Technology

Technology: Transforming an Industry
Technology has dramatically transformed how oil and natural gas are found and produced. Advances in computing power, miniaturization, and robotics in the past 10-15 years have given the industry the tolls for recovering our nation’s valuable oil and natural gas resources while enhancing efficiency, safety, and environmental protection.  “The oil industry still produces oil, but it has been infused by so many new technologies that it should be thought of as one of the new man-made, brainpower industries like biotechnology.”
--Lester Thurow

Advanced Technologies Produce Numerous Environmental Benefits
Technology has dramatically transformed how oil and natural gas are found and produced while protecting the environment. Advanced Technologies Produce Numerous Environmental Benefits Technology has dramatically transformed how oil and natural gas are found and produced while protecting the environment. Fundamental changes extend from how we decide where to drill for oil and natural gas, to what happens with our operations at the end of their useful life, and every step of the way in between. Oil and natural gas development and environmental protection go hand-in-hand, facilitated by technological innovation. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a report in 1999, Fossil Energy Report documented the large number of technological innovations in the E&P industry.

To Operate in Deeper Water, Industry Has Innovated New Platform Designs
In addition to the developing technologies for exploration and production of oil and natural gas, new concepts in deepwater systems and facilities have emerged to make ultra-deepwater projects a reality. With wells being drilled in water depths of 10,000 feet, the traditional fixed offshore platform is being replaced by state-of-the-art deepwater production facilities. Compliant Towers, Tension Leg Platforms, Spars, Subsea Systems, Floating Production Systems, and Floating Production, Storage & Offloading Systems are now being used in water depths exceeding 1,500 feet. All of these systems are proven technology, and in use in offshore production worldwide.

New Technology Minimizes Impact of Arctic Operations
Since the Prudhoe Bay field on the North Slope of Alaska was developed in the mid-1970s, technological innovations have dramatically changed the scope of operations. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if Prudhoe Bay was developed with today’s technology, its footprint would be 64 percent smaller, the drilling impact area would be 74 percent smaller, roads would cover 58 percent less surface area, and operating facilities would take 50 percent less space.

Technology Expands Access to Resources Offshore
Technology has dramatically transformed how oil and natural gas are found and produced. Advances in computing power, miniaturization and robotics in the past 10-15 years have given the industry the tools for recovering our nation’s valuable oil and natural gas resources while enhancing efficiency, safety, and environmental protection. Offshore, these advances are expanding industry's ability to find and produce oil and natural gas in smaller fields and deeper water.


Information Technology Program
API has an Information Technology Program which is sponsored by the General Committee on Information Management and Technology. This committee oversees API’s interests in information technology; electronic business and telecommunications systems and management; cyber security; data privacy; and industry-level projects for evolving information systems.  For more information about how technology is transforming the oil and gas industry, click here.