bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Working Together for Safety: A Successful Story of Cooperation
Authors: Wiig E. , Karlsen K.
Published: December 2007

"Working Together for Safety" (SfS) was established in 2000 as a project trying to remedy an unfortunate situation of mistrust and scepticism between employer and employee organisations regarding safety in the industry.

This situation had gradually come about as a result of a perceived questionable commitment to safety in some companies and organisations.

The project was established as a tripartite co-operation between employer and employee organisations and with PSA (Petroleum Safety Authority Norway) as an active observer.

The background for the project was a very tough and difficult situation, characterised by mistrust and scepticism on both sides. Through a careful selection of processes and a common commitment to creating good personal relations and trust we have managed to create a unique climate for co-operation.

The Norwegian Parliament recognised SfS in 2002 to be the Forum for Best Practice in our industry in Norway, thus changing SfS from being a project to a more permanent forum.

Through identification of Best Practices we have managed to harmonize norms and procedures to reduce risk.

As an example we have managed to establish a common Permit to Work system and a common Station Bill, including a common emergency number and emergency signals. These have been made mandatory for petroleum activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

SfS was in 2005 awarded the Carolita U. Kallaur Award for Outstanding International Safety Leadership.

The paper describes the different processes by which we have achieved the agreement on common systems. Further, the paper contains a description of the process that resulted in the present working climate, which is characterised by very good personal relations and mutual trust.
Monitoring the Impact of Near-Shore Development and Production in the Arctic Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Authors: Durell G. , Neff J. , Brown J. , Trefry J.
Published: December 2007

The Arctic Nearshore Impact Monitoring in Development Area (ANIMIDA) project was initiated to monitor for potential impact of nearshore development and production in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This Program was expanded on 2004 with the five-year Continuation of ANIMIDA (cANIMIDA). Spring and summer field surveys are conducted to assess contaminant levels in sediment, water, and biota, and geophysical measurements are being made to determine the sources and fate of natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbons and metals. Unique ecosystems and whaling activities are also being monitored. Initial results indicate that the sediment contaminants levels are at or near background concentrations throughout Alaskan Beaufort Sea, with slightly elevated hydrocarbon levels near the Northstar production facility, but still well below concentrations of ecological concern. Localized areas with indications of inputs of anthropogenic chemicals have been identified, but the contamination has not been linked to oil and gas development and production activities. Significant natural sources of hydrocarbons and metals have been identified; rivers deliver about 80% of the annual suspended solids input to Beaufort Sea within a 2-3 week period each spring. Fish, amphipods, and clams do not show evidence of effects from or accumulation of development/production contaminants, and the data do not indicate impact on the local ecosystems or whaling operations. The monitoring techniques being employed are providing impact assessment information that can be used with a high level of confidence for the management of this unique environment.
Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) Competence Finds a Level Playing Field in the Industry
Authors: Waterfall K. , Young C. , Al-Anazi K. S.
Published: December 2007

This paper addresses the PetroSkills route to develop and build HSSE competence in staff, including: Structure and management of staff competenceThe economic justificationThe nature and function of Competence MapsThe contents of the HSSE competence mapsCreating Job Competence ProfilesAssessing personal competencesDeveloping and Approving Learning Events to fill competence gapsDevelopments in HSSE competenceLinkage to National / International accredited training
Integrated Operations and HSE—Major Issues and Strategies
Authors: Ringstad A. J. , Andersen K.
Published: December 2007

In 2004 Statoil launched a major initiative to investigate the opportunities and risks of integrated operations. The initiative has led to a number of specific projects in various areas. The present paper presents a general conceptual framework for integrated operations, and the most important HSE issues that were identified in the initial studies. The paper discusses how challenges and risks can be met, and how the results from the initial studies can be used in a future full scale implementation of integrated operations.

The suggested conceptual framework is quite simple: Work forms, work processes and MTO (Man, Technology and Organisation) are the key concepts, and the relationship between the concepts gives us a simple, robust and easy to communicate understanding of integrated operations.

Four main categories of HSE challenges were identified: 1) Work load, 2) Competence, 3) Work place design, and 4) Accident risk. The specific challenges were met in different ways in the pilot projects, but some factors seemed to be general importance: 1) A strong focus on work processes (and not on what information technology make doable), 2) Involvement of future users in the planning of new technical and organisational solutions, 3) A multidisciplinary project team, 5) Management commitment to HSE.

An important conclusion from the initial studies is that integrated operations will have beneficial effects on HSE in the industry. Challenges exist, however, and should be identified and met project before decisions on technical solutions and equipment are made. A prerequisite for this strategy is a conceptual framework that enables a common understanding and a goal-oriented implementation of integrated operations in an oil and gas company.
Detection of Health Conditions at Periodic Medical Surveillance in a Multinational Workforce
Authors: Newson-Smith M.
Published: December 2007

Offshore installations within the Arabian Gulf utilise a multiethnic workforce, many of who return to their native countries during their non-working time. Given the varied standards of health care among these countries concern was raised regarding the medical control of known conditions and the possibilities of contracting serious infections illnesses during leave periods. To investigate this a review of periodic medical examinations was undertaken.

