and partners have established an offshore Namibia location in block 1711 to drill the Kunene #1 well using the drillship Deep Venture. The well is targeted for a TD of 4,400 m (14,435 ft) below sea level with an option to go...

PA Resources AB has acquired 35% of the Mer Profond Sud exploration permit and also the Azurite field offshore the Republic of Congo from Murphy West Africa Ltd.(Africa)
January 1, 2008... PA Resources AB has acquired 35% of the Mer Profond Sud exploration permit and also the Azurite field offshore the Republic of Congo from Murphy West Africa Ltd. The permit is in the Lower Congo basin adjacent to deepwater block 14 and the...

Exxon Mobil has signed a heads of agreement for an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement with Libya's National Oil to explore offshore Libya in the Sirte basin.(Africa)
January 1, 2008... Exxon Mobil has signed a heads of agreement for an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement with Libya's National Oil to explore offshore Libya in the Sirte basin. The agreement covers four blocks totaling 2.5 million acres in Contract...

BP Trinidad and Tobago has started gas production from Mango field in the South East Galeota block in 235 ft (72 m) of water.(Latin America)
January 1, 2008... BP Trinidad and Tobago has started gas production from Mango field in the South East Galeota block in 235 ft (72 m) of water. The production goes to Atlantic LNG's liquefaction plant. The single, unmanned platform can produce gas from nine...

Petrobras has begun operations at P-54 in Roncador field, Campos basin, 125 km (78 mi) offshore Brazil.(Latin America)
January 1, 2008... Petrobras has begun operations at P-54 in Roncador field, Campos basin, 125 km (78 mi) offshore Brazil. P-54 joins the P-52 in Roncador, which started flowing in November. Petrobras has signed an agreement for hull construction on P-55, also...

Reliance Industries has converted two Technical Evaluation Agreements for offshore Colombia into production and exploration contracts with Agencia Nacional de Hydrocarburos.(Latin America)
January 1, 2008... Reliance Industries has converted two Technical Evaluation Agreements for offshore Colombia into production and exploration contracts with Agencia Nacional de Hydrocarburos. The blocks are Borojo North and Borojo South. Each 4,000-sq km...

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has confirmed a natural gas discovery north of Camarupim field in Espirito Santo.(Latin America)
January 1, 2008... Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has confirmed a natural gas discovery north of Camarupim field in Espirito Santo basin block BM-ES-5.

StatoilHydro has bid successfully on two blocks offshore Brazil in the National Agency of Petroleum's ninth bidding round.(Latin America)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... StatoilHydro has bid successfully on two blocks offshore Brazil in the National Agency of Petroleum's ninth bidding round. The blocks, CM529 and CM530, are in water depths of around 100 m (328 ft). Anadarko will be the operator of the licenses...

Petrobras has brought the FPSO Cidade de Vitoria onstream with the second production module at Golfinho field in 1,386 m (4,547 ft) water depth in Espirito Santo.(Latin America)
January 1, 2008... Petrobras has brought the FPSO Cidade de Vitoria onstream with the second production module at Golfinho field in 1,386 m (4,547 ft) water depth in Espirito Santo. Initial production will be 20,000 b/d of light oil.

Iceland's government plans to open the Dreki area in the Atlantic for licensing in January 2009.(North Sea/Europe)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Iceland's government plans to open the Dreki area in the Atlantic for licensing in January 2009. The region under review is on the Jan Mayen Ridge between Iceland and the island of Jan Mayen. Seismic and geophysical studies suggest potential...

Aker Exploration has secured a 35% stake in production license 343 in the Norwegian North Sea.(North Sea/Europe)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Aker Exploration has secured a 35% stake in production license 343 in the Norwegian North Sea. The license, operated by Marathon Petroleum Norge, is near the Oseberg production. The other partner is Talisman Energy Norge. Additionally, Aker and...

Talisman North Sea has brought the Wood field in UK central block 22/18 onstream.(North Sea/Europe)
January 1, 2008... Talisman North Sea has brought the Wood field in UK central block 22/18 onstream. Wood has been tied back to the Montrose platform, 6 mi (9.65 km) to the northwest, and should produce at peak 6,000 b/d of oil and 16 MMcf/d of gas.

StatoilHydro has completed an agreement to take on three heavy-oil licenses in the UK North Sea, its first operatorship in this area.(North Sea/Europe)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... StatoilHydro has completed an agreement to take on three heavy-oil licenses in the UK North Sea, its first operatorship in this area. Under the agreement, the company succeeds Chevron as operator of the undeveloped Bressay, Mariner, and Mariner...

