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Industry Alerts! Hercules 265 jackup drill rig caught fire after a gas blowout and partially collapsed in GoM - Around midday on July 23 2013, a natural gas blowout occurred at the Hercules 265 jackup drilling rig, operating in shallow water in the Gulf of Mexico by Hercules Offshore at a well owned by Walter Oil and Gas corporation off the coast of Louisiana (South Timbalier Block 220). All of the 40+ workers were safely evacuated. The rig was subsequently covered in a cloud of natural gas and caught on fire around 11 pm at night the same day. The fire partially collapsed the platform and the fire was confirmed to be out on July 25th possibly due to the well caved in and sealed itself downhole. (more...) Featured Article of the Month Subsea manifold is a flow-routing subsea hardware (subsea flow router) that connects between subsea trees and flowlines. It is used to optimize the subsea layout arrangement and reduce the quantity of risers connected to the platform. If connected to dual flowlines, the manifold can typically accommodate pigging and have the capability of routing production from a particular tree to a particular flowline.. (more...) Featured Company of the Month Halliburton is an oilfield services corporation with operations in more than 70 countries. It has hundreds of subsidiaries, affiliates, branches, brands and divisions worldwide and employs over 50,000 people. The company has headquarters in the North Belt office in Houston, Texas, and in offices in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (opened March 2007), where Chairman and CEO David J. Lesar works and resides, "to focus [the] company’s Eastern Hemisphere Growth." The company will remain incorporated in the United States. Halliburton has been involved in numerous controversies, including the Deepwater Horizon explosion. The company has agreed to plead guilty to destroying critical evidence related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the U.S. Department of Justice said on July 25th. It would pay the maximum allowable fine of $200,000 and will be subject to three years of probation. In the not-to-distant past, Halliburton found itself under scrutiny over accusations that it performed shoddy, overpriced work for the United States military in Iraq, bribed Nigerian officials to win energy contracts and did business with Iran at time when it faced sanctions.(more...) Industry Headlines Upstream RSS Latest news from Upstream Online ConocoPhillips wins Canada frac permit Canada's federal energy regulator has approved an application by ConocoPhillips to begin exploration drilling in the Northwest Territories, the first such permission granted for hydraulic fracturing of horizontally drilled wells in the Canadian Arctic north. Athabasca eagerly awaits final Dover OK Canada's Athabasca Oil may sharply cut back on its light-oil spending next year if the Alberta cabinet does not approve the company's Dover in-situ oil sands project. Black Elk faces another blast lawsuit A worker injured last year in a deadly blast at a platform operated by Black Elk Energy is suing the Houston-based company for alleged negligence that led to the accident. OGX files for bankruptcy protection Brazilian independent OGX has filed for bankruptcy protection after failing to reach an agreement with creditors. OGX fall to reshape start-up market The rise and fall of Brazil independents OGX and HRT will change the way start-up companies emerge in Brazil, but the country’s oil and gas business will continue to produce new ventures, according to leaders in the country’s finance sector. BG gears up off Uruguay UK player ready for second seismic phase in Uruguay and tenders for seismic off Brazil SM bulks up in Permian US independent SM Energy has been bulking up in the Permian basin and reported solid flows from its latest well in the Wolfcamp B trend. Oxy set for unconventional Permian push Occidental Petroleum is doubling down on the unconventional potential of the Permian basin with additional rigs and a new exploration team tasked with proving up the emerging tight-oil plays of West Texas. Libra to require close 'marriage' Developing the deep-water Libra area in Brazil’s Santos basin pre-salt region will require a functional “marriage” between the project partners, OTC Brasil delegates heard on Wednesday. Statoil on trail of Canadian 'giant' Statoil believes its latest discovery off Canada could ultimately be on a similar scale to that of its giant Johan Sverdrup find off Norway as the company raises its game in more profitable overseas plays amid cost challenges on domestic projects. Sapura Diamante trials set for 2014 Sea and pipelay trials for the Brazil-bound Sapura Diamante newbuild are expected to begin in early 2014 once the pipelay vessel is fully fitted out. Brent 'headed for $95 in 2020' Brent is on course to trend downwards amid a supply glut