Maximizing Co-Activity Operation and Mastering Drilling Practice as Effective Strategies for Marginal Field Development

Abstract

A limited remaining reserve is one of the challenges commonly found in mature field development. Swamp fields in the Mahakam block is an example of mature field development which leads to a marginal operation. Delivering wells more economically is one of the key points to survive during those conditions. Rig operation with a significant daily expenditure could be a way for improvement to yield economic wells. In general, an efficient rig operation would deliver wells in a shorter duration and at a lower cost. In order to lessen the well duration, two aspects could be improved: performing co-activity operation to shorten the horizontal time (preparation) and mastering drilling practices to shorten the vertical time (drilling). In the co-activity operations aspect, various initiatives have been implemented, such as rigless operations, batch drilling, and offline or simultaneous activities. While in the drilling practices aspect, drilling parameters, bit design, connection practice, and team motivation were the areas that have been improved. This paper will elaborate further on those initiatives. Implementing massive co-activity operations and the best drilling practices have demonstrated a significant time saving of 24% for the shallow well (final depth around 1800 m) and 27% for the deep well (final depth around 4300 m) in the block. These practices have also made a new record of the fastest well completion in 2.17 days and the highest drilling ROP for 141 m/hour with drilling 2303 m in the first 24 hours. The record of most drilled length in 24 hours is the world best performance of RSS BHA as per Directional Driller Company worldwide record. As a result, the 2020 average cost of the shallow well was 2.6 MUSD while the deep well was 4.1 MUSD. Those massive co-activity operations and drilling practices have been properly executed since 2019 without any safety incident and related NPT. The positive results have helped the development project to survive in marginal conditions.