Asian Oil & Gas Features

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September/October 2006

Arc of triumph
It may not exactly trip off the tongue, but wide-azimuth is definitely the big talking point in the marine seismic acquisition business. Andrew McBarnet explains what the excitement is all about.

Facing up to the new realities
For majors and large independents, the magic 100% reserves replacement figure can rarely be accomplished through new discoveries alone but must include acquisitions and, more recently, increased emphasis on significant improvement in reserves recovered. Rick von Flatern spoke with the industry's three largest service companies in an effort to separate marketing buzz from an emerging production strategy known as 'production optimization'.

How learning to say no turned PSN around
Since finalising a $280 million management buy-out from Halliburton in March, Production Services Network - formerly KBR's asset management and optimisation unit - has been pushing ahead with a strategy aimed at 'transforming a successful business into a major international player'. Darius Snieckus checks progress with PSN chief Bob Keiller.

Moving story
For the onshore lifting of the Lun-A deck, main topsides construction contractor Samsung contracted heavy lift and transportation specialist Fagioli PSC ...

PNG in bid to spike exploration
Papua New Guinea has entered the competitive world of petroleum concessions in a big way, promoting extensive acreage in the nation's first licence bidding round, launched in September by Sir Moi Avei, deputy prime minister and minister for petroleum and energy. John Mueller was among the observers when the PNG roadshow made its inaugural appearance, in Singapore on 13 September, before moving on Calgary, Houston, London and, finally, Perth on 10 October.

Processing prototype lands in Lummut
The first working module of a plug-and-play type seabed separation and processing system recently arrived in Malaysia where it will be used to demonstrate the AlphaPrime system's innovative technological features to field operators in the region. David Morgan reports.

Race for smartest field greets a new Champion
First oil earlier this year from Shell's Champion West phase three development off Brunei could well be looked back on as a watershed in the history of the digital oilfield. But, given that 'smart' capabilities are soon to become far more commonplace on the operator's major new greenfield projects, it might equally end up a footnote. Darius Snieckus discusses 'asset optimisation' culture with Shell International's executive VP, technical, Matthias Bichsel.

Records set as Lun-A steps on the gas
The 21,800t floatover topsides deck for the Lunskoye-A gas production platform was successfully installed in the Sea of Okhotsk, 15km northeast of Sakhalin Island on 23 June, setting a new record as the industry's heaviest floatover deck installation ...

Reducing exploration risk the CSEM way
With exploration becoming increasingly challenging and drilling costs soaring as wells become more and more complex, the oil and gas industry is turning to the latest innovative techniques in a bid to reduce the risks of drilling non-commercial wells and to stretch exploration budgets to test many more prospects than ever before ...

Regional gas demand puts pipelayers under pressure
Burgeoning Asian gas demand is set to fuel 'major growth' in the region's pipelay sector over the next five years, but will the industry be up to the challenge, ask the authors of a new report* published by London-based energy data analysts Infield Systems.

Schlumberger expands artificial lift facility
Oilfield services giant Schlumberger recently celebrated the official opening of its substantially expanded artificial lift product facility in Singapore. John Mueller reports.

July/August 2006

A statement of intent
The last month or so has seen Schlumberger make some big decisions in the seismic department, some of them quite expensive. Andrew McBarnet explains their significance.

Asian rig boom broadens
As the rush to secure offshore drilling rigs and floating production units continues unabated, shipyards in East Asia are turning their attention to this lucrative sector. John Mueller reports.

Balancing the interests of producers and consumers
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, Saudi Aramco president Abdallah S Jum'ah and Schlumberger chief executive Andrew Gould were among the keynote speakers at the Asia Oil & Gas Conference held in Kuala Lumpur by Petronas this June. The event offered an enlightening spectrum of industry insider viewpoints, reviewed here by John Mueller.

Delivering the perfect formation fluid sample
With increasing water depths, sound decisions on how, when or whether to complete high-risk wells have become ever more critical to operators' economic health. In recent years, with their constant refinement, wireline formation pressure testing and sampling tools have become nearly indispensable in that decision process. Rick von Flatern spoke with service providers about how they plan to deliver the goods.

Fast forward to floatovers
Warming up for the upcoming extension of its activities into topside floatover work, J Ray McDermott's newly modified Intermac 650 barge was deployed recently for the launch of the largest jacket yet built in China. David Morgan reports.

News Update . . .
Asia Pacific oil and gas news and views at a glance ...

ONGC looks deep to increase resources
India's state energy company ONGC has been busy setting out its deepwater stall of late as the country strives to attract foreign investment to address the growing energy gap for its one billion population. Terry Knott rounds up the key points.

Piling in the deeps
The rental fleet of IHC Handling Systems continues to expand, with global deepwater demand for the company's specialist pile handling systems on projects like Kikeh forcing the pace.

Raising the marine operations standard
The marine department is another Woodside service function whose remit is developing and evolving in line with the company's burgeoning domestic and international activities.

Rankin beds in for NWS hub role
If you're hoping for a spare bed on Woodside's 22-year old North Rankin platform dream on. With platform drilling currently under way, a raft of life extension and associated field developments in the offing and its ongoing 'regional hub' status now assured, all 145 of the platform's beds are occupied and look set to stay that way for some years to come. David Morgan reviews current activity and future plans on the North West Shelf.

Santos expedites production with mobile Maleo unit
A standalone mobile offshore production unit is being prepared for duty on Australian independent Santos' remote Maleo gas development in East Java. David Morgan reports.

The key to unlocking Kikeh
Kikeh, Malaysia's first deepwater development, will boast both the first spar platform outside the Gulf of Mexico and the premier application of a tender assist drilling unit (TADU) with a spar. John Mueller reviews the thinking behind this novel combination.

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