Technology Focus: Offshore Drilling and Completion (April 2016)

Abstract

Technology Focus Cross-discipline solutions? Unified (oil) field theory? We will not expound on quantum theory here; we will discuss unified oil fields, cross-discipline integration, cooperation, and solution deployment. Well construction and operation is a serial piece of business, and, while different disciplines manage the various pieces of the business well, the decisions made at any stage can have implications later in the drilling, completion, and production phases of the well. This is a timely subject for two reasons. First, with low oil prices, we need the maximum efficiency that we can achieve. Second, a potentially emerging challenge in completions is that a drilling solution may be affecting a completion solution. Across the globe, there is increasing evidence that the widespread use of stress cage (a very good drilling solution for depleted formations) may be affecting the ability to deploy fracturing and frac-pack solutions efficiently. The growing evidence consists of higher breakdown pressures, more near-wellbore friction loss, an increasing early-screenout frequency, and even long-term effects on productivity. While it looks as though this interaction has been identified early, it is now imperative that we work across all the disciplines involved—drilling, completions, and production—to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to ensure that the well can be drilled and completed efficiently. Therefore, this month, I include a number of papers for further review that clearly demonstrate the highest levels of cross-discipline teamwork and that have developed solutions that improve efficiency across the scope of a well’s operations. These papers all relate to some extent to the deployment of more complex completions, requiring cabling, control lines, and flat packs. The success of these approaches can be achieved only in cooperative environments. Requiring alignment of a range of different subdisciplines and roles, positive outcomes rely heavily on ensuring that the process is fully integrated. Many of us work in strong functional environments, where all too easily we can deploy solutions that have the potential for repercussions on other aspects of well design, construction, completion, and performance. It is always worth taking a moment during the planning phases of technology and solution deployment to consider the breadth of effects that your solution may have on others. JPT Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 176268 First Large-Bore Expandable-Liner-Hanger Deployment Offshore Gabon: Case Study by John McCormick, Halliburton, et al. SPE/IADC 173060 Design, Qualification, QA/QC, and Operational Performance of Completion Fluid, Reservoir Drill-in Fluid, and Breaker—Tamar, Offshore Israel by John Healy, Healy Energy, et al. OTC 26284 Successful Application of Drilling-Optimization Methodology and Integrated Solutions in a Presalt Well by Marcus Pinheiro, Halliburton, et al.