from US shale and other unconventional sources to trade at $95 by 2020, according to a survey of oil analysts. Aker sells mooring unit to Cargotec for $238m Norwegian engineering group sells division in drive to focus on subsea and deep-water Chevron set to sign Ukraine shale deal Chevron is set to finally sign on the dotted line for its Olesska shale production sharing contract after sealing the final regional approval required for the $10 billion project. Marathon on money in Kurdistan US independent Marathon Oil has made a ”significant” oil and gas discovery with a wildcat drilled at its Mirawa prospect in Iraqi Kurdistan. Hess profits sink 24.5% to $420m US independent Hess Corporation said its net profit fell by 24.5% in the third quarter as a string of asset sales, unrest in Libya, under-lifting of production and extended seasonal downtime all hit the bottom line. CNOOC fires up phase two at Suizhong 36-1 China National Offshore Oil Corporation has begun producing from its phase two optimisation project at the Suizhong 36-1 oilfield in Bohai off northern China. Russia approves law to open up LNG exports Russia's government approved a long-awaited law to liberalise liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports for independent companies. DNO pay day in Yemen DNO International is looking to a new fast-track field development in Yeman after making a significant oil discovery with its Salsala-1 exploration well drilled onshore the Middle East country. M&A 'turning to assets over corporate deals' Mergers and acquisitions activity is increasingly trending toward exploration and production assets and new discoveries while corporate deals are on the decline, according to a new report. Rigzone.com: Latest News Headlines The latest upstream oil and gas news from around the world. Multi-Generational Workforce Deserves Versatile Management Style A presenter at the Talent Management & HSE Summit tackles the issue of dealing with a multi-generational workforce. An EVP will Help Lessen the Burden of Attracting and Retaining Talent Top-performing companies create a sustainable EVP based on the needs, demographics and preferences of their workplace. US Oil Slides for 2nd Straight Day; Spread Widens US oil futures extend move lower for a second consecutive day after government data shows large inventory builds, further widening the domestic oil's discount to international benchmark Brent. Brazil Court Confirms Oil Company OGX Filed Bankruptcy Petition OGX files a petition for bankruptcy protection in a Rio de Janeiro court, a spokeswoman for the court's press office says. Mexico Evacuates 4,500 for Gasoline Pipeline Leak A geyser of gasoline spewing from a state-owned pipeline in western Mexico forced officials to evacuate about 4,500 people. Officials blamed the accident on fuel thieves. Hess Profit, Output Tumble in Wake of Libya Unrest Political and military unrest in Libya sharply curtailed Hess' output and profits in the third quarter, and forced it to temper expectations for the year. Mexico to Keep Pumping Pemex for Tax Money Despite Promised Reforms Saddled with a tax rate of almost 100%, Pemex hands over so much cash to the government that it has only a fraction of the money it needs to invest in production and exploration. Kenya Wants Tullow to Resume Drilling after Protests Kenya's government says it wants Tullow to resume drilling at two blocks next week and will hold talks with protesters whose actions halted work at the sites. Cameroon Increases Transit Fee on Chad Oil Pipeline Cameroon's government and COTCO, the company that owns and manages the pipeline shipping oil from Chad to Cameroon's coast, have agreed that the transit fee paid to the government will be more than tripled. DNO's Yemen Well Flows at 5,900 BOPD DNO International's Salsala-1 exploration well on Block 32 onshore Yemen has flowed at 5,900 barrels of oil per day. Kemp: Fracking is Coming to California California's lawmakers have ensured the state will remain a major oil and gas producer by approving new legislation allowing hydraulic fracturing and acid treatments to rejuvenate its aging wells. Aker Sells Mooring, Loading Unit to Cargotec Aker Solutions sells its mooring and loading systems business in order to focus no its deepwater and subsea oil services segments. Marathon Finds Oil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Marathon's operated Mirawa well discovered multiple stacked oil and natural gas producing zones. Petrobras President Upbeat about Future of Company Petrobras' oil and gas production will increase from an average 2.2 MMboepd in 2012 to 5.7 MMboepd by 2020, President Maria das Gracas Foster tells attendees at OTC Brasil 2013. Petrofac Wins Major EPC Project in Algeria Petrofac wins a $650-million contract to extend the life of the Alrar gas field in southeast Algeria. Ukraine to Sign $10 Billion Shale Deal with Chevron Ukraine says it will sign a $10 billion