Comments: Young Technology Showcase
Authors: Donnelly John 
Published: February 2015

Editor's column

This month, JPT publishes the first articles in its new Young Technology Showcase section. The articles in this and subsequent issues will spotlight the best in “young technology”—technology new in the development-to-adoption cycle that shows great promise for use in the upstream oil and gas industry.

Although hydrocarbons supply is abundant, global energy demand is growing steadily and producing these resources is becoming more complex and technically challenging. Many of these assets reside in difficult locations and in extreme environments. The most advanced technologies, some yet to be developed, will be required to find, produce, and maintain these resources. And although the oil and gas industry excels in the use of high-tech tools and techniques, it is relatively slow in adopting new technologies compared with other industries.

In concert with SPE’s role to disseminate technical information to the upstream sector, the SPE Board of Directors created a task force to examine how the society could help accelerate the acceptance and awareness of new upstream technology. SPE transfers information about more mature technology through its many publications, conferences, lectures, and workshops. But highlighting a young technology new in the development cycle often does not lend itself to technical papers.

The SPE Technical Directors’ Technology Pipeline Task Force aims to accelerate emerging technology through publications and other vehicles and is working with JPT on its initial initiative to publicize promising new technology. The committee has been reviewing submissions sent in by both large and small technology developers and providers.

The two technologies highlighted in this issue are a new stage multiplier device created by Packers Plus and Boots & Coots Power Reach Service that combines the features of coiled tubing and jointed tubing in well intervention. Other technologies have been approved by the committee as having great potential will be published in upcoming issues of JPT. The committee is in the process of reviewing numerous others. Among the technologies being reviewed are aspects of robotics, drilling methods, sand management, and fracturing.

In the meantime, JPT and the committee will continue to welcome submissions of young technology for possible publication. Companies and individuals are invited to submit information on their new technologies by submitting a template that describes the technology and what it can do, which is available at www.jptonline.org/index. php?id=986. Developers of technology will need to define the reason or need for the technology, verify its purpose, describe how it works, state its target applications, and note how and where it has been used. In addition, the submission must provide information on any case studies, discuss what would cause the new technology to not work or fail, and describe the possible health, safety, and environmental impact. The technology must provide significant benefits beyond commonly used technologies. It must also be original and, to a certain degree, groundbreaking.

If you are interested in submitting information on your new technology or have any questions about this process, please contact me at jdonnelly@spe.org.