Over 3 months the health data recorded on periodic medical examinations was transferred to a database (n=1037). This included height, weight, blood pressure, haematology, hepatitis profile (B/C), urinalyis, ECG, CXR, audiometry and spirometry. Existing medical conditions were assessed for control. The data was analysed using simple descriptive statistics.

The 1037 employees came from 48 different countries the most common being India (42.9%), Egypt (15.1%), Phillipines (7.3%) and Pakistan (4.8%). Their ages ranged from 19 to 64 with a mean age of 37.3. The mean BMI was 26 with 11.3% having a BMI of 30-35 and 1.5% having a BMI >35. 4.5% had raised blood pressure (systolic >140mmHg or diastolic >90mmHg). 4.5% had been previously diagnosed as hypertensive of whom 25.5% were suboptimally controlled. 3.2% had previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes 50% of whom were suboptimally controlled. 1% had previously undiagnosed diabetes detected at the medical. 1.4% had hepatitis B or C, the hepatitis C being predominant in Egyptians (87.5% of cases and 4.5% of Egyptians). 9.8% had NIHL and 1.2% had ECG abnormalities requiring follow up. No significant pathology was detected with CXR.

A significant proportion of diabetics and hypertensives were suboptimally controlled highlighting the prevalence of these conditions and the need to ensure appropriate medical follow up. The pattern of hepatitis C reflects the known high risk nations. The level of NIHL highlights the need for good hearing protection programmes.

Detection of health conditions at periodic medical surveillance in a multinational offshore workforce.
Accelerating Technology Acceptance: Overview
Authors: Daneshy A. A. , Bahorich M.
Published: December 2007

The slow pace of technology acceptance is a concern for many in the oil and gas industry. A group of over 90 executives and leaders of the industry gathered in mid-March to discuss and analyze the causes and recommend steps to accelerate technology acceptance. Six issues were identified as determining factors for rate of technology acceptance in this industry. Each was discussed in depth during half-day-long breakout sessions and results are presented in companion papers by other authors1,2,3,4,5,6.

The group also had a number of summary recommendations for accelerating technology acceptance. These were: Encourage active participation of company leadership Create technology-receptive company cultures Focus on value proposition Create incentives and rewards for successful use of technology Introduce mechanisms to reduction risk for early adopters Align the goals of operators and service companies Increase funding and involvement of venture capital for technology Encourage oil industry personnel to be more receptive to technology Communication of success stories more effectively

This paper provides the historical background of the topic and presents a list of general items recommended by the group.

Discussion of each specific topic of the breakout sessions along with results and recommendations are presented in companion papers.
Designing and Implementing Deepwater Extended-Reach Sand-Control Initial Completions and Interventions
Authors: Pourciau R. D.
Published: December 2007

World and Gulf of Mexico record setting extended reach naturally perforated water injection, frac-pack producing completions, and frac-pack producing selective completion interventions were successfully implemented in the Gulf of Mexico, Deepwater, Petronius Field. Success was achieved through careful planning of procedures and equipment specifications. This paper describes the planning for the challenging completion and intervention operations along with the lessons learned while implementing these case history wells.
Project Atlas: Operational Excellence Process Standardization
Authors: Norrie H. G. , Hunt R. J.
Published: December 2007

Chevron Corporation has created an Operational Excellence Management System that contains 46 Expectations that detail specific requirements for the management of safety, health, environment, reliability and efficiency. In order to meet these expectations, Chevron International Exploration and Production (CIEP) is standardizing all of its health, environment, safety, reliability and efficiency (HESRE) processes across all ten of its Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

CIEP formed a project team (Project Atlas) to develop and deploy standardized health, environment, and safety (HES) processes. A separate project was formed to deal with reliability and efficiency processes.

This paper describes the genesis of Project Atlas, the standardization process, the experiences and the results of the first round of processes to be standardized, and some of the challenges along the way. Aspects of the business case for standardization are detailed. The paper will also explore some of the issues and obstacles faced during implementation.
Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological Storage: Contributing to Climate Change Solutions
Authors: Kheshgi H. , Cappelen F. , Lee A. , Crookshank S. , Heilbrunn A. , Mikus T. , Robson W. , Senior B. , Stileman T. , Warren L.
Published: December 2007

