For the upstream industry, where improvement in efficiency or production can drive significant financial results, there is no question that the size of the digital prize is huge. In this study, the authors use a quantitative seismic interpretation work flow (QSI) based on a rock-physics template in estimating the uncertainty of the geochemical properties of organic mudrocks of the Shublik formation of the Alaskan North Slope. This paper demonstrates how maintaining investment in high-quality 3D seismic during the last downturn, together with selective exploration, quality geoscience, application of new technologies, and efficiently maturing discoveries to early cash flow, was successful in sustaining future production. In this paper, the authors propose a least-squares Q migration (LSQM) method that combines the benefits of both LSM and Q prestack depth migration (QPSDM) to improve the amplitude fidelity and image resolution of seismic data. Happily, in this past year, we witnessed several examples of marriage between two themes—exciting technology advances and the recent economic downturn.

US Shale Firms Put Up $16.5 Million To Build West Texas Charter Schools Twenty top US energy companies agreed to contribute $16.5 million to open new schools in West Texas, where an influx of oil and gas workers have strained schools, roads, and other civic services. The production of oil and natural gas in West Texas is booming, but it’s coming at a cost to residents who are regularly exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to a report issued by an environmental group. San Antonio-based Petro Waste Environmental (PWE) announced the opening of its newest state-of-the-art nonhazardous oil and gas waste landfill facility in Howard County, Texas. Milestone Environmental Services has announced the ground breaking for its new oilfield waste-disposal facility south of Midland, Texas.

A Midland Basin case study on estimating production, drainage volume, and interference from multiple stacked wells. Openhole multistage (OHMS) systems are more cost-effective than the cemented casing plug-and-perf (CCPP) techniques for increasing production and reducing development costs. Understanding how much rock is being stimulated and propped is critical for unconventional producers. New imaging methods using electromagnetic energy or acoustic microemitters could represent a milestone in understanding what is left behind after fracturing. The integration of microseismic data with 3D seismic attributes, and well log and completions data is used to understand geomechanical rock properties.

The complete paper explores the use of multilevel derivative-free optimization for history matching, with model properties described using principal component analysis (PCA) -based parameterization techniques. This paper describes an accurate, three-step, machine-learning-based early warning system that has been used to monitor production and guide strategy in the Shengli field. This paper discusses how machine learning by use of multiple linear regression and a neural network was used to optimize completions and well designs in the Duvernay shale.

Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) performance in bitumen-recovery projects in Alberta is affected by geological deposits, reservoir quality, and operational experience. Proper lateral and vertical well spacing is critical for efficient development of unconventional reservoirs. Much research has focused on lateral well spacing but little on vertical spacing, which is challenging for stacked-bench plays such as the Permian Basin. This paper focuses on the preparation for, and implementation of, well-control training, while highlighting the integration of people skills into curricula and what advantages operators and drilling contractors have obtained. This paper proposes a new work flow to simulate water-hammer events, the resulting wellbore failure, and sand production in water injectors.

The combination will operate and share ownership of midstream gas assets in the Utica and Marcellus Shale plays. CPPIB financially backs operator Encino Energy, which last year acquired Chesapeake Energy’s Utica assets. The high level of dissolved iron commonly present in the Marcellus waters of Pennsylvania and West Virginia adversely affects the ability of scale inhibitor to inhibit calcium carbonate scale.

The complete paper discusses the successful execution of the first offshore multilateral well completed for multistage high-pressure proppant stimulation, according to the authors, in the Black Sea offshore Romania. This paper details the design and execution of what the authors say they believe is the first successful frac-pack operation in a previously gravel-packed well. The evolution of hydraulic fracturing is a long and circuitous one that deserves examination. Engineering and completions leaders from Liberty Oilfield Services did just that, authoring a paper that encapsulates the high points in the development of the groundbreaking completions practice. Producers in Texas have claimed an economic victory with their transition to local sands that they once avoided using in horizontal wells due to their low-quality.

The single independent riser (SIR) is a hybrid riser configuration optimized for ultradeepwater field development. The SIR is composed of a flexible jumper and a rigid part vertically tensioned by means of distributed or continuous buoyancy. This paper describes an automated work flow that uses sensor data and machine-learning (ML) algorithms to predict and identify root causes of impending and unplanned shutdown events and provide actionable insights. The Monument well represents the Norwegian operator’s first deepwater drilling project in US waters in 5 years. Transocean reported a long list of reasons why the deepwater drilling business is coming back strong.

The complete paper discusses the systematic approach adopted by a service company to achieve the goal of safely abandoning wells offshore southwest Brazil with different completion types using light workover vessels. For the offshore sector, the collapse in oil demand and prices came just as the market was beginning to look up. Now many companies are focused on survival. This article discusses how various market segments, regions, and companies are faring in “the new reality.” This paper presents a fatigue-prediction methodology designed to extend the life of unbonded flexible risers and improve the accuracy of floating production, storage, and offloading vessel response analysis.

Of all the programs that SPE offers, the most rewarding and enjoyable ones for me personally are the conferences. I love walking the floor of an exhibition hall, discovering the latest technology advancements, and listening to the various product demonstrations. From the beginning, SPE has focused on knowledge dissemination in four fundamental areas, which I refer to as the core disciplines: drilling, completions, reservoir (including geosciences), and production operations. No company or organization could have predicted our industry would be facing a viral pandemic, coupled with oil prices at their lowest levels in almost 2 decades. This is a time to put our heads together and come up with a new plan. This is what oil and gas does best.