Rotary drilling assemblies can typically control a directional of a well by having proper stabilizer placement. With this kind of drilling assembly, only inclination can be controlled and a well cannot be directionally oriented to required direction. In this article, it briefly describe how stabilizer placement can affect the well direction.

Rotary Build Assembly (Fulcrum Assembly)

When a drill collar is supported at both ends but not held vertically, its own weight causes it to sag in the middle. This phenomenon is used in rotary drilling assemblies to create the necessary side force at the bit to alter the angle (Figure 1).

Figure 1 – A build rotary assembly

Stabilizers are used to force the drill collar sag to push the bit either to the low or high side of the hole, or alternatively to reduce side force. This is done by altering the position of the stabilizers, and having them either the same size as the drill bit (full gauge) or smaller (undergauge).

In order for a rotary build assembly to work, the hole needs to be somewhat inclined (over about 12°) to create the sag in the first place. A greater inclination means more side force is generated. The near bit stabilizer (NB stab) acts as a fulcrum, while the collars are like a lever, so that when one end is pushed down, the opposite end pushes up. When the NB stab is undergauge, it develops a smaller upwards side force, allowing the stabilizer gauge to have effect. Should the next stabilizer be undergauge, then the build effect increases as the ipper part of the lever moves downwards.

The bit is also greatly affected by the weight which is applied to it. If there is sag in the drill collars, then additional weight from above will increase the amount of sag, and the drill collar will begin to buckle. In practice, this means that when more weight is applied to a build assembly, it is able to build faster.

Rotary Drop Assembly (Pendulum Assembly)

In order to drop the angle, no near bit stabilizer (NB stab) will be run. In between the bit and the first stabilizer, there will be either 60 or 90 feet of drill collars. The force of the sag (subtracting the NB stab fulcrum) gradually forces the bit to the lower side, thereby decreasing the angle.

In order to begin the drop, a light weight is run on the bit. When the trend has been established, it may be increased by the addition of extra weight to the bit. This approach has its downsides, though- one of which being low stability. It will easily get knocked off course by natural formation trends, as well as dropping or running sideways. It is difficult to maintain azimuth, and it might therefore be necessary to trip the bit out of the hole entirely to alter the BHA configuration, s that it will follow the intended well path. Drop assemblies are also sometimes called “pendulum assemblies”, and an example of one is illustrated in Figure 2.

The drill bit itself also needs to be taken into consideration. Drill bits may be designed to provide some amount of side cutting action. This helps to increase the effectiveness of a build or drop assembly. In cases where the well must deviate by next to nothing at all, bits are also available which do not have this side cutting action. In the absence of this feature, the bit will attempt to drill in a straight line wherever possible.

Figure 2 – A rotary drop assembly

Rotary Holding Assembly (Packed Hole Assembly)

When the well is now pointed in the necessary direction, and at the proper angle, it can then be locked so that it drills in a straight line. This configuration is known as a packed hole assembly (since it is packed with stabilizers), or alternatively a still assembly because it is resistant to bending forces. An example of this assembly is shown in Figure 2 which shows that the drilling assembly consists of 3 stabilizers placed not far away from each other. With this type of assembly, the directional performance will not be as drastically affected by factors like natural formation trends, or the amount of weight on the drilling bit.

To achieve optimum drilling performance, it is frequently required that there is a high weight on the bit. A tangent assembly excels because it allows for this high weight, and subsequent fast drilling, without risking the hole getting knocked off course. Even packed assemblies are only able to build their speed slowly when high weights are used on it.

Rotary assemblies will tend to turn to the right as they drill. To offset this, the well may be kicked off and positioned to point ever so slightly to the left of the intended direct track, and also somewhat low. This means that the well will turn to the right and slowly build while still using the ideal parameters for fast drilling.

Figure 3 – A rotary holding assembly

It is also possible to run a locked assembly using a second stabilizer which is somewhat under gauge (Figure 4). Therefore, this leads to an additional build tendency because the under gauge stabilizer sag down and make the BHA acts like a building BHA (a fulcrum BHA).

Figure 4 – A rotary holding assembly with building tendency

References

Inglis, T.A. (2010) Directional drilling. Dordrecht: Springer-Verlag New York.

