bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptation of Slimhole Well Design to a Horizontal Well
Authors: Foster Leigh 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Development drilling on the Pickerill gas field in the UK Southern North Sea (SNS) began in May 1991. During the drilling phase a potential requirement for a horizontal well was identified. The original field slim-hole casing design incorporated only the minimum number of casings required for the drilling of conventional slant wells. The horizontal well was planned as a side-track from a pilot hole, drilled to assess reservoir quality and structural elevation.
The drilling programme was chosen to meet the requirements of the reservoir engineering, geology and drilling departments. The geologists required real-time logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools to be used through the reservoir, to ‘steer’ the directional driller up or down into the most productive zones. These tools were not available for 6" hole, so an 8½" hole was essential.
Nearly 2600 feet were successfully drilled at over 80° inclination, the first time in the SNS that a horizontal well had been drilled through the reservoir, without previously casing off the overlying evaporite sequence.
After the hole was drilled, two production liners were run; a 7" string cemented above the reservoir, and a 5" preperforated string left uncemented across it. The success of this well opens up new possibilities for cost reduction in horizontal wells in the SNS, as it proved it is possible to drill a horizontal well using the same basic casing programme as a conventional well.
The slim-hole well design used on the field is described, and how this was modified for the horizontal well. The results of the execution of the plan, and conclusions regarding its success are presented.
Mud/Shale Interaction: Model Wellbore Studies Using X-Ray Tomography
Authors: Cook J. M. , Goldsmith Garry , Geehan T. M. , Audibert A. M. , Bieber M-T. , Lecourtier Jacqueline 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
A novel piece of equipment allows the monitoring of wellbore processes as they occur, under realistic downhole stresses, using computed X-ray tomographic scanning (CT scanning). It has been used to study the interactions between shale and drilling fluids, using a variety of fluid chemistries and pressure regimes.
Equity in Drilling Contracts: Responding to Operator and Contractor Concerns
Authors: Moomjian C. A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper discusses conceptual aspects of certain major drilling contract terms. The respective objectives of operators and contractors are assessed in reviewing key contract issues.
Subjects of this paper applicable to all daywork drilling contracts include contract extension options, commencement date provisions, termination provisions, rate structure, liability/indemnity allocations and insurance obligations. In respect of contracts for international operations, the analysis includes a review of provisions addressing currency fluctuations, political risks, local taxation and customs duties. In regard to long-term contracts, provisions addressing rate adjustment for cost variations and early termination compensation are evaluated.
This paper emphasizes the respective individual concerns and objectives of operators and contractors and attempts to seek a "common ground" upon which the principal contract terms can be addressed in a fair and equitable manner to provide a sound contractual framework for a successful drilling program.
The Effect of Unplanned Operations on Drilling Performance Evaluation
Authors: Peterson S. K. , Pearce D. W. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This paper presents results of an interpretation and statistical analysis of two years of drilling data, concentrating on the effects change-of-scope (COS) operations have had on drilling performance and drilling performance evaluation. The analysis shows that COS activities do not accurately represent drilling performance, and that COS costs may unjustly influence conventional cost-related measurements of drilling performance.
The Development of a Competency-Based Training Programme for Drilling Engineers Using Quality Assurance Principles
Authors: King G. W. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
A new training programme for Drilling Engineers has been developed by a North Sea Operator. The programme has been designed: to overcome the limitations of existing training practices; to meet the business needs of the company for Drilling Engineers; and to be capable of being audited. Training models from other industries and the concepts of ‘quality systems’ were used in the development of the programme. The result is a formal training programme supported by endorsed training records and formal accreditation.
How Surface Hole Drilling Performance Was Improved 65%
Authors: Russell B. A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper describes how improved performance was achieved drilling large diameter surface holes through hard formations prone to severe loss of circulation. The paper is based on field experience in Yemen. Modified hammer bit designs and powerful construction-industry hammers were used to significantly increase penetration rates. High rates of penetration demanded an effective cuttings removal medium. A polymer-enhanced foam system was chosen for this purpose, and it successfully cleaned cuttings from the hole at the highest rates of penetration. By changing foam properties, air injection rate, bit design, hammer size and the depth at which the hammer drilling assembly was replaced with a rotary drilling assembly, the time required to drill surface holes was reduced by 65%.