Concern about global climate change, and the challenges and risks it poses, will require sustained efforts to develop understanding and effective solutions while at the same time meeting the growing needs of society for energy. The development and utilization of technologies to capture and then store CO2 in underground formations offer significant potential for reducing CO2 emissions. This paper is based on the outcomes of an IPIECA workshop to advance understanding of the role of CO2 capture and geologic storage, and strategies to improve its performance and prospects. It considers CO2 capture and geological storage as a potential option for reducing future emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) from the extraction of resources, the production and use of fuels, and the generation of electricity. In doing so it examines: roles CO2 capture and geologic storage may play over the next century extending from the current assessment of this technology family; risk management to ensure safe and secure geologic storage drawing from understanding and past experiences; public perception, policy and regulatory frameworks that pose opportunities and barriers for CO2 capture and geologic storage and; initiatives and strategies to advance CO2 capture and geologic storage by reducing cost and risk, and developing sound regulatory and policy frameworks to encourage development of options for deep reductions in CO2 emissions.
Innovations in Task-Based Risk Assessments
Authors: Lang K.
Published: December 2007

Innovations in Task Based Risk assessments

Risk Assessment and Job Safety Analysis techniques are being used to drive down accident rates in geographically diverse oil and gas industry sectors. This paper focuses on sharing practices that can be used to make a significant contribution to the safety of tasks during operations.

These learnings and the practices derived are important in the operational processes of drilling and workover activities. Applicable by supervisors and safety leaders at the conceptual stage, immediately prior to work commencing and whilst work is ongoing, the issues are of critical importance in both development of safety culture at the sites and in the design of training programmes. They offer the opportunity to benchmark HS&E Risk Management systems and allow the delivery of sustained HS&E performance through the sharing of best practices.

The practice of applying task-based Risk Assessment has been a "painful" one for drilling Operations with a continual process of learning and innovation resulting in the process being increasingly effective. Continued progress towards the goal of an incident free working environment can be enhanced by some key observations, these centre on how rig-based staff and onshore staff may use the same language, but may mean and practice different things. Existing technologies may offer significant opportunities for HS&E risk identification and management but are themselves only part of the jigsaw. Finally, this paper demonstrates how examination of the people and system practices that contribute to "excellence in risk assessment", can create a powerful tool in driving towards zero incidents.

Conclusions highlight the failures inherent in some existing HS&E Risk Management approaches where risk management is seen as a "requirement" or one that that legitimizes the unsafe acts. Examples are offered of the innovations of existing systems outlining the associated benefits.
Comprehensive Risk-Evaluation Approaches for International E&P Operations
Authors: Clare J. B. , Armstrong L.
Published: December 2007

Managers of exploration and production (E&P) projects and operations are often required to make decisions based on a variety of factors including but not limited to safety, finance, security, and company reputation. Often these factors are hard to quantify or may be in direct conflict with each other. Therefore, it is critical that decision makers utilize an approach to assessing risks associated with each factor in a consistent and defensible manner. The selected approach needs to be robust enough to sufficiently quantify the risk, but simple enough to allow for ease of use and interpretation of results. In this paper, we present several approaches by which risk criteria can be defined and then present resulting risk profiles for E&P operations in developing nations, thereby increasing the number of tools available to those faced with making such business decisions.
The Use of Probabilistic Analysis for Estimating Drilling Time and Costs While Evaluating Economic Benefits of New Technologies
Authors: Hariharan P. R. , Judge R. A. , Nguyen D. M.
Published: December 2007

There has been limited published work involving the applications of probabilistic methods in drilling engineering, particularly when estimating drilling times and costs. This fact is even more acute when considering the evaluation of new drilling technologies. Traditionally, drilling costs have been estimated using deterministic methods, where little scope exists to incorporate an estimation of risks and non-productive time (NPT) in a meaningful manner. In deepwater drilling where the costs of a single well can easily run into tens of millions of dollars, the value of using probabilistic methods enables the economic evaluation of risks in a quantitative and understandable manner. Within such a probabilistic framework, it is possible to more accurately evaluate the range of potential economic impacts of new technologies for work and process improvement for drilling cost reduction such that the rewards and risk can be clearly understood.

This paper presents a new approach and a tool for estimation of drilling time and costs. The tool uses a commercially available software package capable of conducting Monte Carlo simulation and analysis. The well is modeled using a user-friendly interface with the two primary variables being the timings for drilling activities and individual cost components, both of which are defined as probabilistic distributions rather than a single number. Further, non-productive-times (NPT's) are also incorporated and described as distributions where applicable. An example case is presented to illustrate the benefits of using probabilistic methods compared to deterministic methods with the main advantage clearly shown while trying to model risk. The benefits become clearly evident while trying to gauge the usefulness of novel technologies where very limited historical information is usually available.