Mitchell, R.F., Miska, S.Z. and Aadnoy, B.S. (2012) Fundamentals of drilling engineering. Richardson, TX: Society of Petroleum Engineers.

National Oilwell Varco (2017) National Oilwell Varco. Available at: https://www.nov.com/Segments/Wellbore_Technologies/Dynamic_Drilling_Solutions/InTerra_Sensors_and_Systems/Directional_Systems.aspx (Accessed: 26 February 2017).

Schlumberger Limited (2017) Schlumberger Drilling Services. Available at: http://www.slb.com/services/drilling.aspx (Accessed: 25 February 2017).

Short, J.J.A. (1993) Introduction to directional and horizontal drilling. Tulsa, OK: PennWell Books.

Technical, T., Astier, B., Baron, G., Boe, J.-C., Peuvedic, J.L.P. and French Oil & Gas Industry Association (1990) Directional drilling and deviation control technology. Paris: Editions

Nowadays, many wells required complex well trajectory plans in order to reach reservoir sections and some of complicated well paths (Figure 1) cannot be drilled with either rotary drilling assemblies or mud motors. In order to achieve the drilling goal, rotary steerable tools are usually selected.

Figure 1 – Complex Well Paths

While the precise mechanics might vary, each rotary steerable tool uses much the same approach. Running the rotary steerable immediately above the bit serves as a sort of replacement for a near bit stab (NB stab). Most tools use three blades close to the drill bit, which act as stablizers and move in and out. While the tool turns, the blade which is turning in the opposite direction pushes against the side of the hole, giving the necessary side force to create a curved hole while drilling.

When using a steerable motor, the adjustment of the well path a series of slide drilling and rotary drilling doesn’t give a clean smooth edge, but rather creates a hole with multiple sharp edges, and straight sections between them. A rotary steerable tool, on the other hand, does give a smooth curved hole. This makes the wellbore more stable, and less resistant when tripping in and out of the hole. With higher inclinations, a smooth curve makes for an easier job of running casing or logging tools.

With long horizontal hole sections, it becomes increasingly difficult to slide at the same time as drilling. This is because the rotation of the string releases the friction between the pipe and thehole. For this reason, rotary steerables are used so that long horizontal holes may be drilled without the need for a sliding motor assembly.

In the past, many horizontal holes were lost because of insufficient hole cleaning. Cuttings will inevitably build up in the hole alongside the sliding drill pipe, and when the pipe is rotated, they can easily be blown into the moving fluid stream.

On top of allowing the tool to be controlled from the surface, it may also be linked to a “logging while drilling” tool. This tool will survey the radioactivity or electrical properties of rock as it is drilled through. The bit may then be steered in relation to the properties of the rock itself.

A downside of rotary steerable tools is their cost. The tools themselves may cost in excess of $15,000 per day, and when the price of LWD tools is taken into consideration, this cost can reach over $25,000. These tools are therefore only used when the advantages they provide outset the cost compared to using other tools. They are commonly found on high-cost rigs, or when the well path is complicated, demands a long horizontal hole, or requires geosteering.

Rotary Steerable Tools By Each Major Service Company

The following videos show some of rotary steerable tool by major service companies.

Power Drive RSS by Schlumberger

The Revolution Rotary-Steerable System By Weatherford

Geo-Pilot® Rotary Steerable System By Halliburton

References

Inglis, T.A. (2010) Directional drilling. Dordrecht: Springer-Verlag New York.

Mitchell, R.F., Miska, S.Z. and Aadnoy, B.S. (2012) Fundamentals of drilling engineering. Richardson, TX: Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Short, J.J.A. (1993) Introduction to directional and horizontal drilling. Tulsa, OK: PennWell Books.

Technical, T., Astier, B., Baron, G., Boe, J.-C., Peuvedic, J.L.P. and French Oil & Gas Industry Association (1990) Directional drilling and deviation control technology. Paris: Editions

It is quite difficult to find a book that explain about oil and gas industry to our children. There are many times that you are asked about oilfield by your kids and you could not find the good resource to explain them. Today we would like to share one of the best and simple oilfield books for kids. This book is “I need to know – An Introduction to the Oil Industry & OPEC“. An introduction to the Oil Industry and OPEC tells the story of oil. It tells how crude oil – or, using its more technical term, petroleum – was discovered, how it is explored and taken from the ground and made into other products.

