BASIC DRILLING ENGINEERING

COURSE
(a guide for drilling engineers)
A. Rig selection and basic planning
steps
Types of rigs
Land Rig

Swamp Rig

Semi-Submersible rig

Truck mounted Rig

Jack-up Rig

Drilling Barge

Drill Ship

Submersible rig
Land Rig 4

 Most land rigs have a similar structure.

Details can of course vary. The biggest
difference between them is their size.
The size is the parameter that decides
how deep the rig can drill.

 The depth of the well may vary from a

few hundred or thousand meters (feet)
to tens of thousands of meters (feet).
The location of the hydrocarbons
dictates the depth of the well.

 Land rigs are also portable, they can

drill at one site, then be disassembled if
necessary, moved to another site, and be
reassembled to drill another hole.
Swamp Rig 5
Submersible

This is a drilling structure

which is used in relatively
shallow water, usually 80
feet or less. It is towed to
its location where it is
submerged until it sits on
the bottom. This
submerging serves as its
mooring system, although
anchors may also be used.
Semi-Submersible
This rig has the hull design of
a catamaran and is either
towed or self-propelled. A
semi-submersible can also be
dynamically positioned or it
can use anchors. When the
rig is on location, it is
ballasted down, in about the
same way a submarine
submerges, fifty feet or so to
give it stability. Semis are
heavy-duty rigs and are
designed for adverse weather
conditions.
 Jack-Up

The name of this rig implies

exactly what it does. Jack-ups
are towed to their location
where rig personnel use heavy
machinery to jack the legs down
into the water until they are on
the ocean floor. When this is
completed, the platform
containing the work area rises
above the water. After the
platform his risen about 50 feet
out of the water, the rig is ready
to begin drilling. Jack-up rigs
are limited to a water depth of
about 600 feet or less.
 Drillship
A drillship can be one of two
types: 1) It can be a ship which
was designed and built to be a
drilling vessel; or 2) A drillship
can be an older vessel which
has been refitted with drilling
equipment.
Drillships are self-propelled,
carrying a complete ship's
crew while underway, as well
as a crew of drilling
personnel..
Compare: Semisubmersible vs. Drill ship
10
Types of Rigs
Types of Wells
Wildcat Well - an exploration well drilled in an area where no oil or gas
has been produced.

Exploratory Well - a well drilled outside the boundaries of a known

reservoir or drilled in an unproven area where no oil and gas production
exists (sometimes called a "wildcat").

Development Well - a well drilled in a proven field to exploit known

reserves. Usually one of several wells drilled from a central platform.

OffsetWell - a type of development well that is drilled near a well that is

producing or had previously been productive.

Relief well - a directionally drilled well whose purpose is to intersect a

well which is blowing out, thus enabling the blow out to be controlled.
Steps to drill a well
WELL PLANNING
Thisis the most demanding aspect of drilling engineering.
This is because it requires integration of engineering
principles, corporate or personal philosophies, and
experience factors.

The objective of any well plan is to minimize drilling cost,

maximize production and life of well and most important
ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. All aspect of
drilling like the type of rig, drilling days and the services
required to drill the well go into the well plan.
 WELL PLANNING (cont’d) 14

The drilling program is prepared by the Drilling Engineer and contains

the following:

 Objective of the Well  Proposed Location for the Drilling Rig

 Depth (m/ft Subsea), and Location  Hole Sizes and Depths

(Longitude and Latitude) of Target  Casing Sizes and Depths

 Geological Crosssection
 Drilling Fluid Specification

 Pore Pressure Profile Prediction

 Directional Drilling Information

 Drilling Rig to be used for the well

 Well Control Equipment and

Procedures

 Bits and Hydraulics Program

WELL PLANNING WELL PROGRAM

Plots
INFORMATION Depth vs. Time
Pore Pressure vs. Depth
Geological Summary Fracture Gradient vs. Depth
Offset data Mud weight vs. Depth
Bit records Mud Program
Mud program Drill string Design
Log data BHA
Rig specification data Bit Program
Etc. Casing Design
Cement Program
Rig Selection
AFE (Authority for Expenditure)
Dry holes and completed wells
Tangible, intangible, &
contingency items

The end result is “A safely drilled, minimum-cost useable hole that

satisfies the reservoir engineers requirements for oil and gas
production”.
 The Well Site Crew Components
Oil Company

