Fracking Provides Boon in Drilling

Though fracking has seen increases in usage and publicity, it has actually been around in different levels of capacities since the early 1940s. Analysts expect that fracking will only expand in popularity over the near future with over 2.6 million wells worldwide. If addition reserves are discovered (highly likely) that number will exponentially increase the amount of fossil fuels produced from fracking. 

While there are different methods and uses with fracking, the basic process injects a mix of water, sand and chemicals into a well, creating a fluid that produces fractures in a pre-drilled well. These fractures permeate the surrounding rock bed and the mixture fills any cracks created by the water to keep it open after water flows back out. This allows natural gas and oil to flow up the wellbore through the created fractures. 

Though fracking policies, particularly in the legislative arena can be a controversial subject, the fact is that well-regulated and safe fracking procedures and technologies continue to improve the current industry standards that are continually being updated and reviewed.

Safe and responsible drilling and development of shale energy has helped drive the boom in shale oil production. It is imperative that responsible processes are followed in relation to fracking. Though certain challenges still need to be resolved and additional challenges may present itself, plenty of experienced industry experts are working constantly to help achieve positive, beneficially and responsible results with regards to fracking. 

Development of shale energy is heavily reliant on responsible operations when dealing with fracking. While certain challenges associated with fracking still need to be overcome, operators and industry experts have acknowledged such challenges and are working to help achieve lasting and positive results.

While oil production gradually declined after the 1980s, fracking has revived the industry along with other innovative techniques that have expanded oil production. This expansion provides direct economic effects that provides a boon to both domestic and the world economy.  

Stabbing Guides

There has been an explosion of exploring and drilling for natural gas and oil around the world. Like most technical professions, drilling has its own unique terms, jargon and definitions for parts, tasks and definitions.

"Stabbing" for those in the oil and gas drilling industry has a very different meaning than the term that might come immediately to mind (no, we don't advocate doing the more familiar definition to anything but food). Instead of a knife, "stabbing" in the drilling industry refers to making a connection from the male threaded end of a pipe into the female end of a pipe. 

Such joint sections are normally part of a pipe string assemble on a rig deck near a drilling site.

Another term in conjunction with the drilling definition of "stabbing" is a "stabbing guide." Made from high-grade steel or urethane, a stabbing guide is used during the make up of pipe strings to align the pin to box threads between two sections of pipes. This prevents any damages that might occur in the threading. It also helps prevent any potential connection failures.

The stabbing guide models can be custom fit to various sizes for a broad range of pipe size (usually from 1" to 18") and to use in tubing, casing, and drilling applications. A spring-loaded latch will open and close the guides from the closed position or will use a torsion spring. 

With the demands of exacting tasks in the drilling industry, stabbing guides are a critical investment that will help provide an extra measure of precision that ensures that pipe connections are secure, tight, and properly aligned.

If you would like more information on vendors and companies that provide the best selection of stabbing guides, contact us for more information. We can partner you up with reliable, trusted vendors and organizations that offer both standard and heavy duty stabbing guides.

Contact us for samples also!

Shale Energy Still Bullish for 2015

A recent study done by the IHS Global, discovered shale gas will support around 870,000 jobs in the U.S by the end of 2015.  While the numbers alone indicates shales massive contributions to the U.S. workforce, the trend also signifies a bright outlook for energy production in America.

"The report focused on the growth in investment in oil and gas transportation and storage infrastructure and the resulting economic impacts in terms of associated employment growth, contribution to GDP and tax revenue.

IHS estimates that in 2014 “$85-$90 billion of direct capital will be allocated toward oil and gas infrastructure” in the U.S. IHS further estimates that more than “$80 billion will be invested annually in U.S. midstream and downstream petroleum infrastructure.” While the IHS’s projections are impressive, the report highlights a bourgeoning interest in the U.S. in shale gas production." 

In addition to the amount of workforce that is projected to grow in 2015, shale has long been a reliable contributor to the U.S. economy and workforce.

Even as far back as 2010 over 600,000 jobs were being supported by shale gas. Despite energy production off to a volatile start for the end of 2014 and start of 2015, shale energy looks to be one industry that has a bright, reliable outlook for many American jobs!

OCTG and China's Impact

An influx in Chinese and South Korean OCTG imports and manufactured steel into an already oversaturated market has companies in Alabama worried and taking actions to offset what has been a rough start to FY 2015. Fear over potential scale-backs and even potential layoffs only adds to the economic stress.

However, the domestic markets are quickly taking action. The Jefferson Count Commission is pushing through major tax abatements in order to help OCTG manufacturers and local Alabama steel miss over the next decade, according to the Birmingham Business Journal. While the results of these actions remain to be seen, it is a positive step in the right direction to help business move forward.

Aboard, the Chinese government has tried to put a curb on their own steel manufacturing though so far these actions have done little to alleviate the impact on global steel production. While many Chinese manufacturers are struggling to find resolutions for other issues such as a needed increase in minimum wage (along with the resulting employee retention), steel production have often took a backseat.

While many U.S. steel pipe manufacturers are feeling the impact of a downturn, it is important to remember that in the OCTG industry rises will often follow falls so many individuals and businesses in the industry will be keeping a close eye on the market over the next coming quarter. 

(Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2015/03/20/chinese-steel-could-dictate-the-future-for.html?page=all)