Energy Technologies – Our Insights

It is often said that Oil Majors should become Energy Majors by transitioning to renewables. But what is the best balance based on portfolio theory? We constructed a mean-variance optimisation model and find a c5-13% weighting to renewables best increases risk-adjusted returns. Beyond 35%, returns decline rapidly.
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Refining has the highest carbon footprint in global energy. Next-generation catalysts are the best opportunity for improvement: uniquely, they could cut refineries' CO2 by 15-30%, while also uplifting margins, which get obliterated by other decarbonisation approaches. Catalyst science is undergoing a digitally driven transformation. Hence this 25-page note outlines a new ESG opportunity around refining catalyst technologies. Industry leaders are also identified.
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Prioritising low carbon barrels will matter increasingly to investors, as they can reduce total oil industry CO2 by 25%. Hence, these barrels should attract lower WACCs, whereas fears over the energy transition are elevating hurdle rates elsewhere and denting valuations. In Guyana’s case, the upshot could add $8-15bn of NAV, with a total CO2 intensity that could be c50% below the industry average.
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What is the best way for investors to decarbonise the global energy system? Our new, 18-page report argues this outcome is achievable by 2050, but a new ‘venturing’ model is needed, to incubate better technologies. CO2 budgets can also be stretched furthest by re-allocating to gas, lower-carbon oil and lower-carbon industry. The biggest risk is "divestment", a grave mistake that makes decarbonisation near-impossible.
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Autonomous, electric delivery vehicles are emerging. They are game-changers: rapidly delivering online purchases to customers, creating vast new economic possibilities, but also driving the energy transition. They could eliminate 500MTpa of CO2, 3.5Mboed of fossil fuels and c$3trn pa of consumer spending across the OECD. The mechanism is a re-shaping of urban consumption habits, retail and manufacturing.
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Our new, 20-page note reviews seven technology themes that can eliminate 45Mbpd of long-term oil demand by 2050. We therefore find oil demand would plateau at 103Mbpd in the early-2020s, before declining gradually. Opportunities greatly outnumber risks for leading companies amidst this transition.
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Technology leadership is crucial in energy. It drives costs, returns and future resiliency. Hence, we have reviewed 3,000 recent patent filings, across the 25 largest energy companies. Our 34-page report outlines the "Top 10 Technology Leaders" in energy, ranging across each sub-sector.
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2019 has evoked resource fears in the shale industry. They are unfounded. Weak headline productivity is the benign result of changing completion designs. We review 350 technical papers from the shale industry in summer-2019 to rule out systemic issues. Underlying productivity continues improving at an exciting pace.
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The super-giant Mero field in pre-salt Brazil is not like its predecessors. It has a 2x higher gas cut, of which c45% is CO2. Handling the CO2 is critical. Hence, Petrobras, Shell, TOTAL and partners are pushing the boundaries of deepwater technology. We review four innovations, which can sway the field's value by $6bn.
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Equinor is deploying three world-class technologies to mitigate Johan Sverdrup’s decline rates, based on reviewing c115 of the company’s patents and dozens of technical papers. Our 15-page note outlines how its efforts may unlock an incremental $3-5bn of value, as production surprises to the upside.
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E-scooters can transform urban mobility, eliminating 2Mbpd of oil demand by 2030, competing amidst the ascent of “electric vehicles” and re-shaping urban economies. These implications follow from e-scooters having 25-50x higher energy efficiencies, higher convenience and c50% lower costs than gasoline vehicles, over short 1-2 mile journeys. Our 12-page note explores the consequences.
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Decarbonisation is often taken to mean the end of fossil fuels. It is more feasible simply to de-carbonise them, with next-generation combustion technologies. This 19-page note explores our top two opportunities: ‘Oxy-Combustion’ using the Allam Cycle and Chemical Looping Combustion. This means zero carbon coal & gas at competitive economics. Leading Oil Majors are supporting both.
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Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) uses fiber-optic cables to "hear" along a shale well, meter-by-meter, in real time. It is transformational for optimising completions and now gaining critical momentum. Our new note outlines the technology, its maturation and how it can help double shale productivity. Economics work at $15/bbl. The service industry is disrupted. Leading companies in the space are screened.
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Aerial vehicles will do in the 2020s what electric vehicles did in the 2010s: going from a niche technology to a global mega-trend that no forecaster can ignore, improving mobility by 100x. The technology is advancing rapidly. Fuel economies and costs are transformational. Aerial vehicles accelerate the energy transition.
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There is only one way to decarbonise the energy system: leading companies must find economic opportunities in better technologies. No other route can source sufficient capital to re-shape the industry. We outline seven game-changing opportunities. Remarkably, leading energy Majors are already pursuing them.
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Will Shale-EOR add another leg of unconventional upside? The topic jumped into the ‘Top 10’ most researched shale themes last year, hence we have reviewed the opportunity in depth. Stranded in-basin gas will improve the economics to c20% IRRs (at $50 oil). Production per well can rise by 1.5-2x. The theme could add 2.5Mbpd to YE25 output.
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Next-generation technology in small-scale LNG has potential to reshape the global shipping-fuels industry. Especially after IMO 2020 sulphur regulations, LNG should compete with diesel. Opportunities in trucking and shale are less clear-cut.
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We model our 'top twenty' technology opportunities for offshore oil. These can double deep-water NPVs and improve IRRs 4-5%. To re-excite investment, it is crucial to harness the best technologies.
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Due to the limitations of mechanical recycling, 85% of the world’s plastic is incinerated, dumped into landfill, or worst of all, ends up in the oceans. An alternative, plastic pyrolysis, is on the cusp of commercialisation. We have assessed twenty technology solutions. Excitingly, this nascent opportunity can turn plastic back into oil, generate >30% IRRs on investment, and could displace 15Mbpd of future oil demand.
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Shale is a 'tech' industry. The technology keeps improving at an incredible pace. But Permian technology is improving fastest, extending its lead over other basins. There are our conclusions from assessing 300 technical papers across the shale industry in 2018.
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Energy transition is underway. Or more specifically, five energy transitions are underway at the same time. They include the rise of renewables, shale oil, digital technologies, environmental improvements and new forms of energy demand. This is our rationale for establishing a new research consultancy, Thunder Said Energy, at the nexus of energy-technology and energy-economics.
