Deep water drilling: technologies and new innovations

Abstract

Drilling performance will play a key role in achieving the goal of keeping pace with increasing global energy demand. Not only do we have to drill, but we also have to increase the intensity at which we drill—as measured by technological sophistication, well and reservoir complexity, and operational efficiency and effectiveness. New technology is needed to lower technical risk and increase performance. Today, drilling technologies have largely been developed as a series of separate elements. And while their performance has been optimised, similar optimisation of the entire system from rig floor to drill bit must now be targeted in an integrated manner. The value of engineering this combination will lie not only in the integration of drilling systems technologies, but also in the optimisation of the drilling workflow—from research and engineering to operational execution. There must be a clear drive towards drilling as a science, and towards initiatives designed to encourage equipment reliability and operational consistency. These must: begin in the design and development of integrated drilling systems; continue through the training of both field crews and maintenance staff; and use new-generation facilities that include state-of-the-art operational bases, multidisciplinary training centers and remote operational support locations—all part of the ‘Schlumberger Excellence in Execution’ initiative. New and innovative technologies will solve many of the challenges in producing a more diverse hydrocarbon supply, but there is no doubt that drilling intensity and complexity will have to increase—both on land and offshore. Integrated engineering of the drilling system will be a major contributor to achieving these objectives.