All shales are not equal: Emerging resource prompting customized completion solutions

Posted on 09 November 2009 in 2009, Completing the Well, November/December, Onshore Advances

There is new abundance in the land of plenty. This time the bounty is not in amber waves of grain, but in the vast and resource-rich plays of US land shales…

With still no declines in production, 2010 natural gas outlook remains in limbo

Posted on 09 November 2009 in 2009, Global and Regional Markets, November/December, Onshore Advances

While the drilling industry was plowing ahead at full steam in 2008, everybody was frantic for growth. More people had to be hired and trained. More manufacturing facilities had to be…

Northwest Europe: Chance of recovery may depend on small operators’ access to funding

Posted on 09 November 2009 in 2009, Global and Regional Markets, November/December, The Offshore Frontier

It’s money that makes the bit go around. When I was asked to prepare this outlook piece covering Northwest Europe a few weeks ago, the picture at first sight…

Apache: Lower prices make gas projects hard to justify, technology is opportunity to ‘think positively’

Posted on 09 November 2009 in 2009, Features, Global and Regional Markets, November/December

As a company that prides itself on being “lean and mean” and being able to move fast when the economics of a project line up right, Apache Corp…

Global jackup market is still soft to terrible. Is there anywhere to go but up?

Posted on 09 November 2009 in 2009, Features, Global and Regional Markets, November/December, The Offshore Frontier

While it’s true that appearances can be deceiving, it’s worth noting that as of early October, drilling activity appeared to be on the rise. Actual increases in drilling activity still ranged from minimal to barely noticeable…