Striking a Balance
Aug 18, 2008
Liv Monica Stubholt is State Secretary in the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. With a background the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she is a key decision maker in a ministry that sits in the middle of environmental issues, rising oil prices, and a turbulent political period with three changes at the top level in the last two years. At the same time, the Ministry administrates the licenses for exploration and operation of petroleum resources on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), as environmental issues are steadily becoming more important. We talked to Stubholt about these issues and the 20th licensing round. [ In 7/8-2008 ]

The Future of Solutions
Aug 18, 2008
For the fifth consecutive time, companies from the Bergen area, Norway, attend ONS under common colours. At one of the biggest stand areas, you will find companies covering a broad spectrum of products and services for the petroleum industry. A total of 585 square meters is divided between 25 exhibiting companies in hall E, stand 568. In addition, a vast number of companies located in Bergen will participate as exhibitors outside the common stand, and even more will participate as active spectators, meeting colleagues and hopefully making business. [ In 7/8-2008 ]

Brazil’ s Petrobras Pre-Salt Challenges and Plans
Aug 18, 2008
According to E&P Director Guilherme Estrella, Brazil’s giant state-controlled oil company Petrobras plans to start a long-term production test at Santos basin pre-salt Tupi field on BM-S-11 block in early 2009 and pilot production one year later, then start producing an average 100,000 b/d by late 2010 and reach at least 500,000 b/d by 2015-20. [ In 7/8-2008 ]

In-Line Inspection Innovation for Gas Pipelines
Aug 18, 2008
Eight years ago, NDT Systems & Services AG was founded by a group of engineers and physicists with a far-reaching track record in the field of automated inspection systems for the steel and pipeline industry. To find out more about the latest in NDT at NDT, Scandinavian Oil-Gas Magazine spoke with CEO Mr. Alfred Barbian about the company’s recent technological developments in non-destructive gas pipeline testing. [ In 7/8-2008 ]

Eternal Ekofisk
Aug 18, 2008
Norway’s first oilfield, Ekofisk, could be the North Sea’s last (so to speak). ConocoPhillips is underway with increased oil-recovery plans and studies which could prolong field life beyond license expiry in 2028. First contracts are out, and rival design studies are in progress. In Norway, there’s talk of a USD-20-billion replacement of old platforms with up to four new ones. The company confirms studies are underway, but admits only two new platforms for sure with much new drilling and subsea infrastructure to come. Data links to shore will pervade the new installations. Indeed, money saved from wireless and fibre-optic-enabled “Integrated Operations” might be paying for “Ekofisk Renewal”. [ In 7/8-2008 ]

Media: Fame, Internet Style
Aug 18, 2008
We live in an age when anyone can be famous, just by being themselves, and promoting themselves, enough. On the Internet, you can be a star, if you’re willing and able to make yourself into a brand. [ In 7/8-2008 ]

Contents, 5/6 2008
Jun 2, 2008
Check out the contents of our latest issue – 5/6 2008 [ In 5/6-2008 ]

Commentary, 5/6 2008
Jun 2, 2008
Go Deep
The search for reservoirs offshore began just 70 years ago, when the Superior Oil company (now part of ExxonMobil) constructed what is considered to be the first offshore oil platform off the US Gulf Coast in Louisiana. Since those early days, , offshore platforms have evolved into the megastructures we see today. Along the way, technology began to move to the sea floor, developing into the subsea industry that we know today. [ In 5/6-2008 ]

From the Editor, 5/6 2008
Jun 2, 2008
Look to Bergen
We are once again privileged to be involved with the Underwater Technology Conference (UTC), the 15th since the organisers – the Underwater Technology Foundation (UTF) – arranged the first in 1980. UTF was initiated during the pioneering period of the Norwegian .... [ In 5/6-2008 ]

Subsea Up Front
Jun 2, 2008
In an expanding subsea market, the subsea cluster in the Bergen region, Norway, makes new strategies to improve its development opportunities. The cluster is currently formalised through its status as a Norwegian Centre of Expertise (NCE). Approximately 65 companies and organisations are partners and members through the facilitator organisation NCE Subsea. [ In 5/6-2008 ]

Shtokman Takes Shape
Jun 2, 2008
The first contracts aimed at deciding the technology to be used on the Barents Sea’s giant gas field have been awarded by the Shtokman Development Co. steering committee: the Gazprom, Total, StatoilHydro troika. Yet just as concept’s are weighed a final time and details emerge, uncertainty hangs over the supply chain, its composition and its effects on project costs. [ In 5/6-2008 ]

K-Lab’s Quantum Leap
Jun 2, 2008
A “mini” subsea gas compressor gets a lot of attention from companies with a lot of small gas fields. So the pressure was on, when StatoilHydro, Total and partners in the world’s first full-scale “subsea” compression test at K-Lab, by the Kårstø gas-plant, cut the red ribbon. With health & safety ”officers” looking on, the jitters were discernable when 10,000 kilograms per hour of gas well-stream slammed into MANTurbo’s trademark HOFIM compressor. [ In 5/6-2008 ]

Media: .car
Jun 2, 2008
Convergence is bringing Internet connectivity to new screens all the time. Now it’s going to become the next cutting edge feature of the modern car. It’s already well on the way. Maybe your next ride will be a .car? [ In 5/6-2008 ]

Making Sense of Leak Detection
Apr 18, 2008
It is estimated that more than 180,000 kilometres of onshore pipelines will be installed between now and 2012. According to the US Federal Office of Pipeline Safety report (1968-97), the average pipeline suffers one leak per year every 400 miles. This equates to a total of 180 expected leaks per year for a new pipeline alone. [ In 3/4-2008 ]

Media: Innovation, Chinese Style
Apr 18, 2008
For many years, China has been a place where we make consumer products, cheaply and reliably, while we try not to think about employee treatment or environmental issues. But the country is changing from an agrarian and industrial economy to a powerhouse of new service development for a growing middle class. But can real innovation take place in a society without real personal liberty? [ In 3/4-2008 ]