Energy exploration has become increasingly important as America comes to the realization that oil and natural gas affect our lives in thousands of ways each day. We use these fossil fuels to heat our homes, fuel our vehicles and cook our food. In response, oil and gas exploration companies are implementing new technologies and funding research to meet future energy needs.
Oil exploration is even more important in the face of the growing demand. Although the United States is among the top oil producing countries, our need still outpaces the amount produced. Since natural gas is often found in the same reservoirs as oil, new technologies in petroleum exploration also produce added benefits in gas exploration. Oil and gas exploration companies are working to conserve the resources we have with new research methodologies. These new energy exploration methodologies include:
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Cut recovery costs with microhole drilling oil exploration
The benefits of microhole drilling are two-fold. This technology affords the use of less unwieldy equipment and smaller crews, making it more economically-feasible to drill for hard-to-reach reserves. In addition, it minimizes environmental impact, and that alone could open up some oil and gas exploration opportunities in environmentally-susceptible areas.
I recommend: The
Petroleum Technology Transfer Council is participating in a study to evaluate the feasibility of using coiled tubing rigs in microhole exploration for oil and gas. Research proved that microhole coiled tubing drilling technology can be used to reclaim thousands of reservoirs bypassed by conventional oil and gas exploration methods. Canadian-based
Xtreme Coil Drilling Corp., has started deploying their coiled tube rigs in the United States to further the effort.
Improve deep well drilling technology for gas exploration
Natural gas production in conventional wells has been steadily decreasing. This makes it necessary to explore deep well drilling for natural gas exploration. Unfortunately, this presents a number of problems due to the extreme depths that must be targeted. Very hard rock, extreme temperatures and fierce pressure take their toll on traditional drilling equipment.
I recommend: The
Department of Energy created the Deep Trek program to develop new technologies relating to deep well drilling.
Honeywell International, a program participant, has developed a set of electronic components to be used in conjunction with deep well drilling equipment. These electronic chips can withstand the intense pressure and will allow access to untapped reservoirs deep in the earth.
Utilize seismic technology to pinpoint locations for deep oil and gas exploration
Oil and gas exploration companies recognize the need to drill for deeper reservoirs; however, advanced technology is necessary to locate these deep resources. New seismic technology allows companies involved in oil and gas exploration services to pinpoint commercial quantities of fossil fuels before drilling.
I recommend: This new seismic technology is available through
Rock Solid Images' iMOSS software; it exemplifies a significant improvement in detecting deep resources.
Paulsson Geophysical Services, Inc., has also developed new vertical seismic technology that reduces downhole time required for seismic surveys in gas exploration.
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