Microhole Coiled Tubing Drilling: A Low Cost Reservoir Access Technology

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent Perry
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Widespread Application ◽  
Unconventional Gas ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Coiled Tubing ◽  
Drilling Technology ◽  
Drilling Rigs ◽  
The U.S

Although the microhole coiled tubing drilling rigs have been used extensively in Canada, their application in the U.S. has been very limited. In an effort to introduce this technology to the U.S. operators, GTI, with the support of DOE∕NETL, has completed a successful field testing of the coiled tubing microhole drilling technology. In this paper we report results of field testing of the system in 25 wells drilled in the Niobrara unconventional gas play of Kansas and Colorado. The objective of the field test was to measure and document the rig performance under actual drilling conditions. In these tests, a coiled tubing drilling rig (designed and built by T Gipson with Advanced Drilling Technologies Inc.) was utilized. The rig operations have continued to improve to the point where it now drills a 3100ft well in a single day. Well cost savings of approximately 30% over conventional rotary well drilling have been documented. A description of the rig and a summary of its performance in the Niobrara unconventional gas play are included. In addition, an estimate of economic advantages of widespread application of microhole drilling technology in the lower 48 states is presented.

Microhole Coiled Tubing Drilling: A Low Cost Reservoir Access Technology

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent F. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Widespread Application ◽  
Unconventional Gas ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Coiled Tubing ◽  
Drilling Technology ◽  
Drilling Rigs ◽  
The U.S

Although The Microhole Coiled Tubing Drilling rigs have been used extensively in Canada, their application in the U.S. has been very limited. In an effort to introduce this technology to the U.S. operators; GTI, with the support of DOE/NETL has completed successful field testing of coiled tubing microhole drilling technology. In this paper we report results of field testing of the system in 25 wells drilled in the Niobrara unconventional gas play of Kansas and Colorado. The objective of the field test was to measure and document the rig performance under actual drilling conditions. In these tests, a coiled tubing drilling rig (designed and bulit by Tom Gipson with Advanced Drilling Technologies Inc. (ADT)) was utilized. The rig operations have continued to improve to the point where it now drills a 3,100-foot well in a single day. Well cost savings of approximately 30% over conventional rotary well drilling have been documented. A description of the rig and a summary of its performance in the Niobrara unconventional gas play are included. In addition, an estimate of economic advantages of widespread application of microhole drilling technology in the Lower 48 States is presented.

Information Technology Offshoring Outsourcing

2011 ◽  
pp. 122-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smita Gupta ◽  
Narendra S. Chaudhari
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Offshore Outsourcing ◽  
Business Services ◽  
Job Growth ◽  
Software Development Methodologies ◽  
The U.S

Offshore outsourcing is a term covering a range of information technology (IT) and business services delivered to companies in developed countries by IT personnel based in developing countries. The significant cost savings achieved by the offshore model is the prime factor in its growing acceptance and use. IT software and service outsourcing is becoming a new reality for employers, employees, government and academicians. The widespread use of Internet, standardization of software development methodologies, efficient IT project management techniques, low cost of telecommunications, have provided the necessary thrust for global production of software and services. In this chapter, we analyze the impact of today’s offshore outsourcing movement to the United States economy, education, jobs, wages, and social issues. We suggest that offshoring is a viable economic model. It leads to improved productivity, lower inflation and eventually growth in jobs and wages. The U.S. will also see significant numbers of “in-sourced” jobs because of subsidiaries of foreign based companies. Future job growth in different areas of business and skills, require young students and present IT workforce to acquire them with education and training. Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has also expressed the need to produce highly skilled workers. The loss of jobs of IT workers is the difficult aspect of offshoring. Laid-off workers should be provided assistance to find a new comparable job, both by the U.S. government and companies. In this chapter, we make some recommendations to reduce, minimize and overcome the hardships caused by the IT outsourcing.

World's First Successful Coiled Tubing Intervention to Stimulate Four Laterals in a Single Trip

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled M. Matar ◽  
Abdullah B. Al-Mutairi ◽  
Nakul Khandelwal ◽  
Sapna Chawla ◽  
Mohammad Alkreebani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Chemical Systems ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Coiled Tubing ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Exact Position ◽  
The Many ◽  
And Control