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Fears over the energy transition are now restricting investment in fossil fuels, based on our new paper, published in conjunction with the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
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In 2018, we reviewed 250-years of energy transitions, arguing that another great energy transition is now on hand. It will take a century. We must also improve conventional energy.
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We aim to bound the uncertainties in 2020 oil marktes using a Monte Carlo approach. Our inputs are c45 supply-demand lines, modeled monthly to 2025, including their volatility. The inter-quartile range points to 0-1.1Mbpd over-supply in 2020. An oil rout in 2020 would help to rebalance the market. Otherwise over-supply steepens in 2023-25.
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Our model calculates long-run oil demand to 2050, end-use by end-use, year-by-year, region-by-region across the US, the OECD and the non-OECD; as a function of 25 input variables, which you can flex, such as GDP growth, electric vehicle adoption and oil-to-gas switching. Our own scenario sees a plateau at c103Mbpd in the 2020s. 
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This is a simple model of long-term LNG demand, extrapolating out sensible estimates for the world's leading LNG-consumers. On top of this, we overlay the upside from two nascent technology areas, which could add 200MTpa of potential upside to the market. Backup workings are included.
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The long-term LNG supply outlook depends on project-sanctioning. Hence, our model aims to bound the uncertainty, estimating "risked" production volumes from each of 115 LNG facilities. The 2030 supply outlook can be swayed by 250MTpa, contrasting all reasonable projects against the "firm" supply currently locked in. Download the model to stress-test the demand growth needed to balance the market.
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This model contains our live, basin-by-basin shale forecasts, covering the Permian, Bakken and Eagle Ford, as a function of the rig count and well productivity. Thus, we derive production and financial expectations. Doubling well-productivity by 2025 would unleash 21Mbpd of US liquids production, within cash flow, at a constant $50/bbl Brent input. 
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This data-file tracks 50 oil and gas pipelines in the Permian basin -- their route, their capacity and their construction progress -- in order to assess the severity of pipeline bottlenecks. Oil bottlenecks are moderate, but will ease into 2020. Gas bottlenecks are more severe and remain so.
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This model breaks down 2050 and 2100's global energy market, based on a dozen input assumptions. You can 'flex' these, to see how it will affect future oil, coal and gas demand, as well as global carbon emissions. We are positive on renewables. But fossil fuels retain a crucial role. Natural gas demand could 'treble'.
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Could the rise of reforestation initiatives erode the value of renewable diesel? This data-file calculates purchasing CO2-credits to decarbonise diesel could cost 60-90% less than purchasing renewable diesel, at current pricing. Economically justified premia for biofuels are calculated.
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We model the economics of powering an oil platform from shore, using cheap renewable power instead of traditional gas turbines. This can lower upstream CO2 emissions by by around 70%, saving 5-15kg/bbl, for a cost of $50-100/ton. NPVs can be positive with low WACCs and high gas prices, but the primary aim is low-cost decarbonisation.
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This data-model calculates risk-adjusted returns for different portfolio weightings in the energy sector, as companies diversify across upstream, downstream, chemicals, corporate; and increasingly, renewables and CCS. A set of optimal portfolio allocations are calculated, which maximise Sharpe ratios. You can also stress-test your own inputs.
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Refineries emit 1bn tons pa of CO2, or around 30kg per bbl of throughputs. Hence this model tests the relative costs of retro-fitting carbon capture and storage (CCS), to test the economic impacts. c10-20% of emissions will be lowest-cost to capture. The middle c50% will cost c3x more. But the final 25% could cost up to 5x more. These numbers are compared against typical refining margins.
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We have modeled out simple economics for Northern Lights, the most elaborate CCS scheme proposed by the energy industry (Equinor, Shell, TOTAL). The project involves capturing 1.3-1.5MTpa of industrial CO2, shipping it, piping it 110km offshore, then injecting it 3,000m below Norway's seabed. Costs are expensive. But phase 2 could benefit from scale, offering "CO2 storage" below the European carbon price.
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What if it were possible to displace diesel from high-cost, high-carbon island grids, by charging up large batteries with gas- and renewable power, then shipping the batteries? We model the economics to be cost-competitive, while CO2 emissions can be halved. Futher battery cost deflation will also help.
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We have modeled the economics for the full development of Exxon, Hess and CNOOC-Nexen's Stabroek block in Guyana, FPSO by FPSO. The data-file includes the field's ultimate value, resource volumes, production volumes, cash flows, capex and per-barrel economics. Sensitivities can also modeled as a function of oil prices, WACCs and resources. 
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We have tabulated energy economics on 15 commercial drones and run the equations of flight on Amazon's "Prime Air" solution. We conclude that drone delivery will use 90% less energy, 99% less cost and 90% lower carbon than is typical in current last-mile truck deliveries. Please download the model for all of the numbers.
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Shell filed 42 distinct new patents around GTL in 2018. This data-file reviews them, showing how the broad array of GTL products confers defensiveness and downstream portfolio benefits. Hence, we have modeled the economics of "replicating" Pearl GTL in Texas. Our base case is a 15% IRR taking in 1.6bcfd of stranded gas from the Permian. The risk of an LNG glut is also mitigated.
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We model the economics for CO2-EOR in shales, after interest in this topic spiked 2.3x YoY in the 2019 technical literature. We see 15% IRRs in our base case, creating $1.6M of incremental value per well, uplifting type curves by 1.75x. Greater upside is readily possible. Most exciting is the prospect for Permian EOR to become the "lowest CO2 oil" in the market.
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We have modeled Equinor's flagship, 816MW "Empire wind" project, an exciting development off New York, comprising 60-80 x c10MW wind turbines, each as tall as the Chrysler building. Base case IRRs are c5%, at current wholesale power prices of 5.6c/kWh. But they can be uplifted to 10% via power-marketing, cost-deflation, leverage, carbon prices and feed-in tariffs. 
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We have modeled the economics of the Mero oilfield (formerly known as Libra), using public disclosures and our own estimates. Our model spans >250 lines of inputs and outputs, so you can flex key assumptions. In particular, we have tested the impact of different gas bottleneck scenarios on the field’s NPV.
