Pipelines Mean Development
Aug 22, 2005
Technip Offshore Norge (TONOR) has through the last decade played a dominant role in development of subsea oil and gas fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). TONOR is located in the Oslo area (Strand) with a workforce around 190 persons. In addition, the company’s spoolbase for welding and load out of rigid pipelines in Orkanger employs around 70 to 80 when in full operation. [ In 7/8-2005 ]

Mechanized Rig Technology Increases Safety, Efficiency
Aug 22, 2005
The industry trend toward mechanized drilling systems began almost two decades ago, and is still going strong. Tremendous advancements have been made and new technologies are continuously being developed. The goal? An increase in safety for rig floor personnel and improvements in overall operational efficiency. By Egill Abrahamsen. [ In 7/8-2005 ]

Internet: A Million Cell Phones
Aug 22, 2005
You may have noticed that, from time to time, I tend to stretch the term ”Internet” rather wide, when I pick my subjects for the column. When the column started, back in 1998, the Internet was still more or less in its infancy. Cell phones were used to make calls and send text messages. Moving images were viewed on the television screen. [ In 7/8-2005 ]

Commentary, 5/6 2005
Jun 3, 2005
Seek, and Ye Shall Find
On a positive note, this year we have begun to see an increase in gas and oil exploration. A respectable number of exploratory wells have been drilled, others are planned and – most telling of all – drilling ships are now overbooked. What a difference a year makes. [ In 5/6-2005 ]

From the Editor: Ship Ahoy
Jun 3, 2005
Long before the oil age, Norway was synonymous with shipping. And it can be claimed that much about the way Norwegians approached their entry into and development of their place in the oil age has been shaped by the nation’s seafaring history. In this issue, which coincides with Nor-Shipping 2005, we touch on a few of the issues that the will be taken up as the participants meet to discuss and celebrate the industry. [ In 5/6-2005 ]

An Industry in Transition
Jun 3, 2005
Norway has long been a major force in the global shipping industry. As a seafaring people, we have long and glorious tradition of building and manning ships, traversing the oceans, and transporting goods all over the world. But in a globalised world, Norwegian shipping is struggling to adapt to increasing demands, and the industry is not happy with government policies. We asked Marianne Lie, Director General of the Norwegian Ship owners’ Association about Norway’s role in a changing industry. By Erlend Gram Simonsen. [ In 5/6-2005 ]

Asia: Shipbuilders to the World
Jun 3, 2005
Asia is where the main shipbuilding activity in the world is taking place today – with South Korea at the top, followed by Japan, with China at third spot but slowly and firmly inching its way up the ladder. By T. C. Malhotra. [ In 5/6-2005 ]

Internet: Information Spreads
Jun 3, 2005
A few years back, the Internet was just a collection of web pages. Not so anymore. The revolution has kicked into high gear, and new formats have developed to give voice to a wide range of opinions and information. The recent proliferation of new communication modes has planted the seeds of a true information democracy. And this is only the beginning. Let me bring you up to speed on the current and future Internet. And what you are going to do with it. You just don’t know it yet. By Erlend Gram Simonsen. [ In 5/6-2005 ]

ATEX is Already Here, Are You Ready?
Jun 2, 2005
The product and appliance directive 94/9/EU, regulating equipment for use in explosive atmospheres, known as “ATEX” came into force on July 1, 2003. [ In 5/6-2005 ]

Commentary, 3/4 2005
Apr 17, 2005
The trend in the price of oil continues to be ever-higher prices fuelled by speculation. Winter-heating season shortfalls, summer-driving season shortfalls – man-made or natural disasters at every turn. [ In 3/4-2005 ]

From the Editor: Long Winter’s Nap?
Apr 17, 2005
The days are lengthening and here in the far north (relative to the rest of the world, that is), and we are seeing the first stirrings of spring. Once spring begins this far north, things happen fast, and everything turns green almost right before your eyes. But this doesn’t mean that the latter half of winter is only about hibernating. [ In 3/4-2005 ]

Third-Generation Variable Gauge Reamers
Apr 17, 2005
The successful introduction of Rotary Steerable Systems (RSS) in the late nineties has spawned the exponential growth of the Variable Gauge Reamer (VGR). More particularly and where high-cost Rotary Steerables are run and stuck pipe is a concern, they are used to reduce problems when tripping or when running casing. By Jon Symons. [ In 3/4-2005 ]

Schlumberger Develops New While-Drilling Services for Improved Drilling Performance, Well Placement
Apr 17, 2005
Schlumberger has developed new-generation Scope* while-drilling tools that dramatically improve drilling performance and well placement – leading to increased production, sooner. The Scope while-drilling services set new standards for reliability and data quality, while quadrupling the data transmission rate over the industry standard. [ In 3/4-2005 ]

Internet: Same Office, Different Continents
Apr 17, 2005
Everything is both bigger and smaller these days. Used to be you had to be physically close to communicate, but that ended with the written word and development of courier and postal services, and was refined through telegraphs, telephones, and successive incarnations of communications technologies. The Internet created a shared space for communications. Now we are able to create shared spaces for select people across the globe, using virtual networks. I thought it could be useful to explain virtual private networks (VPNs), and why you could really use one, right now. By Erlend Gram Simonsen. [ In 3/4-2005 ]

Commentary, 1/2 2005
Feb 17, 2005
How Mature is Mature?
It’s a new year, with new hopes and aspirations. This year has begun with the promise of increased in activity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, including more exploration in newly opened areas as well as in more mature areas where new blocks have just recently been awarded. For many, last year’s activity proved disappointing. Looking at the number of exploratory wells drilled, there’s no doubt that 2004 was a slow year in that arena. But it can be said that 2004 made a promise to the future, and this year will be the beginning of that promise’s fulfilment. [ In 1/2-2005 ]