The government of Malta has awarded two offshore tracts totaling 18,000 sq km (6,950 sq mi) to Heritage Oil International Malta.(North Sea/Europe)
January 1, 2008... The government of Malta has awarded two offshore tracts totaling 18,000 sq km (6,950 sq mi) to Heritage Oil International Malta. Areas 2 and 7 are south and southeast of the island.

Lundin Petroleum has spudded an appraisal well on the Nemo field in the Norwegian North Sea using the jackup Maersk Giant.(North Sea/Europe)
January 1, 2008... Lundin Petroleum has spudded an appraisal well on the Nemo field in the Norwegian North Sea using the jackup Maersk Giant. Lundin estimates reserves at 20-30 MMboe.

NOIL Energy has failed to prove further oil with an appraisal well in the central Norwegian North Sea.(North Sea/Europe)
January 1, 2008... NOIL Energy has failed to prove further oil with an appraisal well in the central Norwegian North Sea. The semisubmersible Bredford Dolphin drilled the well in an attempt to delimit the 1996 discovery 24/12-3 S, some 20 km (12 mi) west of the...

Island International Exploration has acquired the remaining 50% equity interest in the Durresi block offshore Albania from Lundin Albania.(North Sea/Europe)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Island International Exploration has acquired the remaining 50% equity interest in the Durresi block offshore Albania from Lundin Albania. Island also has agreed to farm-out terms that would involve Australian company Beach Petroleum acquiring...

Fairfield Energy has suspended its appraisal well on the Crawford oilfield.(North Sea/Europe)
January 1, 2008... Fairfield Energy has suspended its appraisal well on the Crawford oilfield in the UK North Sea for future operations.

Granby Oil and Gas has increased its interest to 20% in the Monkwell gas field in the UK southern North Sea, following a farm-in agreement with operator Dana Petroleum.(North Sea/Europe)
January 1, 2008... Granby Oil and Gas has increased its interest to 20% in the Monkwell gas field in the UK southern North Sea, following a farm-in agreement with operator Dana Petroleum. The partners, also including Gas Plus E&P UK and Dyas UK, plan to drill a...

Gas has started flowing from StatoilHydro's Njord field in the Norwegian Sea, following a $220-million investment program.(North Sea/Europe)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Gas has started flowing from StatoilHydro's Njord field in the Norwegian Sea, following a 8220-million investment program. Under the second-phase scheme, StatoilHydro has put in new producer wells and also phased in additional reserves close to...

ATP Oil & Gas has begun first production from Wenlock W1 well in block 49/12a.(North Sea/Europe)
January 1, 2008... ATP Oil & Gas has begun first production from Wenlock W1 well in block 49/12a of the Southern Gas basin, UK North Sea.

Nexen Petroleum's Ettrick project in the UK North Sea is on schedule for first oil in mid-2008.(North Sea/Europe)
January 1, 2008... Nexen Petroleum's Ettrick project in the UK North Sea is on schedule for first oil in mid-2008. Ettrick is being developed via three subsea producer wells and one water injector tied back to a leased FPSO. Nexen expects to achieve peak...

Faroe Petroleum is set to gain interests in three North Sea licenses following a proposed asset swap with Germany's E.ON Ruhrgas.(North Sea/Europe)
January 1, 2008... Faroe Petroleum is set to gain interests in three North Sea licenses following a proposed asset swap with Germany's E.ON Ruhrgas. Subject to approval from the UK and Norwegian governments and the various license partners, Faroe will cede half...

Participants in the Kipper gas field development in the Gippsland basin have approved the first phase of the project, which includes two subsea wells, three pipelines, and platform modifications.(Asia-Pacific)
January 1, 2008... Participants in the Kipper gas field development in the Gippsland basin have approved the first phase of the project, which includes two subsea wells, three pipelines, and platform modifications. Gas and liquids will be processed via Esso and...

Salamander Energy has been awarded two exploration concessions, L26/50 and L15/50, in the Thai 20th Licensing Round.(Asia-Pacific)
January 1, 2008... Salamander Energy has been awarded two exploration concessions, L26/50 and L15/50, in the Thai 20th Licensing Round. The acreage is adjacent to the company's Savannakhet PSC in Lao PDR. Salamander also has received notification that its bid...

PTT Exploration and Production Public Co. Ltd. (PTTEP) has won partial rights to three blocks in the Gulf of Thailand that contain marginal fields to be developed using existing production facilities.(Asia-Pacific)
January 1, 2008... PTT Exploration and Production Public Co. Ltd. (PTTEP) has won partial rights to three blocks in the Gulf of Thailand that contain marginal fields to be developed using existing production facilities. The development plan for blocks G6/50,...

