Upstream Technology News

SOCAR, the the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, and BP signed a new production sharing agreement (PSA) for the joint exploration and development of Block D230 in the North Absheron basin in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. The PSA was signed in London, in the presence of UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, by Rovnag Abdullayev, President of SOCAR, and BP group chief executive Bob Dudley. Speaking at the signing event  Abdullayev said: “We have a long tradition of successful cooperation with BP. I believe that the synergies between modern upstream technology and unique historical experience, embodied in both companies, create a solid basis for our continued success.

BP announced today that it is now operating the world’s first robotic coreflooding system. The Core Flood Robot is the most recent addition to BP’s programme of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) research facilities. Coreflooding is one of the most important techniques used to identify and evaluate EOR technologies. It measures the effectiveness of water or gas injected into an oil-bearing rock sample to displace oil. This can be used to assess the potential for water flooding in an oil field. “The EOR technologies being developed by BP are vitally important to help increase global oil supplies,” said Ahmed Hashmi, BP’s head of upstream technology.

Enteq Upstream PLC, a provider of upstream technology and products, launched an integrated Measurement While Drilling (MWD) solution based on proven technologies from Extended Exploration Technology (XXT) and KM Services (KMS), two companies acquired by Enteq in 2012. Enteq’s new development supplies an integrated MWD solution for directional, vibration monitoring, gamma and data transmission. The innovative MWD technology is based on the next generation XXT downhole interface module, drivers and interfaces optimized to work at the highest pressures and temperatures.

Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply a combined inert gas generator and gas combustion unit for two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers being built at the DSME yard in South Korea. The ships will be owned by Canada based Teekay Corporation, one of the world's largest marine energy transportation, storage and production companies. The contract was signed in May 2013. The concept of combining the two systems was developed by Wärtsilä in cooperation with DSME, and the system burns the boil off gas using an already existing Wärtsilä Moss inert gas generator.

Liquid Robotics, Inc. and Schlumberger announced the creation of Liquid Robotics Oil & Gas, a joint venture to develop services for the oil and gas industry using Wave Gliders, the world’s first wave-powered, autonomous marine vehicles. The joint venture will combine Liquid Robotics Wave Glider technology with Schlumberger oil and gas expertise and industry knowledge to integrate and deploy new solutions for customers worldwide. Liquid Robotics and Schlumberger have equal ownership of the joint venture.