Drill pipe, casing, and tubing are three kinds of pipe that go downhole. But there’s a world of pipe out there that runs laterally, parallel to the surface, either above it or just below it. Three companies share their expertise in the field of lateral oil transportation. by Hanaba Munn Welch Ups and […]
The Energy Chain
Generating income, compressing challenges, and pumping profits in a downturn: reflections on the engines of the oil patch and how they’ve moved rivers of product. By Paul Wiseman The old business adage, “It takes money to make money” could be adapted for the oil patch as, “It takes energy to produce energy.” And […]
Adaptation, Diversification & Hunting
Oilfield service companies come in all shapes and sizes. While competition is most certainly fierce, it may also be fair to say that no two service companies are exactly alike. They are far-ranging in size, in scope, and in their offerings. Separate from active drilling operations, but practically indispensible to the practice of drilling, service […]
Requiem for a Canadian Pipeline
Industrial and political insiders sound off in response to the killing of the Keystone XL pipeline in November. by Tony Burke, Assistant Editor On Nov. 6, President Obama rejected TransCanada Corp’s Keystone XL pipeline application. The killing of the much bandied-about pipeline was hardly done in the heat of the moment, but calculated […]
Pipeliners: A Breed Apart
They were known as “the gypsies of the oil patch.” by Bobby Weaver Pipeliners are the most gypsy-like of all oilfield workers. When there is a need for their services they appear like a cloud of locusts and when that need passes they are gone like a puff of smoke. It has been that […]
Pipe: Keeping Pace With an Industry
The simplest implement in the oilfield–a joint of pipe–is not so simple any more, but that’s good for all involved. Edwin Drake started the ball rolling when he designed a method of drilling for oil that used an iron pipe. Since those early days of the oil industry in 1859 when his iron drive pipe […]