The contents in this book are well written into simple language in order to explain about oilfield to young generations around the world. Not only is it good for children, it is also excellent to educate people who do not know much about oil and gas industry. The contents in this book are listed below;

Chapter 1

Oil Basics
What is crude oil?
What is petroleum?
How is oil formed?
Oil properties
Light / Heavy
Sour / Sweet
Reference crude oil
A brief history of the industry
Why is oil important?
How much oil does the world need?

Chapter 1- Oil Basics

Chapter 2
Finding Oil (Upstream)
A big adventure begins!
So how do we find oil
Upstream
Exploration
Production
Onshore
Offshore
Huge investments are required

Chapter 2 – Finding Oil (Upstream)

Chapter 3
Refining Oil (Downstream)
The adventure continues!
Downstream
Refining
Separation
Conversion
Treatment
Transportation
Pipelines
Roads and railway
Ocean tankers

Chapter 3 – Refining Oil (Downstream)

Chapter 4
About OPEC
Introduction
Birth of OPEC
The OPEC logo
Who are the members of OPEC?
Founder Members
Full Members
Associate Members
Table OPEC Member Countries
Who can be a Member?
OPEC’s mission
Stabilizing oil markets
Keeping the market supplied
Organizational structure
The Conference
Board of Governors
Economic Commission Board
The Secretariat
The OPEC Summit
Building bridges
How does OPEC help other countries?
What is OFID?
Glossary of Terms
Bibliography & Resources

Chapter 4 – About OPEC

This book can be downloaded for free from OPEC website and there are 3 files formats which are PDF, ZIP and Flipbook. You can check out the following link to download this book.

PDF

ZIP

Flipbook

Reference – http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/publications/2333.htm

In our opinion, it is very interesting decision made by Transcoean to sell all jack-up fleets to Norwegian offshore drilling contractor, Borr Drilling. With current oil market situation, Transocan has made decision to stay only deep water drilling.

Please feel free to share your thought about this. 

News by Offshore Energy Today 

Norwegian offshore drilling contractor Borr Drilling, formerly known as Magni Drilling, is planning to buy 15 jack-up drilling rigs from Swiss-based Transocean for $1.35 billion.

Borr Drilling announced on Monday the signing of a letter of intent with Transocean for the acquisition of 15 high-specification jack-up rigs.

The transaction consists of Transocean’s entire jack-up fleet, including ten rigs already in the fleet and five newbuilds under construction at Keppel FELS Limited, which Transocean has been postponing for a while now. The latest agreement with Keppel entailed the deferral of the five new jack-ups until 2020.

Borr said that total consideration for the transaction is expected to be approximately $1.35 billion and includes remaining contract backlog and remaining yard installments to Keppel FELS for the five newbuilds. The board of directors of Keppel FELS has pre-approved the novation of the new-building contracts.

A deposit has, in line with what has been agreed between the parties, been paid from Borr to Transocean.

Borr also said on Monday it has secured financing for the transaction through a private placement of equity securities. The company is raising $800 million in new equity consisting of 228,600,000 new shares at a price of $3.5 per share.

The transaction is subject to the parties executing definitive agreements and satisfying formal closing conditions, including a final approval from the boards of directors of both companies. The completion of the transaction is expected to take place before the end of May 2017.

Borr Drilling was formed last year with the ambition of acquiring and operating drilling assets in order to take advantage of opportunities in a rapidly changing oil and gas industry. The company’s management includes former Seadrill CFO, Rune Magnus Lundetræ, who is now Borr CEO. The company’s COO, Svend Anton Maier, also worked for Seadrill in a period from 2007 until 2016.

Late last year, Borr agreed to buy a pair of 2013-built jack-up drilling rigs from the bankrupt Hercules Offshore. The rigs were delivered to the Norwegian driller in January.

News by Seekingalpha.com

Transocean (NYSE:RIG) agrees to sell its entire fleet of 15 jack-up drilling rigs to Oslo-listed rig operator Borr Drilling for $1.35B.

The sale includes 10 operational rigs and five rigs that are still under construction, according to Borr.

The news confirms earlier reports of a deal valued at closer to $1.2B.

