bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Successfully Drilling Severely Depleted Sands
Authors: Newhouse C. C. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Development drilling normally involves less risk since many drilling parameters are known; however, in mature fields operating under depletion or limited water drive mechanisms, this is not always the case. Although the reservoir pressures are known, depleted sands can present serious drilling problems and substantial cost increases. Differential sticking of drill pipe, casing, and logging tools; and tight hole conditions due to excessive filtrate loss and cake buildup are some of the problems which may occur. Additional casing strings may also required to cover these sands. Effectively plugging the depleted intervals is the key to preventing most of these problems.
Experience has been limited drilling through numerous, severely depleted sands for prolonged periods. The focus of this paper will be upon the well design and water-based drilling fluid considerations which have proven successful under these conditions. Drilling practices, specially designed plugging products used, and research developments in plugging permeable formations using a new test apparatus will also be presented. Application of these practices should prove effective in any geologic area containing normal sandstone-shale sequences such as the Gulf of Mexico.
Three examples of the most extreme case histories will be exhibited. These wells had sands which were exposed to differential pressures exceeding 4700 psi with as many as ten sands and differentials over 2500 psi exposed at one time. To further complicate matters, all the wells were directionally drilled with hole angles ranging from 20 to 42 degrees.
New Technology Improves Natural Diamond Bit Performance
Authors: Jackson R. , McKinney J. , Rogers T. , Smith L. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
While the emphasis in diamond bit technology has increasingly shifted toward PDC and TSP technology, two recent innovations, detailed in the paper, are directly applicable to the improvement of natural diamond bits.
Use of numerically controlled milling machines, in conjunction with computerized bit design, allows a reduction in the number of diamonds used on a bit, thus increasing penetration rates through increased diamond loading. The development and use of diamond coating techniques, which offers the possibility of improving the bit-to-matrix bond, allows increased diamond exposure on the face of the bit. When these enhanced bits are coupled with a medium speed, medium torque drilling motor, significant performance increases are realized.
The paper provides analysis of bit runs employing a significant number of enhanced diamond bits in a variety of sizes, hole intervals and well applications, primarily in western Oklahoma’s Red Fork formation, which is typically a medium to hard alternating sand/shale sequence. These runs are compared to more than 100 conventional natural diamond bit motor and rotary runs.
In addition, operating limitations and recommendations are outlined for the use of enhanced natural diamond bits, which is shown to have resulted in savings of two to three days per well versus conventional diamond bit motor applications.
The Critical Buckling Force and Stresses for Pipe in Inclined Curved Boreholes
Authors: Schuh F. J. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
A number of papers have been presented that define the critical buckling force in inclined straight holes. This paper presents a method for calculating the critical buckling force in vertically and laterally curved and inclined boreholes.
The paper includes methods for computing the bending stress of buckled pipe with tool joints. It also includes a method for computing if the deflection of the pipe at midspan will cause the pipe body to touch the wall of the hole. This approach resolves the question of how tool joints affect the critical buckling force, the curvature of the pipe, and maximum bending stresses.
The paper includes plots of the critical buckling force versus hole curvature for common sizes of drillpipe and Heviwate. We also include plots of the maximum bending stress versus axial force and hole curvature for several sizes of drillpipe and Heviwate.
A New Bottomhole Assembly Analysis Program for the Prediction of the Borehole Path Based on a Sophisticated Static Algorithm
Authors: Dahl T. , Schmalhorst B. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The theoretical bottomhole analysis of drillstring assemblies and the prediction of wellbore trajectories play an important role for directional drilling. Time constraints, cost efficiency and accuracy require computer aided planning of the drilling process. As such a program should be user friendly and, at the same time, accurate, a program was developed for personal computers, combining simplicity even for less experienced users with complexity as regards the sophisticated computation of the directional drilling behaviour of a variety of bottomhole assemblies.
