Technology Focus Reviewing papers to highlight in this year's feature, I was struck by the widespread embrace of novel technologies used at the macro and micro levels. This upsurge of acceptance of new approaches in the oil patch is long overdue and welcome. Nanotechnology and microelectromechanical systems are finding their way from the laboratory to practical applications. In addition, the growing use of fiber optics as the high-speed conduit to satisfy the burgeoning demand for real-time information in process management and for inspection, maintenance, and repair, is making inroads to improve sensor technology by harnessing unique physical properties of light in extremely hostile environments in which more-traditional methods have succumbed. The papers noted this month also foretell that we as an industry are more willing to look at old problems in new perspectives—using new materials, chemical agents, and techniques to solve tough problems that, just a few years ago, conventional wisdom considered impractical or unsolvable by the "throwing more iron at it" method. The new decade holds some exciting new prospects that will, once again, revitalize the industry and push the "oil peak" further out yet again. Production/Facilities additional reading available at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org SPE 123007 • "New Product for Inhibition of Calcium Carbonate Scale in Natural-Gas and Oil Facilities Based on Aloe Vera: Application in Venezuelan Oil Fields" by L.A. Castillo, PDVSA, et al. OTC 19937 • "Plastic Liners for Hydrocarbon Transport: A Qualified and Cost-Efficient Alternative to Corrosion-Resistant Alloys" by S.J. Hall, Technip, et al. SPE 120631 • "Determination of the Suitability of Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe for Applications With Aromatic and Cyclo-Aliphatic Hydrocarbons" by B. Weller, Flexpipe Systems, et al. SPE 120837 • "A New Microbiologically-Influenced-Corrosion Control Strategy in Low-Velocity Gas-Gathering Pipelines" by C. Smith, SPE, ICTC, et al. SPE 123005 • "New Method for Extracting Oils and Greases From Produced Water Using Microwave Techniques" by R.H. Bezerril, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, et al.