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In 2019, the virtues of switching diesel-powered frac fleets to gas-powered electric have been extolled by companies such as EOG, Shell, Baker Hughes, Halliburton, Evolution and US Well Services. The chief benefit is a material cost saving, quantified  per well in this data-model, as a function of the frac fleet size, its upgrade costs, its … Continue reading "Dreaming of Electric Frac Fleets?"
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This data-file compares diesel trains, electric trains and hydrogen trains, according to their energy consumption, carbon emissions and fuel costs. The energy economics are best for electrifying rail-lines. Hydrogen costs must deflate 25-75% to be cost-competitive.
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We have modelled the economics of Equinor's Johan Sverdrup oilfield. Our model spans >250 lines of inputs and outputs, so you can flex key assumptions. In particular, we have tested the impact of different decline rates and recovery factors on the field's ultimate value.
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This workbook contains all our modelling on the energy economics of e-scooters; a transformational technology for urban mobility. Included are our projections of per-mile costs, energy-economics, battery charging times, new electricity demand and displacement of oil demand.
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We have modelled the relative economics of different truck fuels. The incumbent, diesel, is compared with alternatives, such as hydrogen, LNG, Compressed Natural Gas and LPG, across 35 different metrics. Diesel is still the most economical trucking fuel.
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Oxy-combustion is a next-generation power technology, burning fossil fuels in an inert atmosphere of CO2 and oxygen. It is easy to sequester CO2 from its exhaust gases, helping heat and power to decarbonise. We argue that IRRs can be competitive with conventional gas-fired power plants. 
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We estimate a typical deepwater oilfield could save $15-20/bbl by "de-manning", if implemented correctly. This data-file contains our workings, across 15 cost lines, based on recent design work from Technip-FMC.
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We model the relative economics of hydrogen cars, which are c85% costlier than US gasoline in our base case. In Europe, c20% cost-deflation could bring hydrogen cars close to competitiveness.
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This model calculates costs per passenger-kilometer for transportation, based on input costs. Aerial vehicles could compete with taxis as early as 2025. By the 2030s, their costs can be c60% below car ownership.
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Small-scale LNG technologies can be economic at $10/mcf, generating 15% pre-tax IRRs, off $3/mcf input gas. This data-file tabulates the line-by-line costs of typical small-scale LNG technologies (SMRs, N2 expansion). Against this baseline, we model a more cutting-edge technology, which preserves strong economics at c25x smaller scale.
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Re-fracturing Permian and Eagle Ford shale wells holds potential at higher oil prices. Our base case assumes $0.5M NPV/well uplifts, and $45/bbl breakevens. Higher prices and process-enhancements can unlock $2-3M of NPV10/well. Oxy and Devon lead the technical literature.
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This data-file provides line-by-line cost estimates for LNG as a shipping fuel, for trucked LNG, small-scale LNG and bunkered LNG. After IMO 2020 regulations buoy diesel pricing, it should be economical to fuel newbuild ships with small-scale LNG; and in the US it should be economical to convert pre-existing ships to LNG. 
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There is upside for natural gas, as EV penetration rises: we model that gas turbines can economically power fast-chargers for 13c/kWh. Carbon emissions are lowered by c70% compared with oil. And the grid is spared from power demand surges. Download our data-file to stress-test the sensitivities.
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This data-file quantifies the impact that technology can have on offshore economics. A typical offshore oilfield is modelled across 250 lines. The project is then re-modelled capturing our "top twenty" offshore technologies, to quantify the potential improvement: a doubling of NPV6, and a c4-5% improvement in IRR.
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We estimate thermo-plastic composite riser costs line-by-line. Savings should reach 45%. The file also includes a complete history of TCP installations to-date, as this technology's adoption continues.
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We have modelled the economic uplift of extra digital instrumentation on a typical Permian well. At $50/bbl oil, c$0.4M of extra instrumentation costs, which add 10% to well-productivity, will raise overall NPV by $1M and IRR by 5pp per well.
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This data-file models the economics of Eni's Slurry Technology, for hydro-converting heavy crudes and fuel oils into light products. It is among the top technologies we have reviewed for the arrival of IMO 2020 sulfur regulation, achieving >97% conversion of heavy fractions.
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>30% IRRs should be attainable converting waste-plastic back into oil, based on disclosures from technology-leaders in the sector. This economic model allows for stress-testing of product prices, input costs, gate fees, capex, opex, utilisation and fiscal regimes.
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We estimate that a dual-fuel shale rig, running on in-basin natural gas would save $2,300/day (or c$30k/well), compared to a typical diesel rig. This is after a >20% IRR on the rig’s upgrade costs. The economics make sense. However, converting the entire Permian rig count to run on gas would only absorb c100mmcfd: not much … Continue reading "Should the shale rigs switch to gas-fuel?"
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Heliogen has set a new record for concentrated solar power in 2019, generating >1,000C temperatures from an array of c370 hexagonal mirrors, which are precisely controlled using computer vision. This is almost 2x traditional CSP plants. Hence this data-file reviews 21 of Heliogen's patents, finding impressive innovations and ultimate costs.
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Methane leakages average 0.2% when distributing natural gas to end-customers, across the US's 160 retail gas networks. Leakages are most correlated with the share of sales to smaller customers. 80 distinct gas companies are ranked in this data-file. State-owned utilities appear to have 2x higher leakage rates versus public companies.
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This model disaggregates the CO2 emissions of producing shale oil, across 14 different contributors: such as materials, drilling, fracturing, supply chain, lifting, processing, methane leaks and flaring. CO2 intensity can be flexed by changing the input assumptions. Our 'idealized shale' scenario follows in a separate tab, showing how Permian shale production could become 'carbon neutral'.
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This data-file screens the methods available to monitor for methane emissions. Notes and metrics are tabulated. Emerging methods, such as drones and trucks are also scored, based on technical trials. The best drones can now detect almost all methane leaks >90% faster than traditional methods. c25 companies at the cutting edge are screened.
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Of the largest 15 shale E&Ps, the proportion with ESG slides in their quarterly presentations has exploded by 4.5x in the trailing twelve months, from 13% in 3Q18 to 60% in 3Q19. The progress is tracked in this short data-file.
