Technology Focus: Multilateral/Extended Reach (May 2011)
Authors: Negrao Alvaro Felippe 
Published: February 2015

Technology Focus

New Challenges in E&P Operations

The Macondo accident in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 will result in significant changes in project-execution methodology. The post-accident analysis showed a combination of human errors, management flaws, and regulatory issues that need to be avoided in the future. Developing safer design criteria and procedures aligned to cost-effective technologies in the operation will be dictated by E&P companies reviewing their assets on the basis of economics under new regulatory conditions and market competition. Also, operators and drilling contractors will need to change their procedures and management process and develop new techniques to avoid such accidents. The alignment of operators and service companies will be essential for success of the changes. Some of the changes will require months of extensive training along with pilot programs, statistical analysis, perseverance, and a buy-in from upper management and commitment from middle management.

High expectations must be set by upper management for meeting deadlines and succeeding in the controversy phase of the projects while providing sufficient support structures, budget, and resources needed to overcome project challenges. This task is not an easy one; it will require cultural change in organizations, and it could take years to change the beliefs and norms prevalent throughout the industry. The challenges are more intriguing when dealing with extended-reach wells drilled with synthetic-based mud (SBM) in the horizontal leg in an ultradeepwater location.

The complete understanding of the behavior of a kick in a horizontal leg with SBM is not yet fully introduced throughout crew, company men, and engineers, which complicates kick detection in a timely manner. Possibly, a more-effective technology will have to be implemented that combines the current managed-pressure-drilling technology with new regulations and mind changes in our industry. It will be up to the industry to develop innovative ways to drill in frontier and high-demand areas. Because our industry is fast to react to adversity, we expect new times coming with new advances in designs and operational procedures. The selected papers show innovative ways to conduct projects with procedures and new techniques to comply with safety and new regulations. Enjoy the reading.

Multilateral/Extended Reach additional reading available at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org

SPE 140265 • “Extended-Reach Drilling Offshore California—Extending Capabilities and Improving Performance” by Neil R. Armstrong, SPE, ExxonMobil, et al.

SPE 139628 • “Challenging Multilateral and Completion Design for a Deepwater Well in Italy: Decision Support Through Risk Analysis” by C. Repetto, Eni, et al.

SPE 140327 • “Hydrocarbon Reservoirs Where Proactive Geosteering Is Most Likely To Succeed” by Douglas Seifert, Saudi Aramco, et al.

SPE 140318 • “Hibernia Well Overcomes Challenges To Further Extend Worldwide Extended-Reach-Drilling (ERD) Envelope” by Miriam Woodfine, Hibernia Management and Development Company, et al.

SPE 137554 • “Record-Setting Horizontal Pilot Wells Drilled and Completed To Establish Feasibility of Developing Giant Offshore Field From Artificial Islands” by John Jorden, SPE, Zakum Development Company, et al.