Abstract Drilling a multilateral well is generally recommended for several reasons such as achieving higher productivity indices and improving recovery in tight, low-permeable zones. While the many benefits of multilateral wells are attractive, they also have drawbacks which make these wells challenging. A key challenge is how to effectively stimulate all the laterals after they have been drilled. This paper presents the application of a unique intervention technique in a multilateral well to stimulate several laterals in a single run. To increase reservoir contact area the operator drilled a multilateral well composed of 4 legs. This was carried out despite the absence of proven ways to stimulate each lateral individually. This intervention would also present the following challenges: Well displacement and stimulation would require multiple re-entries into each lateral, all conducted from a drilling rig. All the laterals were known to branch off from the low side of the bore, so individual lateral and main-bore selection would be complex. Extended reach laterals require accurate friction lockup modelling and mitigations. The unique solution presented in this paper includes the use of real-time Hybrid cable coiled tubing (RTHCT) technology. This incorporates a hybrid cable installed in the coiled tubing (CT) string and a modular sensing bottom-hole assembly (MSBHA). Electrically controlled indexing tool, inclination sensor, tool-face sensor, and hydraulic knuckle joint were used as part of the BHA to enable real-time diagnostics and dynamic controls from surface to successfully enter the lateral legs. The MSBHA enabled the orientation of the BHA electrically to any position required using software to determine and control the exact position of the BHA. This paper presents a solution to all the above-mentioned challenges. It discusses the successful implementation of the RTHCT to displace and stimulate all the 4 laterals in a single CT trip in less than seven days, pumping over 7,000 bbls of various chemical systems and covering an open-hole length of 11,176 ft. Unlike other technologies, the RTHCT technology confirmed entries into the laterals without the need to tag the bottom of the lateral, saving substantial time. Enabling re-entry in these 4 laterals represented a world record translating into major efficiency improvements and cost savings for the project. This intervention also represented the first time in Kuwait that more than 2 laterals have been accessed in a CT run.

Enabling Safe and Efficient Well Plug & Abandonments Through Use of Rigless Technologies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Spuskanyuk ◽  
David C Haeberle ◽  
Brandon Max Baumert ◽  
Brian Matthew King ◽  
Benjamin T Hillier
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Significant Cost ◽  
Coiled Tubing ◽  
Well Integrity ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
Well Abandonment

Abstract The growing number of upcoming well abandonments has become an important driver to seek efficiencies in optimizing abandonment costs while establishing long term well integrity and complying with local regulatory requirements. With an increasing global inventory of Plug and Abandonment (P&A) candidates, Exxonmobil has been driven to look for the most reliable, safe, and cost-efficient P&A technologies. ExxonMobil's P&A guidelines are consistent with and often more stringent than the local regulatory requirements but are also achievable, at least in part, with rigless technologies, leading to a more cost-efficient approach while ensuring well integrity. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the success of rigless abandonments and their benefits compared to rig-based solutions. When developing a well abandonment plan, it is essential to consider a number of factors. These include local regulations, identification of zones to be isolated and suitable caprocks, and recognition of constraints including well history, conditions and uncertainties. Teams should begin with low cost operations without a rig if possible, estimate costs and effectiveness to achieve the barrier requirements, and evaluate batch operation opportunities for multi-well programs. ExxonMobil case studies are shown to help describe in detail how to make decisions about applicability of rigless abandonment options and how to properly execute such abandonments to achieve compliance with the barrier requirements. It has been demonstrated that significant cost savings can be achieved by staging the abandonment program in a way that lower cost technologies are utilized during the early stages of well abandonment, starting with wireline where possible, followed by coiled tubing and finally by a pulling unit, as appropriate. P&A execution could be achieved without a rig in a majority of cases, including most offshore wells, with the need to use a rig only in special circumstances or phases of execution. It is important to note that the barrier placement and safety of rigless P&A execution will not be compromised, as compared to the rig-based P&As. Additional cost savings could be achieved by further optimizing P&A design at the well design stage, ensuring that there are no built-in limiters that would prevent rigless P&A execution at the end of well life. Several case studies from ExxonMobil's global offshore experience demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of rigless P&A operations, with significant cost savings compared to rig-based P&As. It has been evident that rigless P&A choice is applicable to the variety of ExxonMobil's P&A projects of different complexities, with the same or superior quality of abandonment and safety record.

Maquiladora Operations for Shipbuilding

1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (02) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
Gary Laughlin ◽  
Guillermo Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
World Market ◽  
Production Plan ◽  
Industrial Growth ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
Mexican Government ◽  
The U.S

The maquiladora program was established by the Mexican Government to encourage foreign investment and promote industrial growth. The success of the program encourages more and more participation each year. The low cost of labor in Mexico has attracted U.S. companies in all types of manufacturing with the exception of shipbuilding. With the focus on the domestic shipbuilding market over the past 25 years, U.S. shipyards have lacked the impetus to establish a maquiladora operation. The world market for shipbuilding has been steadily improving, while the U.S. domestic market has been steadily decreasing. The opportunities for U.S. shipyards to focus their strategies on the world market may not get any better. By understanding the complexities of establishing a maquiladora operation and then integrating the operation into its overall production plan, a shipbuilder can begin to realize that large labor cost savings are possible.

