Mining the air: Political ecologies of the circular carbon economy

2021 ◽  
pp. 251484862110614
Author(s):  
Holly Jean Buck
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Carbon Utilization ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
The Public ◽  
Fossil Carbon ◽  
Political Ecologies ◽  
Carbon Economy

Can fossil-based fuels become carbon neutral or carbon negative? The oil and gas industry is facing pressure to decarbonize, and new technologies are allowing companies and experts to imagine lower-carbon fossil fuels as part of a circular carbon economy. This paper draws on interviews with experts, ethnographic observations at carbontech and carbon management events, and interviews with members of the public along a suggested CO2 pipeline route from Iowa to Texas, to explore: What is driving the sociotechnical imaginary of circular fossil carbon among experts, and what are its prospects? How do people living in the landscapes that are expected to provide carbon utilization and removal services understand their desirability and workability? First, the paper examines a contradiction in views of carbon professionals: while experts understand the scale of infrastructure, energy, and capital required to build a circular carbon economy, they face constraints in advocating for policies commensurate with this scale, though they have developed strategies for managing this disconnect. Second, the paper describes views from the land in the central US, surfacing questions about the sustainability of new technologies, the prospect of carbon dioxide pipelines, and the way circular carbon industries could intersect trends of decline in small rural towns. Experts often fail to consider local priorities and expertise, and people in working landscapes may not see the priorities and plans of experts, constituting a “double unseeing.” Robust energy democracy involves not just resistance to dominant imaginaries of circular carbon, but articulation of alternatives. New forms of expert and community collaboration will be key to transcending this double unseeing and furthering energy democracy.

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in the Oil Industry: Will it Take My Job?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armstrong Lee Agbaji
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Deep Dive ◽  
The Future ◽  
And Robotics

Abstract Historically, the oil and gas industry has been slow and extremely cautious to adopt emerging technologies. But in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the industry has broken from tradition. It has not only embraced AI; it is leading the pack. AI has not only changed what it now means to work in the oil industry, it has changed how companies create, capture, and deliver value. Thanks, or no thanks to automation, traditional oil industry skills and talents are now being threatened, and in most cases, rendered obsolete. Oil and gas industry day-to-day work is progressively gravitating towards software and algorithms, and today’s workers are resigning themselves to the fact that computers and robots will one day "take over" and do much of their work. The adoption of AI and how it might affect career prospects is currently causing a lot of anxiety among industry professionals. This paper details how artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics has redefined what it now means to work in the oil industry, as well as the new challenges and responsibilities that the AI revolution presents. It takes a deep-dive into human-robot interaction, and underscores what AI can, and cannot do. It also identifies several traditional oilfield positions that have become endangered by automation, addresses the premonitions of professionals in these endangered roles, and lays out a roadmap on how to survive and thrive in a digitally transformed world. The future of work is evolving, and new technologies are changing how talent is acquired, developed, and retained. That robots will someday "take our jobs" is not an impossible possibility. It is more of a reality than an exaggeration. Automation in the oil industry has achieved outcomes that go beyond human capabilities. In fact, the odds are overwhelming that AI that functions at a comparable level to humans will soon become ubiquitous in the industry. The big question is: How long will it take? The oil industry of the future will not need large office complexes or a large workforce. Most of the work will be automated. Drilling rigs, production platforms, refineries, and petrochemical plants will not go away, but how work is done at these locations will be totally different. While the industry will never entirely lose its human touch, AI will be the foundation of the workforce of the future. How we react to the AI revolution today will shape the industry for generations to come. What should we do when AI changes our job functions and workforce? Should we be training AI, or should we be training humans?

Energy and Environment

2020 ◽  
pp. 185-206
Author(s):  
Kenneth P. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Environmental Policies ◽  
Federal Law ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Energy And Environment

This chapter examines the deep Texas-California divide over energy and environmental policies. The modern Texas economy was built on energy, and the state remains the nation’s leading producer. The state’s development of fracking has revolutionized the oil and gas industry and has helped the nation break its dependence on foreign oil. Texas has also increased its production of renewable energy, but believes the global economy will rely for the foreseeable future on fossil fuels and resists restrictions on these resources. California, by contrast, has become a global leader in the fight against climate change. It has aggressively regulated carbon emissions and mandated a massive switch to renewable energy sources. California is the only state that can impose emissions regulations more strict than federal standards. As power has shifted in Washington, California has alternated between translating its environmental policies into federal law and defending its policies from federal challenge.

