The Art of Short Radius Drilling – Best Practices to Consistently Deliver Wells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farooq Anwar Baig ◽  
Ali Alhasawi ◽  
Marco Aburto Perez

Abstract Short radius wells typically incorporate build rates between 35deg per 100ft and 70deg per 100ft. These wells are typically drilled to minimize exposure of a problematic zone above the target or to reduce geological uncertainty. This paper will discuss best practices and equipment developed specifically for delivering these wells in the Middle East. Case histories will illustrate the close collaboration with the operator resulting in performance step change for short radius drilling. The approach is based on a rigorous Drilling Engineering process. Such process is divided in four major steps; design, execute, evaluate and optimize. One of the first key steps is to perform a diligent risk assessment ensuring the customer objectives are achieved. This resulted in the development and implementation of technological innovations on downhole motors and Measurements While Drilling (MWD) tools to achieve the required high build rates safely and consistently. Proper communication was crucial for flawless execution, and meticulous documentation enabled proper evaluation and optimization of the art of short radius drilling. For over 10 years, multiple short radius wells have been consistently delivered meeting their objectives; from successful sidetracking operations, accurate curve landing, optimum geo-steering, valuable Logging While Drilling (LWD) data collection, to extending the life of the wells by maximizing their production. The last two steps of the Drilling Engineering cycle (evaluate and optimize) have been the foundation of the continuous improvement process; targeting adequate equipment maintenance, Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) design and operational practices to ensure consistent results. The paper will recap the drilling engineering cycle for wells drilled recently. The discussed best practices have enabled master the art of short radius drilling. Such distinctive knowledge should be shared with the entire oil and gas industry. The paper captures the engineering approach to tackle the traditional challenges of drilling short radius wells. It also discusses the reliable solution for drilling short radius wells in Middle East which are planned to access new reserves from an existing infrastructure, while minimizing drilling and geological risks.

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Polson

At the APPEA 2017 Conference in Perth, Bernadette Cullinane and Susan Gourvenec drew our attention to the looming challenge for Australia’s oil and gas industry in decommissioning its aging assets (Cullinane and Gourvenec 2017). While Cullinane and Gourvenec’s paper focussed on the experience challenge for the Australian industry, this paper will drill down to explore the funding and financial challenges and opportunities for decommissioning in the decades ahead. In approaching the decommissioning of their assets, oil and gas companies must consider a broad range of stakeholders, beyond their immediate shareholders and board members. As we have seen in the development of new projects, Australian Government, environmental organisations and community groups, all have increasingly significant impact. These stakeholders have been considered and managed with (at best) varying degrees of effectiveness in the recent past. This impact will continue to grow for decommissioning of existing assets. However, right now, with few decommissioning projects in play, the industry has a limited window of opportunity to set the agenda for how, when and under what kind of funding arrangements and financial structures decommissioning can take place. By getting ahead of the game and establishing best practices from the outset, the industry can demonstrate to Australian Government, environmental organisations and community groups a level of commitment and accountability that will allow us to move ahead on decommissioning, with reduced outside interference. The window of opportunity is closing. The time to act is now.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-146
Author(s):  
Andrey S. Bochkov ◽  
Mariia G. Dymochkina

Background. Decision-making process in the oil and gas industry, traditionally extremely expensive, should be based on the point of maximizing the business value. Forecasting the effectiveness of investments of any business unit in oil and gas should be based on a data-driven management approach. The purpose of this article — to study methods and best practices of applying a data — driven approach to decision-making and analyze the possibility of scaling methods of best practices in the processes in oil and gas company. Materials and methods. Research a various case with data-driven management shows that using data-driven approach allows solving several tasks at once: to make a fast and quality decisions based on data that can always be checked, and the result can be analyzed; to reduce the costs by eliminating inefficient steps and increase the flexibility of the process; to form the correct attitude to data (data culture) and prepare for the implementation of the technologies of Industry 4.0. Analyze cases revealed two common and important things: engineering of business processes from the key performance indicators and the technological development. Results. In article discusses the topic of applying a data-driven decision-making approach in oil and gas companies using several examples of Gazprom Neft. These examples shows that better effect from the using of data-driven management is achieved by consistently modeling business processes for achieving maximum values; highlighting and fixing key business performance indicators and creating a digital monitoring of these indicators, which allows you to the achievement of goals. Conclusions. In the conclusion of the article there are recommendation about using data-driven management approach for various processes of an oil and gas company.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario A. Rivas ◽  
Andres A. Ramirez ◽  
Bader S. Al-Zahrani ◽  
Khaled K. Abouelnaaj

