Optimized Drilling Techniques in the Sholem Alechem Field
Authors: Babcock J.A. , Rogers M.G. 
Published: December 2007

American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc.

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Amoco has made a commitment to apply the vast drilling research that has taken place over the past 15 years to the optimization of drilling wells.

Four successive wells in the Sholem Alechem Field in southern Oklahoma were drilled using varying degrees of optimization techniques, which resulted in sizable savings for Amoco. Initially, emphasis was placed only on bit selection and hydraulics, but as the optimized drilling program progressed, the mud system, bit-weight-rpm, and downhole equipment were also included.

Computer programs created from mathematical models along with information from previously drilled wells in the same area were used to prepare each optimum program. Data was gathered prepare each optimum program. Data was gathered on a daily basis as each well was drilled and the optimum drilling program was modified and revised as unexpected problems arose. A post-appraisal of the results of each well was post-appraisal of the results of each well was conducted, which generated areas where improvements could be made on the next well.

The optimum drilling program is currently saving Amoco more than $30,000 per well, when compared to the first well that was drilled. In addition, enthusiasm has been generated among the drilling personnel, which further enhances the success of the optimized drilling program. program. The optimization techniques for each well will be reviewed in this paper along with the results of a relatively new technique known as the "Bending Moment Principle" that was used to control deviation.

Introduction

The first well drilled in the Sholem Alechem Field was not optimized, while the remaining four wells were optimized to varying degrees. The second well was optimized from 4000 feet to total depth with emphasis being placed on the bit selection and hydraulics. The third well was optimized from 3000 feet to total depth with deviation control being included with the optimum bit selection and hydraulics program. Wells No. 4 and 5 included the mud program, weight-rpm, along with the bit selection, hydraulics, and deviation control in their optimum drilling programs.