Drilling and Completion
Technology |
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Featured from experts in the field are four articles that illustrate the use of advanced drilling and completion technologies in the areas
of well stimulation, cementing, multi-string tiebacks and extended reach. In addition, there is World Oil's ever popular, and like all of our content
imminently useful, Drilling, Completion and Workover Fluids listings. |
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External casing perforating. BP engineers describe the application of a new technique that
improved well performance, and worker safety while minimizing unwanted environmental effects. The case history takes place in a West Texas well, where the perforating guns
were run outside of casing and fired after tubing was run. |
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New cementing technology for casing tiebacks. In this case study, Shell and Halliburton authors
discuss the difficulties that need to be overcome in achieving the needed level of junction integrity for intersecting strings. These include cyclic loading and
temperature/pressure changes. The new slurries include retardants, encapsulated additives and ductile cements; emplacement procedures such as reverse circulation, are also
described. |
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A new low-density proppant is introduced in this story from BJ services. The very low,
specific gravity proppant alters the dynamics of hydraulic fracturing. The authors present examples from 135 Permian basin wells that resulted in significantly improved
stimulation methods. |
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Extended reach drilling applications. K&M Technology Group gives specific examples of the use of advanced tools for
reaching out farther than before, such as rotary steering, Pressure While Drilling and casing floatation with smarter methods and practices. A recent Gulf of
Mexico well that was drilled to a record length with a basic rig package exemplifies the process. |
Exploration |
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Evaluating petroleum systems elements and processes in frontier offshore exploration areas using seabed geochemistry. So-called
pathfinder techniques can point the way to prospects and define where to best spend money on lease sales and seismic data acquisition. Authors (some are ex-oil company) from
the University of Utah detail how they work on the seabed, as well as what doesn't work. |
Petroleum Technology
Digest (Production Technology) |
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World Oil's regular monthly feature is published in association with the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council. This month
features a case study about fracture mapping in coalbed methane exploration plays. Intersecting as many fractures as possible makes all the difference in production rates.
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Drilling, Completion and
Workover Fluids |
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Alternative weighting material provides low ECD drilling fluid with reduced sag tendencies. Authors from Shell and Baker
Hughes INTEQ tell operators of a new drilling fluid that helps expand the pressure window between confinement and fracturing, or at least helps to manage it
more easily. This fluid mitigates equivalent circulating density problems even though it has solids additives. It is also thinner than most fluids, yet avoids sag in narrow
annuli and horizontal sections. |
FLUIDS LISTINGS |
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World Oil's exclusive annual reference comprises about 20 pages that show trade names, generic descriptions, recommended
usage and suppliers of nearly 2,400 fluid systems/additives for drilling, completion and workover. |
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