As the US oil industry moves toward a “factory” drilling approach and looks to optimize efficiency, operators and service firms are challenged with how best to measure performance. MTBF (mean time between failure) or MTTF (mean time to failure)
Episode 73: A Day In The Life Of A Cementing Crew
In this podcast, Richard and John describe one of the most critical jobs on the wellsite -- how a crew goes about cementing an oilwell. How many people are involved? What equipment is used? And, how long the job takes?
Episode 72: Will Everything Old Be New Again?
Oilfield equipment and service markets closely associated with well maintenance (well servicing, coiled tubing services, and artificial lift) have lagged during the current upturn. In this podcast, Richard and John discuss the outlook for brownfield investment in a world with low-geological risk shale development opportunities.
Episode 71: Our Forecasts for 2018: A Mid-Year Review
In this podcast Richard and John review how well the five predictions they made back in January for 2018 (Episode #46) are holding up. Who’s in the lead for brotherly bragging rights?
Episode 70: Big (and Bad) Data
In recent years the upstream sector has widely embraced data analytics and automation as the key to process optimization and cost control for drilling, completion, and production operations. In this podcast we discuss how poor quality data is slowing this process and could undercut the value of analytics and automation.
Episode 69: Risks to the Permian Basin
In this episode we discuss takeaway capacity constraints that are emerging in the Permian Basin and evaluate the potential impact on drilling and completion activity and oil production over the next 18 months in that market.
Episode 68: 10 Key Questions For An Acquisition
In this episode we identify 10 questions – six regarding personnel/management, 4 involving markets - that should be asked by investors when evaluating a potential acquisition.
Episode 67: Oilfield Spending in 2018: An Update
With spot WTI prices approaching $70, US drilling activity is increasing faster than expected. In this podcast we discuss what this means for spending on oilfield equipment and services this year.
Episode 66: Infinity War and Oilfield Investment
What factors influence an operator’s decision to explore versus exploit? How are movie sequels like developing shale resources? In this podcast we highlight some of the parallels between Hollywood and the oilpatch.
Episode 65: Natural Gas Prices
A colder-than-normal spring has pulled natural gas inventories well-below average for this time of year. Does this mean gas prices might surprise to the upside in 2018? In this podcast we discuss how expectations for gas production have held down gas prices to-date even though inventories are low.