Petroleum Review - June 2011
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Perspective – High Probability risk with high consequences
DRILLING – TECHNOLOGY
Ultra-deep armada sails in
The offshore drilling industry is sinking billions of dollars into a
new generation of deep and ultra-deepwater rigs and drillships
that are pushing back the boundaries in terms of their
technological and operational capacities, writes Mark Thomas.
DRILLING – TECHNOLOGY
I, robot
Onshore drilling rigs are getting stronger, tougher and smarter, writes Gordon Cope.
DRILLING – TECHNOLOGY
Show me some ID
Well identification is getting a facelift, reports Gordon Cope.
TRADING – GAS
The rising power of gas traders
Securing Europe’s future gas supplies will depend increasingly on a combination of physical hubs and trading skills as gas imports rise and Europe’s indigenous gas reserves dwindle. Crispian McCredie and Ruud Weijermars, Alboran Energy Strategy Consultants, explain how trading works and what action is needed to further improve liquidity in a nascent pan-European gas trading system.
TRADING – EMISSIONS
EU and Switzerland begin synchronisation of ETS
Formal negotiations for a linkage between the European Union (EU) and Swiss carbon emissions trading systems began in March after some three years of exploratory discussions. Both sides could gain significantly from a successful outcome. Alan Osborn reports.
Political minefield
With reserves of at least 30bn barrels, Brazilian operator Petrobras’ position is enviable… if it were not for the politics, writes Patrick Knight.
CUBA – E&P
Offshore drilling to resume
Cuba’s government wants to reduce its role in the economy but still keep in control of it. Revenue from any future offshore oil discovery may, or may not, provide the means, writes Maria Kielmas.
CARIBBEAN – E&P
Flurry of activity
There is likely to be a flurry of drilling activity in the Caribbean in 2011 and beyond, as those who currently produce hydrocarbons struggle to stem declining output while those who don’t, return to the drill bit in an urgent effort to find reserves, writes David Renwick in Trinidad and Tobago.
TRAINING – GRADUATES
Lessons from the competition
You are flicking through the latest copy of Petroleum Review and there is an article about graduates in the nuclear sector. The first thing that is probably popping into your head is what on earth has this got to do with you and the oil and gas sector? writes Carl Dawson, Graduate Programme Manager.
POWER GENERATION – GAS
Renewables and CCPP optimisation
The integration of modern technologies and rigorous optimisation of the plant start-up process has enabled the construction of Europe’s most flexible, reliable and fastest starting combined-
cycle power plants (CCPPs). Lothar Balling, Head of Gas Turbine Power Plant Solutions within the Fossil Power Generation Division of Siemens Energy, examines how innovations in recently commissioned CCPPs in Europe can help smooth the integration of renewables into the energy mix.
POWER GENERATION – BIOMASS
Renewable power plants
The Czech Republic has made great strides in generating power from biomass, producing some 1.4mn MWh from this renewable resource in 2009, up from just 372,972 MWh in 2003. Lubomir Sedlak reports.
UK – LAW
Rationalising corporate structure
In March, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced changes to the tax regime affecting oil and gas companies operating in the North Sea. According to some commentators, these changes, if passed, could result in an effective tax rate of anywhere between 62% and 81% for operators. Paul Sutton, Partner, and Kelly Wrafter, Associate, from the corporate team at law firm McGrigors, explain.
TECHNOLOGY – SHIPPING
Condition monitoring
It is widely known that unplanned downtime in the shipping industry is not only inconvenient but also extremely costly, disrupting schedules and resulting in a loss of revenue and reduced productivity. Geoff Walker, Director, Artesis, explains how condition monitoring technology can help to reducefleet maintenance costs and minimise downtime.
FUELS – MICROBIAL GROWTH
Microbes in the system
A March workshop co-sponsored by CONCAWE, the Energy Institute and DGMK looks at the
problem of microbial growth in fuel supply and distribution systems.
EQUIPMENT – NEWS
• Providing effective solutions to microbiological fuel.
• Diesel bug busting on the forecourt.
• Next generation test for microbial contamination of fuel.
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