The program is based on a newly developed three dimensional static drillstring analysis model for arbitrarily shaped boreholes. For any string assembly the wall contact problem is solved using a non-linear wall potential equation. The program allows sophisticated wellbore prediction calculations using an improved version of Ho's formula.
The numerical results could be verified by field data; even the walk tendency is well predicted.
Cuttings and Waste Mud Disposal
Authors: Arnhus K. M. , Slora G. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This report reviews the case history installation of a cuttings handling system (CHS) designed for transportation of drill cuttings to container loading stations for shipment to shore. The system was installed on Norsk Hydro a.s (NH) Oseberg C Platform, PDQ (fig. 1 &2) Oseberg field in the North Sea. Early identification of future stricter regulations by Norwegian Authorities made it possible to design and purchase a system for installation during the construction phase of Oseberg C platform modules and comply with the coming regulations. Costly infield modifications at a later stage was thereby avoided. The logistics of cuttings handling to shore and operational limits are described. Fig 1Platform looking west.Fig 2Platform looking north.
Managing Accident Prevention and Personnel Training in Developing Regions of the World
Authors: Overturf S. H. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
An accident prevention program and a person-nel training program were established for use by drilling personnel in developing countries.Included in the training program was increased emphasis of operations manage-ment.This paper will review considerations involved in the implementation of these accident prevention and training programs for developing and developed nations will be compared; this will show the impact of training and accident prevention performance for drilling personnel in developing areas of the world.
Performance Characteristics of Drilling Equipment Elastomers Evaluated in Various Drilling Fluids
Authors: Kubena E. , Ross K. C. , Pugh T. , Huycke J. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The type of elastomer chosen for use in drilling equipment can mean the difference between a normal service life or sudden unpredictable failure. Drilling fluids can chemically alter elastomers in equipment used for drilling oil and gas wells. The degree and magnitude of this interaction depends on the type of the drilling fluid, temperature, pressure, and chemical formulation of the elastomer. Certain components of drilling fluids, such as the base oil in an oil-base mud, can cause changes in weight, volume, and hardness of elastomeric compounds. These changes can affect the resulting performance of the elastomer.
This paper will discuss different types of elastomeric compounds and their performance in various drilling fluid systems. The focus will be on elastomers used in downhole drilling equipment such as stator material which is an important component in positive displacement motors (PDMs). Field data concerning the performance of certain elastomers in specific drilling fluids will be discussed. Results of recent elastomer immersion tests in various fluids used in the drilling industry are presented.
Drilling and Production of Khuff Gas Wells, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Turki W. H. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The Khuff Gas Development program involves many disciplines from the early planning stages to the final producing stage. This paper will highlight the plans for drilling and producing the primary well configurations for 4-1/2 in. (114.3 mm) and 7 in. (177.8 mm) Khuff gas completions in Saudi Arabia.
The problems of abnormally high pressured gas and/or water zones, lost circulation, water sensitive shale, and high temperatures that are encountered while drilling a Khuff gas well will be discussed as well as the high solids deflocculated polymer (HSDP) drilling fluid that has been developed and field proven at densities as high as 156 pcf (20.9 ppg) and sustained BHSTs above 300° F.
The downhole completion and production considerations of these wells will be covered and certain aspects interrelated to this discussion such as fluid properties, safety concerns, scale and corrosion will be addressed.
Finally, the possible causes and solutions for annular pressure that is sometimes observed after cementing the abnormally high pressured gas zones with 160 pcf (21.4 ppg) cement slurries will be reviewed along with operating experience gained to-date to provide an overall picture.
Synthetic Retarder for High-Strength Cement
Authors: Brothers L. E. , Chatterji J. , Childs J. D. , Vinson E. F. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
A synthetic polymer cement retarder has been designed to provide extended pumping times for cement slurries, while having minimal effect on compressive strength development. When compared to traditional lignosulfonate cement retarders, the synthetic polymer provides better response properties, and it is chemically more uniform. Deep wells with bottom-to-top temperature differentials of 150°F have been successfully cemented with slurries containing this retarder.
