Successful Optimization Strategies Combine to Deliver Significant Performance Boost at the Edge of the ERD Envelope, Sakhalin Island, Russia

Abstract

AbstractNumerous performance enhancement initiatives were used by the operator for the Sakhalin I project in drilling and completing the world-class extended reach drilling (ERD) program at the Odoptu Field, Sakhalin Island, Russia. As a result of the drilling successes and favorable production performance, the initial seven-well ERD program was expanded to nine wells, including the world record OP-11 well. The operator’s philosophy of relentless redesign to remove limiters from the drilling process resulted in significant performance improvements in all areas of drilling and completion operations. This paper provides details and results for many of the key performance initiatives used.Operators are continually striving to drill longer, faster, and at lower costs while minimizing risks to provide maximum shareholder value. During the Odoptu ERD drilling program, a constant progression of performance improvement, time reduction, and dependability strategies were used. These optimization initiatives resulted in significant performance improvements for the project and numerous industry records.The nine Odoptu ERD wells were drilled at a cost below the budgeted amount for the first seven wells. As a result of the initiatives employed, non-productive time (NPT) was reduced from an average of 21% on the first four wells to less than 3% on the last five. Aggressive shock and vibration mitigation efforts through bit redesign, bottomhole assembly (BHA) vibration analysis and operational optimizations resulted in record BHA runs. Wellbore instability issues were successfully mitigated through design and operational practices. Completion practices were high-graded and optimized and as a result, all completions in the long horizontal intervals were successfully placed using partial string rotation techniques.Drilling ERD wells at the edge of industry experience in a cost effective and low-risk manner requires careful attention to detail and a commitment by the operator and contractors to continuously improve.