Oil & Gas - Maximising Recovery Programme (formerly SHARP) IOR Views

Welcome to the May 2004 issue of SHARP IORViews – issue No. 8 since its inception. No doubt you will have noted the change in name. As I mentioned in the last issue we have had to do this name change in order to differentiate it from proper newsletters – ours is a notification of added pages to a website.

We are very pleased with the continued usage of this website – as shown in the statistics given by David Hughes the number of visits made is still on an upward trend. Since we are well into the third year it was thought fitting that we take stock of its usefulness and examine whether it is achieving its stated objectives. This was discussed at the recent (May 2004) meeting of our advisory committee ACHARR.

Three of the objectives stated at the outset were, (1) to foster collaboration amongst UK research organisations, (2) to make optimum use of available R&D funds and (3) to provide a recognised technical network for information and views within the UK on reservoir engineering and IOR matters. It is debateable whether it has been successful in the first two, but there is no doubt that in the third it has been a resounding success. Of course the site has now expanded to a worldwide participation, which is excellent. It has also taken on a much larger geoscience content, which is to be expected, as in the context of the aging North Sea the key to unlocking more reserves lie largely in innovative geoscience; geophysics in particular.

ACHARR advised DTI to evaluate all available options for taking forward IOR Views more effectively, coming up with a recommendation within the next couple of months. Amongst other improvements, we would like to explore ways and means of encouraging more spontaneity into providing articles and feedback. We would of course welcome any ideas and suggestions (email to david.hughes@senergyltd.com).

Being true to form Issue 8 also contains a host of high quality articles. David in his Editorial has touched on most of these, and there is no need for me to go into them here.

Lastly, I would like to draw your attention to the DTI Seminar on Maximising Hydrocarbon Recovery from the UKCS 2004, to be held on 22-23 June 2004, in the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. For the full programme and to register see http://events.senergyltd.com/event.asp?event=3. The programme, as you can see has a markedly different format from other years, with a much bigger participation from the oil companies and service sector where appropriate. It is divided into thematic sessions that will include panel discussions, thus encouraging stronger audience participation. I hope that most of you will be able to attend and make it a successful event.