Cost-Saving Applications of Harsh Environment Jackups and Associated Contracting Philosophy Implications
Authors: Hinton R. O. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The three extra large harsh environment jack-ups (ELJU’s) currently under construction take North Sea jack-up capability into water depths exceeding 110 metres.
In addition to providing highly productive and safe exploration drilling capability, these units are also versatile tools for platform and template installation and drilling operations.
Significant facility cost savings are possible from ELJU applications.
Perceived risk of project exposure to rig non-availability or high dayrate may however deter Operators from selecting this drilling option and taking advantage of potential cost savi ngs.
This paper highlights cost saving applications. It also shows that there is a progressive, convergent, controlled-exposure path to contracting an ELJU and maximising potential cost savings in project situations.
TVD Control Using High-Accuracy Pressure and Deep Resistivity Measurements
Authors: Jones R. D. , Alvestad J. T. , Kjøsnes K. 
Published: December 2007

1
ABSTRACT
This paper describes the theory behind how high accuracy pressure gauges could be used, and how they were attempted used to verify the True Vertical Depth (TVD) of a 8 1/2" 800 m long horizontal section.
The paper also describes the successful use of resistivity as an alternative method for the verification of TVD in the same horizontal section.
The Troll field has accumulated oil as "thin" layers (12-26 m thick) in the order of 600 x 106 Sm3 OIP beneath the giant gas reservoir. Due to the anticipated severe gas coning problem, horizontal wells very accurately positioned relative to the OWC, are looked upon as a feasible way of commercial development of the oil.
Well 31/5-4AS was drilled with a 800 m long horizontal section within the intended target tolerance of + 2 m. By using real time resistivity and resistivity in memory mode, as a correction for MWD inaccuracy, the well was drilled within + 1.5 m relative to the Target horizon. Pressure surveys used as a third independant TVD indicator could not improve the perfect correlation between the two others (MWD and Resistivity). Pressure surveys were, in order to ensure a safe operation, postponed until the 6 5/8" production liner was run. The results from the pressure survey confirmed the validity of the theory but revealed that technical problems still exist.
Case History: A Shallow Gas Blowout Offshore Korea?Another Data Point in Industry's Learning Curve
Authors: Beall J. E. , Horler C. L. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This paper reviews a recent shallow gas blowout while drilling with the semisubmersible rig DOO SUNG in 473 feet of water offshore Korea (See Figure 1).The objectives of this analysis are to: Fig 1
FIRST: Substantiate the argument favoring drilling the conductor hole without a riser-if the rig is mobile.
SECOND: Describe procedures which will reduce the risk and cost of controlling the flow if a blowout occurs.
A Task Force Approach to Reducing Stuck Pipe Costs
Authors: Bradley W. B. , Jarman D. , Plott R. S. , Wood R. D. , Schofield T. R. , Auflick R. A. , Cocking D. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
in 1989 BP formed a world wide task force to focus on lowering its stuck pipe costs. In its campaign to reduce this cost,the task force gathered together key personnel from each of its three operating companies and its research centers. This paper reports on the methods used to produce a substantial reduction in its. stuck pipe costs.
Gratuitous Counsel about Petroleum Markets
Authors: Brown K. C. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Economic theory and empirical research yield hints helpful for understanding some of the vagaries of crude and product markets. Examples: 1) If spot prices are much lower than near futures prices, something must be preventing profitable arbitrage. Perhaps storage capacity is filled. 2) Reserves have many characteristics of inventories--they consume time and resources to find and prove. Rational economic agents accumulate inventories only to the extent that their benefits appear to exceed opportunity costs. Current reserves in areas where there is excess capacity, temporary government instability, or production or transportation disruptions may not adequately reflect future production potential. 3) Cartels are hard to administer effectively, especially where the resources, production costs, and goals of the cartel members differ widely. Continue to expect disagreement and "cheating" in OPEC. 4) Empirical estimates of long-run price elasticity of supply and demand are usually too small. Persistent price trends often cause surprisingly large changes in quantity supplied and demanded. Real prices of many minerals and mineral products have historically declined because of substitution and technological change. Be suspicious of forecasts of persistent considerable real price increases in crude and products. 5) Capital will flow to opportunities investors find attractive. Distrust forecasts based on impending "capital shortage." Similarly distrust those who say they need government subsidies, tax breaks, or tariff or import quotas to help them generate capital needed for modernization or expansion.
