There’s nothing like a busy year to make the time fly by. Here we are at the end of 2004, and, hopefully, looking forward to 2005. In some ways this issue is like we’ve made it to a mountain summit: We can easily look back, or forward (although it’s a bit misty up there), but it’s also really grand to just look around and appreciate where we are.

When it comes to the here and now, we’ve got Landmark, a division of Halliburton Energy Services, discussing how expert planning can mitigate drilling and completion risks that are the result of the pressures and shrinking in-house expertise that often prevent engineers and asset teams from planning for every possible contingency. Also critical for reservoir management is the value of water detection in gas wells, as described by Roxar.

Schlumberger explains the value of dynamic underbalance perforating with the PURE technique, which removes perforating debris, minimises crushed zone damage within the perforations and enhances well performance. Additionally, we have Scandpower Petroleum Technology’s research and development programme, Horizon, that will enable oil and gas operations at longer distances and deeper water with greater value generation for new and existing fields.

Always fascinating, the synergy of technology with health and safety is in this issue expressed in the Norsk Helikopter and CHC Helikopter Service co-operation to write a standard for development of a helideck monitoring system and how Norwegian industry has risen to the challenge.

Once again we’re honoured to present OPEC’s insight into the oil market outlook. Dr. Maizar Rahman, Acting for the Secretary General of OPEC, explains how OPEC is attempting to provide a stabilising influence when it comes to the recent oil market volatility and high prices.

Closer to home, Deloitte & Touche Petroleum Services describes how geographic information systems (GIS) bring new life to the North Sea, and PricewaterhouseCoopers explains the importance of human capital issues concerning the oil and gas industry. ABN AMRO provides this year’s industry forecast, focusing on topics such as capital expenditures, Russia and LNG.

Continuing the LNG theme, Remora describes the proposed deep-water HiLoad LNG regasification facility in the Gulf of Mexico. Global Thermoelectric introduces its thermoelectric generator (TEG), an economical solution to remote power needs.

Do you have broadband Internet? If so, this issue’s Internet column just might help you decide if IP telephony is right for your home or business. The technology has improved greatly in recent years, and the service has become a viable option to save on telephone costs.

Representatives of the magazine have really been busy lately, attending conferences and Events. We’ve been seen at Adipec, Hydro’s Energy Seminar 2004, AGR Technology Days, Offshore Operations and Maintenance (ODV) and Surface Treatment Days 2004. Check out the reviews of and photos from these important events.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at conferences and other events and the coming year and wish you