Drilling
Updates about global exploration and production activities and developments.
One major challenge for drilling-fluid engineers is the design and management of optimal drilling-fluid formulations in emerging frontiers—fractured formations and high-pressure geothermal environments. Recently, operators have leveraged cutting-edge technology such as machine learning and expanded data-driven techniques to facilitate the development of new drilling-f…
This research aims to develop a fluid-advisory system that provides recommendations for optimal amounts of chemical additives needed to maintain desired fluid properties in various drilling-fluid systems.
-
A joint-development project has delivered a high-temperature measurement-while-drilling/logging-while-drilling (MWD/LWD) suite rated for 200°C. Results to date are compared with previous performance in the Gulf of Thailand (GoT).
-
Formation damage: Do we always need to have a high focus on its prevention, or do occasions exist when it really does not matter?
-
This paper presents a case history of drilling automation system pilot deployment, including the use of wired drillpipe, on an Arctic drilling operation.
-
This paper describes the progress of directional-drilling-automation systems along the cognitive functions and levels of automation as defined by the Levels of Automation Taxonomy (LOAT) hierarchy introduced by the Drilling Systems Automation Roadmap Industry Initiative.
-
A high-carbon-dioxide (CO2) carbonate gas field offshore Sarawak, Malaysia, is scheduled for development. Reservoirs in this region have an average clay content of 8%; more than 50% of this clay content is migratory illite, and 15% is migratory kaolinite.
-
This paper describes a coreflooding program performed with sandpacks at different permeabilities, water qualities, and injection conditions.
-
Because of inherent complexities, understanding the characteristics of perforations in downhole environments is a significant challenge. Perforation-flow laboratories have been used to provide insight into cleanup and productivity mechanisms around perforation tunnels.
-
Examples of evolution in well construction during the past several years include new horizontal-well applications, breakthroughs in bit and directional-drilling technology, synthetic fluids, fracture-stimulation advancements, managed-pressure drilling, and the digital revolution.
-
Time spent on bottom drilling is only approximately 10% of the time consumed by drilling operations, but this still provides a significant opportunity for savings if it can be reduced.
-
Falling oil prices are the acid test of drilling efficiency. SPE Technical Director Jeff Moss of ExxonMobil talks about ways to build in lasting savings as part of this special report.