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Drilling & production

Mitigating coal mine methane

Coal mine ventilation exhaust air constitutes the largest single source of coal mine methane emissions to the at¬mosphere. Catalytic and thermal oxidation are techniques that can be used to destroy ventilation air methane (VAM) at active underground coal mines.

 

Global LNG industry set to regain momentum after 2012

The credit crunch and an uncertain market have hit the global LNG industry, which had been steadily growing during the period 2003 - 08. LNG demand (a function of natural gas demand) is low across the globe, yet it is set to pick up post 2012 and rise until 2015.

 

Developing Mozambique’s coal industry

Mozambique, a country with vast but mostly untapped coal resources, has recently seen a number of important developments that bring it closer to becoming a major coal exporter.

 

Global power sector shows signs of recovery

The power sector has undoubtedly been hit hard by the global credit crunch. The good news is though, that we are now seeing some positive signs of recovery, with the sector beginning to slowly bounce back with more money being invested in new projects.

 

Solar power: breaking the economic barrier

Electricity generation from solar energy has been around for more than 50 years. Solar power generation will see an exponential growth and the resultant technology breakthroughs and economies of scale will lead to costs which are close to grid parity. Changing industry dynamics provide great value creation opportunities, but taking high quality decisions in the face of uncertainty is critical.

 

Offshore wind - market status

Offshore wind activity is at an all time high. The next two years will see significant year-on-year growth in terms of capacity installed from projects currently under construction. However, the industry is struggling with the costs of development, which have more than doubled in five years.

 

Australia: set to lead the way in LNG

Australia, with 24 currently active and future LNG projects, could become the second largest LNG producing nation in the world by 2015, according to the International Energy Agency.

 

South American pipeline update

The oil and gas sector in South America holds tremendous potential, with at least 110 billion bbls of oil, 272 trillion ft3 of gas and over 250 billion bbls of recoverable bitumen. But that potential often remains elusive for many countries.

 

Global exploration overview

Brazilian oil and Australian gas are the hottest ball games in town at the moment. This article reviews activity in these areas and other offshore exploration activity.

 

Managing risk in an uncertain world: new techniques

Working with a global operator, a Drilling Risk Assessment simulation model has been developed. Executives can now simulate and test scenarios before committing to a course of action.

 

The Arctic exploration frontier

The Arctic region holds large reserves of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas. Exploration and drilling challenges exist due to harsh conditions and environmental concerns.

 

Offshore production and spending market

The short-term outlook for the offshore oil and gas industry has become more difficult to predict than ever. The last few years saw an unprecedented boom in activity but there is now uncertainty and, in some quarters, despondency.

 

Influence of power lines on pipeline networks

Increased difficulties in obtaining utility right-of-way and the concept of utility corridors have brought pipelines into close proximity with electric power transmission/distribution systems. Metallic objects subjected to the alternating electromagnetic field will exhibit an induced voltage. Also, power conductor faults to ground can cause substantial fault currents in the underground structure.

 

Nuclear fusion: a future energy solution?

There is no one solution to the global energy crisis, but fusion scientists think that they can make an important contribution. Fusion, if successfully developed, will be both clean and green, producing large quantities of energy from non carbon emitting sources and without the burden of long-term radioactive waste.

 

Brazil’s Petrobras: new light oil find; prospects for production, pipelines

Petrobras has announced a new light oil find in the Campos Basin. This article looks at the new oil find; Petrobras’ International Business Plan; relations between Brazil and China; foreign participation in the Brazilian market and prospects for the Brazilian pipeline sector over the next few years.