bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Warehouse of Defective Pipe
Authors: Rassenfoss Stephen , Beckwith Robin 
Published: February 2015

Pipe repository
What looks like a collection of rusty old pipes in a Houston warehouse is a repository of carefully selected objects cared for as if they were part of a museum. Inside and out of the warehouse, there are tubulars once buried in the ground or laid on the ocean bottom. There are large sections of tubulars with corrosion damage inside and out, dents, tiny cracks, and failed welds.
The collection is at the center of research and development (R&D) work by the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI), which established the location in Houston in December 2011 to house a growing collection that had been scattered in odd spaces at companies around the world. There are more than 150 examples of real-world pipe selected because they fit into the group’s programs, which are dedicated to developing ways to ensure that pipelines are safer and more reliable, said Mark Piazza, director of pipeline programs for PRCI.
For Steve Banks, product development manager at Genesis Oil and Gas Consultants, this ordinary-looking warehouse is like a “toy cupboard.” It offered him access to one-of-a-kind objects needed to test the progress of a project to commercialize a device being developed by Genesis at its R&D facility at the University of Manchester. What stands out about the new machine is its ability to inspect pipes whose inner walls are covered by waxy buildup or other gunk.
The pipe repository is a tangible sign of the PRCI’s technology development program that users say has helped them get past barriers that are often a dead end for new ideas in the oil business.
PRCI members provided advice to Genesis on what the device needed to do, funding support of 2 years of prototype development access to the repository, where Genesis could evaluate its progress on pipe samples with defects known only to a few within PRCI. “The process is fantastic,” said Banks. “Over a 3-year cycle, we are taking something sitting under a sink in a lab, developing it, patenting it, and deploying it in the field with real live data.”
Development and Field Applications of a Novel NAF in the Gulf of Thailand
Authors: Wilson Adam 
Published: February 2015

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 158680, ’Pushing the Envelope of HT Drilling Fluids: Development and Field Applications of a Novel Nonaqueous Drilling Fluid in the Gulf of Thailand,’ by Kerati Charnvit, SPE, Abhijart Kongto, Fransiskus Huadi, and Sunil Sharma, SPE, M-I Swaco, and Gerard Simon, SPE, Brent Estes, SPE, and Neil Trotter, SPE, Chevron, prepared for the 2012 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Perth, Australia, 22-24 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed.
A novel nonaqueous-fluid (NAF) system was designed to provide stable rheological properties with a nonprogressive gel structure and very good filtration control and filter-cake quality in wells where the expected bottomhole static temperature (BHST) exceeds 400°F. The fluid was successful in providing wellbore conditions capable of being fully logged and evaluated and, at the same time, providing effective hole cleaning with minimum effect on equivalent circulating density. The fluid has been successful in wells with temperatures from 400 to 428°F and mud weights from 11.7 to 14.5 lbm/gal.
Introduction
Historically, conventional NAF systems have had a good performance record in the Gulf of Thailand, providing the necessary fluid and wellbore stability to achieve successful wireline-logging operations. However, when BHST exceeds 400°F, problems have been reported during wireline-logging operation, including difficulties in moving wireline-logging tools to reach the target depth or even getting stuck, which led to nonproductive time (NPT) or loss of tools in several wells. As a result, a more robust NAF that could help minimize the NPT was requested by the operator because numerous wells being planned would have BHSTs considerably above 400°F. The first approach to solve this issue was to review and modify field engineering practices in an attempt to extend the stability of the conventional NAF formulation; however, it was concluded from this initial study that a novel NAF was required for this ultrahigh-temperature condition.
On the basis of extensive laboratory testing during fluid-system development, it was determined that the combination of a new nitrogen-free emulsifier designed for thermal stability in excess of 550°F and a filtration-control package comprising a synthetic polymer coupled with a modified naturally occurring polymer provided the most stable fluid up to 525°F.
Main Components
Emulsifier. A new emulsifier was developed to withstand ultrahigh temperatures and provide low-viscosity, stable emulsions (i.e., low and flat gel structure). The emulsifier also contributes to high-temperature/high-pressure (HT/HP) filtration control and temperature stability of the system. This emulsifier has another benefit over the conventional amine-based emulsifiers because it does not thermally degrade and release ammonia when exposed to ultrahigh temperatures, even if the temperature limit of the product is exceeded.
Successful Cases of Horizontal-Well Tight-Sand-Gas Development in China
Authors: Carpenter Chris 
Published: February 2015

