Deepwater DST Planning and Operations From a DP Vessel

Abstract

Abstract ConocoPhillips (COPC) is developing the Magnolia field with a Tension Leg Platform (TLP) in 4674 feet of water at Garden Banks (GB) block 783 in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The field was discovered in 1999 and appraisal wells were drilled in 2000 and 2001. Field development approval was obtained in 2001. The approved depletion plan and well construction strategy included drilling and casing wells prior to the installation of the TLP (pre-drilling), pre-completing and testing one well during the pre-drilling program, and completing the remaining wells from a completion rig installed on the TLP. The GB783 A2ST3BP1 well was successfully drill-stem tested (DST) from the Ensco 7500 dynamically positioned (DP) semi-submersible drilling vessel in June 2003 as part of the Magnolia field development. The pre-completion and DST operations overcame a number of challenges which included the frac-packing of a thick, fine-grained interval, and well testing from a DP semi-submersible drilling rig while simultaneously transferring produced hydrocarbons to a transportation barge moored to the rig. The objectives of the pre-completion/DST were to plan and execute the operations safely, validate the sand control design, determine well performance and reservoir properties, and verify the effectiveness of the completion procedures prior to the TLP rig completion program. This paper will focus on the extensive planning process and the operational aspects of performing a DST in a deepwater environment.