5 Challenges Oil and Gas Companies Are Facing in the Eagle Ford Shale

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Oil and Gas Companies Eagle Ford ShaleDomestic shale extraction of oil and natural gas has created a substantial economic boom for the country. Oil and gas companies working the Eagle Ford Shale area of Texas are generating wealth and jobs, but financial, human-resource and technology challenges persist. Nearly 400 drilling rigs operate in West Texas, and Eagle Ford Shale contains 3.351 billion barrels of oil and 20.81 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The area generates more than one million barrels of oil and nearly 5,000 cubic feet of gas per day. Oil production in 2013 topped 688,429 barrels. Shale extraction at Eagle Ford has generated an unparalleled economic windfall for localities, Texas and the nation. Prospects for continued increases in production are astonishing.But there are still a number of challenges that oil and gas companies are facing in that region. Here is a look at 5 main issues they are facing.

Problems that Technology and Regulation Must Solve

 

Challenge 1—Skilled Labor Shortages

Drillers, truck drivers and skilled workers are increasingly hard to find. Eagle Ford Shale gas and oil companies employed 38,000 workers in 2011, and demand is steadily growing. The 14 surrounding counties have sparse populations, and transient workers create hosts of service problems for localities.

Challenge 2—Failure to Invest in New Technologies

New technologies drive efforts to revisit old fields and extract oil and gas. Failing to invest in technology, pipelines and other energy-delivery systems could cause production companies to miss potential revenue generating operations. Stakeholders in raising funds for research include drillers, landowners, major energy users, utility companies and regulators at all levels of government. Technology challenges include finding better methods of detecting methane leaks, optimizing production, cutting costs and minimizing environmental damage.

Challenge 3—Ensuring Safety and Security

For oil and gas companies, safety and security issues are interrelated to all the other challenges of shale extraction. Drillers, landowners and residents face the following risks:

Proximity to Mexico

Mexican drug cartels smuggle drugs, people and contraband across the border.

Inexperienced Workers

Scarce labor causes companies to hire inexperienced people to work in hazardous environments where mistakes could cause major risks.

Poor Records

Poor record-keeping results in mistakes, inefficient field data collection and faulty security reviews.

Oil and gas companies concerned with security also need to make sure that they partner with contractors who put strong emphasis on safety. If safety isn’t a top priority for everyone involved with a project then it can easily result in a hazardous work environment.

Challenge 4—Protecting the Environment

Water use and conservation are big issues in Texas, and overlapping and contradictory regulatory requirements create challenges at the federal, state and local level. Texas has the unique distinction of supporting environmentalism and big energy. Environmental challenges that oil and gas companies face in Eagle Ford Shale include:

Water Shortages

Texas suffers from ongoing water shortages, and fracking shale requires vast amounts of water.

Air emissions

Perhaps the most well known oil and gas environmental regulation. Dealing with problems of air emissions include those generated by drilling and air emissions by large fleets of tanker trucks. Diesel rigs produce fumes and drilling releases volatile organic compounds, methane and greenhouse gases.

Challenge 5—Transportation

While it’s possible to transport oil and gas by rail or by truck, these methods tend to be costlier. The most efficient and inexpensive method is by pipeline, although this comes with its own set of challenges:

Property Rights and Landowners

As local landowners become more educated about their rights there has been a rise in cases regarding right-of-ways, shut-in-wells, lease terms, and other legal issues. This makes running pipelines through their property more challenging and requires a greater degree of field data collection and planning beforehand in order to ensure that a clear legal picture is made during the initial surveying work.

Line Capacity

In some areas of the Eagle Ford Shale, the current amount of pipelines is at capacity and in some cases wells have been shut in. As a result, there has been a drive to build new lines and expand existing ones in order to increase capacity.

The Bottom Line

Oil and gas companies provide 62 percent of energy consumption in the United States. The energy industry must deal with technology changes as well as environmental and regulatory challenges and conflicting agendas from stakeholders. Advanced field data collection and 3-D modeling has helped to reduce costs as well as keep projects organized and running on time. What are the challenges that concern you the most? What are the best ways of tackling these issues? Please post your thoughts in the comments below.