GOODWYN ‘A’ DRILLING FACILITIES

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 343
Author(s):  
Derek C. Morrow ◽  
Nick E. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Modular Design ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Contract Administration ◽  
Modular Concept ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Drilling Rigs ◽  
Safety Systems

The Drilling Facilities Package designed and developed by Atwood Oceanics Australia Pty. Ltd. for operation on Woodside Offshore Petroleum Pty. Ltd.'s Goodwyn 'A' Platform will break new ground in the development and application of offshore modular drilling rig technology when commencement of offshore drilling is achieved. These facilities are among the largest, specifically designed, offshore demountable drilling rigs in the world today.Initially, Woodside performed sufficient engineering to determine a design specification for the Drilling Facilities which detailed the types of equipment necessary and the final performance characteristics required by the finished facility to drill the Goodwyn 'A' production wells.Following award of the Drilling Facilities Contract to Atwood Oceanics in 1989, Woodside's role was essentially related to technical interface and contract administration management. The responsibility for the design, fabrication, commissioning and operation of the Drilling Facilities lay with Atwood Oceanics.The Drilling Facilities consist of fifty-two (52) small modules, each weighing up to 105 tonne. These modules are assembled into three (3) major structural packages, these being the Drilling Support Facilities, weighing some 1300 tonne, the Sub-Base weighing 1100 tonne and the Derrick weighing 260 tonne. Total operating weight of the facilities will exceed 4500 tonne.The modular design of these facilities was developed by Atwood Oceanics from previous modular rig design of relatively simple facilities and technical scope, up to the high capacity, technical complexity and flexibility in design demanded for operation on the Goodwyn 'A' Platform. Following the issue of the Cullen Report on the Piper Alpha Disaster, extensive control and monitoring safety systems were included in the design. These systems have had an adverse impact on the modular concept due to the large increase in electrical interfaces, however the modular concept remains sound and viable.Modular rig design has allowed a Drilling Facility to be developed which has accrued savings in design, fabrication, fit-out, transport and installation and has resulted in reduced overall installed weight. These savings are real and demonstrable when compared with conventional large-module drilling rig packages of similar scope and complexity. Unlike its North Rankin 'A' development, Woodside elected to have the Drilling Facilities for Goodwyn 'A' designed, procured, fabricated and commissioned by an experienced drilling contractor, who will then operate and maintain the rig during the drilling phase (P.Scott et al., 1991). Woodside will realise substantial cost savings at the point when the facilities are installed and ready to drill. Further savings will accrue during drilling operations by allowing the drilling contractor more autonomy and responsibility (eg. maintenance of the complete drilling facilities will be by contractor personnel).The relative ease of removal of the facilities and potential for re-use on other installations will generate additional significant cost benefits in the future.The Drilling Facilities are state-of-the-art in their applied technology and are capable of year-round, self-contained operation for the drilling of highly deviated, long reach wells of up to 72° deviation from the vertical and up to 7000 m along hole depth.This paper provides an overview of the design, fabrication, fit-out, onshore commissioning, transport and installation of the modules which comprise the Goodwyn 'A' Drilling Facilities, for which Atwood Oceanics were awarded a Commendation for a High Standard of Engineering Achievement at the Institution of Engineers, Australia 1992 Engineering Excellence Awards.

Immigration and the tech industry: As a labour shortage remedy, for innovation, or for cost savings?

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Matloff
Keyword(s):  
Immigration Policy ◽  
Brain Drain ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Foreign Workers ◽  
Service Firms ◽  
It Service ◽  
Labour Shortage ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The U.S

The two main reasons cited by the U.S. tech industry for hiring foreign workers--remedying labour shortages and hiring "the best and the brightest"--are investigated, using data on wages, patents, and R&D work, as well as previous research and industry statements. The analysis shows that the claims of shortage and outstanding talent are not supported by the data, even after excluding the Indian IT service firms. Instead, it is shown that the primary goals of employers in hiring  foreign workers are to reduce labour costs and to obtain "indentured" employees. Current immigration policy is causing an ‘Internal Brain Drain’ in STEM.

