This is the first of a series of articles in which I hope to outline the case for a new perspective on energy, and energy economics. In this instalment, we look at the role of LNG (liquefied natural gas). Because no analysis is complete without considering historical events, I will attempt to shape the paradigm […]
Under the pressure of delayed oil field projects and an expected bounce of demand in a post-COVID19 world, oil prices have only one way to go from here – and that is up! Historically, the lowering of the price of crude oil resulted in increased consumption of gasoline and diesel and a fall in investments […]
by Robert Ekstein – April 2020 The world could have started a unified reduction of greenhouse gases in the late 1980s but here’s how the actions of a small number of radicals has steered us away from direct action. In this regard, direct action means measures to prevent the venting of greenhouse gases into the […]
Markets Adding to my previous article (http://is-this-just-business-as-usual-in-the-oil-patch ) explaining that the energy patch is now in a “business as usual” mode, oil and gas prices remained relatively stable to reach US$67.82 per barrel for Brent crude while West Texas Intermediate was at US$59.30 per barrel. Happily for producers in Alberta, Western Canadian Select closed the […]
It is hard to think of any area in our society, especially by those of us in the energy and petroleum patch, that hasn’t undergone big changes since 2000. Am I right or am I wrong? Back in the year 2000 the idea of reaching ultra-deep reservoirs laying below thick salt-layers offshore Brazil was for […]
This morning I bought petrol (or gasoline if you like) for the family car, an economical Kia, for AUD$1.45 per litre, much higher than the AUD$1.09/L being charged back in mid-January when an oil glut was expected to keep prices of Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) under $60 and $54 per barrel, respectively. While […]
Anyone listening oil industry commentary may be fooled into thinking that we live in a time of massive disruption in the demand for crude oil and that the industry is under siege because oil prices are not “rallying”. But nothing could be further from the truth. If one looks at oil price alone, it […]
February 7th, 2019 Markets Energy markets are moving sideways but are largely steady. Brent and WTI are at $62.69 and $53.66 per barrel levels respectively as of today, slightly up from last week. The Western Canadian Select crude is currently holding around $44 per barrel which will be relief to producers in Alberta. Alberta’s state […]
This is the first of a series of Oil Company Announcements series where we can geek out on what it all means. If you like to comment or receive notifications, please use the subscribe link all the way at the bottom of this article. The Pre-drill announcement You will find today any number of news […]
January 30th 2019 Markets The looming Brexit, and the record US government shutdown may be weighing on global markets which have been lacklustre over January. Brent oil has been level at $61 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) at $52 per barrel. Both are around $8 per barrel higher than the lowest levels experienced […]
For most gas field, key geological variables play an active role in well flow performance and are key to well flow calculations. This is my attempt to explain the implications for well flows caused by differences in reservoir types. Reservoirs can be categorised into unconventional and conventional types. Initial flow calculations are derived from a […]
Looking for a science field trip near Sydney? Interested in becoming an Earth Science Detective? Earth science is the observation and study of the four spheres. What are the four spheres? I’ll list them at the bottom of this blog. Would yo like to interpret local geology, rocks, soils, landforms such as rivers, beaches and […]
I recently had cause to work on a mineralized skarn prospect. Here are my generalized notes on skarn type mineralization. Skarn Mineralization A brief description of skarn deposits is included here for the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with this type of mineralization. It is based on a paper by Webster and Ray, 1991. […]
From the previous posts we were manipulating log data to contrast different zones in shallow permian stratigraphy. We can now attempt to interpret the different zones and how this changes at each depth. Beginning with the gamma and density signal, a coal seam is present at 252 to 254 m while at ~282 m there is a […]
In discussing the SP log I am going to refer you to a publication which has an excellent section on the Spontaneous Potential log. It is "Well Logging For Earth Scientists" By Ellis and Singer and I highly recommend that you buy or borrow a copy. So on to our sample well. The […]
Spontaneous potential measures the naturally occuring potentials in a wellbore for each depth. In petrophysics it is useful for formation water resistivity, clay content and bed thickness estimations. In geology it is useful for facies identification, textural character and bed correlations between logged wells. To explain further, there are two types of potential being measured. 1)electrochemical […]
This is a quick look at a bunch of rocks and some notes on making common rock descriptions. You might find it useful as background reading for academic use or to aid identification. It has been done in the style of a quick rock identification exercise. By using physical properties to build up some evidence a systematic […]
Today’s question – can well logs be used to determine different groundwater zones? Here we are using Archie’s law to find formation water resistivity. I hope this article is useful. Any questions, suggestions or if it needs correction then you are welcome to leave a comment below. Flow chart for suggested steps in performing the first part […]
This article is for a petrophysical study of geological formation pore pressure d exponent analysis using drilling data. If you find this interesting or in need of correction please leave a comment. The d exponent uses drilling performance to look at variations in drilling performance to infer changes in formation pore pressure. Since the drilling performance is […]
