PTTC recognizes that products and services featured in “Tech Transfer Track” may not be unique and welcomes information about other upstream technologies. PTTC does not endorse or recommend any of the products or services mentioned in this publication, even though reasonable steps are taken to ensure the reliability of information sources.

Tech Transfer Track

Leading Edge Technology Tested in Illinois Basin

Since the mid 1990s, Schlumberger has been working to develop intelligent well technology. Recent field tests conducted cooperatively with Team Energy in the Illinois Basin, although primarily a proving ground for the new technology, demonstrated the benefits that could accrue in typical, mature U.S. production. See the following two articles:

"Smart, Fast and In Control," published in Offshore Engineer, August 2002, pp. 35-39. Watch Offshore Engineer's website (www.oilonline.com/news/features/) for full article.

"Independent's Illinois Basin Wells Serve as Test Beds for Next-Generation Technologies," American Oil and Gas Reporter, July 2002, pp. 77-82.

How Can America Best Handle Its Future Energy Needs?

In July 2002, Drillinginfo polled the over 4000 subscribers to its monthly newsletter and received votes from over 400 unique users to the following query- 'How can America best handle its future energy needs?' Respondents were allowed to select three of the 17 options.

Results of the poll show, not surprisingly, that Lack of Access to Exploration Capital is the leading impediment to energy self sufficiency, followed distantly by Access to Public Lands. In the technology realm, New Seismic Imaging Techniques and New Secondary or Tertiary Recovery Technologies were important. Non-Seismic Imaging and New Frac Techniques were also seen to play a role.

Poll results courtesy of Allen Gilmer, Drillinginfo.com (AGilmer@drillinginfo.com). Information shared during presentation at APPEX conference in Houston in August.

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Abundant Data on CD-ROM for East Texas Operators

The East Texas Geological Society (ETGS) and the Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin (BEG), are developing a CD-ROM that will contain 28 BEG publications on the East Texas area. Material comprises about 2,750 pages overall. The CD-ROM, which is nearing completion, will be sold by both ETGS and BEG.

Prior CD-ROM projects by ETGS include:

East Texas Field, 1930-1950—a 650-page publication of geological and engineering works, a collaborative project between ETGS and the East Texas Engineering Association.

Dumble Surveys—13 separate publication containing approximately 2,700 pages, a joint venture between ETGS and the General Libraries at the University of Texas at Austin.

ETGS Publications CD containing all the society's publications

CDs may be ordered through East Texas Geological Society's website www.cox-internet.com/etgs/public.htm

DEA Evolving—Relationship with IADC

Positioning itself for the future, the Drilling Engineering Association (DEA), during its August 3rd Qtr meeting in Houston, indicated that it is establishing a formal relationship with the International Association of Drilling Contractors. This relationship will provide the synergy between producers and the drilling industry that provides services to them that is needed to address drilling R&D needs.
Three new proposals seeking funding were discussed during the meeting:

DEA 149—Barite Sag Tester

DEA 105—Otis Fire Suppression System

DEA 150—Diminished Drillpipe Capacity Due to Slip Crushing

Earlier proposals also seeking funding include:

DEA 90, Phase IV—Drilling Plastic Shale at Great Depth; A Study to Improve Penetration Rates with Environmentally Acceptable Drilling Fluids

DEA 119, Phase II—A Proposal to Develop an Improved Methodology for Pre-Drill Pore Pressure and Fracture Gradient Prediction for Deep Water Wells

DEA 148—Hard Rock Drilling Performance Improvement Through New Impregnated Drill Bit Technology

DEA 143—Flat-Time Reduction; Real-Time Integrated Pore Pressure, Fracture Gradient, and Annulus Pressure Prototype Software System

Visit DEA's website (www.dea.main.com/projects/active_projects.html) for updated information on active (funded) projects. Contact Mike Utt, Unocal (phone 281-287-5215, email mike.utt@unocal.com for information on how to become actively involved in DEA or to participate in a given JIP (joint industry project).

Table of Contents	Vol. 8, No.3 3rd Quarter 2002