The paper also includes an interesting survey conducted through the SPE that shows the prevalence of (or lack of) the use of probabilistic methods in the drilling industry today.
Biodiversity Mapping at the Ormen Lange Field
Authors: Hasle J. R. , Jensen T.
Published: December 2007

The Ormen Lange field is located at water depths of 800 to 1100 m, within the scar of the gigantic prehistoric Storegga Slide. The seabed in the area very rugged, with small softbottom troughs between peaks and ridges formed by slide blocks. The baseline survey and biodiversity mapping of the field therefore utilized both ROV survey with video transects, and traditional sediment sampling for macrofauna investigation. These complement each other, and were necessary in order to get a full overview of the benthic communities in the area.
Modernization of the API Recommended Practice on Rheology and Hydraulics: Creating Easy Access to Integrated Wellbore Fluids Engineering
Authors: Bern P. A. , Morton E. K. , Zamora M. , May R. , Moran D. , Hemphill T. , Robinson L. , Cooper I. , Shah S. , Flores D. V.
Published: December 2007

Tailoring drilling fluid hydraulics is one important key to the success of a drilling operation. Failure to do so can result in costly problems, negatively impact equipment longevity and performance, and ultimately jeopardize overall well objectives. In recent years the industry methods have deviated from API RP13D Standard Practice. This departure has been driven primarily by the increasingly onerous demands of critical wells, coupled with readily accessible computer power.

In 2003 a Task Group was formed to modernize the existing API Recommended Practice Bulletin on Rheology and Hydraulics. It comprised a cross-functional team of operators, suppliers and academics which set an aggressive target to modernize the existing standard within two years. The focus was to develop simple, yet accurate methods, which could be readily implemented with basic spread-sheeting skills.

This paper describes improvements made to the existing procedures and provides an illustration of how these methods can be applied to complex well designs. The paper also serves to introduce the industry to a modernized API Standard which offers an ideal foundation to inform new engineers of the fundamental concepts of hydraulic design and optimization.
Organisational Core Values
Authors: Al-Marzouqi Y. , Madhavan P. S.
Published: December 2007

Researchers and practitioners largely agree that values form the cornerstone of behaviour of people not only in societies but also in teams, groups and organizations. Recent fall of some of the large corporates which failed to articulate and reinforce the corporate values and ethics, emphasize the need for identifying and reinforcing values and ethics in companies beyond doubt. The benefits of managing values and ethics at workplace are many and it can help leaders and managers immensely not only to communicate but also to control disruptive behaviors at work. This is more today when many companies are recruiting people with diverse background and on a global scale. If articulated and communicated well, the core values of a company acts as a powerful induction tool for new recruits which can help them to be more successful in their career.

In the context of organizations, values represent enduring beliefs that we hold and therefore influence our actions, attitudes, choices and decisions. They represent our collective sense of what is good for the company, its employees, Shareholders and society. Ethics refers to application of right values in our personal life as well as work life. While it is easy to define values and ethics, it is extremely difficult to identify the core values and reinforce them in a "proper way" in organizational context. While shortcut methods such as identification through a board meeting are available, and the fact that such methods also work if implemented with an "iron hand", from change management point of view, getting voluntary "buy in" from all stakeholders is not easy. This paper explains the process adopted by ADCO to tackle this issue and sumamrises the lessons learned from the real life project namely articulation and reinforcement of core values of ADCO
Hydrocarbon Gas Storage Tank Blanketing for FPSOs To Eliminate VOC Emissions
Authors: Childs M. S. , Sipkema A. W.
Published: December 2007

Inert Gas blanketing as used by FPSOs for crude storage tanks results in significant VOC emissions to the atmosphere.

The HC blanketing system shows significant reduction in emissions compared to the Inert Blanketing system. The Carbon Costing methodology and the CAPEX estimates show the comparable savings vs. investments, excluding the potential positive effects on reputation management.

The HC blanketing option therefore presents a serious environmental emissions reduction opportunity, that warrants a dedicated effort to make it work on future FPSOs.
Managed-Pressure Drilling (MPD) Field Trials Demonstrate Technology Value
Authors: Saponja J. , Adeleye A. , Hucik B.
Published: December 2007

Is this the beginning of the end of weighted mud systems? An advanced well control practice called Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is staged to challenge the conventional drilling practice of when in doubt "weight it up".

Formation overpressures have traditionally forced operators to weight-up mud systems in order to advance drilling operations while preventing formation fluids invasion. A direct consequence of increased mud weight is a dramatic reduction in drilling Rate of Penetration (ROP), requirement for additional casing seats/strings and increased well control risks due to kicks from losses. This drilling hazard has represented a major source of invisible or intangible lost time and hence, cost.

A drilling hazard mitigation multi-well trial was carried out to investigate and quantify the reduction in ROP as a result of mud weight increases to overcome troublesome formation overpressures and associated High Pressure Low Volume (HPLV) nuisance gas. Without increasing mud weight to control overpressures, MPD technology was applied to safely and cost effectively drill through overpressures and avoid an intermediate casing string normally used to isolate a loss zone.

