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Technology—The Engine
That Drives Oil And Gas Production
Those who know, sharing
what they know, for mutual benefit
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Petroleum Technology Transfer Council |
WWW.PTTC.ORG |
Notes
From Jim Blankenship, AAPG Geosciences Director
It’s an interesting time for the domestic energy
industry. Sustained high gas prices do have the
public’s attention. Pressure is on Congress and the
presidential candidates to do “something.” We can
only pray (and exercise our voice) that the right
“something” is done. IPAA data do show that the
public is more and more listening to industry’s
message that it can deliver more oil and gas in an
environmentally acceptable manner. Of the many parts
to the energy equation, technology is one of the
more critical. Needs drive R&D. Tech transfer
stimulates commercialization and application.
Application leads to “lessons learned” and
“preferred practices.” Further tech transfer of
these lessons and practices spurs more application.
More reserves are developed. As fields mature,
technologies targeting mature wells come to the
forefront. Field lives are extended. Occasionally,
there are “game-changer” technologies that
dramatically improve economics and reserves.
Integral to all this is a company finding its place
in the “next” opportunity. Prospect expos are part
of that process. Beyond NAPE and Summer NAPE are an
increasing number of regional expos; (1) Midcontinent Prospect Expo (Oct. 29 in Oklahoma
City), (2) Gulf Coast Prospect Expo (Oct. 21-22 in
Lafayette), (3) Denver Prospect Fair & Technofest
(Nov. 3 in Denver). |
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In This
Issue
| Tech Transfer Track ............ |
3 |
| Environmental Corner ........ |
6 |
| DOE Digest
......................... |
7 |
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The Regions
....................... |
9-14 |
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Upcoming Events/PTTC
Roundup............................. |
15 |
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Academic
Team Performance Bodes Well for the Future |
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This article
highlights two recent academic competitions—AAPG's
"Imperial Barrel"competition and the "Disappearing
Road"competition developed by co-partners Texas A&M's
Global Petroleum Research Institute and the Houston
Advanced Research Center within its Environmentally
Friendly Drilling Systems Program.
The Imperial Barrel
competition challenges students to evaluate the
petroleum potential of a sedimentary basin, giving them
an opportunity to |
The
"Disappearing Road" competition focused on integrating
advanced technologies into a drilling rig system that
would significantly reduce environmental impact. Eleven
teams competed in the competition. A late May awards
ceremony at Texas A&M University honored the two
finalists in the year-long competition—first place to a
team from the University of Wyoming and second place to
a team from Texas A&M. First and second place awards of
$20,000 and $10,000 respectively were provided by
Halliburton. |
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AAPG's Imperial Barrel
winner: University of Oklahoma
HARC
Environmentally Friendly Drilling Program
"Disappearing Road" winner: University of Wyoming |
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develop creative
geological interpretations. Results are accomplished
within strict time limits of five-to-six weeks. Twelve
of 34 teams made it to the global finals competition.
These twelve teams made presentations to industry
judges, after which the field was narrowed to six teams
and presentations made to a new set of judges. The 2008 winner was from
the University of Oklahoma, with second place going to a
team from Imperial College in London. AAPG thanks 37
sponsors worldwide for their contributions, which
enabled the first and second place teams to take home
awards of $20,000 and $10,000 respectively. |
The Wyoming team developed a layered mat,
roll-out road system and a modular frame design for
temporary roads and drilling pads in
environmentally-sensitive areas, such as Jonah Field and
the Pinedale Anticline. Estimates were that the system
would reduce ground and habitat disruption by up to 88
percent. The system was designed to use synthetic
boards, which provide greater strength than conventional
oak boards and are more resistant to extreme weather
conditions. The Texas A&M team concept employed a sky
lift system (think aerial tramway) that would be
installed via helicopter. It also incorporated pipelines
to transport drilling and production fluids outside the
area. |
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