Safe Practices in Drilling and Completion of Sour Gas Wells

Abstract

This paper examines the current status of the global market of sour fields. In particular, it clarifies on the existing methods, standards, and technologies applied for drilling, cementing, and completing a well with high H2S concentration, with view of recommending the minimum health, environmental, and safety (HSE) protocols or standards required when dealing with sour environments. The overall approach for this study was literature review. This will involve exploration of various exploitation case studies from the region and the globe meant for improving the economics of developing sour reservoirs in this cost sensitive time for the industry. Literature on current status of methods and technologies applied for drilling, cementing and completing high H2S concentration wells will be reviewed. Standards and recommendations set by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) on the minimum Health, Environmental, and Safety (HSE) for use in sour environments will also be reviewed. The findings of this study informed of the fact that there is very small even any room for error when it comes with exploiting high H2S concentration well reservoirs. The results of the study established that dealing with sour fields is a challenge the industry will face more often, and in increasing magnitudes over time. In particular, it was established that the best approach for meeting this challenge is for companies in the industry to acquire knowledgeable personnel, an element that dictates for consulted investing in the proper training of employees. In order to ensure proper training of personnel, core areas of the training should encompass best practices on the selection of materials, planning operations, and the swift planning and executing of operation plans and incidents. This study will have implication for unlocking the full potential of the sour environments frontier for the region. The findings of this study will provide drilling and completions engineers with insightful knowledge on best practices in dealing with sour fields.