Offshore+Oil+and+Gas+Recovery+Technology

"Natural Gas 1998: Issues and Trends." (1998): 175-80. // Energy Information Administration //. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. . ** Where does the author work, what else has s/he written about, and what are her/his credentials? ** The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is an independent government sponsored organization that conducts independent analyses and statistics studies. ** What is the main topic or argument of the text? ** The text explains in detail the technology that has been implemented and improved upon over the past years in offshore oil and gas recovery. These technologies include production systems, seismic usage, drilling techniques, and completion technology. ** Describe at least three ways that the main topic or argument is fleshed out. ** There are seven types of production systems in use. A production system is a platform that provides a base where operations, drilling, and production occur. The first of the seven systems is called a // Fixed // // Platform //. This base has supports that fix it to the seafloor. It is used in up to water depths of 1,650 ft. A // Compliant // // Tower // endures sizeable lateral deflections, and it is functional between 1,500 ft and 3,000 ft. A // Seastar // // Platform // is a lower cost platform designed for smaller deep-well reserves. It is used from 600 ft to 3,500 ft. A // Floating // // Production // // System // is larger, and it is semisubmersible. It is tethered in place by anchors. This base can be used in depths from 600 ft to 6,000 ft. A // Tension // // Leg // // Platform // allows for a broader water depth as well as for smaller vertical shifting, allowing for depths up to 6,000 ft. A // Spar // // Platform // is supported through one single vertical cylinder with a large diameter. It is anchored to the sea floor by up to 20 lines. This platform is ideal for depths extending down to 3,000 ft, but this can be extended furthermore to 10,000 ft with the advances in technology. Seismic technology has been developed extensively. They are used to detect potential wells, where intense sound waves are blasted in the ocean to reflect off the subterranean material. In the early 1900s, only 2-D analyses were possible. With faster computing processors, 3-D plots are possible, and even a 4-D study with an inclusive time factor. With these advances, experts can determine more definite wells, and they can determine the optimal way to go about retrieving the crude oil, thereby increasing well flow and recovery. Drilling rigs for deep water drilling has increased over the years. Many more have been upgraded to function properly under deep water. Specifically, only 5 rigs were available to operate in 1995 for depths of 2,500 ft. In 1996 however, 9 rigs were in operation. Top-drive drilling is a new technology developed that reduces drilling and completion times. Directional and horizontal drilling are other techniques in drilling that can increase the flow rate of the oil excavated. Multilateral and multibranch wells are another advance in drilling. Finally, larger tubing can be used to increase the rate of completing the task of retrieving crude. Other suggestions made would be to create more reliable oil subsea systems, preferably those that did not require the operation from a human. ** What three quotes capture the critical import of the text? ** “Innovative technologies, such as new offshore production systems, three dimension(3-D) seismic surveys, and improved drilling and completion techniques, have improved the economics of offshore activities and enabled development to occur in deeper, more remote environments.” “According to Texaco, in 1989 only 5 percent of the wells drilled in the Gulf of Mexico were based on 3-D seismic surveys. In 1996, nearly 80 percent of the wells drilled were based on 3-D seismic.” “Project development time had ranged up to 5 years for all offshore projects previously. More recent field development has been conducted in much less time, with the period from discovery to first production ranging between 6 and 18 months.” ** Explain how the argument and evidence in the text supports your research focus. ** The research focus is to assess the safety of underwater oil drilling. This paper outlines the technology in place, and it explains how this technology has advanced over the years. However, there are still suggestions as to further improvements that can be made to the process of oil drilling. ** List at least two details or references from the text that will be useful to other members of your research group. **  · Seismic technology uses explosions and air guns in the sea. This is sound pollution that may harm marine life, particularly those that use radar as a survival technique.  · Diverless remotely accessed subsea systems