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With methane emissions fully controlled, burning gas is c60% lower-CO2 than burning coal. However, taking natural gas to cause 25x more warming than CO2 over a 120-year timeframe, the crossover (where coal emissions and gas emissions are equivalent) is 7% methane intensity. Taking natural gas to cause 120x more warming than CO2 over an immediate timeframe, the crossover is 1.5%.
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Gas gathering and gas processing are 50% less CO2 intensive than oil refining. Nevertheless, these processes emitted 18kg of CO2e per boe in 2018. Methane matters most, explaining 7kg/boe of gas industry CO2-equivalents. This data-file assesses 850 US gas gathering and processing facilities, to screen for leaders and laggards, by geography and by operator.
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Which refiners have the lowest, and the highest CO2 emissions? To assess this, we have aggregated data on 130 US refineries, from EPA regulatory disclosures. The average US refinery emitted 32kg of CO2 per bbl of throughputs in 2018. Leading companies screen >10% better than average. Others fare 20-50% worse.
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Lower carbon oil and gas may be increasingly valued by investors, earning higher multiples and lower costs of capital, according to our recent survey. 80-90% find it harder to invest in oil and gas today but view lower carbon barrels as an investable part of the solution. Capital costs are quantified for higher- and lower-carbon barrels.
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What is more CO2-intensive: the c4,000 truck trips needed to complete a shale well, or giant offshore service vessels (OSVs), which each consume >100bpd of fuel? This data-file quantifies the CO2 intensity of supply-chains, for 10 different resource types, as a function of 30 input variables.
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This data-file tabulates Permian CO2 intensity, based on regulatory disclosures from 20 of the leading producers to the EPA. The data are disaggregated by company, across 18 different categories, such as combustion, flaring, venting, pneumatics, storage tanks and methane leaks. There are opportunities to lower emissions.
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Gas and diesel engines can be 30-80% less efficient when idling, or running at low loads. This is the rationale for hybridizing engines with backup batteries. Industrial applications are increasing, achieving 30-65% efficiency gains, across multiple industries. In 2018-19, the biggest new horizon has been in oil and gas, including hybrid rigs, supply vessels, construction vessels and even LNG plants.
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This data-file estimates the CO2 intensity of drilling oil wells, based on the fuel consumption of different rig types. Drilling wells is not the largest portion of the oil industry's total CO2 intensity. Nevertheless there is a 50x spread between the best barrels at prolific onshore fields and the worst barrels at mature deepwater assets.
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CO2 intensity of oil refineries could rise by 20% due to IMO 2020 sulphur regulations, if all high-sulphur fuel oil is upgraded into low-sulphur diesel, we estimate. The drivers are an extra stage of cracking, plus higher-temperature hydrotreating, which will also increase hydrogen demands. This one change could undo 30-years of efficiency gains.
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Refineries are CO2-intensive, as their average process takes place at 450C. But improved catalysts can help, based on reviewing over 50 patents from leading energy Majors, and their requisite temperatures and pressures. Combining all the best-in-class new catalysts, we think the average refinery could save 5kg/bbl of CO2 intensity.
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Emissions of refining a barrel of crude in the US has fallen at a 0.5% CAGR over the past c30-years, from 36kg/boe in 1986 to 31kg/boe in 2018. US refineries are also increasingly fueled by natural gas and merchant steam, while own use of oil, coal and oil products have been phased out.
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This data-file tabulates super-computing capacity possessed by leading companies in the energy industry. Computing capacity has risen 4x since 2016, and 70x since 2009. Main uses are seismic interpretation, reservoir modelling and for operational decision-making, which all increases efficiency. Leading companies are identified in the data-file.
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This data-file tabulates headline details of c35 companies commercialising catalysts for the refining industry, in order to improve conversion efficiencies and lower CO2 emissions. Five early-stage private companies stand out, while we also profile which Majors have recently filed the most patents to improve downstream catalysis.
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20 solar projects are being undertaken across the oil industry, to reduce CO2 emissions. But today's project pipeline will obviate less than 1% of oil industry CO2 by 2025. So momentum must build behind these leading examples, which are: steam-EOR in Oman and California, Solar PV in the Permian, and specific companies such as Occidental, Shell, Eni and other Majors.
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We tabulate c25 oil projects, breaking down the total tons of steel and concrete used in their topsides, jackets, hulls, wells, SURF and pipelines. Infill wells, tiebacks and FPSOs make the most CO2-efficient use of construction materials per barrel of production, helping to minimise emissions. Fixed leg platforms are higher CO2, then gravity based structures, then FLNG, and finally offshore wind.
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We outline the different processes for commercial hydrogen production, including their energy-economics, costs, CO2 emissions, technical readiness and remaining challenges. Our conclusion is that natural gas remains the most viable fuel source on a weighted basis considering cost and carbon emissions.
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This data-file calculates the financial and carbon costs of running electric submersible pumps (ESPs) at oilfields. They are material, with ESPs fitted on 15-20% of the world's c1M wells. However, we find opportunities to save >25% of CO2 emissions switching ESPs to run on gas and renewables, and a further 25-50% through optimisation initiatives.
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This data-file tabulates global flaring intensity in 16 countries of interest. Flaring intensity has reduced by 20% in the past quarter century, to 0.2mcf/bbl, but total flaring remains 13% higher in absolute terms, at 340MTpa of CO2. Leaders and laggard are charted. LNG developments have a clear, positive role in flaring reductions.
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This data-file breaks down global CO2 emissions into 35 distinct categories. The largest single component is passenger vehicles, but this is just 14% of the global total. Another 30 line items each contribute >1% of global CO2, illustrating the complexity of decarbonisation.
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Large LNG projects make large headlines. But we are excited by the ascent of small-scale LNG facilities. At less than 1MTpa each, these facilities can be harder to track, which is the objective of this data-file. We find small LNG liquefaction capacity is set to double, to 25MTpa. Liquefaction facilities for shipping will rise 8x to 4MTpa by 2021. By 2022, Europe will have 5x more small-scale facilities than a decade prior.
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Further deflation of c50-70% is required before the world can truly "re-allocate" capital from fossil fuels to renewables, without causing near-term shortages. This is because fossil fuels' production profiles are 2-3x more front-end loaded; despite comparable costs, breakevens and resource sizes. It is still necessary to attract adequate capital for both supply sources.
