[Graeme]

Squeezing Out Every Drop

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')fter several failed attempts to open the field, Shell engineers in 2005 finally came up with an approach that the company says is the first of its kind. BSP is drilling "snake wells" that bore horizontally for miles below the seabed, twisting and turning with precision to hit computer-modeled targets just a few feet wide. BSP is now able to connect as many as a half-dozen pockets of oil with each of these snake wells. Then BSP installs so-called smart equipment—arrays of valves and sensors—in the wells, letting the company adjust the flow of oil from each reservoir remotely from computers onshore. If too much gas or water creeps into a section, engineers can close it down but keep the rest of the well pumping oil.

Today, Champion West is a model field for Shell and has become a prototype for its operations worldwide. Shell plans to introduce similar technology at about 20 sites around the world, including Oman, the North Sea, and Nigeria.

[Twilight]

Not just any old field will be worth the effort.

Where they do try it though... I assume a surge for a couple of years followed by 30% decline rates? Sounds like the last gasp.

[Pablo2079]

I suppose the cornucopians will point to this as additional proof that technology will keep us ahead of the curve.

It does seem like it would only be applicable to a very small percentage of fields. It also seems like it would be extremely expensive.

[Gazzatrone]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pablo2079', 'I') suppose the cornucopians will point to this as additional proof that technology will keep us ahead of the curve.

It does seem like it would only be applicable to a very small percentage of fields. It also seems like it would be extremely expensive.

[steam_cannon]

Mmm, nothing better then getting the last drop!

[shortonoil]

Gazzatrone said:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '.')..well you can draw your own conclusions.

[Twilight]

Unfortunately, a certain type of management philosophy all too prevalent, holds the word "challenge" to possess positive connotations, and makes a great show of "embracing change" just for the intellectual exercise and as a show of vitality.

So a lot of people are going to fall for the latest gadgets and part with their money.

That's what I hear from people, how amazing it is that they're drilling 3km below the ocean surface 50 miles from land, how much innovation must be going on. To their mind, results are directly proportional to effort, diminishing returns just don't enter the picture, so the sight of the industry busting its ass day and night is further affirmation, if any were needed, that things are getting better and better.

Hyped up evidence of effort will keep investors sweet for a while yet. All the while instead of seeing the North Sea tail out beyond 2020, they'll collapse the whole thing years earlier if they get the chance. A sound investment right there.

[Sheb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Gazzatrone', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Peter Spencer, chief driller on the rig - from the article', '"')I have been drilling for 22 years, and this is the most challenging I've ever seen,"

[3rensho]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Twilight', '
')That's what I hear from people, how amazing it is that they're drilling 3km below the ocean surface 50 miles from land, how much innovation must be going on.

[SevenTen]

This is nothing new, I've been applying tunneling snake technology since I was a teenager. It is being done on a rather impressive scale, however.

We just can't stop continually f*cking the planet and ourselves.

[Newsseeker]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SevenTen', 'T')his is nothing new, I've been applying tunneling snake technology since I was a teenager. It is being done on a rather impressive scale, however.

We just can't stop continually f*cking the planet and ourselves.