Systematic Tracking of Fatigue and Crack Growth To Optimize Drillstring Reliability
Authors: Howard J. A. , Halbert M. E. , Lubinski Arthur 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
API RP7G contains guidelines to determine if drillpipe fatigue damage might occur due to dogleg severity. The results are complicated and difficult to use, making them impractical for applications involving non-constant rotary speeds and rates of penetration. Furthermore, inspection guidelines based on expended fatigue life have not been developed.
This paper presents a systematic method of tracking cumulative fatigue of each joint of pipe while drilling a well, and it links the results to recently published work on crack growth for determination of inspection intervals. Results are presented for an example offshore well, and sensitivity cases are run that illustrate how fatigue and crack growth can become significant within a single well.
The tracking system can be used both in planning and during drilling. Critical drillpipe lengths and potentially damaged joints are determined, and inspection frequency is optimized. Operators, drilling contractors, and inspection companies can: a) design drillstrings, deviation programs and drilling parameters to minimize fatigue, b) perform inspections on either all of a string, or selected portions, as dictated by actual hole and drilling conditions, and c) monitor fatigue in real time using actual drilling information.
Slimhole Drilling Saves Dollars in Thermal Injectors
Authors: Grove G. A. , Vervloet A. W. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Recent advances in slim-hole drilling techniques are being used to drill shallow steam injectors in the San Joaquin Valley area near Bakersfield, California. The use of 2-3/8″ tubing as the casing string along with using a workover rig to drill the injectors has resulted in significant savings in required capital. Results from the latest work shows that a 50% reduction in total well cost can occur when drilling a multiple injector package.
Forecasting Steam Chest Growth in a Line-Drive Steamflood Project Using Classical Analytical Models
Authors: Hutchinson D. A. , Fattahi Behrooz 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The rate of steam chest growth can significantly impact oil production in a line drive steamflood. Simple analytical models often suffice to provide the quick insight needed to analyze the growth rate and save major numerical simulation efforts.
Using classical analytical models proposed by Marx-Langenheim, Mandl-Volek, etc., steam chest growth is analyzed and predicted in the Upper Vedder sand at Mt. Poso field, California. Various steam injection scenarios are examined.
When compared with field data, the analytical results indicate accurate description of the steam chest growth. The predicted rate of steam chest growth is presented and the future performance of the reservoir discussed.
Optimal Choice of Completion Intervals for Injectors and Producers in Steamfloods
Authors: Chu Chieh 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This work studies systematically the effects of completion intervals of both injectors and producers on steamflood performance and seeks the optimal choice of the completion intervals. Simulation results showed that, in the absence of deterministic shales, the optimal choices will improve the steamflood performance, significantly in many cases.
A New Method of Steamflooding Oil Reservoirs Using Staggered Scheduling of Injection/Production Oscillations
Authors: Chu Chieh 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
A new method of steamflooding has been suggested which uses staggered scheduling of oscillations in injection and production among the various injectors and producers in a project. Simulation results show that the proposed method can increase oil production over the base case of no oscillation by 2-8 %.
Steaming and Operating Strategies at a Midlife CSS Operation
Authors: Gallant R. J. , Stark S. D. , Taylor M. D. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Imperial Oil Resources Limited began pilot experimentation with Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) at Cold Lake in 1964 and followed this with commercial application in 1985. Since that time an extensive amount of experimental data and operating experience has been acquired which has resulted in the continual evolution of steaming and operating strategies for CSS.
Optimization of the many process variables involved in CSS is complex due to their interdependency. The optimization of steaming and operating strategies has advanced significantly with commercial development and continues to evolve as the CSS process matures and the reservoir reaches more advanced stages of depletion. This evolution has focussed on steam strategies to manage interwell communication and increase areal conformance, and operating strategies to maximize the efficiency of producing mobilized bitumen which lies at ever increasing distances from the wellbore. The continued success of CSS in Cold Lake is dependent on the continued improvement of these steaming and operating strategies.
The Orinoco Heavy-Oil Belt Pilot Projects and Development Strategy
Authors: Trebolle R. L. , Chalot J. P. , Colmenares Rodolfo 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The development of the Orinoco extra heavy oil belt (Faja Petrolifera), known as the largest extra-heavy (8.5°API) hydrocarbon accumulation in the world, has become a major goal for the Venezuelan oil industry in the next decade.