shale gas deal with Chevron, the country's second such deal this year. Libya's Oil Exports Still Restricted, Little Improvement Exports from Libya fall to a trickle amid strikes and electricity supply problems. Statoil Lifts Exploration Target as Earnings, Output Up Statoil focused on profits over volumes while beating forecasts for both earnings and output in the third quarter. First Gas Flows from Ruby Field in Sebuku PSC in the Makassar Strait Mubadala Petroleum announces that first gas has flowed at the Ruby field in Sebuku Production Sharing Contract in the Makassar Strait, Indonesia. ROC Oil's Revenue Rises to $67.9M for 3Q 2013, Up 20% Over 2Q 2013 ROC Oil's revenue rises 20 percent to $67.9 million for 3Q 2013, compared to $56.8 million for the previous quarter. WorldOil: Current Issue The latest news and journals from World Oil. Proppant with ultra-high strength, sphericity and smoothness for fracing deepwater tight sands (October 2013) A new, high-Alumina proppant, pelletized through a proprietary manufacturing process, provides ultra-high strength, spherical shape and smoothness, and twice the baseline conductivity of bauxite proppant, to meet the requirements of deepwater Lower Tertiary fracing. First Oil (October-2013) Dr. Monk made the comment at the opening session of the SEG 2013 conference in Houston, in reference to the order of magnitude change experienced by the geophysical industry. One revolutionary change has been 3D seismic, which provides the ability to obtain high-resolution, three-dimensional images of subsurface structure and stratigraphy. Major discoveries during the last three decades could not have been possible without the insights available through 3D seismic. World of Oil and Gas (October-2013) World of Oil and Gas What's new in exploration (October-2013) Processing squared Drilling advances (October-2013) The multi-billion-dollar question What's new in production (October-2013) Fracturing and methane: Study identifies the guts of the issue Offshore in depth (October-2013) Evolving the ROV Oil and Gas in the Capitals (October-2013) Burma’s E&P roadblocks taint good geological picture Executive Viewpoint (October-2013) A new model for understanding shale reservoirs Industry at a glance (October-2013) Industry at a glance 10-13_US_Oil_Production_Table_October_2013(October-2013) U.S. Oil Production 10-13_International_Rotary_Drilling_Rigs_Graph_October_2013 (October-2013) International Rotary Drilling Rigs Graph 10-13_International_Rotary_Rig_Count_Table_October_2013 (October-2013) International Rotary Rig Count 10-13_Rotary_Rigs_Running_in_the_US_Table_October_2013 (October-2013) Rotary Rigs Running in US 10-13_Selected_World_Oil_Prices_Graph_October_2013 (October-2013) Selected World Oil Prices Graph ($/bbl) 10-13_US_Gas_Prices_and_Production_Graph_October_2013.html (October-2013) US Gas Prices ($/MCF) & Production (BCFD) 10-13_US_Rotary_Drilling_Rigs_Graph_October_2013 (October-2013) US Rotary Drilling Rigs 10-13_Workover_Rig_Count_Table_October_2013 (October-2013) Workover Rig Count 10-13_World_Oil_Production_Table_October_2013.html (October-2013) World Oil and NGL Production 10-13_International_Offshore_Rigs_Table_October_2013(October-2013) International Offshore Rigs 10-13_US_Onshore_Well_Count_October_2013 (October-2013) U.S. Onshore Well Count Reliability of openhole sidetrack operations improved in challenging plays (October 2013) To avoid costly, unpredictable trips downhole, a new technique for running openhole whipstock and sidetracking operations was developed, and tested, for both onshore and offshore applications. Managed pressure drilling technologies deployed for deepwater and HPHT well control in Indonesia (October 2013) A team offshore Indonesia is developing, and applying in the field, MPD technologies to meet the specific challenges found downhole in deepwater and HPHT wells 3D geomechanical modeling, wellbore stability analysis improve field’s performance (October 2013) As demonstrated in a field onshore Oman, utilization of 3D geomechanical modeling can identify problems in the potential wellbore path that can make the difference between financial success and failure at the wellsite Assumptions from reservoir simulation have big impact on hydrofrac results (October 2013 Hydraulic fractures can enhance well productivity, ultimate recovery and economics. Although reservoir simulation can quantify hydrofrac performance, simulation outcomes vary. A case study in Oman shows that considerable uncertainty can be removed by understanding the impact of flow dynamics, reservoir architecture, and gridding assumptions, thereby saving time and facilitating planning. Intelligent tracers quantify in-flow characteristics in multi-zone horizontal wells (October 2013) Crude oil producers are responding to the reservoir management challenges of multi-zone horizontal wells with intelligent tracers that quantify inflow distribution on