Well Service: Impact of Wellsite Monitoring on Economics, Standards, Performance, and Culture

Abstract

Summary This study produced a quantifiable database that provided analysis and interpretation of field activities over more than 20,000 rig-hours during a 14-month period. The data were obtained by sealed, independent, electronic measurement from selected well-service providers performing assorted jobs under a variety of conditions. This study was initiated because of a lack of known published or accredited standards or guidelines for assessing well-service performance. The primary focus was on overall job quality, rod and tubing makeup, time use, crew efficiency, and safety. Information was acquired with an unattended system, temporarily stored on the rig recording unit, and retrieved by wireless remote to a host PC at a central office. Archived data were analyzed graphically and tabularly and were reported to well-service and oil companies to develop and maintain well histories, publish crew-efficiency reports, identify optimum procedures, improve safety, and publish time studies. Current industry quality-assurance practice consists mainly of the occasional overview of well-service crews by a field engineer or foreman, relying on visual perception and experience in judging service quality and procedures. The results are extraordinary repeat failure rates and unresolved service problems. The new electronic-monitoring technology documents and resolves deficient intrinsic field cultural practices. Our data and analysis conclusively show that repeat failure rates and downtime are reduced. Service-crew awareness concerning work processes and efficiency is raised to a higher level. Productivity increases, artificial-lift costs decline, and fair accountability is maintained with permanent records. Oil companies use the new technology to establish and monitor their alliances; service companies use the results to train crews in proper techniques. Credible reporting now enables and mandates performance over personality when making long-term economic decisions. This technology will push the evolution of the well-service industry with the establishment of quality and performance standards. Quality standards, rather than perceptions, will be the basis for decisions.