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How Modern Surveying Means Less Time Spent On Site

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Oil and Gas ProjectsTechnological advances in land surveying equipment and methods are transforming the industry by streamlining the surveying process and reducing the number of resources needed to complete projects, especially on the ground. Traditionally, field data collection has been a very hands-on process, whereby surveyors expend considerable time and resources on-site to manually map out areas and provide a basic blueprint for clients.

Now, armed with sophisticated technologies, like 3D scanning and modeling, modern GPS surveying tools, GIS mapping, and high-tech data collectors, some land surveyors are transforming the industry. The results – the field data collection process is significantly shortened and clients receive more detailed and accurate results, all the while with fewer resources, especially on site. Ultimately, these outcomes improve clients’ bottom line, expedite the survey life cycle and minimize the risk of costly errors and need for rework.

Which technologies should companies be looking for when it comes to field data collection?

GNSS Surveying. The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is the foundation for modern surveying. GNSS pulls data not only from the American global positioning service (GPS) but from other entities as well, creating even more accurate results. Historically, surveyors physically canvassed areas to plot coordinates and demarcate boundaries; everything was done manually and on-site. Using GNSS surveying equipment, surveyors can access geographic data points gathered by a network of satellites that rotate around the earth and collect positioning data on an ongoing basis. This switch has dramatically increased surveyors’ productivity and made their surveys much more accurate

High-Tech Data Collectors. In the past, collecting data was one of the most time consuming parts of the surveying process. While manually canvassing an area, surveyors would physically enter their data and sketches, often using a pencil and paper. High-tech field data collectors enable automatic entry of thousands of points of data into an online system. This process has revolutionized the surveying field by significantly reducing the number of people and the time it takes to complete a survey. In addition, automating the field data collection process minimizes errors caused by human entry.

GIS Mapping. Geographic information systems (GIS) are systems that store mapping information and attributes in digital form so that it can be easily accessed and analyzed. For surveyors, using GIS mapping is a powerful tool, because it helps provide a simple, visual context for what would otherwise be complex, spatial datasets. Further, GIS mapping allows data to be easily manipulated using a multitude of variables that can be layered over one another. GIS mapping information is stored in the cloud, so data can be accessed in real-time from the convenience of any device connected to the internet. This feature helps improve communications between surveyors and their clients and gives clients the ability to effectively manage projects on a daily basis from remote locations.

3D Scanning and Modeling.  3D scanning and modeling or “high definition scanning,” as it is sometimes called, is a process that uses advanced lasers to map an area in extremely high detail. Essentially, 3D scanning technologies capture image data points at an incredibly rapid pace to create a precise, almost life-like visual of the project area. Most importantly, 3D scanning technologies precisely map out coordinates to millimeter accuracy, thereby significantly improving the reliability of the survey itself. In turn, clients can make more informed decisions about their projects.

Selecting a surveyor with experience using these technologies can significantly improve a project’s bottom line, especially for Oil & Gas, Clean Energy and other companies, for whom surveying is an integral part of their business. To see how cutting-edge surveying technologies and techniques can help you save time and cut costs, get a no obligation quote today.

Is It Time To Consider Another Professional Land Surveying Company?

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Oil and Gas ProjectsLoyalty between business partners is an admirable trait. Businesses depend on customer loyalty and the benefit to stable trading partners extends in both directions and usually result in a mutually beneficial relationship. One business provides a service that is important to the other while maintaining a high level of customer service. However, when times change and new technologies and practices emerge, if a professional land surveying company isn’t keeping up with it then it’s their clients who suffer.

When Technology and Services Change Significantly, It’s Time to Reevaluate the Status Quo

The standard technology for geodetic surveying was established in 1787 with the introduction of the Ramsden theodolite, and many land surveying companies – especially older land surveying companies – still use modified versions of the theodolite today as their primary means for data collection. A professional land surveying company that is still using this as their default method of surveying is generally not providing the best results for their clients.