SAFETY MANAGER Company Man Well site Drilling Engineer

Rig Manager MUD ENGINEER Well site Geologist

DRILLERS MWD ENGINEER

CEMENT ENGINEER
DERRICKMEN
DIRECTIONAL MUD LOGGER
DRILLER
ROUGHNECKS
CASING CORING ENGINEER
ROUSTABOUT ENGINEER

WELL TESTING ELECTRIC LOGGER

ENGINEER
WELL COST

AFEsare documents used to provide estimates regarding cost for the oil
and gas industry
WELL COST CONTROL

The object of any drilling operation is to drill a usable well at

minimum cost. In most drilling operations, faster is cost effective.
Minimize non-drilling operations.

Cost per foot when comparing bit runs, type of bits, downhole
motors, bit weight and rotary speed, hydraulics, etc.
Total cost or total cost per foot when comparing different types of
muds, casing programs, drilling practices, etc.
COST PER FOOT

Equation for calculating cost per foot

Where
 CT is the cost per foot or meter
 CB is the cost of the bit
 Cr is the hourly cost of the drilling
 T is the trip time in hours
 t is the rotating time in hours
 F is footage
Cost per foot
The hourly cost of the drilling operations include:

The day work cost of the drilling rig

Rental equipment

Mud logger

Average mud maintenance cost

Work boats

Helicopters

Directional drilling cost that reoccur every day

Supervision

Standby personnel

Logging while drilling

Anything that is charged by the day or hour

Cost per foot (cont’d)

The hourly rig cost does not include one time charges or items that
are not time dependent
Casing
Cementing

Wireline open hole logs

Wellhead equipment
Example
Calculate the cost per foot:

Bit # 4

Rig cost = $2,000 per hour

Bit cost = $4,000

Rotating time = 100 hrs

Footage = 3000 feet (914 m)

Depth = 10,000 feet (3048 m)

Trip time = 2 hr per 1000 feet (305 m)

Rotary speed = 100rpm

Calculate the cost per foot

CT = $81.33 /ft

Factors Affecting Penetration Rate

It is generally true that time is money and that improving the
penetration rate will reduce costs. It is also true that the total cost
includes the cost of various auxiliary functions. The factors that effect
drilling time and costs are as follows:
Factors Affecting Penetration Rate

 It is generally true that time is money and that improving the penetration rate will
reduce costs. It is also true that the total cost includes the cost of various auxiliary
functions. The factors that effect drilling time and costs are as follows:

Formation hardness
Factors Affecting Penetration Rate

It is generally true that time is money and that improving the penetration rate
will reduce costs. It is also true that the total cost includes the cost of various
auxiliary functions. The factors that effect drilling time and costs are as follows:

Formation hardness

 Bit weight
Factors Affecting Penetration Rate

It is generally true that time is money and that improving the penetration rate
will reduce costs. It is also true that the total cost includes the cost of various
auxiliary functions. The factors that effect drilling time and costs are as follows:

Formation hardness

 Bit weight

Rotary Speed
Factors Affecting Penetration Rate
Bottom hole cleaning  Auxiliary practices:
Mud properties: 1. formation evaluation
1. weight 2. casing strings
2. type 3. hole sizes
3. solids 4. trip time
4. fluid properties 5. connection time
6. bottom hole assemblies
7. short trips
8. reaming connections
9. rig limitations
Factors Affecting Penetration Rate
Casing strings must be economically justified, running the casing must
save money. The bigger the casing, the more expensive.
Generally, if the bit weight is increased, penetration rate will

increase if hydraulics are adequate. The relationship between bit weight

and drilling rate is given by:
Factors Affecting Penetration Rate
The exponent ‘d’ to bit weight has been found in the laboratory to range

between 0.95 and 2; however, field data has not substantiated this range.
That is, weight on bit is linearly related to drilling rate.

