Drilling Report

Hot Mud: Temperature control of fracture gradient. ChevronTexaco authors explain a downhole phenomenon, wherein temperature differences between the formation and the drilling mud increases wellbore stresses that can aggravate lost circulation problems. Analyzing the problem and testing with both heated and cooled mud are overviewed. Potential remedies such as insulated risers in cold deep water are suggested.

Infill drilling: how to decide whether to use water- or oil-based mud. This case study from ConocoPhillips Calgary-based Hycal Energy Research Laboratories Ltd describes the process of how water- or oil-based drilling fluids were chosen for development drilling in Alpine/Colville River field on Alaska's North Slope. Based on extensive lab work on core data together with field results, it was determined that water imbibition during drilling was affecting subsequent production. Much better well performance was obtained by knowing when to use the appropriate fluid.

Drilling through complex geological structures with highly dipping formations benefits from advanced technology. Normally, in this situation, just keeping the hole on track would be a challenge. Chesapeake Energy and Baker Hughes detail how a new drilling optimization service conducted a detailed analysis of drilling performance, mud logs and wireline data from offset wells, to achieve the highest possible ROP while maintaining a near-vertical wellbore. The strategy included a sophisticated straight hole drilling device, VertiTrak, with a new-style, reduced-exposure Genesis PDC

 Reservoir Characterization

Solving the Y-fault, stair-step reservoir modeling problem in a complex Shell Nigerian prospect. Reservoir modelling techniques have made significant progress during the last 10 years. However, there are still areas of complex geology for which building a coherent reservoir representation for the flow simulator is technically challenging. A large amount of these cases involve faulted stacked pay sequences, where stacked branching "Y" faults and mutually crossing "X" faults segment the main reservoir sequences. Shell and Earth Decision Sciences' research teams compare two methods of fault building for simulation purposes, with results discussed in case study examples.

A new way to estimate permeability on uncored wells, based on existing well logs and core data. Core and well logs are still the best way to estimate the extremely important permeability parameter. This new method, while not simple, is straightforward, and involves first the classification of the reservoir into discreet flow units, followed by the mapping of existing permeability data from well logs using neural networks. Authors from Repsol-YPF and the University of Iowa discuss how to use the method, as well as how it worked in a field in Argentina.

 Rig Census

The ever-popular Reed-Hycalog Rig Census makes its annual appearance with a couple of enhancements this year. Traditionally, this exclusive report, full of tables and figures, summarizes the firm's annual survey of US drilling contractors' fleet status and key activity indicators. This year, additional content will be included for Canadian land rigs and some offshore international fleets. Industry professionals find the census to be especially valuable when forecasting day rates or future availability.

 Handling Produced Water

Using a proactive approach to lower the cost of produced water. This overview of produced water from Halliburton authors tells of aggregate US produced water costs. It further drives home the point that early intervention and planning in the life of a well can greatly reduce operating costs and extend its economic life.

Natco is one of the first companies to apply floatation cell technology to the handling of produced water. The authoring firm describes its latest award-winning produced water treating technology and tells how it's used in an article that describes how to optimize the produced water process.

 Petroleum Technology Digest

Our popular, recurring feature results from World Oil's association with the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council. October's article shows how technology funded in part by the US Department of Energy is helping operators increase production while lowering operating costs by using a novel solution.

Coming in October's Deepwater Technology

 Now in its eighth year a special supplement to World Oil.

This annual World Oil feature is a separate publication of technical material including "Panel in Print" interviews with executives in major oil companies, regulatory agencies and technology development groups. Up to four additional technical articles detail status and applications of new drilling and production developments.

Panel in Print Interviews

Johnnie Burton, US Minerals Management Director, discusses what's behind industry's move into deep water; progress on deep-gas drilling on the Shelf; status of LNG marketing to monetize "stranded gas;" and other current deepwater projects.

Sean Hanrahan, DeepStar's new Director, updates activities of this ChevronTexaco organized, operator and service company offshore-technology R&D group. The JIP is now into its Phase VII study, backed by 48 supporting members. Twenty two technical projects have been funded so far.

Guilherme Estrella, Petrobras' E&P Director, updates deepwater activity of this major offshore producer, discussing new key field developments. Progress on R&D involving three major technical programs, PROCAP 3000, PRAVAP and PROPES, are overviewed.

Bob Frith, VP of E&P Upstream, Shell Global Solutions, overviews this important technology development company's organization and goals. Also discussed are how it selects projects, where and how its operations and R&D are handled, and examples of important contributions to deepwater development.

Technical Articles

Cameron describes the development of its important, all-electric, subsea production system that substitutes DC electricity for hydraulics and electro-hydraulics, including wet trials with BP in the UK North Sea.

Transocean reviews important elements of a drillship operating in deep water and how its design has met the control-room challenges of dynamic positioned operations, plus the added challenges/advantages of the example rig's dual activity feature.

FMC updates the important deepwater development, the High Integrity, Pressure Protection System (HIPPS) as a cost-effective alternative in developing High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) fields. Progress of field testing in the North Sea is reviewed.

Cameron Highway pipeline project. Gulf Terra Energy Partners discuss the major, 380-mile-long pipeline being constructed in the US Gulf of Mexico, designed to deliver 650,000 barrels of oil per day from three deepwater and three Shelf-area fields to the South Texas coast.

Plus an independent ReadershipPlus Ad Impressions survey.