MPD trial results examined in this paper addresses many of the issues and provides forward-looking statements regarding large-scale introduction of the system to other fields. The multi-well trial results showed a close match to the predicted MPD ROP curve, achieving an economically rewarding ROP gain of at least 2.5 times and gross well cost reductions of over 20%, without recordable troublesome zone Non-Productive Time (NPT). Initial concerns of borehole instabilities using lightweight mud with borehole pressures less than the adjacent pore pressure were not observed (in both vertical and directional well cases).
A Process Approach to Management System Auditing
Authors: McCulloch B.
Published: December 2007

A critical driver for business success and a strategic intent of Chevron is operational excellence (OE). OE is defined as "the systematic management of safety, health, environment, reliability, and efficiency to achieve world-class performance". The Operational Excellence Management System (OEMS) is Chevron's standard approach for achieving this goal. The OEMS consists of three parts: Leadership Accountability, Management System process, and OE expectations.

Chevron is using a process approach to implement OE. For processes to be effective and sustainable, they must be documented and incorporate in their design and operation the following five components:

Purpose, Scope, and Objectives Procedures Resources, Roles, and Responsibilities Measurement and Verification Continual Improvement

The rigor with which each OE process is designed and implemented is based on the organization's risk for that work. In brief, there is a common OE framework (i.e., a set of OE processes each with five components) but the contents of each process are specific to each organization.

Chevron's Corporate OE Review process plays an integral role in OEMS implementation. OE Reviews are designed to assess an organization's ability to meet Chevron's requirements for operational excellence including Leadership Accountability, the Management System process, and OE expectations. The Reviews assess both the design and effectiveness of the processes a unit has in place to meet the OEMS requirements. The key shift in direction is that the OE Reviews now focus on performance (results) and not on compliance.

This paper will describe the process approach methodology used by Chevron to assess OEMS implementation and effectiveness within its operations. Benefits of the process approach compared to traditional conformity auditing will be reviewed. A focus of the discussion will be on the challenges faced by the organization in moving to a process-based management system, including redirection of the internal Corporate OE Reviews. The paper will also illustrate the use of third-party verification to confirm the process meets the intent of both ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 expectations.
World's First TTRD Well Drilled From a Floating Platform in the Njord Field, North Sea—From Concept Study to Reality
Authors: Flatekvaal T. , Saeverhagen E. , Eng O. E. , Jepson N. , Oyovwevotu J. , Namtvedt J. F. , Price M. M.
Published: December 2007

This paper will describe the concept study, pre-planning and drilling of test-well BETA BHB-11 and Njord well 6407/7-A-9 AH, which is the world's first Through Tubing Rotary Drilling (TTRD) well drilled from a floating platform, where specific technology developments for a TTRD Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) were required.

The challenges to maintain the integrity of the existing sub-sea well completion, and pass through of the Down Hole Safety Valve (DHSV) with an nominal ID of 5 7/8", together with the specific BHA requirements to drill in this highly depleted reservoir, were addressed by the application of a TTRD BHA built up by bi-centre bit, 3D Rotary Steerable System (RSS), or Rotary Closed Loop System (RLCS), real time hole caliper, enhanced bit rotation from an integrated modular Positive Displacement Motor (PDM), real time pressure, vibration and bending moment monitoring sub. Low flow BHA setup, and a Dog Leg Severity (DLS) capability of 6-8°/30m.
The Wellbore Quality Scorecard (WQS)
Authors: Mason C. J. , Chen D. C.-K.
Published: December 2007

Wellbore quality is a term commonly used in the drilling community; however its meaning is not consistently understood, its context sometimes confused and its value to the industry unknown. For many drilling engineers, a quality wellbore is most often associated with a directionally drilled borehole that is smooth, in-gauge, and has minimal spiralling. Some of the claimed benefits of such a wellbore include enhanced drilling performance, ease of running casing, improved logging tool responses and superior cement jobs. To date it has been too difficult or too complex to directly relate such benefits to wellbore quality in a meaningful way. This paper describes a new initiative which has the aim of reducing subjectivity around the quantification of wellbore quality. The resulting scheme is a process which is embedded in what is called the Wellbore Quality Scorecard (WQS).

The WQS process involves scoring of drilling, tripping-out and casing running responses for any drilled hole section. The paper provides background information on issues concerned with wellbore quality and describes the framework that defines the WQS framework. Risks and complexities associated with the WQS are discussed and suggestions made that will improve the robustness of the proposed system. If properly implemented the WQS has the potential to allow operators to consistently recognise good and poor operational practices and could also provide an alternative method to assess service provider performance.
Occupational Health and Safety Profiling
Authors: Lightfoot R. M. , Susler O.
Published: December 2007

The comparison of the databases of OSHA's, and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (O.G.P) and Australian Petroleum and Exploration Association (APPEA), record a significant number of fatal and severe accidents in Exploration & Production (E&P) operations. To minimize these accidents, methodologies need to be adopted that determine the nature and severity of all hazards which may result in death or compensable injury.