Retrospective on the 1970’s “Low Cost Shore Protection” program

Shore & Beach ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 3-12
Author(s):  
Joan Pope
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Erosion ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Coastal Engineering ◽  
Shoreline Erosion ◽  
Shore Protection ◽  
Demonstration Program ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
The U.S

In the 1970s, the U.S. Congress authorized and funded a five-year demonstration program on low-cost methods for shore protection called the “U.S. Army Engineers Shoreline Erosion Control Demonstration (Section 54) Program.” The Section 54 also known as the “Low-Cost Shore Protection” demonstration program is revisited. Demonstration and monitoring sites including the materials, devices, vegetative plantings, approaches tested, and program findings are discussed. Simply put, a major finding of the Section 54 program was that the concept of “low-cost shore protection” was a bit naïve. However, the program did lead to a wealth of public information documents and practical coastal engineering lessons that are still resonating as home owners, communities, and engineers consider alternative approaches for managing coastal erosion. The program structure and findings are applicable 40 years later as consideration is given toward the use of Natural and Nature-based Features (NNBF) for addressing coastal erosion. Evolution in thought relative to coastal erosion and shoreline enhancement activities since the 1970s has built upon many of the lessons and concepts of the Section 54 program and other real-world coastal erosion management success-failure experiences. This growth has led to a modern appreciation that those features that emulate NNBF are promising and responsible alternative coastal erosion management strategies if proper engineering standard elements of design are included in the project.

scholarly journals Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of User-Testing of Health Professionals’ Guidelines to Reduce the Frequency of Intravenous Medicines Administration Errors by Nurses in the United Kingdom: A Probabilistic Model Based on Voriconazole Administration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Jones ◽  
Bryony Dean Franklin ◽  
D. K. Raynor ◽  
Howard Thom ◽  
Margaret C. Watson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Medication Error ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Credible Interval ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Decision Analytic Model ◽  
Published Data ◽  
User Testing

Abstract Aim In the UK, injectable medicines are often prepared and administered by nurses following the Injectable Medicines Guide (IMG). Our earlier study confirmed a higher frequency of correct administration with user-tested versus standard IMG guidelines. This current study aimed to model the cost-effectiveness of user-testing. Methods The costs and cost-effectiveness of user-testing were explored by modifying an existing probabilistic decision-analytic model. The adapted model considered administration of intravenous voriconazole to hospital inpatients by nurses. It included 11 error types, their probability of detection and level of harm. Model inputs (including costs) were derived from our previous study and other published data. Monte Carlo simulation using 20,000 samples (sufficient for convergence) was performed with a 5-year time horizon from the perspective of the 121 NHS trusts and health boards that use the IMG. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken for the risk of a medication error and other sources of uncertainty. Results The net monetary benefit at £20,000/quality-adjusted life year was £3,190,064 (95% credible interval (CrI): −346,709 to 8,480,665), favouring user-testing with a 96% chance of cost-effectiveness. Incremental cost-savings were £240,943 (95% CrI 43,527–491,576), also favouring user-tested guidelines with a 99% chance of cost-saving. The total user testing cost was £6317 (95% CrI 6012–6627). These findings were robust to assumptions about a range of input parameters, but greater uncertainty was seen with a lower medication error risk. Conclusions User-testing of injectable medicines guidelines is a low-cost intervention that is highly likely to be cost-effective, especially for high-risk medicines.

scholarly journals Cost effectiveness analysis of implementing tuberculosis screening among applicants for non-immigrant U.S. work visas

Pneumonia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bisma Ali Sayed ◽  
Drew L. Posey ◽  
Brian Maskery ◽  
La’Marcus T. Wingate ◽  
Martin S. Cetron
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
The United States ◽  
Active Tuberculosis ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Tuberculosis Screening ◽  
Hospitalization Costs ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background While persons who receive immigrant and refugee visas are screened for active tuberculosis before admission into the United States, nonimmigrant visa applicants (NIVs) are not routinely screened and may enter the United States with infectious tuberculosis. Objectives We evaluated the costs and benefits of expanding pre-departure tuberculosis screening requirements to a subset of NIVs who arrive from a moderate (Mexico) or high (India) incidence tuberculosis country with temporary work visas. Methods We developed a decision tree model to evaluate the program costs and estimate the numbers of active tuberculosis cases that may be diagnosed in the United States in two scenarios: 1) “Screening”: screening and treatment for tuberculosis among NIVs in their home country with recommended U.S. follow-up for NIVs at elevated risk of active tuberculosis; and, 2) “No Screening” in their home country so that cases would be diagnosed passively and treatment occurs after entry into the United States. Costs were assessed from multiple perspectives, including multinational and U.S.-only perspectives. Results Under “Screening” versus “No Screening”, an estimated 179 active tuberculosis cases and 119 hospitalizations would be averted in the United States annually via predeparture treatment. From the U.S.-only perspective, this program would result in annual net cost savings of about $3.75 million. However, rom the multinational perspective, the screening program would cost $151,388 per U.S. case averted for Indian NIVs and $221,088 per U.S. case averted for Mexican NIVs. Conclusion From the U.S.-only perspective, the screening program would result in substantial cost savings in the form of reduced treatment and hospitalization costs. NIVs would incur increased pre-departure screening and treatment costs.

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