Drilling and Completions

Spectrum of
D&C activity
DRILLING & COMPLETIONS
BASICS
Main Components of a Drilling Rig

All drilling rigs have the following basic systems

Hoisting
Rotating
Circulating & Solids Control
Power
Blowout Prevention
Hoisting System

Used for raising and

lowering the drilling
assembly, and for
running casing,
completion equipment
and other tools in and
out of the hole.
Rotating System
A hexagonal or square pipe is connected to
the topmost joint of the drill string. The
rotary table and kelly drive bushing impart
rotation to the drill string while allowing it
to be moved up or down.

As an alternative to the kelly and rotary

table, most modern rigs employ a Top
Drive system for rotating the drill string.
A powerful electric or hydraulic motor is
suspended from the traveling block.
Circulating System
During drilling, fluid is
continuously pumped
down the drill string,
through the bit, and up
the annular space
between the hole and
the drill string. Its main
purpose is to bring up
the cuttings, cool the
bit, maintain hole
stability, and prevent
formation fluids from
entering the wellbore.
Circulating System & Solids Control
 Types of Drilling Fluids

Water-based Oil-based Pneumatic

Non-dispersed Diesel based

Dispersed Mineral Oil based Dry air/gas
Calcium treated Synthetic: Mist
Saltwater based Esters Foam
Low solids Ethers Aerated mud
Polymer Olefins

Selection of the type of drilling fluid systems for a well is based on:
PERFORMANCE, ECONOMICS, and ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
More than one system may be used in the same well.
Power System
Most modern rigs are
electric. Generally, large
diesel engines are the
primary source of power.
Electric power generated
by the engines is first
converted from AC to DC
in the SCR unit. DC
motors supply power to
the drawworks, rotary,
and pumps. AC power is
still used for auxiliary
equipment.
Diesel Electric
Drill String & Bit
Hole is made by turning a
Drill pipe
bit connected to the
bottom of the drill string
and applying weight at the
same time.

The bit is turned either Drill collars

entirely by drill pipe Measurement Bottom
rotation from surface or tools Hole
with the help of a Assembly
Downhole
downhole motor which motor
rotates when drilling fluid
is pumped through it. Bit
Bit Types

Roller Cone

Steel tooth Tungsten Carbide Insert

Fixed Cutter

Diamond Diamond
PDC Natural & Synthetic
Well Control
Primary control of
wellbore pressures is
maintained by ensuring
that the hydrostatic
pressure of the drilling
fluid in the well is always
slightly higher than the
highest formation
pressure exposed to the
open wellbore. Primary
control is lost if a kick is
taken due to imbalance
of pressures.
RIG TYPES
 Inland Barge

Land

Jackup
Semisubmersible

Drillship

Types of
Drilling Rigs
 Platform Semi-Submersible T.L.P.
Land Rig Jack-up Drill Ship
 Offshore Drilling Rigs
SUBMERSIBLE (35 50 world wide)
INLAND BARGES (POSTED) - Very Shallow Water (up to 20 22ft)
SUBMERSIBLE RIG / BARGE - Shallow Water (up to 70 100ft)

PLATFORM Intermediate Water

(Petronius US GOM= 1800ft+)

JACK-UP Shallow to Intermediate Water

(+/-400 worldwide) (20 400ft, very few 300ft)

SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE Intermediate Deep Water

(+/ 180 world wide) (300 7500+ft)

DRILL SHIP Intermediate Deep Water

(+/- 50 world wide) (200 10,000ft)
SHALLOW-WATER BARGE RIG
PLATFORM RIG
JACK-UP RIG

Derrick cantilevered
over stern of hull.

Well conductor
SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE RIG

Ocean America (on tow)

 Semi-Submersible Generations
Year Rated Water Deck Mud BOP
Built Depth (ft) Load (tons) Capacity (bbls) (Mpsi)

5th 97+ 5000-10000 6000+ 6000+ 15

4th 86+ 2000-5000 4000-5000 4000+ 15

3rd 81-85 1200-2500 2500-3500 2000-3000 15

2nd 73-80 600-1500 1500-2500 1500-2500 10

1st pre-73 600 <1500 <2000 10

 DRILLSHIPS

Transocean Discoverer 534

and Discoverer Enterprise

Transoceans
Deepwater Discovery
(+800ft long)
 1. COST
Approximate Rig Rates (September 02)

Jack-Up (GoM) $30 K /day

2nd / 3rd Generation Semi (<2,000 ft) $40 70 K / day

Enhanced 3rd Generation Semi (4,500ft WD) $100-130 K / day

DP Semis & Drill Ships $150-180 K / day

DP Dual Activity Drill Ships $200 K / day

 DRILL-SUPPORT
ROV SYSTEMS

ROV and tether system

Control cabin, launch being launched
arm, tether system,
and ROV on rig deck

Buoyancy

ROV Launch
Thrusters
Typical
ROV