The Letton-Hall Group says that the nonprofit Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA) has awarded them a deepwater measurement research project designed to improve sustainable energy reserves for the nation.

"This project is significant because if successful, it will clear the way to more affordable, more realistic deepwater production," said Jim Chitwood with RPSEA. "The current situation in deepwater exploration is that often companies drill several deepwater wells and commingle production. Measuring the flow from each well and allocating the oil and gas production is a big issue at those depths."

At risk are significant revenues from oil and natural gas production, as well as possible impacts on royalty payments. Both the Department of Interior and Department of Energy have called for advances in technology to address issues in measuring and monitoring deepwater production. Says Chitwood, "This project should assist in addressing those technology gaps for everyone."

In addition to government funding, the project is partially funded by a coalition of oil and gas concerns, including BHP Billiton, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell, StatoilHydro, & Total. Each firm contributed an equal amount to the effort.

Jim Hall, PhD and co-founder of the Letton-Hall Group, says, "This is one of the first and one of the largest deepwater contracts that RPSEA has ever awarded, we're proud to have been selected to lead the Deepwater Measurement Project."

"The Letton-Hall Group has proven expertise in ultra deepwater measurement," said C. Michael Ming, President of RPSEA. "Their integrated approach to this complex challenge is exactly what the program is looking for to address the unique technology and architecture challenges associated with ultra-deepwater operations, and we are glad to have them onboard."

Tags: Letton-Hall Group