In my opinion, one of the most useless groups is Reservoir Engineering Technology. The directors and managers are a bunch of world class dumb--ses - they might be able to simulate the flow of crap from your a** to the toilet, but they definitely can't add value in locating oil, or aiding production. There are a few good engineers in this group, do not get me wrong. However, I think that this group should be hit really hard in order to save other people and engineers in the company. What do you all think? 50 cuts to this group of (engineering) clowns will save 50 people from the rest of the company.
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Definitely true of some. But there are definitely some talented mid-career technical experts in this group that could do, and have done, a lot better work that BU Res Engs that have gotten lucky or guesstimate everything. They will have layoffs like everyone else, but there is need and a place for people that know their stuff.
I fully agree. This was one of the worst, most political, and most frustrating COP groups that I worked with.
If this group didn't have such a 'holier than thou' attitude, the BUs might have actually wanted to work with them. We used them for a pilot project once. They wouldn't let us see any of the data until 2 years later. We already finished drilling the original project by then and didn't use any of their data. It was too late and a dollar short. Most of these people are book smart but could never find there way out of a one-way alley.
Top end consultants are always available if you pay a retainer and thats cheaper than wahet we have now
We should not really go here but since you asked:
Some companies that can be used for evaluating and validating reserves are Sproule, RPS energy, MaDaniel and Associates, Degolyer and MacNaugton. This is from residual knowledge without doing any research. I am sure there would be much more companies and private consultants than this that we can conveniently outsource our RET projects to both enhance production and validate reserves.
What are the good consulting firms to use? Certainly not SLB or Halliburton. Would we outsource for long term projects or quick hits? Also the really top end consultants are not always available. It will interesting if they shut down RET.
Agree. Time to cut with $44 bbl oil. The last RE you could probably talk to there is now retired. Time to let go the overrated, overpaid fellow RE "expert" on powerpoint, cartoons and toy spreadsheets... Take the pizza-lover princess with him.
I definitely agree. In terms of technology development that improves recoveries, the Reservoir Technology group was an epic failure. In terms of validating and evaluating reserves, outsourcing is definitely the way to go.
Hmm, nothing like the experienced hands of 20-30 year consultants that have worked and are respected across the industry - outsource.
Nothing beats experienced RE's that have worked in BU's for 20 to 30 yrs looking over the BU's work. The experienced RE's can make sure past mistakes are not repeated. Worth a lot of money. Also keeps the heavy hand of BU management somewhat under control.
@1sxr: This alternative of outsourcing is actually being considered by management. Cutting staff and outsourcing to third party. This would be the extreme case of cost cutting if losses continue
Obviously you don't work for an oil company.
Outsource to third party reserves certification
That's because the BU's don't take their advice. The BU's RE's are controlled by the BU managers and can't be un-biased.
Reservoir engineers are absolutely critical to an oil company. COP BUs have reservoir engineers who do this. The goal of the Reservoir Technology group is to improve recoveries and to improve reserve estimates. Unfortunately, they have proven over a five year period that they do neither.
They try to get the value of the company correct with regards to reserves, Important for an oil company.
Agree.... What value have they really added to the various BU's? Many people in that org are there because no place to put them Time to cut with $45 bbl oil, can always hire back in the future.