The South Sembakung-2 (SS-2) and South Sembakung-3 (SS-3) appraisal wells both were drilled by the Apexindo-2 rig.(Asia-Pacific)
January 1, 2008... The South Sembakung-2 (SS-2) and South Sembakung-3 (SS-3) appraisal wells both were drilled by the Apexindo-2 rig. Both wells encountered multiple gas-beating sandstones and successfully flowed gas during testing. They have been suspended as...

New Zealand Oil and Gas has produced the 5 millionth barrel of oil from its Tui area project off the Taranaki coast.(Asia-Pacific)
January 1, 2008... New Zealand Oil and Gas has produced the 5 millionth barrel of oil from its Tui area project off the Taranaki coast. Production from the field began in July and the company achieved the milestone in just over four months.

Sevan boosts FPSO fleet.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
January 1, 2008... Just prior to Dec. 25, Aker Marine Contractors installed the FPSO Sevan Hummingbird and its 12 mooring lines on Venture Production's Chestnut field in the UK central North Sea. This will be the first cylindrical Sevan 300-design platform to...

Talisman transfers Beatrice to Ithaca.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Ithaca Energy is the latest Canadian independent to try its hand at tail-end field operations in the North Sea. By end-June, it expects to complete a transaction for the Beatrice oilfield in the UK Inner Moray Firth, close to northeast...

Franco-Norwegian C[O.sub.2] studies.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
January 1, 2008... Norway and France plan to pool research into carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]) capture and storage in underground reservoirs. Numerous collaborations were proposed following a two-day seminar in Oslo in late-November attended by specialists from both...

Njord releases first gas.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... First gas has flowed through the new export pipeline from the Njord field platform in the Norwegian Sea. This follows a $216-mlllion modification program at the Njord complex, previously configured solely for oil production. During the...

Atlantis commissioned, sales begin.(GULF OF MEXICO)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BP and partner BHP Billiton have completed commissioning the Atlantis semisubmersible production platform and associated pipelines and export facilities. Gas sales have started, oil volumes are increasing, and...

ETLP model tests positive.(GULF OF MEXICO)(FloaTEC)
January 1, 2008... FloaTEC has completed model testing of its extended TLP (ETLP) design using the latest post-Katrina Gulf of Mexico environmental data. Model tests were carried out at the Offshore Technology Research Center (OTCR) at Texas A&M University. ...

Waterflood to improve reservoir performance.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Commissioning is under way on Shell's Ursa/Princess waterflood project, which is expected to improve the fields' reservoir performance. According to Shell, waterflood is a method of secondary recovery in which water is injected into the...

Petrobras hires Alliance for topsides engineering.(GULF OF MEXICO)
January 1, 2008... Petrobras America has appointed Alliance Engineering as the owner's topsides engineer for the first FPSO to be used in the US Gulf of Mexico. Alliance will assist Petrobras for up to a three-year period with two work scopes for the Cascade...

ATP acquires majority interest in Canyon Express.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Canyon Express Pipeline System)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... ATP has increased its ownership interest in Mississippi Canyon block 348 (Camden Hills field) from 16.67% to 66.70%. The company also has increased its working interest in the Canyon Express Pipeline System (CEPS) from 45.08% to 55.09%. ATP is...

Western Gulf lease sale results released.(GULF OF MEXICO)
January 1, 2008... Western Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease 204 drew $289,953,066 in high bids on 282 tracts from 47 companies. MMS awarded 274 leases with high bids totaling 8287,081,023. Statoil Gulf of Mexico LLC issued the highest bid on a tract at...

World's deepest multi-phase pump project starts.(SUBSEA/SURFACE/SYSTEMS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... BP has a successful start-up of the world's deepest subsea multiphase pump project at the King field in the Gulf of Mexico. The project, which has two subsea pumps and associated equipment, also sets a distance record. At 5,500 ft (1,676...

Subsea wireline intervention system in development.(SUBSEA/SURFACE/SYSTEMS)
January 1, 2008... Development and commercialization of a lightweight subsea wireline intervention system is under way at Expro International Group Plc. and BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Expro will build and deploy a fully engineered AX-S system; BP will...

FMC to supply Asgard subsea controls.(SUBSEA/SURFACE/SYSTEMS)
January 1, 2008... FMC Technologies Inc. has won a $35-million contract to supply subsea gas compression control systems to StatoilHydro for the North Sea Asgard Minimum Flow Project. FMC will supply a subsea active magnetic bearing control system for the...

New pipeline inspection tool.(SUBSEA/SURFACE/SYSTEMS)
January 1, 2008... The AGR Group's Neptune is a new pipeline inspection tool that operates on an inspection ROV without diver assist This serves to extend the depths of operation to about 6,000 m (19,685 ft), or the maximum for the ROV. [ILLUSTRATION...

