Since the last issue of Network Update the Technical Interest Group (TIG) advisory process has been replaced with Expert Steering Groups. PSTI wishes to thank all of those who participated in TIGs and in this issue of the newsletter the results achieved by the TIGs from 1992 to 1994 is summarised.
Since its launch on INTERNET, the Institute has been developing its research and technology information system PTERIS. Details are given on the current status of this project.
In order to keep Members fully aware of the Institute's activities in Europe, Network Update will include a regular feature on PSTI's actions with ENeRG and OPET. This issue concentrates on PSTI's OPET activities.
PSTI 's Petroleum TEchnology and Research Information System (PTERIS) has now been launched on INTERNET. The PTERIS home page allows access to general information on PSTI to both Member and non-member companies. Within the home page there is a restricted access area for Member companies only and work is now underway to develop this further, following the 1st PTERIS Steering Group Meeting held on 23 February at Shell-Mex House, London. Member companies of PSTI participating in the Steering Group include Amerada Hess, British Gas, Conoco, Marathon, Shell, SPT and Prodrill, giving input from operator company, service company and SME level to the development of the system.
The 2nd Steering Group meeting is scheduled to take place on 15 June 1995.
PSTI 's initiative on handling reservoir uncertainty - Programme JUNIPER - is currently defining objectives and deliverables in detail. Sixteen companies have indicated they will be active in the steering of the Programme. Two meetings, in Aberdeen and London, are planned for March where Steering Committee representatives will:
The First Steering Committee Meeting is scheduled for 26 March where Programme objectives and deliverables will be finalised, together with selection of appropriate data and agreeing interaction between companies and the researchers.
For further information on the Juniper Programme contact Alistair Fletcher [Tel: 0131 451 5231. E-mail: [email protected]].
At the annual review meeting in November 1994 PSTI advised Members of intent to replace the Technical Interest Group (TIG) advisory process with Expert Steering Groups behind active project areas. This action was endorsed by the membership as a whole. As from 1 March 1995 no further technical interest group meetings will be called.
However, Management Representatives have been asked to nominate staff to the following steering groups:
Only one new group is currently being considered. In a co-ordinated action with
Production Technology
This TIG focused on production chemicals and the environment, triggering a seminar on the need for further R&D in this area. Research initiatives on barium sulphate scale inhibition, fraction release of oilfield chemicals in the marine environment, and pseudo-oil based drilling muds are being considered.
HP/HT
In addition to considerable information transfer in this TIG at a number of meetings PSTI , together with MTD Ltd, has used TIG members to steer and assess the proposed content of the MTD HP/HT Managed Programme of research which will attract c. 1m pounds of UK research council funds.
Drilling And Downhole Technology
This TIG met once. It was agreed by members that the DEA should lead this area except for one action left with the Institute - to establish a European Coiled Tubing Forum. PSTI achieved this in October 1994, in collaboration with SPE. PSTI has now handed over this Forum to SPE to continue on an annual or biannual basis.
Reservoir Management
In addition to providing a well prioritised agenda for future R&D requirements in this area, this TIG has been active in framing the new PSTI co-ordinated research programme (JUNIPER) on 'Handling Reservoir Uncertainty'.
Fluid Flow In Complex Reservoir
This TIG incorporated the Production Geoscience TIG and was active and effective in steering PSTI 's research programme of the same name, and in catalysing technology transfer actions.
Geophysics
In addition to providing a structured agenda for future R&D requirements in this area, the TIG has assisted in the development of an initiative to conduct a seabed geophone experiment and it acted as the catalyst in a PSTI seminar with Reading University, held in December 1994, to evaluate the practical applications of seismic wave attenuation in reservoir characterisation. A seminar on the Defence Research Agency's acoustic technology is also being organised by PSTI .
Basin Modelling
The views of this TIG in conjunction with the work of the HEDERA team while within PSTI , catalysed the establishment of a Thermal conductivities database as part of a JIP and also provided useful early steering on the development of the Durham University on overpressure prediction.
The final call for proposals under the LINK Hydrocarbons Reservoirs programme closed in March 1995 and projects will be considered for support in May. 1.4 M pounds of LINK funding still has to be allocated by OSO and NERC. Projects are approved by an external Programme Management Committee, Chaired by Robert Johnson, and comprised of representatives from oil companies, service companies and universities.
To date the LINK Hydrocarbon Reservoirs programme has allocated 2.8M pounds to 11 LINK projects - two have been completed and nine are currently underway. The projects selected have been carried out by high calibre groups from within the academic community and high technology UK service companies; 14 university groups and 15 service companies are involved, with 75% of the service companies in the SME category (small and medium sized enterprises).
Details of all current projects are available in Issue No.2 of the LINK Hydrocarbon Reservoir programme newsletter, produced on behalf of the OSO and NERC by PSTI
General information and guidance on this LINK programme can be obtained from Ken White at the OSO [Tel: 0141 228 3680. Fax: 0141 221 1718].