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper IPTC 16824, ’Challenges of Horizontal Wells and Successful Cases for Tight- Sand-Gas Development in China,’ by Jia Ailin, He Dongbo, Jia Chengye, Ji Guang, and Wei Yunsheng, PetroChina, prepared for the 2013 International Petroleum Technology Conference, Beijing, 26-28 March. The paper has not been peer reviewed.
Three observations have resulted from horizontal-well development in the Sulige tight gas field. First, well-location selection should be influenced by detailed geological research. Second, measurement while drilling (MWD) is the most effective technique in enhancing the drilling success rate. Third, stimulation treatments such as multistage hydraulic fracturing are the most effective way for gas wells to increase their deliverability.
Introduction
Tight sand gas, one of the main types of unconventional gas reservoirs, displays the most rapid development worldwide in recent years, especially since its successful development in the US. Tight gas resources are estimated to be 10 trillion m3 in China alone. China holds a large amount of tight-sand gas resources and has obtained good performance in exploration and production during its 11th Five-Year Plan period. The Sulige gas field in the Ordos basin, the Xujiahe gas field in the Sichuan basin, and the Denglouku gas fields in the Songliao basin all show typically successful exploration and production of tight-sand gas in China. Compared with geological settings and development backgrounds in North America, tight-sand gas in China has differing characteristics, including poorer original gas in place, increased depth, and lower netpay thickness.
For tight-sand-gas development, low economic benefits are the main control factor. High costs in drilling, completion, and fracturing, coupled with low revenues from wellheads, scare investors away. From a technical perspective, low saturation, low production rate, and low estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) are constraints. Thus, technical innovations to improve production level and EUR are necessary. For tight-sand gas in the US, infill drilling was the predominant development strategy in the 1990s. For tight gas wells, drainage areas are usually small, the result of reservoir heterogeneity and poor petrophysical properties. Thus, infill drilling can effectively release the remaining gas left by the primary well pattern. The consequences for infill drilling include more gas derived from the reservoir and more costs associated with drilling and completion. In recent years, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, especially staged fracturing, have become more frequent. Compared with vertical wells, horizontal wells have the advantage of greater drainage area, which can effectively increase the EUR. Staged fracturing can effectively improve the flow matrix and can increase the production rate; thus, the two main factors causing poor economic benefits and constraining tight gas development can be effectively resolved.
Overview: Bit Technology (December 2005)
Authors: Mensa-Wilmot Graham 
Published: February 2015

Drilling programs have become more challenging, regarding depths, well profiles, and formation drillability—in terms of hardness and/or abrasiveness. This situation places a lot of pressure on drill-bit manufacturers because they are expected to develop products that drill faster and/or longer in these harsher environments. To achieve this goal, drill-bit technology must outpace the industry’s performance needs. In addition, engineering services and tools, which enable overall evaluation of a drilling program’s objectives, must be developed.
Traditionally, hard- and/or abrasive-rock drilling have been reserved for impregnated and roller-cone bits. R&D efforts, focusing on these bit types, continue to improve the rate of penetration and durability of impregnated and roller-cone bits, respectively. At the same time, polycrystalline-diamond-compact (PDC) bits also have experienced accelerated technology developments. As a result, the performances of PDC bits, especially in hard and/or abrasive formations, have become effective and highly consistent. In most applications around the world, PDC bits continue to replace impregnated and roller-cone bits—they are drilling faster and longer.
The PDC-bit design process has improved greatly through the use of sophisticated design tools. With these tools, cutting structures can be developed to minimize damaging bit vibrations and/or PDC-cutter wear. Currently, PDC-cutter development also has reached a new level. Impact resistance does not have to be compromised to gain abrasion resistance. Technologies continue to be developed that enable both impact and abrasion resistances to be maximized. In addition, specialized-application tools, which aid in the bit-selection and -evaluation processes, also have been developed.
Shortfalls in bit performance, which may seem insignificant in terms of cost, have drastic effects on overall well costs. Considering the technological advancements that continue to be made in bit development, selecting the right bit has become a very critical investment.
Available from the SPE eLibrary: www.spe.org
SPE 94798 “Drill-Bit Catalog and Bit Index: A New Method for Bit-Performance Evaluation,” by P. Macini, SPE, U. of Bologna, et al.
SPE 91782 “Optimization of PDC-Drill-Bit Performance Utilizing High-Speed Real-Time Downhole Data Acquired Under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement,” by T.S. Roberts, ReedHycalog, et al.
SPE 93910 “The Trouble With Bits—A Holistic Approach to Drilling Optimization,” by D. Hamer, Halliburton Sperry-Sun, et al.
Petroleum Industry 2020: People First: Excellence and Fairness - Part 1
Authors: Al-Khalifa Abdul-Jaleel 
Published: February 2015

It is amazing how all people are attracted to excellence and fairness, reflecting a human unity without regard to colour, race, gender, or religion. However, as much as people are united in admiring fairness and excellence, they sometimes differ in understanding their true meaning and application in real life. This can explain why some people live isolated in their thinking and feelings despite today's fast-growing means of communication. Let's explore an understanding that I hope can be universal and practical. We will then try to apply this understanding to individuals and corporations in our industry.
Let us start with the idea that excellence and fairness are twins; they rise and shine together. This principle applies to individuals, corporations, and industries. Individuals, aspiring to be excellent, can be a change agent within their corporations and the industry at large.

