FEBRUARY 2019 Volume 62 No. 2 THE ISSUE Independent oil and gas operators of all sizes are reaping big rewards from digital automation Production solutions. But moving producing fields into the Operations digital realm comes with heightened cybersecurity concerns, reinforcing the critical need for technologies that can help manage risk. As this month's Production Operations reports demonstrate, producers have access to a growing array of strategies and tools to safeguard their assets and data. Elsewhere in the issue, Part 2 of February's Unconventional Resource Science series opens with a look at how Hess Corporation is accurately predicting drilling times with digital twin technology to improve budget planning and operational logistics. The Offshore & Subsea Technology reports present a new frontier in offshore technology: subsea production chemical storage and injection for both shallow-water and deepwater fields. Association news includes Official Convention Sections for IOGA and OOGA. Cover photo by Jim Blecha. Issue photography courtesy of Hess Corporation and Triad Business Marketing Inc. FEBRUARY 2019 The "Better Business" Publication Serving the Exploration / Drilling / Production Industry G ulf o Pa f M ge e 86 xic o Page 66 Craig Hedin President IOGA "Our mantra in this legislative session will be 'Please leave the industry alone. We are not hurting anybody.'" Page 96 Steven Downey President OOGA "One of the biggest issues we face is the environmental challenge we seem to have at all levels: local, state and federal." Page 100 NEWS 16 | State Of American Energy: API highlights importance of regulations, trade policy and infrastructure 20 | State Regulations: North Dakota regulators ease testing requirements for crude oil conditioning; Governor's executive order seeks to prevent drilling off Florida's coasts 24 | International Trade: Contract awarded to expand largest U.S. port for crude exports 32 | Industry Safety: Report finds substantially fewer occupational injuries and illness in oil and gas 33 | Upstream Spending: Analysis predicts growth in U.S. offshore investment 104 | PHMSA Proposal: IPAA and TPA urge risk-based improvements to pipeline rule 106 | In the Courts: Colorado high court rejects anti-drilling regulatory standard OFFICIAL CONVENTION SECTIONS 96 | IOGA: Industry/regulator cooperation important for state leaders 100 | OOGA: Oil and gas industry adapting to new administration COLUMNS 27 | Tech Connections 29 | Washington Watch DEPARTMENTS 9 | Calendar 14 | Oil & Gas Counts 16 | Industry Digest 108 | Industry Focus 113 | Classified Advertising 114 | Advertisers Indexhttp://www.bluetickinc.com