When the satellite-based Global Positioning System became fully operational in 1995, surveying changed significantly. Unlike ground-based data collection with theodolites, GPS data collection does not require line of sight visibility between measuring points. Professional land surveying no longer requires trekking to difficult locations to set up tripods. GPS measurements yield 3-D coordinates with high geodetic accuracy, and data can be collected around the clock without regard to weather. GPS surveys aren’t necessarily better than those made with conventional equipment, but they can often be completed more quickly. Graphic Information Systems took GPS land surveying data to another level by changing the way data is stored, retrieved and shared. Spatial coordinates and map features are stored as spatial data and can be organized into various map layers with common features. A survey is no longer just a paper map with line drawings of roads, easements and power lines. It becomes a collection of data layers that can be peeled back or added as desired.

Additional information, called attributes, can be linked to the spatial data to give maps tremendous new abilities. Population demographics, political districts, school districts, fire districts and census data are all examples of attributes that are easily linked to spatial data. Maps can now be customized in amazing new ways.

Many professional land surveying companies began using new GPS/GIS technology as soon as it had been proven accurate and reliable. Others felt that transit theodolites were sufficient for the work they were asked to perform and saw no reason to change.

What Are Your Needs?

Both technologies work extremely well. Each has benefits in certain applications. For example, GPS surveys require an unobstructed view of the sky to receive satellite signals. They cannot be used underground, and mine surveys rely on theodolites. Mapping mountain ranges requires strenuous and dangerous climbing, and GPS mapping is both safer and convenient. The majority of applications, however, can be performed equally well by both technologies.

The deciding factor is often how the data is to be handled. Energy companies are a good example of a business sector that often has a long-standing relationships with a professional surveying company. They continue to do business with the associated surveying company even though they know newer technology is available.

So is the company losing opportunities because of these long-standing relationships? The answers depend on the level of service being provided and the company’s goals for using the data.

Long term business relationships can lead to complacency. Long turnaround times become viewed as just a normal facet of the business when, in fact, GPS surveying can usually be completed much more quickly than standard theodolite surveying. Is time valuable to the project? In most cases, it is.

Surveyors may have been providing standard paper surveys for decades, and these may have been sufficient for the needs of the company in the past. They may still be. But today businesses have to ask questions like “could the company benefit by knowing the demographics of the areas in which gas drilling or wind turbine construction is predicted to grow?” Companies should ask whether there are additional data needs or not.

Is The Status Quo Good Enough For Your Company?

There’s a lot to be said for company loyalty. There’s also a lot to be said in favor of growing and adapting to new business opportunities. Don’t be afraid to consider a new professional land surveying partner, especially if old relationships have grown stale.

If you are looking for a change then Landpoint can help. Get a quote today and see how we can save your company both time and money.

Improve Your Construction Project with High Definition Surveying

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high definition scanningWhen it comes to commercial and industrial remodeling projects or the expansion of existing infrastructure, it is important to know everything you can about the proposed project – from the ground it sits on to how the new construction will blend with the old. A licensed land surveyor can help you to find out about those issues with high definition surveying and 3D modeling services. The information gained from surveying techniques like these can help to increase a business owner’s confidence in the project, as well as, keep the project on time and on budget.

Why Use 3D Laser Scanning for Construction

High definition scanning gives architects and engineers information that they can use to design projects. This information can help the architects and engineers prepare for emergencies and plan for the future, such as what could happen to a building during a catastrophic flood or earthquake.

The information from the high definition surveying process can then be used to create a 3D model that shows how the project will eventually come together – how it will look and how structurally sound it will be. Additionally, the models can be used in a BIM workspace for extensive projects.

Choosing a land surveying company that provides high definition surveying and 3D modeling can help to speed up a construction project by providing accurate measurements and information about potential hazards that designers can then mitigate. This not only keeps the project on schedule, but also plays a part in keeping the project on budget. Documents created through these scanning services can be transformed into survey documents that help construction crews and engineers to better understand the overall project.

Our experienced team can help you choose the services that will get your project started and keep it moving smoothly. Contact us today to learn more about 3D laser scanning for construction projects, as well as the other services we offer.

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Three Land Surveying Services That Can Speed up Pipeline Construction Projects

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land-surveying-pipelineWhen it comes to the oil and gas industry, it is important that pipeline infrastructure projects are well organized to keep the various subcontracting and supervising entities up to speed. There can be significant consequences if a single pipe is placed in an incorrect location because of a lapse in communication or outdated plats. If an existing pipe were to be punctured because of ill positioning, there could be severe regulatory penalties as well as immediate health and safety hazards. A knowledgeable land surveying company has many tools at their disposal to ensure that intended work areas and techniques are compatible. The primary differentiating tool that Landpoint offers is the project management site to keep all of the subcontracting and supervising entities up to date with shared plats and GIS mapping solutions that are updated in real-time as the licensed surveyors release new information. Landpoint can combine all of the traditional services, such as construction staking and layout or as-builts, and with this proprietary tool to give your company the value added services required for modern pipeline projects.