Background
In my November JPT column, I talked about how healthy organizations enjoy an evolving process of technology innovation, cost management, and high productivity. They engage the workforce and utilize their employees' full potential. Healthy organizations also exhibit a very high degree of character and competency at both the individual and corporate levels, as demonstrated in Fig. 1. The increasing challenges of higher demand and stretched human resources will drive organizations to do a better job of engaging their workforce. A corporation's workforce is its foundation for future survival. Industry's focus on research and technology spending will build on this foundation.
Genuine efforts to enhance character and competency must be at both the individual and the corporate level. This month's column focuses on the individual. Individuals at all levels collectively form the character and competency of the entire corporation. Furthermore, it is essential to plant the seeds and anchor high standards of character and competency at the individual level, where ownership and accountability reside.
Let's now discuss how SPE can help enhance the individual's character and competency.

Broaden SPE Focus to Cover People Issues
SPE's historical focus has been mostly on technical competencies. Very few SPE papers have discussed ethics, values, organizations, and leadership. Only one in 100 Distinguished Lecturers over the past few years spoke about ethics with regard to reserves booking. Engineering curricula are almost void of courses on character, values, and ethics. While industry training offers courses and information like Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, in general there is a dire need for an immediate focus on this critical area. This explains why 95% of the respondents in the December 2005 SPE survey of members' job satisfaction were in favor of a more SPE focus on people issues.
Lower Tertiary Trend: A Study in the Impact of Advancing Technology
Authors: Langley Diane 
Published: February 2015

In 2002, few believed that Lower Tertiary sands would be present, let alone productive. Today these defiant sands are reshaping the industry's appraisal of plays in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Back in 2002, supermajor Chevron and independent Devon formed a joint venture to explore and exploit the deep Wilcox formation. According to both, new and emerging technology has been and continues to be the differentiator in both the exploration and exploitation efforts in these deep structural targets and has the potential to create a shock wave on financial portfolios.
The Jack-2 well test took place in the second quarter of 2006 at Walker Ridge Block 758 in 7,000 ft of water, and more than 20,000 ft under the seafloor, breaking Chevron's 2004 Tahiti well-test record as the deepest successful well test in the GOM. Chevron, Devon, and Statoil announced that it was a record-setting production test, with the test representing approximately 40% of the total net pay measured in the Jack-2 well.
National Geographic recently gave an apt description of industry achievement in the Lower Tertiary trend: "…you're looking at where in the GOM to drill an 80- to 100-million-dollar well that will ultimately be the size of a dinner plate [on the seafloor]." And, according to analysts, it equates to spending U.S. $100 million to drill and construct a well in mile-deep water to as deep as 5.3 miles below sea level beneath a salt canopy.
The recent, well-publicized Jack-2 well test is actually the latest of several successes in the play. The Great White and Trident finds by Chevron, located in Alaminos Canyon, were the first, and it is speculated that this trend could extend into the Garden Banks and Green Canyon blocks. "This is truly frontier exploration … pushing boundaries," said Gero Farrugio, Wood Mackenzie Upstream Research Manager for Latin America, the U.S. GOM, and Canada. Other prospects already on record in the GOM Lower Tertiary trend include Cascade in 2002, St. Malo in 2003, the first Jack find in 2004, and Kaskida in 2006. The Jack prospect is located far from any existing platform and pipeline infrastructure.
Farrugio points out that while "the Jack-2 test is the first indicator, it is far from proving commerciality of the play."
The technology that is being brought to bear to realize the potential of the Lower Tertiary trend is the ingredient that has the potential to bring understanding of this play needed for the creation of infrastructure and ultimately to prove commercial viability. Drilling commenced on the Jack-2 well under 7,000 ft of water and continued to a depth of 28,175 ft. At this depth, pressures can reach 20,000 psi and the temperature of the oil is approximately 200°C.
First SPE Russian Conference Attracts Top Names
Authors: Donnelly John 
Published: February 2015