The Cerro Negro area, contains 213 billion stb and the current estimation for the primary recovery factor is 12% of the stock-tank original oil in place (STOIIP).
Following the exploratory campaign, in the early eighties, three pilot projects were initiated (0-16, J-20 and K-20) in the Cerro Negro Area. These pilots consist of patterns of vertical producing wells and clusters of highly deviated wells with different spacing, completion type, sand control, stimulation (huff and puff) and lifting process. Furthermore, since 1990 two horizontal wells were drilled, evaluated and monitored in cold production, using the neighboring vertical wells.
The acquisition of an exceptionally large data set in the exploration/appraisal step (207 wells) and the three pilot projects (155 wells) not only provided a unique opportunity for thorough study each of the relevant disciplines involved in the reservoir management and production facilities design, but also promoted a set of new technologies to be applied in the design of the commercial development of these prolific extra heavy reservoirs.
Differential Depletion in Heavy-Oil Sands, Lagunillas, Venezuela
Authors: Campagni Rita Delli , Alcalá Venecia , Nieves Israel 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Cyclic steam stimulation has proven to be an effective and flexible process for recovering heavy oil. However, similar to the other projects in the Bolivar Coast Field, vertical steam distribution in the Laguna reservoir is poor due to thicker pay zone divided into two different main sand bodies, an upper sand unit a lower sand unit. Difference fluid and rock properties for the lower sand have contributed to production, meanwhile, the upper sand stayed at original conditions.
This work illustrates how an interdisciplinary team can set up new approaches to a mature reservoir, in order to optimize the exploitation of heavy oil sands. This approach was within the context of areal definitions, steam soak scheduling and production forecast. It was concluded that the Laguna upper sands should be treated as an individual reservoir.
Critical Flow Properties of Wet Steam
Authors: Chien Sze-Foo 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Wet steam, being a two-phase fluid, has complex critical flow properties. Analytical and experimental data were used to investigate the critical steam flux, and the pressure ratio needed to achieve critical flow for a variety of popular flow-rate controlling devices. Three new parameters –– critical steam flux ratio, dimensionless critical steam flux, and the Napier parameter –– are introduced to correlate the critical flow data. Attention was focused on the effects of stagnation pressure, stagnation quality and design of the flow-rate control device on the critical flux. The study covered stagnation pressures from 200 to 2100 psia and stagnation qualities from 20 to 100%.
Parametric Study of the Design Factors for Cyclic Steam Injection in Lake Maracaibo Oil Fields
Authors: Trebolle R. L. , De Paz M. C. , Martinez D. E. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Cyclic steam injection has been performed since the early 60's in Lake Maracaibo reservoirs. The design parameters for a cycle have been generated from performance data gathered from stimulations of over 500 cycles. However, these design parameters include some statistical dispersion that might prevent attaining an optimum cycle design. While obtaining operating experience, Lagoven has also been using and developing numerical models to improve and optimize the cyclic-steam operating strategy.
A simulation and sensitivity study of the design parameters for the cyclic steam injection in the Bachaquero-01 reservoir was performed to determine more accurate values than those obtained from field operations only.
These parameters are injection rate, heat or steam input, steam quality and soak time. Additionally, analyses were made of reservoir behavior during steam drives, gas injection with steam, heat transfer between layers and an investigation of the use of horizontal wells for oil recovery by steamflooding and cyclic steam, using a fully implicit thermal simulator.
The results of 3-D simulations mainly showed that horizontal well patterns improved productivity. Besides improving the reservoir volumetric sweep efficiency, use of horizontal wells has the advantage of requiring fewer wells per area swept, projects being completed in a significantly shorter time.
Credibility in Forecasting and Planning or Why Should Management Use an Analysis of Uncertainty in Their Investment Decision Process?
Authors: Tobin J. C. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Gone are the days when simply finding oil and producing it were sufficient to achieve wealth and fame. The oil man can no longer make money in spite of himself. Investors demand that sound business decisions be made. This can only be accomplished if a thorough and credible assessment of uncertainty is included in the decision process.