The slope K is not constant and is a function of:

 Hole size

 Drilling fluid type and properties

 Formation characteristics

 Bit type
Maximize Penetration Rate

Select the proper bit

Increased bit weight increases penetration rate

Increased rpm increases penetration rate

More HHP/in2 increases penetration rate

Increased mud weight decreases penetration rate

 Increased solids content decreases penetration rate

Higher viscosity (especially at higher shear rates) decreases penetration

rate

Decreased fluid loss decreases penetration rate

Minimum Cost

A valid objective of the well planning process is to minimize

the total cost of the well without jeopardizing the safety
aspects.
In most cases, costs can be reduced to a certain level as
additional effort is given to the planning.
It is uneconomical in the name of safety to incorporate
excessive safety. On the other hand, money should be spent
as necessary to develop a safe system.
Well cost can be reduced dramatically if proper well
planning is implemented.
Summary
Efficiency in drilling must be a team effort

Involve top management to the roughneck

Good new ideas must be given an opportunity to be successful

Use experience and sound engineering

Drilling faster minimizes cost

Stay out of trouble

Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to try something new

Look at every aspect of the drilling operation

Honestly evaluate changes in the drilling program

Keep it as simple as possible

Health Safety and Environment (HSE)
First things first: Attitude is Contagious

Your Attitude about safety can help you and your co-worker stay safe and do your
job well.
When you see a co-worker working in an unsafe manner or you are tempted to
violate a safety rule, remember these three reasons why safety is important:
 You family wants you to return home safely
 Your employer wants you to return home safely
 Your actions affects the safety of you co-worker and the operations at large
Communications and Reporting
Co-Ordination – Communication – Reporting are three main topics whilst
drilling a well from a Drilling Rig. They are paramount to ensure that
operations are performed safely and efficiently, when the Drilling Rig is
Dynamically Positioned they are essential.

A basic understanding of how to move the rig onto location and maintain
position during Drilling Operations will be required for the Drill Crew. It will
also require the Operator to have an understanding of Drilling Operations
and Limitations.

Pre-planning also plays a large part of the rig operations and the more
equipment which can be loaded or built and racked in the derrick before
moving onto location.
Communication
Teamwork:
Always note you are part of a team and an important part of team work is
communication.

You must communicate to know what is expected of you and what to expect
from others during operation.

If you are not directly involved in a particular job, do not interfere with crew
members who are. Unless you need to say something directly connected to
the job.
Reporting and Investigating Incidents

Incidents are unwanted, unplanned events that have the potential to cause a loss
of some kind. Incidents include Accidents and near misses.

Accidents: are unwanted events that result

in occupational injury and illness to
personnel or damage to equipment, property, material or environment.

Near misses are unplanned occurrences that have the potential to cause
personal injury or property damage.

All Incidents must be reported to the HSE officer or Drilling supervisor on board,
No matter how minor it is.
Prevent Incidents Stop unsafe Acts

On the rig, you have the responsibility to stop any operation or task that you
think is unsafe or environmentally unsound.

Be alert and observant as you work.

All drilling operations have a chain of command that is necessary to avoid

confusion at a work site and during emergency.
General HSE Policies
Alcohol and Drug Policy:
 Illegal drugs and intoxicating beverages are not allowed on the work site
 Reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or other drugs
are not allowed.

Prohibited items
 Fire arms and weapons: Pistol, explosives, air guns, fireworks, Any knife
with a blade longer than 3.75inches, etc
 Other prohibited items include: stolen items and contrabands, cell phones
and pagers during work hours, Energy drinks that contain large doses of
caffeine etc
General HSE Policies

Personal consideration
 Your personal hygiene and grooming add to a healthy and safe work
environment.
 Wash your hands after handling any hazardous substance
 Keep hair short or tucked up under your hard hat. (long hair can get caught
in a piece of equipment causing head injury)
 Remove facial hair to achieve good seal when you want to use breathing
apparatus.
 Button your long sleeve shirts to prevent loose clothing from catching in
machinery.
 Keep your shirts tucked in.
General HSE Policies

Personal Consideration contd.

 Replace torn clothing
 Always wear appropriate footwear
 Never wear jewelry when on duty.
 Horseplay on rig site can pose serious safety risk and is not allowed at any
time.
 Be physically on arrival on rigsite if otherwise notify your supervisor and
the medic on board.
 SMOKING: smoking is permitted ONLY in clearly designated areas on the
rigsite.
General HSE Policies
When using stairs keep one hand free to hold the handrails. If you have so
much baggage that would make you unable to keep one hand free to hold
handrails, ask for help or make two trips.