a zone-by-zone basis. The inflow distribution analysis from a recent well, equipped with RESMAN RES-OIL intelligent tracers, shows that about half of the total inflow came from only two segments (7 and 8) of a 9-zone well, Fig. 1. RESMAN data also identified two low-producing zones (4 and 5), accounting for only 3% of total inflow. The operator was expecting a more even inflow distribution, and used this knowledge to reassess the reservoir drainage properties and adjust drilling and completion strategy for future wells in the field. Harsh, complex formations, longer laterals drive innovation (October 2013) Efficient drilling of challenging intervals has been a limiting factor to the economic development of a large amount of hydrocarbon reserves. However, from a drilling standpoint, the objectives remain the same—optimizing ROP, improving drilling efficiency and reducing drilling costs. Large-bore, HP tubing-retrievable safety valves qualified for gas wells (October 2013) The world’s first 95/8-in., 10,000-psi-rated, tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valves were qualified for use in two major high-pressure, non-associated gas discoveries offshore Saudi Arabia REGIONAL REPORT MENA (October 2013) Cautious optimism prevails, despite political problems, social unrest and mixed exploration results Modular reed valves improve efficiency for gas gathering and distribution (October 2013) A new valve design for reciprocating gas compressors has been shown to deliver compressor power savings in pipeline transmission applications, increase reliability by a factor of two and reduce inventories by at least 80%. Iran feels the pinch from sanctions (October 2013) Iran has ambitious plans to boost its oil and gas output. However, given the current geopolitical climate, and continuing economic sanctions, those plans are far from assured. 40 years later: Legacies of the 1973 oil crisis persist (October 2013) On the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Arab oil crisis, the after-effects of the upheaval still linger in policies and attitudes across the global oil and gas industry. Haynesville bossier shale signs of life starting to emerge (October 2013)(2) Ragan Dickens counsels those ready to wrap a “Rest in Peace” wreath around the once-venerable Haynesville-Bossier shale, to look well beyond its current ill health. “It’s not going to return tomorrow, but we have stability for the long term,” says Dickens, North Louisiana director of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA). Are we over-fracturing horizontal shale wells? (October 2013) Are we over-fracturing horizontal shale wells? 2013 Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition (October 2013) The 29th Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition (LAGCOE) will take place in Lafayette, La., later this month. The three-day biennial event, which first became a feature in the industry’s calendar during 1955, will be held at Lafayette’s Cajundome & Convention Center between Oct. 22 and Oct. 24. People in industry (October-2013) People in industry Companies in the news (October 2013) Companies in the news New products and services (October-2013) New products and services Meetings and Events (October 2013) Meetings and Events The last barrel (October-2013) Producers tackle Colorado flooding problems Innovative thinkers (October-2013) Glori Energy: EOR goes green 01Title (Month-2013) Deck New News information at Offshore Technology New and updated information from News listed on offshore-technology.com RGU develops software to prevent faults in subsea technology Robert Gordon University (RGU) researchers have developed new software which helps anticipate and prevent potential faults in subsea technology. Today's Brent value increases with Libyan supply concerns Brent crude's value increased today after reports of a sharp drop in exports from Libya, which overshadowed greater than expected US oil inventories. Cairn to acquire interest in north-west African block Scottish oil and gas exploration and production company Cairn Energy has entered a farm-in agreement with Kosmos Energy and Moroccan National Oil (ONHYM) for a 20% non-operated interest in an exploration block offshore of north-west Africa. Statoil to build $6.79bn drilling platform at Snorre field Norway's Statoil has announced a NOK40bn ($6.79bn) project to build a new drilling and processing platform at its Snorre field in the North Sea, in a bid to extract another 300 million barrels of oil. Today's oil prices dip before Fed Reserve's policy-making meeting Oil prices dropped on Tuesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy-making meeting, which is set start later in the day. Total commences production from Ekofisk South in North Sea French integrated oil and gas company Total has commenced oil production from the Ekofisk South project in the Norwegian North Sea. Wintershall completes drilling of