In order to service the expansion of PSTI 's successful SME Membership Scheme, the need for a dedicated SME support staff member has never been greater. The Institute plans to appoint an Innovation and Technology Transfer Co-ordinator responsible for providing direct support and assistance to SME Members. Particular emphasis will be placed on new technology development and innovation. This new post will complement the role of Graham Stewart, the Innovation Director, who has overall responsibility for technology transfer, business development and the Institute's SME Membership Scheme.
The PSTI -supported Predictive Geoscience Research Unit (PGRU) at the University of Edinburgh, focuses on a number of research areas including:
In a linked initiative with the Horizontal Well Technology Unit and Petroleum Engineering staff at Heriot-Watt University, the Edinburgh PGRU research team is currently working on a joint reservoir monitoring and management initiative in close co-operation with PSTI and Chevron.
For further information please contact Robert Johnson [Tel: 0131 451 5231. Fax: 0131 451 5232. E-mail: [email protected]]
The industry advisory group comprises both end users and applications staff from Production Geoscience Ltd, Shell, and Western Atlas as well as high performance computing advice from the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre.
Meetings of the PGRU Advisory Board are open to representatives of any PSTI member organisation. The next meeting is planned for late April.
PSTI has operated as one of the European Commission's OPETs (Organisations for the Promotion of Energy Technology) since 1990. As an OPET PSTI 's main role is to promote innovative hydrocarbons technologies to the oil and gas industry. This is achieved through various actions including:
Likewise, SMEs often do not have the resources to produce marketing literature for their products. PSTI , on behalf of the EC, can produce promotional literature for SMEs with innovative technologies even though the project was not originally supported by THERMIE.
PSTI Member companies and others within the upstream petroleum industry can benefit from the valuable resource PSTI has built up through its contacts with innovative organisations across Europe.
For further information on PSTI 's OPET activities contact Jane Kennedy [01224 706600. Fax: 01224 706601. E-mail: [email protected]]
As part of its EC THERMIE activities to assist European small and medium sized enterprises (i.e. companies with fewer than 500 employees), PSTI is producing a directory of SMEs active in the upstream oil and gas sector. The aim of the directory, which will be available free of charge, is to encourage joint ventures between SMEs as well as SMEs and large oil companies. SMEs will be listed in the directory according to nationality and area of activity, categorised as follows:
On average PSTI has increased its corporate membership by two to three companies each year. Added to this are the ten SME Members from last year, with ten SME Members currently going through the process of joining. Details of the expanded SME Membership Scheme will be given in the next issue of Network Update.
All inquiries regarding membership should be directed to Graham Stewart, Business Development Manager. [Tel: 0131 451 5231. Fax: 0131 451 5232. E-mail: [email protected]]
Workshop on Reliability Based Inspection Scheduling for Fixed Offshore Platforms (RISC), The Hague, 16 June 1995
In order to ensure the structural integrity of fixed offshore platforms and other structures it is necessary to conduct periodic inspections. RISC aims to provide the offshore industry with a rational methodology for the scheduling of inspections. This one-day European Commission workshop, which will be held in conjunction with ISOPE `95, will allow delegates to assess the system for themselves. Further details and a registration form can be obtained from Jane Kennedy at PSTI [Tel: 01224 706600. Fax: 01224 706601].
Oil Industry Seminar on Acoustics Technology, London, 21 June 1995
PSTI, on behalf of the Defence Research Agency, is organising a seminar in London which will of primary interest to oil company explorationists/geophysicists and seismic contractors. Technical presentations are planned on the following subjects:
No attendance fee will be charged but prior registration is necessary.
For more details or to register, please contact Amy Middlemass [Tel: 0131 451 5231. Fax: 0131 451 5232]
Petroleum Research & Technology Forum, Edinburgh, 14-15 November 1995
PSTI's Petroleum Research and Technology Forum, being held in Edinburgh on 14 - 15 November, will be the focal point in 1995 for the presentation of strategic issues in research, technological development, and innovation important to the upstream petroleum industry in the UK and internationally.
The Forum will promote productive interaction between all those in industry, government and the R&D community concerned with the acquisition and application of new knowledge and new technology in oil and gas exploration and production. The event will be of relevance to senior managers in PSTI's Member Companies with responsibility for setting R&D priorities and for the timely acquisition of innovative technology to open up new business opportunities and improve asset value.
Further information on the Technology Forum can be obtained from Dr Stewart Brown, Director of Geoscience [Tel: +44 (0) 131 451 5231. Fax: +44 (0) 131 451 5232. E-mail: [email protected]]
THE PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
Research Park, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AP Tel: +44 (0) 131 451 5231. Fax: +44 (0) 131 451 5232
Offshore Technology Park, Exploration Drive, Aberdeen, AB23 8GX. Tel: +44 (0) 1224 706600. Fax: +44 (0) 1224 706601
E-mail: [email protected]