Traditionally, OH&S has been viewed as a lone silo of activity. The extent of impact OH&S can have is not fully appreciated by all sectors of an organisation. The effects of OH&S are across an organisation and its interaction should be examined accordingly.

Any accident should be considered as an event. There are stakeholders in such events, some acting in a pro-active manner and others re-active to the extent that their actions will threaten the financial performance of the organisation, whilst others could threaten the viability or existence of the organisation.

The examination of the stakeholder relationship, determination of the hazards and the development of matrices based on likelihood and consequence, provide a way of profiling of risk within the organisation.

By profiling, the relative importance of the risk is determined. Once a risk profile has been established, risks that are unacceptable and those whose remedial treatment is desirable are costed and the maximum risk reduction benefit can be achieved for the minimum budget allocation.
Continuous Circulation During Drilling Utilizing a Drillstring Integrated Valve—The Continuous Circulation Valve
Authors: Torsvoll A. , Horsrud P. , Reimers N.
Published: December 2007

A Continuous Circulation Valve, CCV, was developed for enabling drilling in depleted reservoirs in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. By utilizing a system to obtain circulation throughout the whole drilling operation, the down hole pressure will remain constant even during drill pipe connections. By balancing this down hole pressure between a maximum pore pressure and a minimum fracture pressure, drilling can be performed properly even through narrow drilling windows.

The valve is a two position three way ball valve. It is possible to circulate through the valve from the top drive down the drill string or through a side port and down the drill string. Such a valve must be installed at the top of each drill pipe stand before the continuous circulation operation starts. When a connection is to be performed, a hose must be connected to the side inlet of the valve, the flow from the mud pumps will then be switched from the top inlet to the side inlet and top drive can then be disconnected and a new stand installed. To continue drilling, the operation is reversed. The valve is designed to withstand HPHT pressures including gas filled casings, bull heading and maximum pressure during standard drilling operation.

A prototype of the valve has been produced and operation tested on the full scale research drilling rig "Ullrigg" in Stavanger, Norway. The current paper presents in detail the advantages gained by using the CCV in a drilling operation. The paper gives a thorough description of the valve and its performance. The "Ullrigg" test of the prototype is described in detail.
Safety is Not No. 1; It's a Core Value
Authors: Schwall G. , Nealis P.
Published: December 2007

Over the past 2-1/2 years, ConocoPhillips has undertaken a challenge to establish safety as a core value in its drilling and completion operations in the ArkLaTex region with positive results in safety and operations. By working together with our contractors, decreases in trailing indicators (e.g. recordables) have been realized along with increases in leading indicators (e.g. JSAs performed/reviewed, BBS participation, unplanned event reporting). The paper details a journey (still in progress) starting with safety leadership training and the establishment of a regional safety leadership team comprised of senior operations managers and business owners dedicated to making a change. The paper also details a host of initiatives including visibility, contractor management, focused HSE campaigns, stand-downs, incentive programs and joint efforts with production. While this is not a roadmap to HSE improvement, it can be used as a compass to set and maintain direction.
Advancements in 3D Drillstring Mechanics: From the Bit to the Topdrive
Authors: Menand S. , Sellami H. , Tijani M. , Stab O. , Dupuis D. , Simon C.
Published: December 2007

The well trajectories becoming more and more complex (Extended Reach Drilling, Horizontal or Multilateral Drilling, Ultra-Deep Drilling, 3D wells….), the associated drillstring composition being unconventional and the material being used to its operating limit, the necessity to have a tool that predicts realistically forces, bending moment and contact loads along the wellbore is essential. To simulate the mechanical behavior of the drillstring, the industry generally uses a stiff-string model for the bottom bole assembly (BHA) to predict drilling trajectories, and a soft-string model for the entire drillstring to calculate torque and drag.

The conventional soft-string model gives a good approximation of forces and contact loads in the drillstring for very smooth well trajectories, but is inappropriate when the trajectory becomes tortuous (micro or macro-tortuosity) or complex, as the drillstring no longer contacts the low side of the borehole.

An advanced numerical method has been applied to address the 3D mechanical problem of a complete drillstring moving and freely rotating inside a wellbore: computation of the unknown contacts between the drillstring and the wellbore. As this new model does not use the time consuming finite element analysis, it can be used in real-time drilling operation at the rig to monitor torque and drag. For the first time, it is even possible to perform simultaneously a torque and drag, buckling and directional analysis while drilling.

The power of a 3D visualization of the drillstring deformed inside the wellbore enables to localize easily contact loads on any drillstring component, from the drilling bit (including side force at the bit and tilt) to the top drive or rotary table (hook load and rotary torque at surface), facilitating drilling problems analysis.