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Biofuels are currently displacing 2.6Mbpd of oil products. But they are not carbon-free, and their weighted average CO2 emissions are only c50% lower. This data-file breaks down the biofuels market across seven key feedstocks, to help identify which opportunities can scale for the lowest costs and CO2, versus others that require further technical progress.
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More extensive "sharing" will be enabled by drone delivery technologies and could save $1trn of costs and 100MTpa of CO2 emissions across the entire US. These numbers are illustrated by tabulating the data for 20 common household items, which we estimate are currently used just 20 times in their entire useful lives, thus costing $13 and 1.3kg of CO2 per use, on average.
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Distributing goods to the typical US consumer costs 1.5bbls of fuel, 600kg of CO2 and $1,000 per annum. The costs will increase 20-40% in the next decade, as the share of online retail doubles to c20%, hence new technologies are needed in last-mile delivery. This data-file provides a full breakdown of the numbers, across container-ships, trucks, rail-freight, cars and delivery vans; allowing you to flex each variable and test your own scenarios.
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We have constructed a simple model to estimate full-cycle CO2 emissions of a gas resource, as a function of its production efficiency, contaminants (CO2 and H2S), and commercialisation (LNG or pipelines) . Compared with the life-cycle emissions of oil, CO2 per boe is seen to be c50% lower for LNG and c75% lower for piped gas. Leading resource types are shown in the data-file.
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Can next-generation nuclear technologies realistically be factored into long-run forecasts of energy markets or energy-transition? The impacts of nuclear fusion would be vast, and several companies are making exciting progress, but no facility in our sample has yet surpassed TRL6, achieved an "energy gain" or system stability beyond c10 mS. This data-file contains further detail.
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This data-file summarises 120 patents into Enhanced Oil Recovery, filed by the leading Oil Majors in 2018. Hence, we can identify clear leaders in EOR technology, and what they are doing at the cutting edge, to improve recovery and lower decline rates. As the world's oilfields age, leading EOR technology will help avoid the higher costs and CO2 intensities of developing new fields to replace them.
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This data-file outlines six leading CO2-separation technologies. For each one, we outline the process, technical maturity, cost, CO2-selectivity, energy-intensity & drawbacks. A >$50/ton carbon price is currently needed to step up CCS. But a major breakthrough is emerging: metal organic frameworks.
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We present our "top five" conclusions on the lubricants industry, after reviewing 240 patents, filed by Oil Majors in 2018. We are most impressed by the intense pace of activity to improve engine efficiencies. Technology will drive margins and market shares, hence three clear market leaders are identified. The relative number of patents into Electric Vehicle Lubricants is also revealing, showing the Majors' true attitudes on electrification.
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Swarms of drones are emerging as the most devastating military weapon of the 21st century. This was evidenced by the recent attack on Saudi oil infrastructure. But the impact on 0.7Mbpd of global military oil demand could be even more devastating. This data-file quantifies their fuel economy at >1,000 mpge compared to today's fighter jets, tanks, helicopters and planes that achieve
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This data-file tabulates the impressive fuel economy of container vessels, as a function of their size and speed. The best examples are 2x more efficient than typical trains and 20x more efficient than typical trucks. Hence, even as the OECD consumes 4kg per person per day of goods shipped from overseas, these container ships account for c0.25% of global CO2.
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What if CO2 was not a waste product, but a valuable commercial feedstock? We have assessed the top 25 companies at the cutting edge, commercialising CO2 into next-generation plastics, foams, concretes, specialty chemicals and agricultural products. Each company is assessed in detail. 10 are particularly exciting. 20 are start-ups. But Aramco, Chevron and Repsol also screen well.
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We have constructed a simple model to estimate full-cycle CO2 emissions of an oil resource, as a function of its flaring, methane leakage, gravity, sulphur content, production processes and transportation to market. A c10x energy return on energy investment is estimated. Relative advantages are seen for well-managed resources offshore and in shale; relative disadvantages are seen for heavy crudes, as well as poorly managed gas.
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Over 20 next-generation subsea robotics concepts are presented. These electric solutions are increasingly autonomous, they reside subsea and can conduct more thorough inspection/intervention work. Inspection is 2-6x faster, and maintenance costs can be halved, yielding savings of $0.5-1/boe at a typical field. The data-file also summarizes the leading Majors and Service Companies in the space.
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This database tabulates c200 venture investments, made by 8 of the leading Oil Majors. Their strategy is increasingly geared to advancing new energies (38% of the investments) and digital (36%). Different companies are assessed.
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This data-file reviews 300 technical papers from 2018, and a further 350 technical papers from 2019, to identify the cutting edge of shale technology. The YoY trends show an incredible uptick in EOR, machine learning and well spacing studies. Each paper is summarized, categorized by topic, by country, by basin, by company and by 'impact'. The Permian pulled ahead of other basins. The divergence between companies surprised us.
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Gasoline demand is stalling in summer-2019, down -0.4% YoY vs a prior 15-year trend for 0.4% pa growth. The cause is urban Vehicle Miles Driven, which has slowed 1.4pp, defying historical correlations with GDP and gasoline prices. Possible structural explanations are explored. The full data-file contains monthly data on the drivers of gasoline, going back to 2002.
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This database covers all 14 subsea separation projects across the history of the oil industry, going back to the "dawn of subsea" in 1969. The technology has been elusive, with just a handful of applications, the largest of which is 2.3MW. This could change, with the pre-salt partners pioneering an unprecedented 6MW facility at Mero.
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This data-file tracks construction progress of 30 FPSOs being deployed in the Brazilian pre-salt. In each case, we quantify the vessel's oil and gas handling capacity, development timing and news flow. Pipeline bottlenecks are emerging, and will only be able to export one-third of the pre-salt gas volumes by 2025. The rest  must be re-injected.
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This data-file tracks the Lula oilfield, well-by-well, FPSO-by-FPSO, aggregating data from over 100 sources. The data inform our production forecasts for 2H19 and 1H20, which matter for oil markets; and for pre-salt producers. The data show wne FPSO is now constrained by gas-handling. Six other FPSOs are negotiating water-cuts. So is Lula maturing?
