| In the 1950s, drilling for hydrocarbons using traditional | | | | advanced drilling techniques in use today, such as |
| methods carried a 50/50 risk, and even "successful" | | | | horizontal drilling, are penetrating zones that were |
| wells (oil or gas found) were often commercially | | | | previously considered unreachable. For example, |
| impractical. That reality has changed over the past | | | | EnerMax is scheduled to drill a well this summer in a |
| twenty years. Advancements in technology and | | | | suburban neighborhood in Tarrant County, Texas, |
| geophysical studies have transformed soft speculation | | | | where they plan to drill in the prolific Barnett Shale to a |
| into real, hard science. The U.S. Department of Energy | | | | depth of 6,500 vertical feet and 2,400 horizontal feet. |
| describes the recent triumphs of the oil and gas | | | | The 2,400' horizontal leg will extend underneath nearby |
| industry as "logic defying".It's not just about drilling | | | | homes, allowing EnerMax to penetrate their target |
| fewer dry holes. New methods are extending the life | | | | zone while leaving the neighborhood undisturbed. |
| of wells, allowing more reserves to be extracted and | | | | EnerMax will apply advanced frac and completion |
| boosting economic returns. As a result, much broader | | | | procedures to ensure the maximum recovery of |
| group of investors now has access to oil and gas as | | | | hydrocarbons.Technological advantages require |
| a viable investment option. I asked Bret L. Boteler, | | | | significant financial resources. In 2004, EnerMax |
| President of EnerMax Inc., to help me understand | | | | entered into an agreement with American Energy |
| some of the principal changes in today's oil and gas | | | | Partners, Inc. (AEPI) to join them in their efforts to |
| industry.Since many of us know very little about the | | | | reprocess 3-D data concentrated primarily along the |
| industry, I asked him to start simple and work towards | | | | Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Because |
| the more complex. Bret Boteler began by defining his | | | | unprocessed 3-D seismic information can contain |
| company's business for me in layman's terms: "If | | | | shadows and misleading images caused by equipment |
| someone asked me what we do, I'd say we're a joint | | | | during the original recording, it is necessary to filter the |
| venture manager. We put together joint ventures that | | | | data for clearer results. Geotrace Technologies, Inc., an |
| develop, drill, and manage oil and gas drilling | | | | industry leader in imaging and analyzing subsurface |
| programs."Bret Boteler began EnerMax out of his | | | | data, has been selected to reprocess the data using |
| home office in 2001. Five years later, Mr. Boteler and | | | | advanced analysis techniques such as High Frequency |
| EnerMax occupy over 3,400 square feet of office | | | | Imaging (TM) (HFI(R)), Frequency Absorption Response |
| space where he enjoys the company of seven | | | | (FAR), and Amplitude versus Offset Analysis (AVO). |
| employees. Last year marked the fourth straight year | | | | Even though the reprocessing carries a significant price |
| that Bret L. Boteler's company has earned 50+% | | | | tag, it is well worth the price when you consider the |
| annual gains. Mr. Boteler attributes EnerMax's | | | | 20-30% increased success rate.When I asked Mr. |
| substantial growth and success to two things: his | | | | Boteler about difficulties facing the industry today, he |
| talented, reliable staff and their use of modern | | | | told me that one of the main issues is rig availability. |
| technology.Mr. Boteler described for me the significant | | | | Recent hurricanes and tropical storms damaged drilling |
| role that today's technology plays and the advantages | | | | rigs and oil refineries along the southern coast. The |
| won over methods twenty years ago. EnerMax Inc. | | | | resulting reduction of oil and gas production in the |
| participates in drilling wells discovered by reprocessed | | | | United States heightened the disparity between supply |
| 3-D seismic data - a revolution in the drilling business. | | | | and demand. Oil and gas companies are pushing to drill |
| Companies that choose drill sites based on | | | | more wells while commodities are high, so there are |
| reprocessed 3-D seismic data are 75-80% accurate | | | | times when a few months pass while waiting for a rig |
| on average, as opposed to the 50-55% accuracy rate | | | | to drill your well. Yet in the light of the uncertainties |
| of older, two-dimensional data that has not been | | | | oilmen faced in decades past, Bret Boteler counts |
| reprocessed. And according to Boteler, the majority of | | | | himself and his company very blessed.Daniel Dessinger |
| small, independent oil and natural gas companies still | | | | is a writer in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. He holds a |
| use the old-style data, thus falling under the 55% | | | | Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Dallas Baptist |
| shadow.These technologies also allow exploration | | | | University. In addition to his CultureFeast blog, he writes |
| companies to more accurately assess potential | | | | for various marketing firms, corporations, and small |
| reserves, helping them select projects that fit a | | | | businesses. Daniel's writing services include SEO |
| favorable risk/reward profile. Some of the best | | | | friendly interactive press releases, search optimized |
| projects identified would have been condemned only a | | | | website copy, industry-specific articles, creative ads, |
| few years ago due to accessibility barriers. However, | | | | copy editing, and online public relations consulting. |