The face of energy

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Problem Solver ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Right

In this era of technological disruption, when many industries are fighting to stay relevant, the oil and gas industry seems to be stagnant. It is in this environment where public perception of the modern industry is becoming more critical and as younger consumers grow in both number and political influence, their viewpoints will become especially vital to the continued relevance of the industry. The oil and gas industry gives itself high marks for innovation, safety and environmental sustainability, and yet the public opinion in these areas is often portrayed very negatively. We have an image problem. The belief that oil and gas is good for society seems to decline with each younger generation. The public believes the industry is necessary for society, though they still see it as a problem causer, not a problem solver. But support for the industry falls with each generation and millennials are more likely to believe the industry is bad for society and a problem causer. The oil and gas industry needs to communicate and engage with consumers to identify ways to better understand their motivations and concerns. Clearly there is a gap in how the public and executives view the industry and the time to address these perceptions is now. To view the video, click the link on the right.

Financing alternatives in a changing gas landscape

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 516
Author(s):  
James MacGinley ◽  
Brad Calleja
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Project Finance ◽  
Export Credit ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
The Past ◽  
New Development ◽  
Credit Agency ◽  
Global Banks

In recent years, Australia has gone through an unprecedented expansion in its oil and gas industry. The demand for capital has been enormous and has resulted in some of the largest project debt financings globally. In the coming years, the funding requirement will change dramatically as projects reach completion; become cash-flow positive; and, owners changing their funding structure from project finance debt to lower cost, lower covenant corporate debt. The development of a number of Australia’s largest oil and gas projects during the past five years coincided with a tightening of capital from the traditional project finance market. This lead to the emergence of export credit agency financing as an integral component of project development. During the past year, however, re-capitalisation of global banks are now re-entering the Australian market and are driving competition and increasing liquidity. This extended abstract covers a review of the funding approaches taken on major Australian LNG projects, including lessons from the funding of CSG projects that may be relevant to other new development markets such as shale gas. It also draws on historical lessons of funding new technologies and provide insight about funding of the next wave of LNG development: floating LNG. The National Australia Bank is one of the largest resources project finance banks globally and is well positioned to provide APPEA’s delegates with relevant insight about the future of debt funding in the oil and gas industry.

History and Evolution of the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry in Southern Louisiana: Worker Perspectives

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Austin ◽  
Thomas McGuire
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Early Results ◽  
History Of ◽  
Offshore Oil And Gas ◽  
Offshore Oil ◽  
Southern Louisiana

The history of the offshore oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico is one of both progressive and punctuated development. New technologies, forms of work organization, and regulatory regimes have all combined over the past seventy years to influence the evolution of this industry. This paper reports early results of a multiyear, multi-team effort to document this history and its impacts on southern Louisiana. It focuses on the work of one team, applied anthropologists from the University of Arizona, to capture the history from the perspectives of the workers and local entrepreneurs who made this industry happen.

Submerged Production Unit: Design and Method for Launch and Tow to Field

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkatesan Arumugam Elumalai ◽  
Sigbjørn Daasvatn ◽  
Daniel Karunakaran ◽  
Kjell Larsen ◽  
Bernt Johan Leira
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Production Unit ◽  
Initial Attempt ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Reinforced Plastic ◽  
Heavy Lift ◽  
Master's Thesis

Abstract The requirement for fossil fuels expedites for an advancement in the existing subsea technology. The developments evolved as the search for hydrocarbons moved from onshore to offshore, followed by a transition from shallow to deep and ultra-deep waters. Another huge milestone was achieved, when production systems made a transition from topsides to subsea units for efficiency. Currently, there is an enormous drive to minimize the operational costs involved in the processing of hydro-carbons. Researches are underway towards what would be yet another significant feat in the oil and gas industry, which is by moving the processing systems to subsea. One such impressive concept, which is being developed, is the Submerged Production Unit (SPU). This study is an initial attempt to investigate the challenges associated with the SPU focusing on the factors influencing design, launching and towing. A design concept that goes back and forth from performance and design spaces was used in modelling the SPU, solving the complexity that revolved around assembling the hollow Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) beams with subsea buoyancy materials. Submerged Tow Method (STM), an adaptation of Controlled Depth Tow Method (CDTM) was used instead of the conventional way of lifting the equipment using cranes of heavy lift vessels or construction vessels on site during deployment considering cost and safety. OrcaFlex software was used for towing analysis. End force in global X direction on towline, obtained from static analysis was used to identify the Bollard Pull (BP) required for towing the SPU. Dynamic analysis was performed for different environmental conditions to identify the maximum effective tension on the towline. BP requirement of 100t was estimated from the towing analysis. This study was carried out by author as a master’s thesis [1].