Construction Staking and Layout

Our qualified land surveyors have a unique understanding of how the pipeline construction industry operates. Once the land group has completed the project design land surveying team can then map out the dedicated easement of the project area and the location of the pipelines’ proposed centerline. The data is then immediately available for review and re-routes.

As-Built Surveying

One of the most important services that all pipeline projects should consider is live construction as-builts.  These surveys can be completed throughout the pipeline construction phase and can be platted as a profile or overview map to show where recently-completed projects lie on a construction site. This process makes sure the construction companies are properly building the pipeline as it has been approved.

GIS Mapping

Land surveying companies should provide GIS mapping to create a database of wells, trunk lines, laterals, and other assets in order to facilitate the organization of the project. Construction workers can use this information to better understand how the site elements of a major construction project fit together. During the planning stages, GIS helps speed up project timelines by showing regulatory agencies or construction crews exactly what designers want; GIS maps are much more intuitive than a flat paper plan, especially with complex design elements. Additionally, the GIS system can link pipelines and other assets to official documentation for ease of access on any device.

Landpoint’s experienced team can help you choose the services that will get your pipeline project started and keep it moving smoothly. Contact us today to learn more about construction as-builts, staking, and the services we offer.

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What Are The Common Types of Environmental Reviews?

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types-of-environmental-reviewLandpoint’s environmental consulting team provides a number of different services that help clientsplan and implement projects from start to finish. Our highly trained and experienced team works hand-in-hand with clients to conduct the following types of environmental reviews:

Wetland Determination, Delineation, and Permitting

Wetlands provide significant economic, social, and cultural benefits; they are also federally protected. Landpoint’s environmental and wetland staff has extensive training and experience to ensure that your project is not in violation of these precious resources. It is vital that any development project is assessed for any potential jurisdictional wetland impacts. Our staff is trained to recognize wetland criteria and advise our clients on the proper actions to avoid extensive delays, fines, and penalties that can occur when these guidelines are violated.

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC Plan)

SPCC plans are required on all energy production locations, and are vital to the integrity of the environment. These documents include detailed information and procedures in the case of an accidental spill or leak. Landpoint has all resources that are required to complete these plans and implement them for our clients.

Commercial SWD & Class II SWD Well Permitting

The permitting and construction of a commercial saltwater disposal site is a tremendous and extremely timely procedure. Our staff has extensive experience in all aspects of this immense process. Landpoint has all resources to carry out the permit process including site selection, geology, environmental review, mapping, construction, and development of the facility. We ensure that these projects meet all state and federal requirements and are environmentally secure.

These are just some of the many environmental reviews and services offered by Landpoint. Contactour experienced team today to learn more about how environmental reviews can help your project from the planning stage to implementation!

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The Dangers of a Poor Property Line Survey

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land surveyingWe all know the importance of having accurately mapped-out property lines, but do you know how this is actually accomplished and what some of the consequences are if it is not done correctly?

Determining an accurate boundary line is accomplished by considering many factors. First, a land surveyor will review the deed work and the legal description of the property and surrounding properties. This entails that all common boundaries are addressed. Then a field search is performed for existing monumentation. The land surveyor will use specialized GPS systems to measure exact angles and distances of these located monuments. This data is then compared with previous survey data by a professional land surveyor. After the boundary is resolved, the surveyor will set any new monuments that were destroyed or lost and mark all finalized monuments with stakes, flagging, or spray paint. Finally, any deliverables such as a survey plat will be provided to the client or corresponding companies.

When is a property line survey needed?

Professional land surveys may be needed to establish boundary lines when an individual or a business purchases a new property or refinances an existing one. Financial institutions need to know the precise acreage of land, and insurance companies must be aware of the proximity of hazards, like streams or creeks, to the property.