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Global decline rates are currently seen at 5.2% pa in 2020-25, according to our survey. This is lower than historical consensus of 5.7%. Although shale is a headwind, it may be offset by the rise of new digital and offshore technologies. Hence modestly more participants see 2020-25 oil markets as over-supplied. 
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TOTAL is currently pioneering the greatest advances in plastic-recycling technologies among the Majors, based on our database of 3,000 patents. This data-file covers its comprehensive inter-mixing of chromium-catalysed polyethylene, to reduce defects and increase the strength of post-consumer resins. In turn, this extends their use to films, containers and pipes.
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Well-by-well production optimisation can uplift mature fields' output 5-20%. This data-file summarises the methodology employed by BP, which has filed the most detailed patent we have seen on the topic, from our screen of 3,000 patents around the industry.
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This data-file compares diesel trains, electric trains and hydrogen trains, according to their energy consumption, carbon emissions and fuel costs. The energy economics are best for electrifying rail-lines. Hydrogen costs must deflate 25-75% to be cost-competitive.
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Advanced reservoir modelling can stave off production declines at complex offshore assets. This data-file illustrates how, tabulating production estimates based on a technical paper using Eni's high-speed computer assets. 60% uplifts in LT production and EUR are achieved. 
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This data-file tabulates the fate of companies that invented the most impactful new oil technologies of the 1980s and 1990s. Nine out of ten were ultimately acquired, for a 3-32% take-over premium. However, timing is long-dated.
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Electric Cars are being overtaken by new electric vehicles, which achieve c3x greater decarbonisation per unit of battery material. This is shown by comparing the relative impacts of deploying 400kg of battery materials into a single EV, versus a fleet of c120 electric scooters. It matters as battery materials are a limiting factor in the energy transition.
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This data-file tabulates 36 recent technical papers into "digital twins" since 2017, in order to understand how the technology is being deployed around the upstream oil and gas industry: principally to improve platform uptime, prevent rig downtime and inspect subsea infrastructure.
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The lowest-cost offshore projects are not "easy oil". They are the ones being developed with leading technologies. This data-file measures a -88% correlation coefficient between different Major's offshore patent filings in 2018 and their most recent projects' capex costs.
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Oil Majors will play a crucial role in decarbonising the energy system, while also securing the future of fossil fuels. Hence, to help identify the leading companies, this-data file summarises over 80 patents for de-carbonising power-generation, drawn from our database of over 3,000 patent-filings from the largest energy companies in 2018.
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This data-file summarises twenty recent papers using inflow control devices: an exciting digital technology to optimise horizontal wells by limiting production from zones that are susceptible to flowing water or gas. Each paper is categorized by company, country, field and focus. Also included are our 'Top 10' facts from the technical literature. 
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This data-file quantifies the leading companies in Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), the game-changing technology for enhancing shale and conventional oil industry productivity. Operators are screened from their patents and technical papers. Services are screened based on their size and their technology.
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This data-file summarises 25 of the most recent technical papers around the industry, using fiber-optic cables for Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). The technology is now hitting critical mass to spur shale productivity upwards.
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A Boeing 747 can fly c13,000km, with a fuel economy of 5-6 gallons/mile and fuel comprising c30% of the take-off weight. We have calculated these numbers from the equations of flight. Apples-to-apples, a battery-powered 747 could only cover 90km today, and perhaps 1,000km with heroic assumptions in the future. Trans-Atlantic travel is immune to electrification.
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This data-file quantifies the most-discussed challenges for developing Chinese shale gas, after a review of the technical literature, as well as the solutions suggested to combat them, and our "top ten conclusions" on Chinese shale.
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Critics still downplay shale productivity. This simple data-file compiles fifty examples of genuine improvements across the industry since 2015. A "one line" summary is provided for each one.
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The world would need to devote an incremental 20% of its land to new forests, to offset global carbon emissions. This data-file compares CO2 sequestration rates per acre with different countries CO2 emissions rates per acre. 
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We have compiled a database of over 100 companies, which have already flown c40 aerial vehicles (aka "flying cars"). We categorize each vehicle by fuel type, speed, range, fuel economy and credibility. Review this data file and you will likely share our conclusion for aerial vehicles taking off in the 2020s.
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This data-file tabulates consumer attitudes towards aerial vehicles, based on the best perception study we have seen in the technical literature. It shows the influence of geography, income, age, gender, education levels and length of commute; along with top concerns.
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Different batteries have different round trip efficiencies. We see great potential, for example, in electrification of the vehicle fleet, which can achieve c3.5x efficiency gains.  We see less potential, for example, backing up the grid with hydrogen, which reduces total system efficiency by c30%.
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Top travel speeds have increased c100x since pre-industrial times, however in the past 20-years, the trend has reversed. Average mobility is down c6-7% since 2000. This data-file contains our notes and the data-points we have compiled on travel-times throughout history.
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Chemical Looping Combustion could clean up future coal or gas-fired power. But will it work? We have tabulated data from the technical literature on 40 chemical looping combustion pilots. They have run collectively for 10,000 hours. They promise 38% energy efficiencies for zero carbon emissions.
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We have quantified the energy efficiency of 14 different transportation technologies, using real-world data and mechanics equations. Electrification raise auto efficiency 4x, from c15-20% to c60-80%. Novel electric technologies are also unlocking unprecedented fuel economies per passenger mile.
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Machine learning predicts 78% of the variance in shale well productivity, suggesting $1M/well savings and 19-97% resource uplifts. This data-file presents the correlation matrix between 22 inter-related variables which co-vary with well productivity. The complexity requires "big data" approaches. We see upside from Machine Learning in shale.
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This data-file tabulates 30 major gas resources around the world, their volumes, their CO2 content and how the CO2 is handled. This matters because higher CO2 gas fields are more costly to develop into LNG, while CO2 venting is no longer acceptable without CCS. Permian & Marcellus LNG are best positioned.
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This data-file summarises progress using machine learning to maximise production from mature wells, by detecting errors and optimising production. There is potential to lower global decline rates by c100kbpd per annum for over a decade, and increase each well's NPV by $0.1M.
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We review the top, proprietary technologies that we have seen from analysing patents and technical papers, to capitalise on IMO 2020 sulphur regulation, across the world's leading integrated oil companies.
