Collaboration

The 3D geological model is an important tool, which is used for decision-making process at each step of reservoir lifecycle. In turn the quality of the model as well as field operating efficiency is directly dependent on the geologist's expertise level and requires continuous improvement of professional skills. In the digital technology era the software functions continuously enhance leading to increased number of trainings in order to implement new algorithms in the working process. The aim of the paper is to share the best practices of geological and petrophysical modelling on-job trainings applied in Scientific Technology Centre.

There are several web-resources used in the company in order to store operational regulations, corporate educational trainings, original workflows, created plug-ins etc. By dint of special module in the working software the above mentioned data sources were implemented into the integrated knowledge platform. Now new software functions can be explored on-the-job and without any charges for external trainings. The module affords the development of interactive training cases for new functions study. The results of case accomplishment can be saved and available for competency assesment. Another key aspect of the module is the automatization of model quality control provided by application of guided workflows. Additionally, the solutions for some cases can be found during the crossfunctional co-operation among geologists, petrophysicists and petroleum engineers in online question platform, which is the part of the professional groups.

The unique integrated approach for increasing the quality of geological models through training and education, which is developed and successfully implemented in Scientific Technology Centre, will be beneficial not only for other companies, which plan to create and apply the equivalent employee training system, but also for oil and gas industry in general.

Digital Transformation in oil and gas is bringing a new wave of opportunities that will transform the industry. In operations, these technologies can lead to new Ways of Working and deliver next generation Integrated Operations Centers (IOCs); empowering them to be the digital watering holes at the center of world-class operations. Several companies have publicized the effectiveness of their IOC initiatives in terms of cost savings, reduced losses and increased production. However, the success of Integrated Operations initiatives is not guaranteed; many IOCs have been deployed that have failed to live up to expectations.

Based on decades of experience delivering IOCs, this paper will explore the underlying principles that should be behind every IOC program, as well as the key program elements and delivery methodology that, while not guaranteeing success, go a long way to addressing the issues common to unsuccessful projects.

The principles proposed as the drivers behind an IOC initiative all support the philosophy that delivering an IOC is a long-distance race, not a sprint that ends when the center opens. The consequence of this is that any IO program should think of the center as a capability that should be delivered as manageable chunks into an operations culture that embraces evolution and change. To support these principles, the paper discusses eight key elements to include as part of the delivery program. These elements do more than support the delivery program, they also ensure the sustainability of the IOC capability. Finally, the paper discusses the advantages of adopting a delivery methodology from software development that has been shown to significantly improve the delivery of value, the engagement of stakeholders and the programs ability to cope with evolving changes.

The SPE San Joaquin Valley Section's young professionals (YPs) have continued to contribute to the learning of their peers through a series of events that give YPs the opportunity to benefit from experts. Recently, they got together to learn more about continuing education and online education offered by top schools in the region. The YPs held a safety and leadership event at which participants talked with Gaurdie Banister, chief executive officer of Aera Energy. Banister shared his career journey in the oil and gas industry along with his personal experiences that have influenced his career. Representatives of the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC) answered questions from YPs in an information session in Bakersfield, California.

Oil prices seem to be on the rebound, employment statistics look promising, and the petroleum industry is slowly starting to flourish again. However, there has been a fundamental shift in the workforce since the beginning of the most recent downturn. Do Industry Young Professionals Risk Missing Out on the Opportunity To Understand Geomechanics and Its Value? Early identification of geomechanics-related problems is required to optimally drill, complete, stimulate, and produce from reservoirs. Academic institutes, the oil industry, and contribution from professional societies play a key role in recognizing geomechanics as an important discipline.

For technical innovation and skill progression for individuals and institutions, continual learning and exposure to new ideas is vital. SPE Certification provides an endorsement of an engineer’s technical skills and capabilities by a global organization that extends to anywhere you may travel or work—a highly desirable benefit given the global nature of oil and gas operations. For those who are in a job transition, networking enhances job search leads because it involves meeting new people and becoming reacquainted with industry colleagues. The Pay-It-Forward Networking Program offers industry tours, training, and panels to enable networking. This article features some of the SPE mentors who are currently accepting mentees, and they share their reasons for participating in the program.

Statoil’s integrated operations center on the Norwegian continental shelf is one of several initiatives operators and service companies have set in motion to improve condition monitoring and maximize production on their assets. Industry CEOs examine the role of global trade with the UK Minister for Energy and Industry.

Will Blockchain Become the New Operational Backbone in Energy? Energy companies are looking to distributed ledger technology—otherwise known as blockchain—to help navigate the complex transactional systems that make up their operations. What is blockchain, and what makes it valuable to our industry? Statoil’s integrated operations center on the Norwegian continental shelf is one of several initiatives operators and service companies have set in motion to improve condition monitoring and maximize production on their assets. The company’s 31 licenses highlight a record-high total awarded during the latest APA round, which is aimed at developing mature areas of the NCS.

Moving their directional drillers into their Houston real-time remote operations centers has improved drilling efficiency for two of the top shale producers. This paper presents an interdisciplinary approach to the description of tectonic dislocations made on the basis of interpretation of seismic data, petrophysical analysis of well-logging data in horizontal wells, and inversion of a multifrequency propagation tool. This work presents a systematic geosteering work flow that automatically integrates a priori information and real-time measurements to update geomodels with uncertainties and uses the latest model predictions in a decision-support system (DSS). The use of intelligent software is on the rise in the industry and it is changing how engineers approach problems. A series of articles explores the potential benefits and limitations of this emerging area of data science.

Leaders from two large US onshore rig contractors said their expectations that the rig-count slide would hit a second-quarter bottom were off and are now refraining from making new predictions as to when it will end. Moving their directional drillers into their Houston real-time remote operations centers has improved drilling efficiency for two of the top shale producers. What Happens to Directional Drillers When Computers Are Directing Drillers? Software that offers turn-by-turn directions for drilling a horizontal well could drastically reduce the number of directional drillers. A new rotary-steerable system (RSS) was designed to give geometrically greater dogleg-severity (DLS) capability while still being able to withstand the increased bending stresses.

Moving their directional drillers into their Houston real-time remote operations centers has improved drilling efficiency for two of the top shale producers. The major’s dominant showing in US Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 252 propelled another rise in bids and dollars for the biannual regionwide auction. Funding for startups in the upstream industry does not always guarantee that oil and gas companies will want to test the new technology. A new venture and accelerator model hopes to change this through guaranteed pilots. The Pluma-1 discovery could turn the southeast portion of Stabroek Block off Guyana "into a major new development area," the company says.