Reference Source  – http://www.offshoreenergytoday.com/transocean-to-sell-entire-jack-up-fleet-to-new-offshore-driller/

http://seekingalpha.com/news/3252173-transocean-sell-entire-jack-fleet-1_35b-deal

When you work in deepwater environment (3000 ft + below sea level), you may think what kinds of creatures live in that condition.  Roman Fedorstov  has shared some amazing photos of animal living at that condition. You can take a look that these are animal passing by subsea BOP, riser, etc.

If you want to see Roman Fedorstov’s portforlio, you can click the links below.

https://twitter.com/rfedortsov/

https://www.instagram.com/rfedortsov_official_account/

Petroleum engineering has been developed since the beginning of the 19th Century. The following images demonstrates petroleum technology milestone from 1848 – 1959. This is the first part of this series and more to come.

1848:World’s First Oil Well – Major Aleveev drills the world’s first oil well at Baku, Azerbaijan using a primitive cable-tool drilling technique which originated in ancient China.

1859:Oil First Discovered in US – Oil was first discovered in US when a homemade rig drilled down 70 feet and came up coated with oil. This rig was near Titusville and was owned by “Colonel” Edwin L. Drake.

1878:First Oil Tanker – The first successful oil tanker, the Zoroaster, designed by Ludvig Nobel of Sweden introduced. It was designed to navigate the challenges of the Caspian Sea and ran between Baku, Azerbaijan and Astrakhan, Russia.

1891: Gasoline Engines – The Daimler Motor Company begins producing gasoline engines in the U.S. for tram cars, carriages, quadricycles, fire engines, and boats.

1901: Texas Oil Boom – The U.S.’s first deep oil well and gusher at Spindletop, near Beaumont, Texas. Captain Anthony F. Lucas’s combined use of fishtail bits, water-based drilling mud, and steam-driven rotary drill rig resulted in such success that it triggers the Texas oil boom.

1909:Roller-Cone Drill Bit – Hughes and Sharp patent the first roller-cone drill bit with two cones made of steel.

1927:Electrical Logging – Henri Doll, Roger Jost, and Charles Scheibli conduct the first electrical logging operation at Pechelbronn, France.

1929:Controlled Directional Drilling – H. John Eastman introduces controlled directional drilling.

1933:Tricone Roller-Cone Drill Bit – Hughes introduces the first tricone roller-cone drill bit.

1935:Catalytic Cracking – Catalytic (or “cat”) cracking, a process which uses intense heat and a catalyst to split up heavy hydrocarbons first utilized in oil refining.

1941:Horizontal Well Drilling -Alexander Grigoryan, a Soviet driller, directs the first horizontal well drilling in Azerbaijan.

1949:Hydraulic Fracturing – First commercial hydraulic fracturing treatment performed in Stephens County, Oklahoma and Archer County, Texas. (Halliburton)

1949:Offshore Drilling – The first offshore mobile drilling platform, the Breton Rig 20 performs in up to twenty feet of water (Hayward-Barnsdall)

1954:Jack-up Drilling Rig – Colonel Leon B Delong builds the first jack-up drilling rig (Delong Corporation)

1958:Maritime – The first purpose-built pipelay vessel goes into use (Brown & Root).

1958: Gulf of Mexico – The last year that water depth of wells drilled in US Gulf of Mexico equaled depth of wells producing (135 ft).

1959:Offshore Alaska – Exploration activity offshore Alaska begins Image is of The Katalla discovery well, drilled on private land owned by the Alaska Development Company, marked the first unsteady steps of Alaska’s petroleum industry.

Credit – http://oilpro.com/gallery/2294/31900 by Ethan Stahl

http://www.spe.org/industry/history/timeline.php

This is one of excellent training video demonstrating the drilling process from start at surface casing to completing of the well in less than 7 minutes. This would be a good tool to teach people about drilling in our oil and gas industry. We also provide video transcription in order to help learners understand the content easily. If you love this content, please feel free to share with your friends.

Full Video Transcription

Once the surface section of the well is drilled, the drill pipe is pulled out of the hole in order to lay the casing. This is done for environmental reasons to hydraulically seal the formation layers containing aquifers from the flowing hydrocarbons later on once the well is completed. The casing string is made of numerous joints the same size screwed together at the collar. The casing pipe is selected according to its outer diameter, its wall thickness, its length its weight by unit length and the grade of steel it is made of.