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This data-file tabulates a dozen data-points on LNG plant opex, from company disclosures, the technical literature and academic papers. Opex is a function of plant size, and tends to fall by $0.3/mcf for each 10x change in plant capacity.
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This data file tabulates the acreage footprints of c20 recent LNG projects. FLNG is 20x more compact than a comparable onshore plant, which may elevate costs. To benefit from compactness, we see more potential in novel "liquefaction" technologies.
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This data-file contains a simple model for how wind speeds and wind power co-vary with altitude. 2x greater power could likely be harnessed by a kite at 300m than a similar-sized turbine at 80m. 
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We have tabulated the costs of constructing an LNG-fuelling station across 55 cost lines, totalling €1M/site. c$10/mcf may be added to the cost of gas as a fuel.
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Maintenance costs are tabulated by category, for a fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, travelling 16M miles across the United States.
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We assessed the technology behind 20 plastic pyrolysis companies, operating  (or constructing) 100 plants around the world. Our data-file includes the number of plants, locations, start-up years, input-types and capacities for each plant. We also include our own notes and assessment’s of each company’s technology.
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We see potential for plastic-recycling technologies to displace 15Mbpd of potential oil demand growth (i.e., naphtha, LPGs and ethane) by 2060, compared to a business-as-usual scenario of demand growth. In a more extreme case, oil demand for conventional plastics could halve. This simple model allows you to vary the input assumptions and derive your own outputs.
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This data-file tabulates the most likely costs of placing waste-material (e.g., plastic) into landfill, by country. The landfill taxes are a strong incentive for plastic recycling technologies. For example, a c$65/ton gate fee improves the IRRs or plastic pyrolysis by c15pp, all else equal.
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A breakdown of the global plastics industry, from several recent academic papers. This data-file shows the rise of global plastic use since 1950, recent plastic use by end-product, recent plastic use by end-plastic (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides, PET, PVC), and plastics’ fate after their use. This includes the proportion of plastics that are improperly disposed … Continue reading "Global plastics: an overview?"
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This data-file breaks down the world’s use of oil to make chemicals (i.e., plastics). It’s split across 13 different products, and the ‘Top 10’ countries/regions. The estimate year is 2016.
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The 240MTpa shipping-fuels market will be disrupted from 2020, under IMO sulphur regulations. Hence, this data-file breaks down the world’s 100,000-vessel shipping fleet into 13 distinct categories. We see 40-60MTpa upside to LNG demand from 2040.
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“If you invest with the same technology as everyone else, you may get the same returns as everyone else”. This adage matters for renewables, where we gather single digit IRRs have become customary in solar tenders. Hence, we reviewed 37 distinct solar patents filed across the Oil Majors in 2018. Three ‘leaders’ stood out, each … Continue reading "Solar Innovation at Big Oil?"
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This file will give a helpful overview of eight main process technologies, which are used in LNG liquefaction. For each one, we summarise how it works, advantages and disadvantages, plus involved-companies.
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This data-file breaks down the production losses at a giant offshore oilfield, across five categories and ten sub-categories. They are addressable with digital oilfield technologies, as shown by our notes. Advanced algorithms such as BP’s Apex solution, are capable of reducing the losses — particularly in the largest categories. Halving them could increase output by … Continue reading "Production Losses at a Giant Offshore Oilfield"
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Shale comprises c5% of global supply and c20% of global R&D; while offshore comprises c30% of global supply, but <10% of global R&D, according to our estimates. This simple file aims to break down the oil and gas industry’s R&D activities, by category and sub-category, based on the >1,000 patents and >300 SPE papers we … Continue reading "Where is oil industry R&D focused?"
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This data-file tabulates the approximate cash flow, capex and 'pre-tax costs' of Oil Majors, to illustrate the group's operational leverage. Every $1 of free cash flow comes after $3 of cost.
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This model shows how the Permian's ultimate production plateau will be determined by the rig count, drilling efficiency, well productivity and decline rates. It includes a 10Mbpd scenario where productivity flatlines from here; and our 20Mbpd scenario where productivity continues rising at an 11% CAGR. Economic assumptions are also included.
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This model breaks down 2050 and 2100's global energy market, based on a dozen input assumptions. You can 'flex' these, to see how it will affect future oil, coal and gas demand, as well as global carbon emissions. We are positive on renewables. But fossil fuels retain a crucial role. Natural gas demand could 'treble'.
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This data-file estimates the number of SPE papers that have been published about conventional and unconventional reservoir engineering in the SPE Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering Technical journal, each year since 2007. 2018 was the first year where unconventionals papers eclipsed conventional.
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This data-file "scores" the top technologies to transform the global energy industry and the world, as assessed by Thunder Said Energy. Each one is scored based on technical readiness, economic impact and the level of work we have conducted.
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This short note outlines our top conclusions about the energy consumption of the internet, which now comprises c2% of global electricity and 0.7% of global CO2. In the next decade, remarkably, we find the CO2 footprint of powering the internet could surpass that of producing oil or gas.
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CO2-labelling is the most important policy to accelerate the energy transition: making products' CO2-intensities visible, so they can sway purchasing decisions. Expect 4-8% savings across global energy, which will lower the net costs of decarbonisation by $200-400bn pa. Digital technologies also support wider eco-labelling compared. Leading companies are preparing their businesses.
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The key challenge for the US shale industry is to continue improving productivity per well. The process is increasingly being driven by Oil Majors and using data. This is illustrated by BP's latest fracturing fluid patents, which optimise successive diverter compositions to create dendritic fracture geometries, to enhance stimulated rock volumes.
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Precision-engineered proteins are on the cusp of disrupting the agriculture industry. The science is improving rapidly, to create meat-substitutes with vastly superior nutrition, taste and costs. We explore the energy consequences of "replacing cows", with potential for 2bcfd upside to US gas demand, to offset the CO2 of all US oil demand, increase US biofuels to 6Mbpd and further Energy Major venture opportunities.
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A devastating new wave of drone technologies could place the world's largest and most vulnerable energy infrastructure into the firing line of aggressors. This short note reviews the ten facets of drone swarms that make them so dangerous. Hence we are increasingly concerned over supply disruptions in the 2020s.
