Industry Highlight:  IAGC Detonator Guidelines
In recent years, the geophysical industry has been experiencing more accidents with explosives. Studying the issue, the Explosives Safety Workgroup within the International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) Global HSE Steering Committee discovered several underlying factors and developed testing and specifications guidelines that they are encouraging all in industry to apply.

DOE Highlight: Two New "Smart Drilling" Projects Awarded
DOE's Strategic Center for Natural Gas recently made two R&D awards to companies developing advanced drilling technologies.
MASI LLC, Houston, TX -- Exploring how micro-bubbles will help seal permeable and fractured rock, minimizing reservoir damage.
Terralog Technologies, Arcadia, CA -- basic research to advance the understanding of combined percussion and rotary drilling, which will include development of a simulation tool.
Note: Three Products with ties to DOE National Energy Technology Lab efforts receive R&D 100 awards

PTTC Highlight: Just an MCF Per Day
The Appalachian Region has now completed five "Well Tender" workshops. Since all have been essentially sold out, the workshops are satisfying a need for more focused training for lease operators. Content of these workshops focuses on basic calculations useful for troubleshooting wells, field safety, and commonly encountered field equipment. Matt Vavro, engineering and training consultant and Producer Advisory Group Members Roger Willis, Universal Well Services and Thomas Cates, AmWes Resources Corp., led the regional effort in developing and delivering the workshops.