7/8-2007 (Issue SOGM)

Aug 20, 2007
Commentary, 7/8 2007

We tend to humanise most everything around us. And why not – one of the most notable things about being human is self awareness, so we often project ourselves onto our surroundings. This tendency is not lacking in the oil and gas industry, by any means. We often talk about oil regions as if we were discussing a member of the family – “developing smoothly”, “in the prime”, “mature” (“mid-life crisis”?) are all phrases we hear over and over.

From the Editor: North Sea Neighbours
Aug 20, 2007
This year’s summer edition it truly ambitious. We’ve worked hard to give all of our readers something special as they return from the summer holiday season and jump into the busy September-October conference season. And one reason that this year has been ambitious is that we here at the magazine are gearing up to attend several conferences, including Offshore Europe in Aberdeen and the Deep Offshore Technology Conference that will take place in Stavanger. To help you get ready, we’ve included a quick preview for both conferences.

Rediscovery and Norway’s Petroleum Future
Aug 20, 2007
Odd Roger Enoksen has been Minister of Petroleum and Energy for two years, and we felt this was a good time to take stock and review his time in office. Enoksen has an agricultural background, and ran his own peat business before he became a member of parliament in 1993.

The Future of The North Sea 2007-2008 – A Norwegian Perspective
Aug 20, 2007
Without doubt, the main topic for the Norwegian oil and gas industry, particularly in the exploration and production (E&P) circles, is the well publicised merger of Statoil and Norsk Hydro’s oil and gas divisions and the ramifications that it will have for the sector as a whole as we head into 2008.

Contents 7/8-2007
Aug 20, 2007
Check out the contents of our latest issue - 7/8 2007 - published 20 August.

Getting Candid on Carbon Capture n’ Storage
Aug 20, 2007
The campaign to curb global warming by storing carbon in oilfields and saline aquifers never threatened to derail as much as in the few weeks before we went to print. Former UK Deputy Energy Secretary Lord Truscott heralded a major November 2007 tender for six consortia keen on carbon capture and storage, or CCS, while BP pulled out of the Peterhead carbon-hydrogen project and formed Hydrogen Energy with coal miner Rio Tinto. Then Statoil and Shell scratched plans for large-scale carbon injection at the Heidrun field. As we went to press, the only carbon cheer came with news of progress on ConocoPhillips far-reaching plan for carbon injection offshore Britain. Only a “good price for carbon” stood in the oil company’s way.

Real-Time 3D – Building Drilling Competence
Aug 20, 2007
The current boom in exploration has meant a corresponding boom in rig construction and a growing need for qualified drilling personnel. To help fill this need, Xfactor DES™ – an innovative drilling simulator from First Interactive AS – can facilitate the training of newcomers as well as helping experienced personnel hone their skills.

Media: Mobile Update – The iPhone
Aug 20, 2007
Exciting stuff is going on with mobile phones these days – here is an update of
what you can expect in the near future.