North Sea's Ivar Aasen wells Wintershall Norge has completed drilling of wildcat wells 16/1-19 S and 16/1-20 A, 2.5km east of appraisal wells 16/1-16 and 16/1-16 A at the Ivar Aasen field and about three kilometres north of the Edvard Grieg field in the central part of the North… GE to supply subsea systems to Ocean Installer GE Oil & Gas is due to supply subsea tie-in connection systems to Ocean Installer, which will support development of the Gina Krog and Eirin gas fields in the Norwegian North Sea, as part of a contract. Today's Brent rises as investors expect positive result from Fed meeting Brent crude's value increased today as investors expect the US Federal Reserve would continue its economic stimulus during the two-day policy meeting starting from Tuesday. Today's Brent rises on positive oil demand signs in US, China Brent crude's value increased on Friday and stayed at more than $107 a barrel, on speculation that the oil demand would increase in the US and China, thanks to peak winter and factory output growth respectively. Sandvik opens oil and gas business unit in Aberdeen Swedish engineering group Sandvik Materials Technology has established a new oil and gas business unit in Aberdeen, in a bid to increase its business growth in the energy sector. Rolls-Royce wins contract from Samsung for rig equipment Rolls-Royce will supply thrusters and deck machinery for two semi-submersible drilling rigs, to be built by Samsung Heavy Industries in Korea for Stena Drilling as part of a contract. Chevron acquires offshore blocks in Bight basin, Australia Integrated energy firm Chevron's Australian subsidiary has acquired exploration interests in two offshore blocks located in the Bight basin, a deepwater frontier basin. Today's oil prices increase after positive Chinese economic data Oil prices increased today following a preliminary survey report, which showed strong new orders driving the fastest expansion in China's manufacturing sector in seven months in October, which demonstrated that the economy is stabilising. Total to develop Argentinian offshore field with $850m French energy firm Total has announced plans to invest $850m to develop a deep water natural gas field off the southern coast of Argentina. InterMoor secures contract with LLOG in Gulf of Mexico InterMoor, a mooring, foundations and subsea service provider, has secured a contract with oil and gas producer LLOG in the Gulf of Mexico. Today's oil value dips after US job data cements Fed stimulus hopes Oil prices decreased today, as the US dollar dropped to a two-year low against the euro on Wednesday after disappointing US jobs data, as well as owing to concerns about oil demand in the country, due to a build-up in crude stockpiles. Petrobras discovers hydrocarbons in Santos basin, Brazil Brazilian company Petrobras has confirmed a hydrocarbon column of about 160m, starting at a depth of 5,322m at well 3-BRSA-1183-RJS (3-RJS-713), located in block BM-S-24, in the Santos basin pre-salt. CNOOC and partners to develop Brazil's Libra field Chinese oil company CNOOC, as part of a consortium comprised of Petrobras, Royal Dutch Shell, Total and CNPC, has signed a contract to develop the Libra pre-salt oil discovery in the Santos basin, offshore of Brazil. Subsea 7 secures $600m contracts from Petrobras Seabed-to-surface engineering, construction and services contractor Subsea 7 has received two contracts, with a combined value of more than $600m, from Petrobras. Featured Editor of the Month Gary Harrison Pipeline Technical Authority at BP Featured Technology of the Month Halliburton's DeepReach™ Coiled Tubing Servic uses multiple outer diameter coiled tubing sections in a single string with larger OD sections near the top of the string and smaller OD sections near the bottom.With this arrangement, the tension along the string length is reduced while sufficient flow capacity is retained for performing well intervention operations. Tapered OD Makes the Difference The vertical depth capability of conventional coiled tubing is limited because as the length of the tubing string increases in the well, the string’s total weight also increases; therefore, the capability of a conventional CT string to perform ultra-deep work depends primarily on the string’s total hanging weight and the yield strength of the parent metal. If the hanging weight exceeds the pipe’s yield strength, a string separation can occur. Since a tapered coiled tubing string is lighter in weight (compared to a single string of the largest diameter) and its design provides greater strength at the upper end of string, operators can realize up to a 30 percent increase in depth capability over conventional CT strings. Key Enabling Technologies Multiple technologies were developed to enable DeepReach coiled tubing to be used in deep well operations. These technologies include 1) the CT transition joints, 2) Boots & Coots V-Block® gripper design, (more...)