The inaugural SPE Russian Oil and Gas Technical Conference attracted top names from the country's premier companies as well as leading industry professionals from around the world. More than 2,000 attended the 4-day event in Moscow in October, which featured nearly 200 technical presentations as well as an exhibition that showcased major service and operating firms.
Highlighting the conference, which bore the theme "Technology for World Class Resources," were four panel sessions that examined the current state of the Russian oil and gas industry, case studies of some of the world's most important fields, academia's relationship to the industry, and legends in Russian oil and gas.
The opening plenary session, focusing on Russia's role in the global energy balance, led off with Valery Isaakovich Graifer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC Lukoil and General Director of JSC Ritek OJSC Lukoil. Graifer, who chaired the conference as well, was joined by speakers from leading Russian and non-Russian firms and organizations, including Lukoil, Gazprom, Rosneft, TNK-BP, Transneft, ConocoPhillips, Schlumberger, Halliburton, and the Russian Federal Energy Agency.
Graifer said it was significant that the SPE conference followed closely behind the recent G8 summit held in Russia, in which world leaders discussed the importance of global energy security. The G8 leaders concluded that energy is the most important force for sustainable development and economic progress, that energy security and the future of the world are inseparable, and that the world will continue to depend heavily on hydrocarbons despite a growing interest in alternative fuels. Russia will play a critical role in ensuring that security, Graifer said, but the country needs additional technology and specialists to help develop its oil and gas industry. This SPE conference is "creating educational wealth" that will benefit not only Russia but the international oil industry as a whole, he said, noting the importance of the participation of the leading companies of Russia and the world in both the technical presentations and the exhibition.
Also helping to open the conference was 2005 SPE President Giovanni Paccaloni, who said the conference represented a milestone in bridging information on technology development with the great Russian oil industry.
SPE's growth in Russia has been pronounced, he said. The first SPE section was formed in 1995. Now SPE has more than 700 members in Russia, as well as 520 student members. SPE also announced at the conference that it is opening a new office in Moscow to strengthen its presence and its programs in the region.
Robert Dudley, President and Chief Executive Officer of TNK-BP, also emphasized the importance of sharing technology. "Through the exchange of ideas and experiences, we all do our jobs better," said Dudley, who joined SPE in 1982 and highlighted the Society's role in technology exchange.
Overview: Bit Technology (December 2006)
Authors: Mensa-Wilmot Graham 
Published: February 2015

Drilling activity has increased in the last couple of years, with wells being drilled deeper and into harder and more-abrasive formations. These drilling environments present serious challenges for drill bits in terms of rate of penetration (ROP) and bit durability. The high drilling-activity level and increased demand led to increased rig rates. To reduce drilling costs, drilling engineers have had to re-evaluate bottomhole-assembly designs, drilling processes, drilling fluids, and applications.
Drill bits, although insignificant in terms of price, have huge effects on operational costs. To improve drilling performance, considering the challenges, drill bits must drill faster and last longer. These targets are what drilling engineers have come to expect and what bit companies are delivering to the industry.
Several types of drill bits are available for different applications and drilling challenges—polycrystalline-diamond-compact (PDC), impregnated, and roller-cone bits. To reduce drilling costs substantially in the current environment, technology development must expand and permeate into all the different bit types.
For PDC bits, new modeling tools and bit designs are being developed on a continuous basis. Bit-behavior analysis, especially the characterization of the different vibration modes, has become a standard in the bit-design process. New PDC cutters with very high abrasion-resistance properties continue to be developed. These cutters stay sharper for longer periods of time, thus improving ROP and durability.
Substantial ROP and durability improvements are also being seen with impregnated bits. These improvements resulted from detailed evaluations that focused on the effects of drive tools (rotation speed and power regime), down-hole-pressure environment, and depth of cut on impregnated-bit development and performance.
For roller-cone bits, new technologies are improving seal reliability and cutting-structure durability. In addition, new developments in metal-seal-bearing technology have drastically increased the on-bottom drilling time of roller-cone bits, especially in directional wells.
Drill-bit companies have accepted the challenges, and they do not plan on slowing down.
Bit Technology additional reading available at the SPE eLibrary: www.spe.org
SPE 102182 "Coupling of Downhole-Dynamics Recorder Enhances System-Matched Approach to Drill-Bit Design and Application With a Specific Rotary-Steerable System" by S. Barton, SPE, ReedHycalog, et al.
SPE 102134 "Vibration Analysis, Model Prediction, and Avoidance: A Case History" by G. Robello Samuel, Halliburton Drilling, Evaluation, and Digital Solutions, et al.
SPE 99193 "Real-Time Downhole Torsional Vibration Monitor for Improving Tool Performance and Bit Design" by D.C.-K. Chen, Halliburton Sperry Drilling Services, et al.