The Drilldown: in-depth answers to oilfield questions | w/ Richard & John Spears

Demand for all types of completion-related services has jumped sharply this year in response to the recovery in US drilling activity that has taken place. In this podcast we discuss the use of flowback services in hydraulic fracturing operations. Other topics addressed include: What is the production testing market? What drives the need for flowback services?

Texas and Louisiana have only just begun to recover from the devastating effects of hurricane Harvey. In this podcast we discuss its impact on the E&P supply chain and how that might affect activity in the US and around the world. Other topics addressed include: What percent of the E&P supply chain is located in the Gulf Coast region? What segments of the supply chain are least likely to be affected?

After having risen for 14 consecutive months US rig count has stalled in recent weeks in response to sub-$50 oil prices. We discuss the clues that appear to indicate where activity is headed over the near term. How much will drilling activity fall? What types of wells are affected? Will completion activity follow the trend in drilling? Produced by Charlie Spears

The generational "crew change" taking place in oil companies and oil service firms is disrupting the traditional sales process in the US oilpatch. In this podcast we discuss prior relationship-based selling practices and today’s data-centric approach. We also discuss: What will be the impact on oil service firms that fail to adjust their sales and marketing? How might the type or amount of data used in the sales process change?

Shale resource development has made lease acquisition a key factor to the success of many oil and gas companies. Aubrey Mcclendon found great success doing this with Chesapeake by increasing reservoir exposure with contiguous leasing. We compare & contrast past and current leasing practices. Other questions include: How has extended-reach drilling impacted leasing? How do operators keep lease acquisition costs manageable?

Demand for all types of completion-related services has soared in response to the recovery in US drilling activity that has taken place this year. In this podcast we discuss the use of cased hole wireline units in completion and production operations, with a specific focus on their use in hydraulic fracturing operations. We also talk about: What is the difference between open hole and cased hole wireline services? Are there alternatives to using cased hole units in completion operations? What production-related jobs are cased hole wireline units used for? Episode produced by Charlie Spears

The story of this year’s recovery in the US oilpatch is well-documented; less well known is how current practices are testing this generation of drilling and completion equipment to the limit. In this podcast we discuss what we’re hearing from the field about problems that are being encountered, including: Failure rates for MWD tools Practical limits of coiled tubing units Acceptance of sand-box type frac sand delivery systems Service firm selection factors Podcast produced by Charlie Spears

What job other than being a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader can compete with the glamour of working in the oilpatch? While a wellsite and a football sideline might seem to be quite different, in this podcast we discuss the skills each needs in terms of planning, focus and teamwork to get the job done right. Also, a "test" about production tube testing!

This week we discuss the Artificial Lift market. We talk spending, lift systems, and even Venezuela (also a shameless plug for our Artificial Lift Market Report) Our Rule of Thumb this week answers the question: "What is the primary driver of the global oilfield service market?". Also we answer "What is the annual operating cost for a horizontal oil well?"

With drilling rapidly increasing and beating everyone's predictions, we're seeing shortages in select areas. Richard has a list of 3 sectors we're seeing shortages: Perforating guns, performance motors (positive displacement motors), and available labor in the Permian. We talk about what these shortages mean & how quickly the market can adapt. (Also Johnny Cash revisits the show!) Produced by Charlie Spears