Another Look at Oil Transportation in and From the Arctic Environment
Authors: Marsden S. S. , Ozarar I. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Transportation of crude oil in the Arctic presents unique problems which are not easily handled by the usual hot oil pipelines plus the very large tankers operating in restricted coastal waters. The work described here presents a solution which; would allow completely buried, cold operating pipelines along with tankers carrying an easily dispersible crude oil emulsion which would not form massive oil slicks on coastal waters in the event of an accident.
Sadlerochit crude oil emulsions were prepared in 10% NaCl brines using an especially developed procedure based on an ultrasonic emulsifier. The oil concentration was varied from 10% to 90% (vol.) with the higher concentration ones being HIPR (high-intemal-phase ratio) O/W emulsions. The lower concentrations were Newtonian fluids and the higher concentration ones pseudoplastics. A new kind of variable head rheometer was developed to measure the shear stress—shear rate characteristics at various low as well as ambient temperatures.
The proposed transportation system would require continuous preparation of say 80% oil in 10% NaCl brine O/W emulsions, cooling them to say 20°F and pumping them in completely buried pipelines. Use of the low temperatures would prevent any thawing of the permafrost and for a new pipeline would be considerably less expensive to construct than hot oil line built on supports. At the pipeline terminal, the HIPR emulsion wold be run onto ordinary tankers and transported to refinery markets in temperate climates, where the emulsions would be broken in heater-treaters.
In the event of a tanker accident such as the Exxon Valdez, the O/W emulsion would be fully dispersed in the ocean without formation of a surface slick and it would then be consumed by microorganisms naturally found in the ocean.
The Challenge of West Sak Heavy Oil: Analysis of an Innovative Approach
Authors: Gondouin M. , Fox J. M. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The West Sak (Upper Cretaceous) sands, overlaying the Kuparuk field at 2,000-4,500 ft depths, contains heavy oil (12-23 API) at a low GOR. With a range of OOIP estimates of 13 to 25 Billion Barrels, this reservoir, covering 300 sq.miles (777 km2), would rank among the largest known oil fields in the US, but technical difficulties have so far prevented its commercial exploitation. Steam injection is the most successful and the most commonly-used method of heavy oil recovery, but its application to the West Sak presents the following major problems: steam injected from the surface would have to traverse the 2,000 ft (600m)-thick Permafrost layer. Unavoidable heat losses from the steam and production tubings have two detrimental effects:the injected steam quality is greatly reduced, andmelting the Permafrost around the cemented casing could cause the well to sink, with potentially disastrous effects;the reservoir consists of 6 major layers, relatively thin and of medium permeability (ca.150 md);the West Sak formation contains some swelling clays, which, when exposed to steam condensate, further reduce the rock permeability;high well rates, generally required for economic operations in the Arctic, make it imperative to prevent degradation of permeability.
Such difficulties may be overcome by using a novel approach, in which steam is generated downhole in a catalytic Methanator, from Syngas made at the surface from endothermic reactions (Table 1). The Methanator effluent, containing steam and soluble gases resulting from exothermic reactions (Table 1), is cyclically injected into the reservoir by means of a horizontal drainhole while hot produced fluids flow from a second drainhole into a central production tubing. The downhole reactor feed and BFW flow downward in two concentric tubings. The large-diameter casing required to house the downhole reactor assembly is filled above it with Arctic Pack mud, or crude oil, to further reduce heat leaks.
