April 2001 Vol. 222 No. 4  Drilling

Robert E. Snyder,  Editor

SPE/IADC Drilling Conference; new drilling technologies

The annual SPE/IADC Drilling Conference returned to Europe on February 27 – March 1, convening in Amsterdam’s Rai Congress Centre. Registration approached 1,500, and the program comprised more than 110 technical papers, including alternates and poster sessions. It is estimated that more than one-third of these papers represented European-based and applied technology, with the rest reflecting international activity. Thirty companies exhibited their products.

The 17 paper sessions covered nearly all the facets of drilling. Deep water was a key topic, covered by five related sessions. Drilling in depleted and mature fields drew lots of interest. Techniques for UBD, bits, BHA instruments, fluids, expandable tubing / casing, HPHT/ERD and multi-laterals covered some interesting developments. And several presentations updated planning, safety and data management.

Three plenary sessions zeroed in on problems of finding and keeping people, creating professionalism in the people you have, and management techniques to deliver exceptional performance from your company. Probably the highlight of these sessions – from one editor’s opinion anyway – was a recount by Michael Abrashoff, former Commander of the Navy’s USS Benfold battleship. Countering the basic military philosophy of a "Sir, yes Sir!" mentality from the start, he applied personnel management techniques that cut quickly to the philosophy and practice of making every individual feel and act important, and be part of making the ship "the best."

He apparently pulled it off successfully in the peacetime military atmosphere, but the chances of translating this accomplishment to our industry’s major oil companies’ overriding needs to serve their "masters" at the NY Stock Exchange seems pretty remote. One plenary-session comment that sticks in the memory was the statement, "The average age of UK offshore workers is 47, and the average retirement age is in the mid-50s." And we’re supposed to make these workers feel good about their jobs?

Laser drilling. Gas Technology Institute (GTI), the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and its partners have begun work to further examine the commercial viability of drilling for oil/gas using high-powered lasers. This project continues GRI’s (now GTI) fundamental work in an initial two-year basic research study. In 1997, GRI teamed with the Colorado School of Mines and others, to determine whether applications of U.S. military laser technology could be adapted to revolutionize gas drilling technology. The project examined feasibility / costs / benefits.

Over the next year, GTI will focus on three fundamental research areas. Project partners include the Colorado School of Mines; Argonne National Lab (Laser Applications Lab); and industry partners Petroleos de Venezuela and Halliburton Energy Services. The technical basis for this new project lies in recent advances in materials characteristics in optical fibers and coiled tubing, and in the availability of lasers with enough power to cut rock.

The three fundamental technical issues to be addressed are:

   Laser cutting energy assessment. GRI’s investigation determined that 20-year-old calculations overestimated energy needed to spall (break), melt or vaporize rock. The proposed study will determine the correct energy requirements, both empirically and theoretically.

   Variable pulse laser effects. Pulsed lasers have been used for better cutting performance in several applications, particularly in cutting steel. With rock, there is a high probability that cutting with pulsed lasers will also have a greater cutting effect, as the pulsing action should flex and break grain-to-grain contacts.

   Drilling in the presence of fluids. Industry advisors consider problems associated with drilling in a "weighted" fluid environment to be crucial barriers for success of laser drilling. The technical challenge is to determine whether too much laser energy will be required to vaporize and clear away fluid. Initial research will determine energy required to remove material from water-saturated rock, compared to corresponding dry-rock samples.

Beyond 2001, a substantial part of the drilling equation includes completion activities that are "time consuming and pose elements of danger." Part of the proposed research effort will address use of lasers for well completion and stimulation. This would allow perforating without removing the downhole assembly, significantly reducing time / expense. In addition, there are indications that an easier-to-use ceramic wall lining can be created to replace steel casing.

Improved rig systems. National Oilwell will supply Santa Fe International’s two new jackups with integrated drilling systems. These will provide the rigs with equipment and controls, which include three 2,200-hp mud pumps, drawworks, derrick, top drive, automated pipe handling, cranes, SCR, drilling control cabin and control system. The contractor will realize benefits from a fully integrated drilling system through increased drilling efficiency, reliability and safety. The contract is reportedly worth $35 to 40 million. The two 400-ft, harsh-environment jackups are under construction on speculation at PPL Shipyard in Singapore for February 2003 and February 2004 delivery.

And Weatherford International has successfully completed its second Stabberless System project for Burlington Resources on Unit Drilling Rig 201 in Lysite, Wyoming. The Big Horn 7-26 well was drilled in the Madden Deep Unit to 25,830-ft TD, setting a new record for this region. This is the second well drilled by Burlington utilizing the system to run all strings of casing without using a stabber in the derrick.

This job represents one of the many industry firsts by running all casing on an ultra-deep, critical well while eliminating personnel from hazardous work environments. The system significantly improves safety and efficiency in the casing installation process by providing repetitive processes and controlled stabbing of large-OD casing joints.

Minor correction. Doyon Drilling has asked that we update the cover photo credit on page 6 of the February 2001 issue to say that Doyon Drilling is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Doyon Ltd. (an Alaska Native regional corporation), and is no longer a joint venture with Nugget Alaska Inc.