Well Lifecycle &

Drilling Process Overview

So just where does Oil Come from?
 WEATHERING & EROSION
of igneous, sedimentary and
metamorphic rocks

FOLDING & UPLIFTING TRANSPORT OF DEBRIS

accompanied by volcanic activity and by wind, running water, etc.., and
igneous intrusions DEPOSITION in the sea

SUBSIDENCE
accompanied by compression and
cementation of loose sediments
Oil in place
Porosity
Porosity ……
isisexpressed
expressedas
asaa%%
ofofpore
porespace
spacevs.
vs.
total rock volume
total rock volume
How much Oil?

But
But……
Pore
Porespace
spacewithout
without
communication
communicationisis
Rock Matrix Pore Space no
nogood.
good.We
Weneed
need
…..
…..
(Porosity) Permeability
Permeability
 Drilling Process Overview – Stage 1:
Geological Survey

Geological data is gathered and

interpreted by geophysicists and
geologists looking at where,
when, and at what depth there
could be hydrocarbons in place
 Initially by using ...Seismic data
Subsurface formations are mapped
by measuring the time taken for
acoustic pulses generated in the
earth to return to the surface after
reflection or refraction from
interfaces between geological
formations with different physical
properties
 Drilling Process Overview – Stage 2:
Cost Estimation (AFE)

From this initial information

costs are estimated to
prepare an AFE (Application
for Expenditure) for
submission to management
 Drilling Process Overview – Stage 3:
Well Planning
Drilling engineers start the
process of designing the
well in conjunction with the
geologists, reservoir
engineers and well
completion specialists
• The proposal for drilling the well is prepared by the
geologists and reservoir engineers in the operating
company and provides the information the following
information:
•
• Objective of the Well
• Depth (m/ft Subsea), and Location (Longitude and
Latitude) of Target
• Geological Cross section
• Pore Pressure Profile Prediction
The drilling program is prepared by the Drilling Engineer and
contains the following:
•
• Drilling Rig to be used for the well
• Proposed Location for the Drilling Rig
• Hole Sizes and Depths
• Casing Sizes and Depths
• Drilling Fluid Specification
• Directional Drilling Information
• Well Control Equipment and Procedures
• Bits and Hydraulics Program
 Well Planning Consists of Things Like…..
• Rig Selection
• Permits & Legislative compliance
• Blow Out Prevention
• Casing Design
• Mud Programme
• Solids Control Systems
• Drill Bit Options
• Directional Drilling Requirements
• Logging (evaluation) Programme
• Completion Requirements
• HS&E (Health, Safety & Environmental) Aspects
... To name but a few...
 Drilling Process Overview – Stage 4:
Well Construction

The next stage is the

construction of the well
using drilling equipment
suitable for the pressure
and hazards expected
 Well Types
Wildcat: Little or no previous drilling exploration activity in the area
Exploratory: Geological target selection based on seismic data, and geological
modelling i.e. no previous drilling in the prospective horizon
Appraisal: Delineates the reservoir’s boundaries, usually drilled after the
exploratory discoveries
Producers: Drilling into a known reservoir
Infill: Drilling in known productive portions of the reservoir that have not
been properly drained. This is usually done later in the life of the reservoir
Re-entry: Existing well re-entered to deepen, side-track, complete, or re-
complete
Role of drilling in field development

DST??
 “Drill Bits” are used to cut / crush the rock

Roller Cone
These are “made-up” to heavy large diameter series
of tubes, collectively called... PDC
 ... the Bottom Hole Assembly ‘BHA’

‘Hevi-Wate’ Drill Pipe

Connection
Drill Collar
Stabilizer
 Drilling fluids: “Mud” - has to:
• cool and lubricate the bit, drillstring, and to clean the bottom of
the hole
• carry cuttings to surface
• remove cuttings from the mud at surface minimise possible
subsequent formation damage
• control formation pressures and to maintain hole integrity
• assist in well logging operations
• minimise corrosion of the drillstring, casing and tubing, minimise
contamination problems
• minimise torque, drag and pipe sticking propensities, improve
drilling rate
 Reduce
Rotational
Torque Carry
Cuttings
to
Surface

Form
Stabilize “Filter
Formation Cake”

Lubricate
Drill Bit
Casing ... protects the newly drilled hole

Surface
Casing

Intermediate
Casing

“Liner”
 Main functions of casing strings

• Consolidate unstable formations that have just been drilled

through
• Contain any pressures that may be encountered
• Separate any different pressure regimes
• Provide structural support for the BOPs and diverters
• Protect sensitive formations from contamination
• Provide a suitable environment for installation of production
or testing equipment such as packers, downhole valves,
tubing, liner hangers etc.
 Christmas
Tree

Completions Production
Tubing

Casing String

When a well has been

drilled and cased it Packer
must now be
“Completed” in order
to produce the
hydrocarbons residing Production
Fluids
in the reservoir
Modern completions
 Drilling process overview – Stage 5:
Well Maintenance

Once the well has been completed

and is flowing for commercial
purposes, it has to be maintained
with occasional intervention work for
replacement of worn parts e.g.
leaking down-hole safety valves, and
to gather pressure and temperature
information for reservoir
management
Produced Oil can be processed and stored ready for tankering in
Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessels
Or... By subsea pipelines etc...
 .... Monitoring ....

Detailed reservoir models

and simulations are
constantly updated as new
development-drilling data
becomes available –
enabling effective “Field
Management”
 Drilling process overview – Stage 6:
Abandonment
• Abandonment - this is the stage when the reservoir is depleted
and seabed or land is returned to its natural environment

A well is abandoned when it reaches the end of its useful life or is

a dry hole.
•The casing and other equipment is removed and salvaged.

•Cement plugs are placed in the borehole to prevent migration of

fluids between the different formations.

•The surface is reclaimed and returned to natural environment.

How an Oil Company is Generally Structured
How a Drilling Contractor is Generally Structured
Drilling Service companies

Drilling Service
Companies

Drilling Fluids Drilling Cements

Directional
Casing Running
Drilling

Formation
Mud Logging
Evaluation

Drilling Bits Tool Rental

Well Completion Many

Equipment others .....etc.
Cable tool drilling vs Rotary Drilling
 Further Reading
• MI’s Drilling Fluids Engineering Manual – Chapter 1
“Introduction”
• http://science.howstuffworks.com/oil-drilling.htm/printable
• http://science.howstuffworks.com/oil-refining.htm/printable
• http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Default.cfm