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As client representative.
Winning team at PESA/ASEG golf tournament with Paul Gilleran, Bill Ashby and
Terry Walker. Love the grin of the triumphant golfer!!!
What are the current technology trends you see
emerging over the short term?
The main technology trends are about
enhancing the seismic image and developing
direct hydrocabon indicators.
The seismic image has been continuously
improved over the years. This has come from
improved acquisition techniques such as:
the increased number of streamers for 3D
data; Q technology; broadband techniques
(Geostreamer, Broadseis, Uniq); and enhanced
processing techniques.
I believe the current broadband technology
will be the focus over the short term. The
technology has demonstrated a step change
in enhancement of the seismic image, by
eliminating streamer ghosting and delivering a
much clearer image.
What is the most significant technological
advancement you have experienced in your
career?
Having a marine seismic background and
been at sea for 15 years, I believe the “multiple
streamer” vessel is the most significant
development: in every respect, from the vessel
design to the streamer control. The resulting
volume of data has enabled the industr y to
produce the final seismic image that is r equired
to explore in all regions of the world.
Without these vessels and their related towing
capacity and control systems, we would not
be as far ahead in exploration as w e are today.
There was a time when “Peak Oil” was a news
item most weeks. Now with our improved
exploration techniques we are discovering oil
and gas at a rate to keep the “Peak Oil” debate
off the front page.
What technology will provide the next step
change—in your opinion?
I think the “Node” technology will be the next
step change.
This has a number of advantages over the
current acquisition techniques. These include
its broadband capability and quiet operating
environment – the sea floor. It doesn’t have
any ghosting, it is HSE friendly through the
reduction of streamer handling, and it is
multi azimuth. However, it needs a significant
reduction in cost before this “technology step
change” can happen.
How have the range of services provided by the
resources consultancy sector changed and what
has driven those changes?
Historically, the main industry requirement was
a technical consultancy with HSE operation
services. While these are still important and
required, more emphasis has been placed
on the Health, Safety and Environmental
aspects of the consultancy services, including
auditing, hazard workshops and Safety Case
requirements.
There is a requirement for HSE training and
qualifications for all consultants and trained
and experienced environmental consultants,
including cetacean monitoring.
There’s been an increasing call for consultant
to manage projects: consultants with local
experience that understand the local regulatory
requirements. There is also an increasing call for
G&G consults to provide “Competent Persons
Reports”.
What has driven these changes? Operators are
looking to reduce risk.
How has RPS managed the change in the r ange
of services required?
RPS has managed the change very well in my
opinion. I doubt we could have imagined the
extent our depth of services would grow to.
Today, services in the industry have to be
offered within a robust HSE management
system which RPS has developed. We set out to
ensure all the risk associated with our activities
under our control are understood and are as
low as practicable.
We have ensured we have“in house experts” for
remote operations such as seismic sur veys, site
surveys, MMO services etc. We identify potential
risks and give professional advice on upcoming
projects. We have established a strong team of
HSE and Risk Management consultants in Perth,
Brisbane and Kuala Lumpur. The same applies
to managing the technical risk of the ‘asset’,
with a strong team of geologists, geophysists
and petroleum engineers in Perth, Singapore
and Brisbane.
RPS has also built an environmental group
in Perth and the Eastern States which can
address, EIAs, cultural heritage, native title; and
a ‘Water’ team provides water management
advice and services across mining, CSG and
unconventionals.
How do you think Australia compares on the
global stage in exploration and production?
In general I think we compare well.
I think the terms and condition of our exploration
and production permits, coupled with the stability
of our government system makes Australia very
competitive globally. We do not have a strong
local market, which may deter some investors.
December 2012 / January 2013 | PESA News Resources | 51