Abstract One of the major challenges the Oil and Gas Industry faces nowadays during drilling operations is the twist-offs on Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) components such as Drilling Jars, Shock Tools, Mud Motors, Roller Reamers, Stabilizers, Drill Collars, PBLs, Heavy Weight Drill Pipe (HWDP), Drill Pipe (DP), etc. To overcome this challenge, an initiative was proposed by performing a study based on twist-offs experienced on BHA components while drilling operations and recommendations are provided to reduce and eliminate twist-offs related to drilling with suboptimal drilling parameters. The statistical data for the twist-off events was collected coming from Daily Drilling Reports, and the analysis was limited to all wells which presented twist-offs on the drillstring and BHA components. Three examples of twist-offs due to drilling with erratic torque are discussed as well as a successful example of drilling parameters optimization. The three examples which presented drillstring and BHA twist-offs were analyzed using available BHA Dynamics and vibrations software and it was discovered that the parameters utilized (operational RPM) fell within the critical zone shearing force peaks (resonance vibrations). The components with the most twist-offs were identified. The hole size where we have the most twist-offs were also identified, which will help in focusing on these areas for the recommendations provided. This analysis will help Drilling Engineers and Foremen to foresee vibration dysfunctions and act accordingly by the use of available BHA Dynamics software in order to optimize drilling parameters before and during drilling. By drilling within a safe operating RPM window (away from resonant RPM), there will be reduction in the number of twist-offs and associated lost time.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eyad A. Alali ◽  
Mohammed A. Bataweel

Abstract The oil and gas industry has been developing various technologies to increase the productivity and recovery of hydrocarbons from conventional and unconventional reservoirs. Reservoir stimulation is an essential operation used to enhance production in many fields around the world. Hydraulic fracturing and acid treatments are the main stimulation methods. Reservoir tunneling concepts are used to drill branched channels in the formation from the main wellbore. With thousands of tunnels drilled to date, it is a viable technique that can improve the recovery of selected reservoirs. This paper reviews the recent developments in reservoir tunneling technologies and their current applications. These tunneling methods can be categorized mainly into water jetting, abrasive jetting, reactive jetting (acid), and needle and mechanical tunneling (radial drilling). The paper includes reviewing and analyzing these techniques based on documented literature results that include simulation studies, lab and yard experiments, field implementation, candidate selection, operational requirements, technology enhancements, advantages, limitations, and challenges of each technique. The paper provides a comprehensive summary of different tunneling techniques focusing on the operational practices, tunneling mechanisms, tunneling depth, and recent advancements available in the market. The most effective applications of the tunneling techniques are in stimulating low permeability, depleted and thin reservoirs, layers close to water zones, and bypassing near wellbore formation damage. The efficiency of creating tunnels is affected by many factors such as reservoir properties, nozzle, and fluid types, etc. The tunnel shape and trajectory are affected by reservoir geological properties. The combination of the tunneling with other stimulation techniques can result in more effective treatments, which enhance the methods of current stimulation. Reservoir tunneling technologies can pave the way to improve hydrocarbon recovery and enable access to unstimulated formations.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 494
Author(s):  
Jane Austin ◽  
Kerry Houston

The high-risk nature of the oil and gas industry means the search for best practices to ensure employees suffer no harm is ongoing. Our industry has undergone multiple-step changes in safety, including the eras of death, engineering, regulations, and, more recently, behaviours. The unifying aspect to expand the results achieved from these step changes is the seamless merging of human factors and prevention systems, which are explored in further detail in this extended abstract. Human factors are how individuals behave physically and psychologically to their work environment. Prevention systems are the equipment, systems, and processes the organisation provides and implements to keep individuals safe in the work environment. The manner in which human factors and prevention systems collaborate delineates Intertek's processes in safety. To better understand both human factors and prevention systems, the authors analysed their sub-components, ultimately making their use more relevant for the needs of this industry. A consistent understanding of each subsequently allows better identification of where the gaps may exist and allows focus on processes for not only improved business results but also achievement of no harm to employees. Although this extended abstract primarily concentrates on human factors, a means of assessing employees' abilities to behave in their work environment alongside an organisation's prevention systems is also discussed.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Sears ◽  
Marianne (Chuck) Davies ◽  
Conor Chell

In light of recent disasters in the oil and gas industry, there is increasing public pressure to develop more robust processes for responding to such disasters in Canada. In this article, the authors examine the emergency response procedures currently in place, and consider how oil and gas producers, carriers, and processors can improve these procedures. The article begins by outlining the emergency response planning and incident reporting obligations incumbent on the oil and gas industry, which is followed by an overview of the regulatory inspection powers that exist to investigate real and potential environmental, workplace, and safety incidents. Finally, the article considers what responding to an actual emergency would look like, and proposes best practices for the oil and gas industry.


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