The industry has long recognized and in many cases analyzed the uncertainties in the physical aspects of a project. However, investment decision must also recognize the economic uncertainties associated with the project. Therefore, such economic factors as oil price should be forecasted in terms of an appropriate range of confidence and evaluated together with the other uncertain project variables. It is this recognition of uncertainty that gives credibility to forecasting and planning activities. This paper will emphasizes three ways in which credibility can be established, Communication of uncertainty and Insight.
An Optimization Model for Allocating Capital to Exploration and Production Operations
Authors: Burness G. C. , Gupta R. K. , Novotnak J. F. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Capital allocation plans are being analyzed within the exploration and production group of an integrated oil and gas company utilizing information from a mathematical model which determines optimal allocations of single and multi-year capital outlays to exploration and development projects. The optimization processes focus on key performance drivers which better relate to enhancing shareholder value than more traditional accounting measurements such as net income, earnings per share, and return on assets. Key strategies for successful implementation of the model are discussed.
Recent Improvements in State Regulatory Programs and Compliance Practices
Authors: Smith G. E. , Smith W. R. , Littleton D. J. , DOE U. S. , Simmons Jerry 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) are sponsoring a joint study to examine the changes in State regulatory programs and waste management practices since the mid-1980s, focusing on 17 States that reflect the diversity of Lower-48 E&P operations. This paper documents the preliminary findings of that study, which is expected to be completed Spring 1993. In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified what it felt were gaps and areas of concern with State regulatory programs for the management of oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) wastes, although it found State programs to be generally adequate. Included in the paper is an overview of the concerns expressed by EPA in 1987, a review of the budgets and staffing commitments of these 17 States to oil and gas regulation over time, and a review of the specific regulatory modifications made by the States since the mid-1980s to improve waste management and environmental protection associated with oil and gas E&P operations. The evolution of the waste management practices used by oil and gas operators since the mid-1980s is also briefly discussed.
Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization Opportunities for Exploration and Production Operations
Authors: Derkies D. L. , Souders S. H. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
In a continuing effort to encourage improvements in the management of exploration and production (E&P) wastes, the Office of Solid Waste (OSW) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is identifying practices and technologies that may contribute to pollution prevention and waste minimization when applied to E&P operations. The sources of this information include trade literature, product literature, and patents. Once identified, details of these practices and technologies may be compiled in a database where the information may be easily accessed and ultimately used in the development of outreach materials for industry.
Several notable practices and technologies identified to date are discussed in this paper along with results of field trials where available. Although many have already been described in the literature, the intent of the authors is to present a brief overview of selected pollution prevention and waste minimization concepts in order to stimulate further investigation and discussion.
NORM Scale Formation: A Case Study of the Chemistry Prediction, Remediation, and Treatment in Wells of the Antrim Gas Field
Authors: Oddo J. E. , Sitz C. D. , Ortiz Isais , Linz D. G. , Lawrence A. W. , Kan A. T. , Tomson M. B. 
Published: December 2007

Summary
BaSO4 scale containing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) as well as calcium carbonate scale has been reported in gas production facilities in conjunction with the Antrim play in northern Michigan. The scale study was undertaken by the Water Research Institute, Inc. (WRI) under contract from the Gas Research Institute. It was proposed in the scale study to conduct a two phase systematic characterization of BaS04 scale from the Michigan Basin area both as to occurrence and environmental hazard, and to evaluate scale control methods using brines typical of the area. The initial study involved sample collection and analytical work-up to arrive at a correct theoretical analysis of the problems involved. The variability of the sulfate concentrations in the wells is addressed and scale prediction techniques applied to the reservoirs and the surface equipment to determine where scale was forming and where it is likely to form. The scale is proposed to be forming due to the commingling of produced waters from wells with high sulfate concentrations with waters from other wells relatively high barium concentrations. Inhibitor evaluations were done using a high temperature-pressure laboratory apparatus developed at Rice University and WRI (patent application pending with GRI) and effective chemicals and probable dose rates for inhibition were determined. Concurrently, studies were begun by Bioindustrial Technology, Inc. and United Exploration and Development Consultants to learn the sources of the high sulfate concentrations reported in some wells in the area and to determine the causes of souring in some others.
In addition to the scale forming in the surface facilities, NORM scale was predicted and found in production tubing from individual wells. The driving forces for scale precipitation in these wells is the temperature and pressure changes resulting from production Chemical squeeze of inhibitor into the reservoirs and surface injection are recommended to treat and eliminate the scale problem