Issue: January
COLUMNS
World Oil Editor-in-Chief Kurt Abraham examines Venezuela’s uncertain post-Maduro oil outlook, weighing U.S. company caution, Chevron’s role, and global upstream contrasts.
U.S. natural gas demand is on track to surge by roughly 30 Bcfd by 2030, driven largely by LNG exports—but can drilling keep up? In this month’s Drilling Advances column, Ford Brett breaks down what isn’t holding the industry back anymore—and the bottlenecks that could determine whether drillers can deliver the next wave of gas supply.
SPECIAL FOCUS: HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
Closed-loop automation delivers real-time control, proven return on investment, and a new global standard for hydraulic stimulation.
Hydraulic fracturing creates extensive fracture networks, but production often stalls because shale matrix permeability remains extremely low. This article introduces molecular fracing that, in tandem with hydraulic fracturing, improves production.
The recent innovation of simulfracing—pumping into multiple wells simultaneously—is yielding significant benefits and could be a step-change in how the industry operates. Up to 30% of U.S. frac crews may be using this method.
FEATURES
Remote-controlled FPSOs are a first step toward autonomous offshore operations once advanced solutions address significant technical gaps.
In an industry defined by rapid mergers and critical uptime requirements, upstream operators must adopt OT-specific cybersecurity frameworks that safeguard production without disrupting legacy environments.
Offshore oil rigs combine explosive gas zones with harsh marine conditions, requiring computing systems that meet strict hazardous-area safety standards.
A growing list of new initiatives—originating in governments and private companies—aims to push forward with Arctic oil and gas exploration and development. What do these moves mean for the Arctic’s future, and for the future of global hydrocarbons?
MANAGEMENT ISSUES
