Special reports

The global energy industry continues to thrive, indicates EIC Monitor quarterly report.

In the second article in Hydrocarbon Engineering’s Recruitment and Employment series, Bill Glasscock, Solomon Associates, USA, argues that cutting costs at all costs is not a helpful strategy.

Quality fleet management can be worth its weight in gold and can boost profits at a mining operation. Stan Orr, Association of Equipment Management Professionals, US, argues the case for professional asset managers.

As the region’s reliance on imports grows, IEA identifies obstacles and opportunities for establishing a gas market that reflects supply-demand fundamentals.

The mining industry faces new challenges, such as winning a social licence to operate. Andrew Wheeler, Mining Practice Leader, Willis, explains.

Mark Guest, OilCareers.com, UK, addresses the downstream recruitment conundrum, arguing that a shift towards ‘unconventionals’ provides fresh opportunities but greater demands.

GBI Research, UK, discusses the current rig deployment scenario and explain how rig designs promoting improved safety and increased operational capabilities are key to newbuild orders.

Linus Adler, Energy Edge Ltd, considers how near we are to peak coal production.

International Process Plants, USA, describes converting refinery residues into clean syngas.

Dr Andrew Minchener OBE, IEA Clean Coal Centre, UK, explains methods for controlling non-greenhouse gas emissions from Chinese coal-fired power plants.

Iraq and Kurdistan offers considerable and growing opportunity for the drilling and oilfield services industry

DNV has taken the initiative to develop a Recommended Practice to address risks associated with shale gas extraction.

Neel Kamal Goyal, Ernst & Young Pvt. Ltd, India, considers how energy imports will affect India’s fuel crisis.

Effective risk management in the coal industry is all about people. To succeed, you need to embed a risk-aware culture and make the risk process simple and relevant so that it becomes part of everyone’s daily job. Loren Padelford, Active Risk, US, explains further.

Canada’s coal sector has the potential for a tremendous future – but it also faces tremendous challenges. Gordon Cope takes a closer look at the industry’s gathering momentum.