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Will the future of refineries be to convert to bio-refineries, in order to meet a growing need for decarbonised fuels? This note reviews the opportunities and challenges, based on patent filings from Eni: the industry leader in bio-refinery technology. Costs are 80% below newbuilds, but we question ultimate scale and the ability to lower palm oil inputs.
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This note outlines 200MTpa of potential upside to consensus LNG demand, due to emerging technologies, in power and transportation. LNG use could thus compound at an 8% CAGR to 800MTpa by 2030, justifying greater investment in unsanctioned LNG projects.
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What if there were a technology to sequester CO2, double shale productivity, earn 15-30% IRRs and it was on the cusp of commercialization? Promising momentum is building, at the nexus of decarbonised gas-power and Permian CO2-EOR. This short note highlights the economic opportunity.
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30-60% of Oil Majors' ROACE is explained by their technologies. This is our finding from correlating 3,000 oil patents versus returns on capital. Technology leaders can generate 2x higher corporate ROACEs. Downstream segments are most sensitive.
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Petrobras has patented next-generation riser designs, to handle sour-service crude from pre-salt Brazil. This is needed after riser-failures at Lula. But complexity is an order of magnitude higher for Petrobras's new solution. A simpler alternative is the growing potential from thermo-plastic composite pipe.
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Could next-generation combustion technologies be used to decarbonise oil-fired transportation, raising the trajectory of long-term oil demand? We review a leading oil company's patents to commercialise oxy-combustion in vehicles, along with the challenges. The outlook remains more positive for gas than for oil.
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We see enormous opportunity in CO2-EOR in the Permian basin. Occidental Petroleum has now published laboratory analysis, informing its models and de-risking the technique. This short note profiles our "top five" conclusions from the paper.
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Small delivery robots can achieve 100-400x higher fuel economies than conventional, oil-powered vehicles. We profile Starship, whose fleet is now covering c400km/day. Energy demand in transportation is evolving.
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Shale's light mix is often criticised for distorting oil product markets. But distortions create opportunities for Integrateds. This note explores one opportunity, patented by Chevron, to convert ethylene into diesel.
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Shell is the most active Major in driving new LNG demand. In 2019, it patented a new sub-cooler to improve the ascent of LNG in transportation. Our note explains the challenges of boil-off and gas-weathering, how they are addressed by Shell's new technology, and eight resulting advantages.
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ExxonMobil has developed industry-leading technology for greenfield LNG cosntruction, particularly in remote geographies. This conclusion follows from reviewing 3,000 patents. We analyse its edge the and resultant opportunities, as new projects progress in Mozambique, PNG and on the US Gulf Coast.
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In 2019, Shell pledged $300M of new investment into forestry. TOTAL, BP and Eni are also pursuing similar schemes. But can they move the needle for CO2? In order to answer this question, we have tabulated our ‘top five’ facts about forestry. We think Oil Majors may drive the energy transition most effectively via developing … Continue reading "Lost in the Forest?"
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A "good battery" enhances the efficiency of the total energy system. A "bad battery" diminishes it. Hence we have quantified battery quality, ranging from 3.5x efficiency gains for EVs to c30% efficiency losses for grid-scale hydrogen. This distinction must not be overlooked in the world's quest for cleaner energy.
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Multiple records have just been broken for an LNG-powered ship, as construction completed at Heerema's "Sleipnir" crane-lift vessel. It is a remarkable, LNG-powered machine, substantiating the 40-60MTpa upside we see for LNG demand, from fuel-intensive ships, after IMO 2020.
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A typical operator can readily save $1/boe via continued, digital deflation. Our numbers are derived from a new case study from Cognite, which is among the leaders in oilfield digitization, collaborating with cutting-edge E&Ps. Digitization remains the most promising opportunity to improve offshore economics.
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Perovskites are the fastest-improving innovation in solar. The best test-cells hit a new record of 28% efficiency last year, with line-of-sight to the mid-30s, i.e., 2x more efficient than today's silicon photovoltaics. We review the opportunities and challenges. A Major is at the cutting edge.
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The downstream industry is debating whether IMO 2020 sulphur regulations will be resolved quickly or slowly. We think the market-distortions may be prolonged by under-appreciated technology challenges, which mandate large, increasingly hard-to-finance refinery overhauls.
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This note contains our ‘Top Five’ conclusions about the Oil Majors’ research partnerships, drawing off our database of 3,000 oil company patents. Different companies have importantly different approaches. We can quantify this, by looking at the number of patents co-filed with partners (chart above).
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The IEA has cautioned that global energy investment may be falling short. Spending of $1.6trn in 2018 may need to rise $220-270bn pa by 2025-30. We argue the best way to attract this capital is through the opportunities in better energy technology.
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We categorised 300 of the Oil Majors' technologies according to their technical maturity. The most exciting are those on the cusp of commercialisation, not simply the most mature. We found Majors that work on earlier-stage technologies also had better overall technologies. Value can be maximised by a rich funnel of opportunities.
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Tethered kites access 2-4x more wind-power at 50-90% lower costs than turbines. Intriguingly, Exxon and Shell are now at the forefront of the new opportunity.
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It would be unwise to under-estimate the complexity of creating a new LNG province, with a 50MTpa prize ultimately on the table in Mozambique. Hence we have tabulated our 'top ten' examples of Chevron's LNG-relevant technologies, from reviewing over 200 of the company's patents so far.
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EOG has patented a system to run pressure and temperature sensors in its frac plugs, which are then retrieved at the surface, providing low cost data on each frac stage. The data improve subsequent stages. We estimate the NPV uplifts at $1M/well.
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We have assessed whether gas is a competitive trucking fuel, comparing LNG and CNG head-to-head against diesel, across 35 different metrics (from the environmental to the economic). Total costs per km are still 10-30% higher for natural gas, even based on $3/mcf Henry Hub, which is 5x cheaper than US diesel.
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Pioneer Natural Resources is improving the accuracy of its Midland basin depth-models by up to 40%, using a machine-learning algorithm to re-calibrate its seismic from well logs. Faster drilling and better production rates should follow.
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The Majors' deepening interest in shale was illustrated by Chevron's $50bn acquisition of Anadarko. To see who else wants more shale, we have counted the number of shale research-studies, by company, in our databases from 2018.
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