The selection of grade of casing depends on several variables including the size of the hole, the rugosity of the drilled hole. The expected pressure of the flowing hydrocarbons the H2S content as well as the economic considerations.

Once the entire weight of the casing string is solely suspended by the hangers, the casing is considered laid in place. In order to secure the laid casing string to the formation, cement is pumped through the casing shoe at the bottom of the well letting the cement flow between the casing and the formation, to allow further operations in the well the cement requires sufficient curing time.

Once the cement has dried, the seal of the aquifers would be established. The drilling then continues through the wiper plug, the casing shoe and the cement at the bottom of the hole until the desired depth is reached. This is called total depth or TD and is where the pay zone is anticipated. To evaluate presence and economic feasibility of this pay zone the drill pipe could be equipped with logging while drilling tools to evaluate formation while drilling.

Drilling into a deeper section

It is a common practice to lower wire line logging tools to evaluate the formation and determine the economic feasibility of the drilled well. This is done by logging the anticipated pay zone through various types of sensors to determine the key properties of the zone. After the pay zone has been determined and deemed feasible, the wall needs to be prepared to extract the discovered hydrocarbons. This process is known as the completion of a well.

A common completion method requires inserting a casing string into the newly drilled open hole to prevent the borehole wall from caving prematurely during the various steps of completion. To allow further operations in the well the cement requires sufficient curing time.

The cementing process is not always a flawless operation and the resulting cementing job might contain some bonding issues that would undermine the strength and integrity of the casing especially during preparation. The bond of this cement with the formation and with the casing is evaluated using a cement evaluation wireline tool. This tool determines whether the cement job is optimal, if not further remedial operations are required.

Perforation via wireline

To establish a path with the hydrocarbons stored in the pay zone, a perforating gun is now lowered to the target depth. Wireline is the preferred conveyance method for short and light gun strings, to deploy long and heavy gun strings a technique referred to as tubing conveyed perforating or TCP is required. Using sensors part of the gun string, the guns can be accurately positioned in front of the targeted reservoir. The charges in the gun are now ready to be ignited using the surface perforating control equipment. Once the correct depth has been confirmed the gun is fired. The charges in the gun explode providing a path through the formation the cement and the casing to the production tubing. The perforating gun is then pulled out of the hole.

Now the well is perforated and the path has been established between the stored hydrocarbons and the well board. While the drilling rig is still in place production tests are performed to confirm the commercial viability of the reservoir before the production string is installed in the well.

A typical production string is made of a tubing string that includes a packer near the bottom end. The production Packer is installed above the top of the perforations to ensure that the flowing hydrocarbons reached the surface only through the production tubing. Before the drilling rig is dismantled and moved away to its next location, the wellhead equipment commonly referred to as the Christmas tree is installed on top of the well. With the well completed the production of hydrocarbons can begin. These hydrocarbons will fill storage tanks or feed pipelines until the day when the production rate has diminished and the well is plugged and finally abandoned.

This article demonstrates how to design the well trajectory in J-shape from the surface location to the required target depth (TD).

Information Given

• The surface location coordinate of Well-A is 6,543,065.00N 416,695.00E and the target is located at 6,542,213.00N 415,456.00E and the UTM zone is 31N.

• Kick off depth = 4,200’MD/4,200’TVD
• Planned build up rate = 2 degree/100 ft
• Well profile = J-profile (build and hold)

The surface location coordinate of Well-A is 6,543,065.00N 416,695.00E and the target is located at 6,542,213.00N 415,456.00E and the UTM zone is 31N. Therefore, the surface and the target for Well-A can be illustrated is Figure 1.

Figure 1- Well-A surface location in reference to subsurface location

Distance from Surface Location to Target

ΔN = 6,542,213.00 – 6,543,065.00 = – 852 m

ΔE = 415,456.00 – 416,695.00 = -1,239 m

Map Distance = 1503.671 m

Figure 2 – Distance from surface to the target illustration

True Distance

This distance must be applied the scale factor in order to get the true distance.

True Distance (m) = Map Distance ÷ scale factor

True Distance (m) = 1503.671 ÷ 0.999685 = 1504.144 m

Convert from meter to feet

True Distance (ft) = True Distance (m) x 3.281

True Distance (ft) = 1504.144 x 3.281

True Distance (ft) = 4934.86 ft

The true distance is the horizontal displacement referencing from surface location to the target.

