Under Pressure

Supply catches up with demand in North American pressure-pumping market

The last two years have been good times for North American pressure pumpers, as an explosion in multistage fracturing operations in tight oil plays added to ongoing shale gas drilling, resulting in massive growth in pressure-pumping demand.

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The New Drilling Tool Box

Drilling contractors turn over rig stock to meet operator demand for high-efficiency mobile rigs

Demand for drilling rigs that can efficiently punch out extended-reach horizontal wells from multi-well drilling pads in unconventional oil and gas plays has forced drilling contractors to almost completely turn over their rig stock in the past five years.

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Nervous Energy

2013: A year of uncertainty for service and supply community

By Darrell Stonehouse

The North American natural gas market remains out of balance, with supply still outstripping demand.

Oil pipeline bottlenecks continue slowing the flow of Canadian crude to markets, leading to steep price discounts, and efforts to alleviate both these issues are moving slowly, with little relief seen in the short term.

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Heavy Profits

The oilsands and tight oil get all the coverage, but conventional heavy oil remains an economic powerhouse

By Darrell Stonehouse

Heavy oil is the workhorse of western Canada's petroleum industry. It isn't glamorous, but consistently provides profits and cash flow for operators with the landbase and know-how to exploit it. Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) is one such operator, and is in the process of adding to its already-large heavy production base.

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Future Attraction

New tight oil plays moving quickly towards commercialization

By Darrell Stonehouse

Canada's tight oil revolution began five years ago in the Bakken in southeastern Saskatchewan. It spread quickly to other tight formations including the Cardium, Lower Shaunavon, Viking and Swan Hills carbonates.

While these established plays are in various stages of development, they aren't the end of the story.

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