AWE Energy has popped the bubbly, celebrating one of the highest onshore flow rates in the Australian oil and gas industry. The Sydney independent oil and gas producer revealed that the Waitsia-4 well in the Perth Basin flowed gas at an instantaneous maximum rate of 90 million standard cubic feet per day from the Kingia Sandstone and an average of 89.6 MMscf/d on a 96/64 inch choke at ~2,395 psig flowing well head pressure over a 23-minute period.
Industry
Australian subsea sector set to see major activity improvement
THE Australian subsea oil and gas industry is about to see a significant increase in activity, according to one of the region’s leading figures. Marius Martens, the Chairman of national industry body, Subsea Energy Australia. and a senior committee member overseeing content for the 2018 Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition & Conference (AOG2018) Subsea Forum, says that subsea activity is expected to grow to support both new and recently constructed projects. In terms of new projects; Mr Martens says there are a number of major subsea developments, either as tie-backs to shore or to offshore facilities, underway in Australian waters.
Scholarships for World Gas Conference in Washington DC
The Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT) is offering up to five scholarships to be part of the Australian delegation attending the 27th World Gas Conference (WGC18) in Washington DC from June 25-29. Participants under the age of 40 in the Australian gas industry are invited to attend. Hosted every three years by the International Gas Union (IGU), WGC2018 will be the world’s largest gas conference. Over 500 speakers will talk in 100 sessions under the theme “Fuelling the Future” and will include major figures in the gas world such as producers, buyers, governments, international agencies and NGOs.
Geoscientist Employment Recovery Stalled: AIG Survey
The latest quarterly survey of Australian geoscientist employment, covering the third quarter of 2017 shows that employment prospects for geoscientists have remained unchanged since March 2017, despite anecdotal evidence pointing to an upturn in mining and exploration industry activity. The national unemployment rate at 30 September 2017 amongst Australia’s professional geoscientists was 12.2%, up slightly from the 30 June figure of 11.3%. Underemployment amongst self-employed geoscientists for the same period, however, fell to 18.0% from 19.0%. The combined figures point to no improvement in employment prospects for the geoscience professions as a whole since March 2017.
On board Fire Shuts-in Shell Platform
Shell’s Enchilada platform on the Gulf of Mexico has been shut in after two offshore workers were injured in a fire onboard the structure, located about 190km south of Vermillion Bay, Louisiana, This came after the United States Coast Guard and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) responded to a report at 1.20am that the fixed-leg platform was on fire as 46 crew evacuated took lifeboats before transferring to the nearby Salsa platform via the offshore supply vessel, C-Liberty.
IGC Travel Scheme Deadline Looms
The Australian Geoscience Council and the Australian Academy of Science have extended the deadline for the 34th International Geological Congress Travel Grant Scheme for Early-Career Australian and New Zealand Geoscientists. In terms of the scheme, funding has been made available for the early stages of their careers with opportunities to travel internationally to further their careers as geoscientists by, for example, undertaking field work in appropriate areas, visiting and working with appropriate international experts, inspecting appropriate mines or other geoscientific features such as type localities, participating in professionally-organised geoscientific conferences or conventions, etc.
34th International Geological Congress Travel Grant Scheme for Early-Career Australian and NZ Geoscientists
APPEA embraces National Energy Guarantee
APPEA has welcomed the National Energy Guarantee announced last week as a new approach to the perennial policy challenge of cutting emissions from electricity generation without crudely picking winners or jeopardising reliability. “APPEA supports market-based policies which deliver least cost abatement, without putting at risk Australia’s trade-exposed industries. Our principles-based approach means that we are open to supporting different models, provided they deliver similar results,” said APPEA Chief Executive Dr Malcolm Roberts. “We have supported an emissions-intensity scheme and a clean energy target.
China scoops Bentley Systems Award in Singapore
CHINA’s Offshore Oil Engineering Company, a subsidiary of CNOOC, was the star oil and gas performer at the Bentley Be Inspired Awards Ceremony in Singapore where the company won the BIM Advancements in Mining and Offshore Engineering for innovation driving efficiencies. Bentley Systems Vice President Analytical Product Modelling Director Katherine Flesh said the award recognised excellence in the planning, design, structural engineering, construction, operations and commissioning of mines, mining facilities, marine and both offshore and onshore infrastructure.
Chevron cans Great Australian Bight exploration program.
Oil and gas supermajor Chevron described the Great Australian Bight as one of Australia’s most prospective frontier hydrocarbon regions, but said the suspension of its exploration endeavours in the area was because it could not compete in the current low oil price scenario. Chevron Australia managing director Nigel Hearne commented: “We appreciate the strong support from governments, regulators and the local community for our plans to explore for hydrocarbons offshore South Australia. We are confident the Great Australian Bight can be developed safely and responsibly, and we will work closely with the interested stakeholders to help realize its potential.