Target Azimuth

The target in reference to the surface location is located in 3rd quadrant; therefore the target azimuth is calculated by the following relationship;

Target AZI = 180 + tan-1(ΔE÷ΔN)

Target AZI = 180 + tan-1((-1,239) ÷ (-852))

Target AZI = 235.486 degree

Directional Plan and Calculation

In order to design well trajectory for this well, the illustration (Figure 3) is made to determine all required parameters.

Figure 3 – Well-A Section View Plan

Calculations

Radius build (ft) = (180 ÷ ϖ) × (100 ÷2)

Radius build (ft) = 2,864.79 ft

a = TVDtarget – TVDkop

a = 9,500- 4,200 = 5,300 ft

b = Horizontal Displacement to Target – Radius Build

b = 4,934.86 – 2,864.79= 2070.07 ft

c = (a^2 + b^2)^1/2

c = (5,300^2 + 2,070.07^2)^1/2 = 5,689.92 ft

d= (c^2 – e^2)^1/2

d= (5,689.92^2 – 2,864.79^2)^1/2 = 4916.11 ft

e = Radius build

e = 2,864.79 ft (Radius build)

f = g ÷ cos(θ1)

f = 750÷ cos(51.565) = 1,206.52 ft

g = Planned Depth TVD– Target Depth TVD

g = 10,250 – 9,500 = 750 ft

h = g × tan(θ1)

h = 750 × tan(51.565) = 945.09 ft

θ1 = 180- 𝛾1- α1

θ1 = 180 – 59.769 – 68.665 = 51.565 degree

θ2 = 90- θ1

θ2 = 90- 51.565 = 38.435 degree

Distance build (ft) = Change in Inclination ÷ Build Rate

Inclination increases from 0 degree to 51.57 degree at the end of build

Distance build = 51.57 degree ÷ (2 degree/100ft) = 2578.27 ft

Measured Depth at End of Build = Kick of Depth + Distance Build

Measured Depth at End of Build = 4,200 + 2,578.27 = 6,778.27 ft MD

TVD at End of Build = Kick of Depth TVD + Radius of Build x sin (θ1)

TVD at End of Build = 4,200 + 2864.79x sin (51.57) = 6,444.04 ft TVD

Horizontal departure at EOB = Radius Build × (1- cos(θ1))

Horizontal departure at EOB = 2864.79x × (1- cos(51.57)) = 1083.98 ft

Horizontal Departure at TD = Horizontal Departure at Target + h

Horizontal Departure at TD = 4,934.86 + 945.05 = 5879.91 ft

Figure 4 illustrates all calculated parameters for Well-A

Figure 4 – Well-A Section View with All Calculated Figures

North-South and East-West Calculation

Since there is no change in Azimuth direction, North-South and East-West can be calculated by the following equations

North-South = Horizontal Departure x cos (Wellbore Azimuth)

East-West = Horizontal Departure x sin (Wellbore Azimuth)

North-South and East-West at Kick Off Point (KOP)

At KOP, there is not horizontal departure so North-South and East-West direction are 0.

North-South and East-West at End of Build (EOB)

North-South = Horizontal Departure at EOB x cos (Wellbore Azimuth)

North-South = 1083.98x cos (235.49) = -614.20 ft

East-West = Horizontal Departure at EOB x sin (Wellbore Azimuth)

East-West = 1083.98 x sin (235.49) = -893.18 ft

North-South and East-West at Target

North-South = Horizontal Departure at Target x cos (Wellbore Azimuth)

North-South = 4934.86 x cos (235.49) = -2,796.16 ft

East-West = Horizontal Departure at Target x sin (Wellbore Azimuth)

East-West = 4934.86 x sin (235.49) = -4,066.24 ft

North-South and East-West at Total Depth (TD)

North-South = Horizontal Departure at TD x cos (Wellbore Azimuth)

North-South = 5879.95x cos (235.49) = -3,331.66ft

East-West = Horizontal Departure at TD x sin (Wellbore Azimuth)

East-West = 5879.95x sin (235.49) = -4,844.98ft

Figure 5 shows the plan view of Well-A and Table 1 demonstrates all critical points.