A quantitative analysis of this production scheme for the West Sak required a preliminary engineering of the downhole and surface facilities and a tentative forecast of well production rates. The results, based on published information on the West Sak, have been used to estimate the cost of these facilities, per daily barrel of oil produced. A preliminary economic analysis and conclusions are presented together with an outline of future work. Economic and regulatory conditions which would make this approach viable are discussed.
Large-Scale Loading and Collapse of Natural Sea Ice and Natural-Artificial Ice Laminates
Authors: Lichtenberger G. J. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Natural and natural-artificial flood ice laminates up to 85 inches thick were tested for collapse under a variety of loading conditions. The data was empirically correlated using Westergaard's extreme fiber stress formula for elastic plates on an elastic foundation to establish a critical load modulus, which when exceeded resulted in immediate or delayed collapse of the ice sheet. For natural sea ice this critical load modulus is given by Sc = 215 - 2.95 T psi, where T (°C) is the ice center temperature. For laminates with ice center temperatures near −14°C the critical load modulus was found to be Sc = 100 + 1.42 P psi, where P is the percentage thickness of natural ice in the laminate. Seismic data showed only weak evidence of radial crack formation, possibly indicating plastic flow failure at the ice water interface. Circumferential cracks were observed both visually and using seismic methods at locations near those predicted by Nevel's theory for elastic wedges on an elastic foundation. Using this theory, the surface ice tensile strength for both natural and flood ice was found to be 75 psi. Brazil tensile strength tests yielded similar values, with a decrease in the strength for deeper sample locations in the ice.
A Design Method for Testing Procedure for Avoiding Weld Zone Corrosion in Ships and Offshore Structures
Authors: DeGeer D. D. , Zimmerman T. J. E. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The degree of corrosion of weldments on offshore structures and vessels depends upon the metallurgical characteristics of steels and welding consumables, the welding procedures, and the environmental severity. A new procedure has been developed for evaluating the preferential corrosion susceptibility of weldments at the heat affected zone (HAZ) and in the weld metal. The procedure uses short term laboratory tests to determine the corrosion susceptibility of the HAZ and weld metal for an "as-welded" specimen. These tests primarily involve the use of the Scanning Reference Electrode Technique (SRET), a highly sensitive technique with good resolution, requiring only a few days to clearly delineate the preferential corrosion susceptibility of a weldment. An empirical design method is also presented which determines, without laboratory testing, the preferential corrosion susceptibility of some weldments with heat inputs ranging from 1.1 to 4.2 kJ/mm. The use of both the SRET apparatus and the design method allows for the selection of materials and welding procedures to obtain maximum resistance to preferential weld zone corrosion.
The accuracy of the SRET apparatus was benchmarked against a collection of long term field tests, using coupon weldments attached to offshore structures and vessels, as well as field corrosion data gathered from actual ship hull weldments. A good correlation was found between the SRET tests and the field data. Also, the design method was derived from the same data base of test data.
Hydrogen Sulfide Forecasting Techniques for the Kuparuk River Field
Authors: Frazer L. C. , Boiling J. D. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This is a case study on developing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) forecasting techniques for the Kuparuk River Field. Initial oil production from the field was sweet. However, the field is currently souring while undergoing recovery from a combination of waterflood and water alternating immiscible gas injection. Evidence of microbiological souring and discussion on the evolution of H2S forecasting techniques are provided. The evolution of H2S forecasting techniques involved: 1) developing an initial forecasting model, 2) investigating H2S data on a well and field basis, and 3) altering the initial forecasting model to keep it consistent with H2S data. This work resulted in a model that is consistent with field data. These data indicate that at produced water sulfate concentrations ≥250 ppm, H2S production is independent of sulfate availability and averages approximately seven pounds per thousand barrels of water. Furthermore, these data suggest that H2S that is being reinjected into the reservoir is either being removed (stripped by reservoir fluids and/or scavenged by iron bearing minerals) or reducing H2S generation.