This paper will describe the fundamentals of the model developed and shows the differences between the conventional soft-string model and the advanced stiff-string model in terms of tension, torque and contact points between the drillstring and the wellbore, for many actual wells. With the help of the 3D visualization software, this paper will show the cases where the drill pipe contacts the high side of the borehole, or goes up to the right or the left side of the borehole depending on the right or left turn rate of the well trajectory. This new model should improve significantly the torque-drag and buckling calculations and the understanding of the drillstring contributions to overall drilling performance.
Torque Reduction Techniques in ERD Wells
Authors: Schamp J. H. , Estes B. L. , Keller S. R.
Published: December 2007

World class ERD wells are being used in the Russian Far East to develop an offshore reservoir from an onshore location. These wells have reaches of 9-11 km. While drilling the initial wells into the reservoir, high torque was experienced even while using a nonaqueous drilling fluid (NAF). The torque was sufficiently high that concerns arose about the feasibility of being able to drill longer wells later in the development. Consequently, finding techniques to reduce drilling torque became a major focus for the drilling phase of the project.

A systematic R&D process was initiated to look for solutions to the torque problem. The scope of the investigations included consideration of different drilling fluid base oils, solid/liquid lubricants, and mechanical means to reduce torque. Small-scale screening lubricity testing was performed in a controlled laboratory environment to identify potential lubricant candidates. Full-size laboratory testing was then performed on the leading products. Various mechanical means to reduce torque were also evaluated. Finally, field trials were performed using solid and liquid lubricants and different types of mechanical torque-reduction tools.

Solid lubricants caused plugging problems with BHA components and their use was discontinued. Liquid lubricants achieved torque reductions of 5-15%, which was sufficient to drill the longest throw wells. The mechanical tools when added to the drill string showed the greatest reductions in torque, but were very expensive.

Since the liquid lubricants represented a significant addition to the cost of the wells, other means of reducing torque were investigated. Eventually, it was discovered that the use of 4,500 m of range II drill pipe instead of range III caused a reduction in the torque. This is believed to be related to the larger tube body-casing contact area of the range III pipe joints compared to the range II pipe joints. Further evidence that the large contact area between the casing and the range III drill pipe was causing both excessive wear and torque was provided when drill pipe inspections revealed an alarming increase in rejections due to excessive tube wear near the middle of many joints.

Ongoing investigations are attempting to find mechanical solutions to the drill pipe-casing contact problem. New orders of drill pipe could be range II pipe, but the existing large inventory of range III drill pipe needs to be protected from excessive wear, while at the same time reducing the drilling torque. Several types of drill pipe stand-off bands are under investigation and may represent a viable solution to both problems.
Removing Oil and Grease from Produced Water Using Microbubble Flotation Technique: From Theory to Field Practice
Authors: Hayatdavoudi A.
Published: December 2007

The paper addresses the issue of using micro-bubble flotation technique for cleaning produced water such that the output (effluent) water meets or exceeds the US EPA or country-specific standards. The joint cooperation between academia and the service industry and shared field and theoretical studies have revealed the following results: (1) micro bubbles, using acetylene (C2H2) gas medium, at 55 psi backpressure on a patented Dissolved Gas Flotation pump and constant temperature, can remove 97% of the Oil and Grease from water, (2) a theoretical scaling law has been devised for estimating the potential solubility of gas in water, for example CH4 and C2H2, where Henry's Law might not be linear due to complex bubble hydrodynamics, pump pulsation, the rise of a multitude of bubble sizes in the fluid column, distribution and number of bubbles, partial pressure and concentration (molality) of the main gas and the leaked air impurities in the recycling system, and other variables, (3) the mechanism controlling the removal efficiency of the flotation cell is related to the number and the uniformity of micro bubbles rather than their size only-the sizes range from an average of 5 to 200 microns at sampling points, (4) at sampling points, the bubble count and the gas-filled bubbles as a percent of the unit bulk volume are nonlinear periodic functions of the operating pressure of the flotation cell, and (5) there exists an optimal operating pressure of the patented Dissolved Gas Flotation pump system such that the flotation cell gives the best results and this optimal pressure can be easily adjusted by field personnel to achieve the most efficient removal of Oil and Grease from water.

Based on these results, one may conclude that a seemingly complex mix of gas chemistry and bubble thermo-hydrodynamic properties can offer a simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly technique for cleaning the produced water.
A New Stochastic Bubble Population Model For Foam In Porous Media
Authors: Zitha P. L. J.
Published: December 2007

Foam has been widely used as a mobility control agent for Improved Oil Recover (IOR), gas blocking and acid diversion during matrix stimulation. The prediction of foam performance relies on macroscopic modeling. Foam modeling approaches include fractional flow theories and population balance models.