BP signs global service contract with Intec.(SUBSEA/SURFACE/SYSTEMS)
January 1, 2008... BP has awarded a global Engineering and Project Management Services agreement to Intec Engineering covering subsea facility projects over six years. According to the agreement, Intec will provide call-off supply of services tailored to the...

$100-million FDPSO conversion awarded.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(Keppel Shipyard has been awarded a $100-million contract by Prosafe Production)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Keppel Shipyard has been awarded a $100-million contract by Prosafe Production to convert a tanker into an FDPSO. This will be the world's first converted FDPSO, according to Keppel. Keppel Shipyard will convert a VLCC-sise tanker into an...

Geophysical vessel developments.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(Fugro has contracted BMV )(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Fugro has contracted BMV (Bergen Yards) in Norway to build a seismic vessel and an ROV/offshore construction support vessel. The seismic vessel will be 108m (354 ft) long, 28 m (92 ft) in breadth, and have 16 tow points. Delivery is...

Deepwater development ship possible.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
January 1, 2008... Saipem plans to build a 8547-million deepwater field development ship, Saipem FDS 2. The construction order will be placed with a shipyard in 2Q 2008, after completion of the engineering phase. Fabrication will last 36 months. The new ship...

Rigdon takes delivery.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the PSV Grand Slam to Rigdon Marine)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Lockport, Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the PSV Grand Slam to Rigdon Marine, the fourth in the series of ten 4000-class PSVs on order. The Grand Slam is a 190-ft (58-m) x 46-ft (14-m) x 18-ft (5-m), diesel electric,...

Anadarko contracts Discoverer Spirit.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Anadarko has awarded Transocean a $569-million contract for use of the drillship Discoverer Spirit for three years in the Gulf of Mexico. The three-year contract is expected to begin in December 2010, following the completion of the fig's...

Second bully rig scheduled.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
January 1, 2008... Shell EP Wells Equipment Services BV and Frontier Drillships Ltd. have committed to contract a second deepwater/arctic drillship of the Bully class. Rig delivery is expected in 2010. The Bully rig is a smaller vessel suited for deepwater or...

Solstad orders dive/construction vessel.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
January 1, 2008... Solstad Offshore has contracted Bergen Group for a newbuild diving/offshore construction vessel for delivery in September 2010. Skipsteknisk in Aalesund designed the 120 m long (394 ft), 23 m (75.5 ft) beam ST 256 L CD vessel. Features will...

Oseberg well production test.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Following hydrochloric acid treatment, a new well began production from the Shetland Chalk formation at the North Sea's Oseberg field. Further testing is necessary before commercial production from the formation is deemed viable. "The...

Expediting offshore decisions.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
January 1, 2008... Today's advances in compute power and surveillance instrumentation produce mountains of insightful data that can be extremely useful in oil-field exploration, development, and operations. On the other hand, data volumes can overwhelm...

New casing running tool.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
January 1, 2008... BJ Tubular Services has developed a new casing running tool 500 (CRT 500)--a top drive design that improves the safety and efficiency of casing running operations, according to BJ. The company says that by using the CRT 500 system to run...

StatoilHydro secures data acquisition capacity.(GEOSCIENCES)(Petroleum Geo-Services ASA)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... StatoilHydro has signed a letter of intent for NOK1.8 billion ($322.9 million) to secure six seismic acquisition vessels for Norwegian continental shell data runs. Petroleum Geo-Service will supply the Ramform Challenger, Ramform Sovereign, and...

Kaleidoscope wins technology award.(GEOSCIENCES)(Repsol YPF has won a 2008 technology award for its Kaleidoscope Project )(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Repsol YPF has won a 2008 technology award for its Kaleidoscope Project from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Spectrum publication. Kaleidoscope is a partnership of geophysicists, computer scientists, and end users to...

Fugro lands Asia-Pacific 3D surveys.(GEOSCIENCES)
January 1, 2008... Fugro has been awarded two contracts for 3D marine seismic surveys in Australia and Indonesia, and received a letter of intent for another seismic contract in Indonesia. The total contract value is $68.5 million. Fugro has been awarded a...

EMGS adds shallow-water technology.(GEOSCIENCES)(Electromagnetic Geoservices Asa )(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Electromagnetic Geoservices Asa has acquired exclusive worldwide fights to KMS Technologies' patented system to run EM surveys in shallow water. EMGS and Reservoir Exploration Technology Asa jointly acquired KMS Technologies in a 50:50 venture....