Oil firms will gradually adjust to a new price normal

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Cyber Attacks ◽  
Portfolio Investment ◽  
Sharp Drop ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Pricing

Subject ‘New normal’ for oil pricing. Significance Since 2008, commentators have frequently applied the phrase ‘new normal’ to the changing market and trading conditions that enterprises find themselves in. The oil and gas industry is no different. More than two years after the sharp drop in oil prices in 2014 and despite the recent OPEC-non-OPEC output cuts, oil is now in a potential new normal regarding price. While oil is often used as a proxy for the industry, this new normal impacts the whole fossil fuels sector. Impacts Portfolio investment decisions have demonstrated capital discipline but must find more ways of achieving a return at 50 dollars per barrel Technology will support the transition, but firms must put in place credible procedures to deal with the threat of cyber attacks The uncertain geopolitical backdrop makes it more difficult, but the sector needs to find a credible response to the COP21 Paris agreement

The natural gas industry: equipment, materials, and corrosion

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 175-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Valdez ◽  
Michael Schorr ◽  
Jose M. Bastidas
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Municipal Networks ◽  
Production Wells ◽  
Natural Gas Industry ◽  
The Usa

AbstractCorrosion is a crucial worldwide problem that strongly affects the oil and gas industry. Natural gas (NG) is a source of energy used in industrial, residential, commercial, and electric applications. The abundance of NG in many countries augurs a profitable situation for the vast energy industry. NG is considered friendlier to the environment and has lesser greenhouse gas emissions compared with other fossil fuels. In the last years, shale gas is increasingly exploited in the USA and in Europe, using a hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technique for releasing gas from the bedrock by injection of saline water, acidic chemicals, and sand to the wells. Various critical sectors of the NG industry infrastructure suffer from several types of corrosion: steel casings of production wells and their drilling equipment, gas-conveying pipelines including pumps and valves, plants for regasification of liquefied NG, and municipal networks of NG distribution to the consumers. Practical technologies that minimize or prevent corrosion include selection of corrosion-resistant engineering materials, cathodic protection, use of corrosion inhibitors, and application of external and internal paints, coatings, and linings. Typical cases of corrosion management in the NG industry are presented based on the authors’ experience and knowledge.

scholarly journals AREAS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ULTRAVISCOUS OIL RESERVOIRS IN THE SAMARA REGION

2020 ◽  
pp. 57-68
Author(s):  
М.М. Manukyan
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Oil Reservoirs ◽  
Heavy Crude Oil ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Heavy Crude ◽  
Dynamic Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Of

The article is devoted to the study of various areas for the improvement of ultraviscous oil technologies in the Samara region. Promising technologies, as well as technologies that have already been applied in the oil and gas industry of the Samara region were considered. New technologies in the oil and gas industry in the region were identified. The analysis of methods used for the development of heavy crude oil in a sessile plate - the thermal production method (THDP or SAGD), as well as the method of dynamic stimulation of the formation with wave energy - was carried out.

Analyzing the assets of the world’s leading public oil and gas corporations

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-373
Author(s):  
O.V. Shimko
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Public Companies ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
The Public ◽  
Oil And Gas Companies

Subject. The article analyzes assets of the largest public companies operating in the oil and gas industry from 2006 to 2018, like ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Occidental Petroleum, Devon Energy, Anadarko Petroleum, PAO Gazprom, PAO NK Rosneft, PAO LUKOIL, and others. Objectives. The aim is to make a comprehensive statistical analysis of changes in absolute values and the structure of assets in the public sector of the oil and gas industry. Methods. The study employs methods of statistical analysis and generalization of materials of official annual reports based on the results of financial and economic activities of the largest public oil and gas corporations. Results. Using the comprehensive analysis of balance sheets of 25 oil and gas companies, I determine changes in the size and structure of assets in the public sector of the industry, and establish the main factors that contributed to this transformation. Conclusions. The findings revealed an increase in the book value of assets in the majority of leading public oil and gas companies. Large mergers and acquisitions and agreements for new field developments also contributed to the increase. The study established that the protracted industry crisis resulted in reducing the proportion of current assets in order to release funds for revenue increase. That was why oil and gas companies sought to accelerate the collection of receivables, primarily by means of trade component. It was also determined that they channeled a part of funds thus collected to short-term financial investments.

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