Use caution on walkways, maintain good footing and balance

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
 PPE refers to specific types of protective clothing and equipment that are designed to
protect you from work site hazards.
NOTE: PPE does not eliminate the hazard.
 It is designed to protect specific parts of your body from specific types of hazards.
 PPE can be divided into the following Categories:
 Head Protection
 Hearing protection
 Eye protection
 Face protection
 Hand protection
 Foot protection
 Hand protection
 Foot Protection
 Body protection
 Fall Protection
 Breathing Protection
Hard Hat
Hard hat can also be called safety hat or helmets. Its used to protect the
dead from impact, penetration, chemical splashes, molten metal and
electrical wires.

Always wear your had hat at working area and outside living quarters
(accommodation unit) except when in an office or riding a vehicle.
Eye and face protection
When doing routine work at work site, you will normally wear some type of eye
protection. Safety glasses are the minimum eye protection on an oil and gas well
site.
Types of eye protection include:

 Safety glasses (tinted classes are available for light-sensitive eyes)

 Safety goggles (dust or chemical goggles)
 Face shield
 Welding
If your eye becomes irritated by any substance, immediately locate an eye wash
station and follow the directions at the station for bathing your eye(s)
Hearing Protection
These lowers the sound pressure (noises) that reaches your ear. Loss of
hearing does not happen suddenly, it is lost over a period of time/years and
this can result form from repeated exposure to noise.
The intensity of sound is measured in decibels(dB). The dB scale ranges
from 0dB to 180dB. Normal conversation or the sound from a sewing
machine is about 65dB.
Types of hearing protections:

Earplugs and Earmuffs

Hearing Protection
Earplugs and earmuffs are classified by their noise reduction rating (NRR)
Earplugs are better for low frequency noise while earmuffs are better for
high frequency noise.
Properly fitted earplugs or muffs reduce noise 15 to 30dB lower.

Consider wearing both when noise exceeds 105dB

Foot Protection

Safety boots should be worn everywhere and all the time on the work site
except in living quarters or offices.
There two types of safety boot: Rubber boots and leather boots
Hand Protection

The hands are vulnerable to cuts, burns, bruises, electric shock, chemical,
temperature extremes and abrasions.
Body Protection
Safety Alarms
Types of Alarms to be aware of:
 Fire alarm
 Blowout alarm
 Abandon Rig Alarm
 Combustible gas alarm (if applicable)
 Man overboard alarm (if applicable)
 All Clear Alarm
Fire alarms and ‘abandon rig’ alarms signals all personnel to
immediately go to a designated muster area/point. The HSE officer
would instruct you on how to recognize the alarms and where the
muster point is on location.
Common Warning Signs

Different work sites use different types of warning signs, placards, cones,

barriers and barricades. Some locations use pictograms, it is your

responsibility to learn what the colors and symbols mean.
Common warning signs
RED Indicates an immediately hazardous situation which
if not avoided will result in death or serious injury.

ORANGE Indicates potentially hazardous situation which if not

avoided will result in death or serious injury.

YELLOW Provides a caution for a potentially hazardous

situation which if not avoided may result in minor
moderate injury

GREEN Provides general instructions relative to safe work

practices.

BLUE Communicates helpful information or company

policy that relates directly or indirectly to safety of
personel or protection of property

Safety Alert Indicates a potential personal injury hazard

Symbols
Common warning signs

Cones barriers and barricades are used to section off

dangerous areas quickly and easily. These may alert you to:
A spill on the floor
A damaged walking surface or
An opening in the floor or decking.
Job Hazard Analysis

Individual jobs at the site may require Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).

When a new task is about to be conducted, the worker involved will need to

 analyze the task and determine the steps needed to complete the
job,
 hazard related to each step of the job,
 protective measures needed to address each of the hazards
 and PPE needed.
Pre-Job Meeting

A pre job meeting will be held in which the JHA will be discussed. A pre-job
meeting is held before starting any major operations to alert you about the
job and to also inform you about the hazards of the job you are about to
perform.

A supervisor will explain the assignment, at these meetings, you and your

crewmembers can ask questions about the job.

Safety is the Highest Priority!
Personnel Considerations
(rig crew) – Safety of
human life and health

Safety of Safety of the

documents and well (to prevent
data blowouts)

Safety

Safety of
premises and Safety of the
materials environment
Emergency Response
Safety is the Highest Priority!
Safety is the Highest Priority!
Safety is the Highest Priority!
Safety is the Highest Priority!
Safety is the Highest Priority!
Safety is the Highest Priority!
Safety is the Highest Priority!