Desire assesses Falklands data.(GEOSCIENCES)(Desire Petroleum Plc )(Wavefield Inseis ASA )(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Desire Petroleum Plc. is assessing data acquired by Wavefield Inseis ASA in tranches C, I, and L offshore the Falklands. When the environmental assessments are complete in 2008, Desire will look for a fig to drill any defined prospects. ...

Near-record lease sale results reflect Gulf of Mexico strength, potential: deepwater grown continues.(GULF OF MEXICO)
January 1, 2008... The most definitive indicator of the E&P outlook for a region is lease sale results. With over $3 billion in high bids on more than 1,000 blocks in 2007, the level of interest in the Gulf of Mexico is solid. Meanwhile, oil hit a record $100/bbl...

FPSOs for marginal deepwater GoM fields deemed economically viable for independents.(GULF OF MEXICO)
January 1, 2008... Deepwater has long been the frontier for oil exploration and development in the Gulf of Mexico. Many of the world's most innovative technologies have been developed to exploit these natural resources. However, development of deepwater is...

Multiphase pumps will extend King's productive life.(GULF OF MEXICO)
January 1, 2008... The recent delivery of subsea booster pumps to BP's King field in the Gulf of Mexico marks a breakthrough for Aker Kvaerner Subsea in multiphase pumping. Two pumps (a third was also supplied as a spare) were installed in August 2007. Following...

DOT International presents the technology that manages industry risks, resources, and rewards.(DOT PREVIEW)(Deep Offshore International Conference & Exhibition)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The Deep Offshore International Conference & Exhibition (DOT), to be held Feb. 12-14 in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center, will feature a program of more than 90 presentations on deepwater E&P technology. ExxonMobil hosts...

Remote power generation for deployment of subsea technologies in deepwater marginal fields.
January 1, 2008... This paper investigates a number of novel subsea technologies that the industry recently implemented or is expected to implement in the near future which allow production from remote marginal fields in deep and ultra deepwater. Of particular...

Optimization of a floating platform to transfer gas conversion technology offshore.(DOT PREVIEW)
January 1, 2008... This presentation details how FPSO technology advancements have created the opportunity to process stranded gases from marginal offshore fields to produce--at sea--high-value methanol and other synthetic hydrocarbon "gas-to-liquids" products....

Evolution of hybrid riser towers for ultra deepwater in the Gulf of Mexico: new HRT system proposed.(DOT PREVIEW)(hybrid riser tower technology)
January 1, 2008... This paper discusses the challenges associated with ultra deepwater project development using hybrid riser tower (HRT) technology for floating production unit (FPU)-based field developments/layout. As offshore reserves development continues...

Use of swellable elastomers to enhance cementing in deepwater.(DOT PREVIEW)
January 1, 2008... This presentation deals with cement or zonal isolation as an area during which the use of swellable, elastomer packers can provide assurances when primary cementing is difficult, or in critical areas of well construction to ensure long-term...

Integrity management and life extension of flexible pipe: update urged for guidance studies.(DOT PREVIEW)
January 1, 2008... This technical presentation updates the 2002 UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) guidance note on monitoring and assuring the integrity of un-bonded flexible pipe (FP) in the North Sea area, and demonstrates lessons learned and key points...

Catastrophe modelling improves risk management: offshore-tailored design yields best protection.(E-TECHNOLOGY)
January 1, 2008... Gulf of Mexico operators and insurers need better tools to understand hurricane risk in order to avoid losses from storms such as those in 2004 and 2005, or worse. A clear understanding of risk leads to viable decisions for platform design,...

Brazil reserves soar on new find.(GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS)
January 1, 2008... The estimated 5-8 Bbbl of recoverable Tupi area 28[degrees] API oil discovered offshore Brazil in Santos basin moves the country into the elite category of world producers. Brazil's proved reserves of oil and natural gas is 14.4 Bbbl....

Extreme wells challenge for HP/HT completions.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
January 1, 2008... The completion of high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) wells involves high-risk and high-cost operations with exposure levels among the highest in the completion sector. Many challenges exist when drilling these new super wells and infinding...

Steering for success beneath the salt: integrating drilling technologies, techniques.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
January 1, 2008... Drilling development wells to target reservoirs beneath the Louann Salt in the Gulf of Mexico has been problematic in the past. A new approach, which integrates several technologies and techniques to achieve success, is to drill directionally...

New standard polyester rope test method: mooring line design time, cost savings possible.(FIELD DEVELOPMENT)
January 1, 2008... Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and Tension Technology International (TTI) are now conducting research to develop a better understanding of the change-in-length properties of large polyester ropes and to develop a standardized test method that can...