|
Vol. 7, No. 3 |
|
|
|
|
Tech Transfer Track
|
APPEX Dealmakers Conference Will Move to Brown Convention Center in 2002The first ever APPEX Dealmakers Conference, which was held at the Adam's Mark Hotel in west Houston on Aug. 27-29, drew 1,500 attendees. All available booth space was filled. Response proved that there is demand for two major prospect conferences per year (NAPE early in the year, APPEX in late summer). APPEX was co-convened by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Houston Geological Society, and the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists. With the support of these professional societies and a policy that at least 70% of the booth space was for those selling prospects (i.e., limiting the number of vendor/other booths), geoscientists liked what they experienced. One booth reportedly sold five prospects. Building on this success, AAPG will move the 2002 APPEX Conference, to be held on Aug. 27-29, to the Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. This move allows double the booth space, which means twice as many good prospects to look at. Visit AAPG's website (http://www.aapg.org) for evolving information. |
GEMINI Project ProgressingGEMINI (Geo-Engineering Modeling through Internet Informatics) is an interactive, integrated website designed to construct real-time geo-engineering reservoir models. This three-year project, begun in October 2000, leverages DOE funding with cost share from the Kansas Geological Survey and data and project evaluation provided by industry participants (Phillips Petroleum, Murfin Drilling, Mull Drilling, Pioneer, BP, and Anadarko Petroleum Corp.). When fully developed (see website for progress and plans), the GEMINI system will allow users to retrieve databases, upload information, and run software interactively. Analytical components of GEMINI include assembling fluid and rock parameters, basic and enhanced wireline log interpretation, data mining, spatial analysis and visualization, volumetrics, material balance, and parameterization/formatting of results for reservoir simulation software. In laymen's terms, what this means-one can access public domain data (or load your data) and place it in a work area, then use web-based public domain software to analyze and interpret the data. One can't get much more cost effective than that. And the participating company list reveals that its not a pie in the sky dream. To get a vision of how the GEMINI system will operate, visit the GEMINI website (http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/Gemini/) or contact Lynn Watney (one of the Principal Investigators) at the Kansas Geological Survey (phone 785-864-3965 or email lwatney@kgs.ukans.edu). |
Standards Pertaining to Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserve InformationAt its June 2001 meeting, the Society of Petroleum Engineer's (SPE) Board of Directors endorsed recommendations of its Reserves Committee for revisions to the 1977 Reserves document. The changes make the SPE voluntary standard compatible with the 1997 joint SPE/World Petroleum Congress definitions. The 22-page standard, accessible through SPE's website (http://www.spe.org/cda/content/0,1085,4822,00.html), covers a myriad of topics, including: (1) professional qualifications for reserve estimators and auditors, (2) standards for independence, objectivity and confidentiality, (3) standards (classifications/ techniques) for estimating reserves, and (4) auditing standards. With current acquisition and divestiture trends, it behooves both buyer and seller to review these recently endorsed standards. |
Rubin Replaces Adamson as SPE’ Executive DirectorMark Rubin has been named Executive Director of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). SPE made this announcement following an August 28 special meeting of SPE's Board of Directors. Rubin, currently Upstream General Manager for the American Petroleum Institute (API) in Washington, DC, will join SPE staff just before SPE's Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition on Sep 30-Oct 3 in New Orleans. An SPE member since 1979, Rubin had domestic experience with Unocal, Texaco, and Butte Resources Co. before joining API's Upstream Division in 1988. At API, Rubin has held a series of management positions working on federal regulatory and legislative matters as well as international standardization activities. More recently, API Upstream activity has focused on Access, Royalty Management, Environmental, and Drilling and Production Operations. Rubin holds a BS degree in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Southern Methodist University. SPE President Bruce Bernard, who served as chairperson for the Executive Director Search Committee, noted: "Mark Rubin … has comprehensive knowledge of the upstream oil and gas industry, experience in the association environment, and the management and interpersonal skills—the complete package." |
Joint Industry Project Initiated to Develop Dual-Gradient Drilling SystemOffshore drilling in deep water is complicated and expensive with fracture and pore pressure curves close together, making drilling difficult and requiring several casing strings. Dual-gradient drilling (DGD) systems reduce this problem by reducing mud pressure in the riser near the seafloor with pumps or other means. One operator estimates that DGD could save $9 million per well in a 6,500 ft water-depth program in the Gulf of Mexico. Maurer Technology Inc. is coordinating a joint industry research project to develop a DGD system. The proposed system utilizes mud pumps to pump hollow spheres to the seafloor where they are injected into the bottom of the riser to reduce mud density to that of seawater. The system uses conventional oilfield equipment on the drill rig and eliminates all seafloor equipment, including complex seafloor mud pumps. The system can be used on all drilling rigs, not just expensive Generation V rigs, and capital cost is in the $10 million range, versus $40 to $70 million for seafloor pumping systems. Phase 1, which will cost $1 million, will complete the engineering and feasibility study, and develop an implementation program and commercialization budget. Companies can participate for $200,000. Once the system is commercialized, participants will receive a 20% discount on the system until they receive back double their fee. Early planning meetings have been held, but there is still time to be involved. For more information, visit Maurer's website http://www.maurertechnology.com/JIP/dgd/dgdhome.asp. |
| PTTC Home | Table of Contents | Top of Page | To Other Issues of Network News |