Traditionally, fractional foam models assume implicitly that foam is incompressible and do not account directly for the evolution of bubble population. The population balance models, instead, rely on the idea that foam mobility depends on bubble density and are more comprehensive. Yet, population balance models did not gain full acceptance thus far, because of their perceived complexity, with parameters that are hard to obtain experimentally.

This paper presents an improved foam model based on a simpler but realistic foam rheology and stochastic bubble generation ideas. Physical ideas in agreement with pictures emerging from recent foam studies using X-ray computed tomography form the basis for the new model. First, we provide the conservation equations for foam motion in porous media. Then we present their analytical treatment considering several cases that are likely to exist in the laboratory and in the field. We present an analysis of quasi-incompressible foam, reconciling for the first time the population balance and fractional flow ideas. We demonstrate why fingering is likely to occur during liquid injection following foam. Then we provide a solution for the coupling of liquid drainage through foam and viscous fingering.
The Effect of Stress Relief Features on HWDP and Drill Collars: Are SRFs Necessary, and When are they Most Beneficial?
Authors: Gokhale S. , Ellis S. , Lee K.
Published: December 2007

The benefit of stress relief features (SRF's) on heavy weight drill pipe (HWDP) has often been questioned. Much more may be at stake than the cost of adding stress relief features and the impact cutting stress relief grooves has on connection refacing and recuts. The fatigue benefits provided by SRF's may prevent a costly failure and will provide improved service life.

The fatigue performance of HWDP and drill collars (DC's) cut with and without pin stress relief grooves and API boreback boxes was evaluated using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and a strain life prediction model. Both 3 1/2 inch (NC38) and 6 5/8 inch (6 5/8 FH) HWDP were modeled in various hole curvatures and while buckled in straight hole sections of various hole diameters. Similarly, 4 3/4 inch (NC38) and 8 inch (6 5/8 REG) drill collars were evaluated.

Although typical ‘small’ and ‘large’ HWDP and drill collar sizes were analyzed, the trends and results observed are thought to apply across the size spectrum.

The results of the analyses show that stress relief features improve fatigue life significantly and should be included on all HWDP and drill collar components with NC38 and larger connection types. Additionally, heavy weight drill pipe is proven more fatigue resistant than comparably sized drill collar alternatives because most of the bending in HWDP occurs in the tube instead of the connection. Conversely, in drill collars significant bending occurs in the highly stressed connection. When possible and practicle, replacing drill collars with heavy weight drill pipe (eliminating tapered drill collar strings) is recommended. The fatigue benefit of stress relief features on HWDP and drill collars decreases as dogleg severity increases or as the hole size in which the components are buckled increases. Nevertheless, the stress relief features still provide a significant improvement in fatigue life (relative to HWDP and drill collars without stress relief features in the same hole) while drilling across severe doglegs or when buckled in holes with large radial clearances.
Unlocking Two-Cone-Bit Potential: Technology, People, and Planning Make It Possible and the Lessons Learned
Authors: Centala P. , Burley M. , Burnett T. , Ford R. , Sinesi J.
Published: December 2007

Many, perhaps most, who drill oil wells, know something about two-cone bits. These bits, for example, received the first cone bit patent nearly 100 years ago, yet, they have been popular in certain drilling environments within the last 20 years or less. Designers have always recognized great advantages in two-cone bits, but concerns with vibration, directional responsiveness, drilling straight holes, mechanical reliability, and hole cleaning lead to their displacement by three-cone bits. Unfortunately, two-cone bits have not, fully lived up to their potential.

People have changed, and this has triggered changes in research philosophy. This together with technology advances in complex mathematical modeling, simulations and drilling processes has encouraged bit manufacturers to re-visit some older designs and learn to harness the potential inherent in those designs without their ill effects. This evolution has encouraged numerous step changes in drill bit technology. Could new people, new engineering and new manufacturing tools and tolerances, and a new sophistication at the rig finally unlock the potential of two-cone bits?

To date, numerous runs with a modern two-cone bit design have taken place in Texas, Louisiana and internationally. Some of these runs are reported in this paper, detailing lessons learned and successes from the new two-cone bit that have been shared by the operators. Offset bits were one basis for performance evaluation and offset comparisons are also reported. In a direct offset well, a single modern two-cone bit drilled an interval, for which four offset bits were required (estimated savings: $342,000). Operator evaluations, performance outlines, information on reliability, bit vibration, directional responsiveness, deviation free performance, and hydraulic aspects of bottom hole cleaning, free of bit-balling, in several types of applications are included.

The process and technology involved in designing the two-cone bits are identified in this paper. The lessons learned in planning between highly experienced drilling operators and bit company personnel toward overcoming paradigms and apprehensions in developing test plans for the improved technology are also discussed.