Reservoir screening studies were carried out on all of ADCO’s reservoirs to determine their applicability for Underbalanced Drilling (UBD). These studies resulted in a prioritization of potential UBD candidates. The primary business benefits of UBD were determined as follows: –reduction of formation damage ○Productivity Improvement Factors (PIFs) much greater than 1 were determined in many cases;○potential elimination of complicated (and expensive) stimulation jobs.–dynamic reservoir characterization ○improved understanding of geological architecture/flow units and hence the potential for more accurate and reliable reservoir models;○improved completion designs. Some of the secondary benefits of UBD that were identified beforehand included Rate of Penetration (ROP) improvements while drilling and improved rig performance. In one field, it was demonstrated that the PIFs per well resulting from UBD would enable fewer wells to be used to develop the field by optimization of the horizontal well length and hence a significant reduction in capital expenditure. From these studies, two fields were selected to carry out initial trials. This paper describes the lessons learnt from the planning, design and subsequent implementation of UBD in the first well in ADCO, which involved a truly integrated and multi-disciplined team effort. An initial assessment of the business benefits obtained from the trial compared to the results of the initial screening studies is also provided.
The introduction of a high build rate rotary steerable system (HRSS) capable of delivering in excess of 18°/100 ft DLS resulted in the expectation that this will lead to drilling more wells with higher DLS with RSS. While this paper is not to explore this expectation, it is obvious that this rotary steerable system (RSS) has been used by E&P Operators in the Middle East Region for so many different applications within the operating window of the other existing RSS system. This paper aims to explore in details the unique and ingenious applications, benefits and value of these HRSS systems to the clients in the UAE in terms of optimizing costs and improving drilling efficiency. The traditional method of utilizing a motor for kick-off, sidetrack and exit whipstock was challenged and the broadened operating limits of HRSS were utilized to its full potential to find ingenious ways to perform such operation. The major benefits from these applications are a result of the ability to overcome challenging drilling environments or operational requirements. 22 jobs have been completed in the UAE from Q1, 2012 to date using the HRSS with 100% success rate across the range of applications described below:- Dogleg severity assurance in complex 3D trajectories or through incompetent formations.Kick-off from vertical in various formations with different comprehensive strengths.Cement plugs sidetrack from vertical and shoe to shoe drill ahead to section TD.Sidetrack from whipstock with15 ft rat hole and shoe to shoe drilling with full suite of logging tools. The increasing demand for this service and creation of a niche, even in the current environment of demanding cost optimization and value based technology, the application of this technology has led to an estimated saving in excess of 40 days. The non-tangible benefits include better hole cleaning and smoother wellbores leading to less wellbore tortuosity and improved ability trip post drilling with drilling, logging and casing assemblies. The asset teams are not left out as the near bit measurements in theses assemblies also aid in reduction of the uncertainties and enable better decision making, especially while landing the well or at TD point selection. The applications of HRSS described in the paper are innovative applications designed through immaculate planning and risk mitigation. As a result of which significant achievements in cost optimization and drilling efficiency enhancement have been realized.
Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) Drilling Division and its Contractors have managed to reach and maintain world class performance in HSE for the past three years and recorded the lowest Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR), the second lowest Lost Time Injury Frequency (LTIF) in ADCO's Drilling Division history and the longest time without LTI (Eighteen months without LTI). In addition we have recorded zero car related injuries and zero spills in 2011. ADCO believes that the most fundamental factor affecting HSE performance is what is commonly referred to as "safety culture". The strongest influence upon culture within most organizations is "the message from the top management". DOIRC (Drilling Operations Incident Review Committee) program improved subsequently both vertical (ADCO management and rig site) and horizontal (ADCO and its contractors) communication and was a key factor in setting in place an effective 360° communication. The success of the program shows clearly that the behavior of all stakeholders in Drilling can be changed by an effective communication, visible commitment and involvement from the top management. By keeping a permanent physical and contact between drilling crews, service providers and top management of ADCO and its Contractors, the impact on the safety behavior of the drilling crews was changed since then. The DOIRC program was the key factor for ADCO Drilling to reach and maintain a world class performance for the past three years, reaching 0.52 TRIR in 2011, the lowest in ADCO drilling history and more than twenty million kilometers driven without injuries.
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