Boundary lines may also need to be established if an individual or business wishes to make changes on their land, such as erecting a fence or building service roads. It is important that whatever is built does not go onto a neighboring property because the property owner may face criminal trespassing charges or be told to destroy it, therefore losing their investment. A professional boundary survey can prevent this issue from becoming a problem.

Why do I need a property line survey? Why can’t I just use an approximation?

An approximation of a location stems from “hunches,” but a professional land survey is based on precise calculations that considers all legal requirements. Approximations may not be used in a court of law during disputes; only the professional opinion of a certified land surveyor may be admitted as evidence. Establishing the true property line protects your property value and rights and helps you plan better projects.

Choosing to invest in a property line survey is a great decision, but the company you choose is just as important. Contact a professional, reputable, skilled surveying firm, like Landpoint, to get the most accurate results and avoid any pitfalls when mapping out your property lines. If you would like to receive a free quote on your project, click here and provide the necessary information.

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The Benefits of a 3D Laser Scanning Survey

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laser-scanningLaser scanning has undeniably revolutionized the field of land surveying. The latest laser scanning technologies enable us to help our clients plan and execute the most efficient projects, and they allow customers to analyze every component of any facility or site. These capabilities help us make better decisions during every step of the project – from the planning stages through completion.

The versatile technology can be applied to a variety of land surveying needs, including change detection, accident reconstruction, 3D drawing creation, pre-project scanning and more.

A 3D Laser Scanning Survey Produces Faster Results, Cuts Field Time

In the past, field surveys could take days or even weeks to complete. Using laser scanning technology, it’s possible for us to complete the same field surveys in just one single day. Laser scanning also enables us to complete fly-throughs, 3D models, detailed animations and maintenance materials in less time than ever before.

A 3D Laser Scanning Survey Reduces Overall Project Costs

The increased speed and accuracy of laser scanning means that our survey team has to complete fewer field visits to collect data. This reduces the overall cost of a project for you.

A 3D Laser Scanning Survey is Highly Accurate

Laser scanning technology produces the most accurate data available. This solid knowledge base helps us help you plan better projects.

A Laser Scanner Survey Is A Versatile Tool

We use laser scanning technologies in many aspects of land surveying. We rely on laser scanning for budgetary and timeline preparation, application implementation, historical preservation, reaching once-impossible areas, change detection, hazard surveying and accident reconstruction. We also use laser scanning to produce detailed topological maps, volumetric calculations, 2D drawings, 3D models and more.

Overall, laser scanning helps us better understand building conditions, and this enables us to make better decisions regarding your projects. To learn more about laser scanner surveying and how it has changed the field of land surveying, contact our team today.

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Land Surveying Techniques: How Construction Staking Helps Projects Run Smoothly

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and survey service, land survey, land surveyingLand survey services provide vital support to construction projects, most importantly through construction staking. This crucial step can influence whether a project is completed on budget, on time and free from errors, and it is in the best interests of a developer or construction company to invest in land survey services to perform the staking. An experienced, knowledgeable land surveyor can use the data collected to assist with project planning to ensure an optimal outcome.

A Land Surveying Technique That Streamline the Construction Process

Land survey companies provide construction staking for many different projects, such as utilities, subdivisions, multi-story building sites, streets and more. A team of construction stakers lays out survey points that act as a guide for creating site improvements, and the process ensures that the project is being constructed according to the builder’s, engineer’s and architect’s plans. Good construction staking is essential to good buildings.

To complete construction staking, land surveyors complete topographic and boundary surveys and perform field staking for utilities, streets, gutters, curbs, parking lots and more. They then address the proposed buildings by staking the structures’ walls, foundations and column lines. This is an essential step in the construction process because building foundations that are not properly staked can be detrimental to the entire project and costly to fix. To avoid future problems, an experienced land survey service is the best tool a builder can have.

It is important to choose a professional land survey service for construction project support. If the staking process is not correctly completed, the consequences can be dire for the remainder of the project. The importance of a properly completed staking is even more magnified in commercial construction projects due to the larger budgets and structures.

Ensuring that a qualified professional from a reputable land survey service is conducting your staking survey is the most worthwhile investment you can make. Learn more about construction staking and other land surveying techniques by contacting Landpoint today.

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