Figure 5 – Plan View of Well-A

Table 1 – Summary for Well-A

Calculation Summary

Well-A is planned for 2-D well design with a J-shape trajectory plan. The well will be drilled vertically to 4,100’ MD/4,100’ TVD. Then, the kick off starts at 4,200’ MD/4,200’ TVD (100 ft below 16” shoe) in a firm shale zone and the designed build up rate is 2 degree/100 ft. End of build depth is 6,778’MD/6,444’TVD. The target depth is 11,694’MD/9,500’ TVD KRB and the target depth of the well is 12,901’MD/10,250’ TVD KRB.

Reference – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/well-trajectory-j-profile-example-directional-suwat-pongtepupathum

A multilateral well is a well with two or more laterals (horizontal, vertical, or deviated) drilled from a main mother well. This allows one well to produce from several reservoirs. Multilateral wells are suitable for complex geology where drilling more new wells to penetrate to those reservoirs is not economical. Lateral sections may be used to produce from a separated section in depleted, faulted, layered and heavy oil reservoirs.

Figure 1 – Multilateral Well Bashkiria drilled in 1953 (Credit – http://www.drillingcontractor.org)

Figure 2 shows how multilateral wells fit with several geological structures.

Figure 2 – Multilateral well with different geological structure

A multilateral well is ranked by its complexity and the ranking system is called “Technology Advancement Multi Laterals” or “TAML” The complexity of multilateral wells is classified into 6 categories.

TAML Level 1

TAML Level 1 is suitable for formations with hard rock in main bore, at junction, lateral. Additionally, a lateral section should have homogeneous fluids and pressures.

Figure 3 – TAML Level 1

Description for TAML Level 1

Main bore – Open hole with no casing support or slotted liner hang in the open hole

Lateral section – Open hole with no casing support or slotted liner hang in the open hole

Junction – No pressure integrity

Advantages of TAML Level 1

• Stable in strong formation
• Less complexity

Disadvantages of TAML Level 1

• No pressure integrity at junction
• Unable to shut off unwanted water/gas production
• Not suitable for unconsolidated formations
• Extremely limited re-entry capability

TAML Level 2

TAML Level 2 is suitable for hard laterals & hard junctions with low potential for cross flow. Furthermore, TAML Level 2 has a limited possibility to re-entry and production isolation between a main bore and laterals.

Figure 4 – TAML Level 2

Description

Main bore – Cased and cemented

Lateral section – Open hole with no casing support or possible slotted liner hang in the open hole

Junction – No pressure integrity

Advantages of TAML Level

• Multiple lateral from a main bore

Disadvantages of TAML Level

• No pressure integrity at a junction
• Limit on unwanted fluids (water/gas) shut off

TAML Level 3

TAML Level 3 is suitable for softer junction and laterals with moderate potential for cross flow control.

Figure 5 – TAML Level 3

Description

Main bore – Cased and cemented

Lateral section – Cased but uncemented laterals. Slotted liner is set in lateral sections and anchored back into a main wellbore.

Junction – No pressure integrity

Advantages of TAML Level 3

• Junction is partially protected from sand production
• Multiple multi laterals

Disadvantages of TAML Level 3

• No pressure integrity at a junction

TAML Level 4

TAML Level 4 is suitable for unconsolidated or unstable laterals and junctions with potential cross flow control.

Figure 6 – TAML Level 4

Description

Main bore – Cased and cemented

Lateral section – Cased and cemented

Junction – No pressure integrity

Advantages of TAML Level 4

• Open hole support in lateral section(s)
• Multiple laterals
• Production isolation from lateral and main bore is achievable.
• Cement protects the junction from sand infiltration and potential collapse.
• Allow selective through tubing re-entry in both a main bore and a lateral (laterals)

Disadvantages of TAML Level 4

•  No pressure integrity at a junction

TAML Level 5

The TAML Level 5 has a similarity in a wellbore construction to the TAML Level 4. However, pressure sealing capability is achieved by using the integrity of tubing strings and packers in order to isolate the junction. This is suitable for an unconsolidated junction with pressure integrity at a junction.

Single bore packers are set in both main bore and lateral below the junction. Above the junction, two tubing strings are connected to a dual bore packer. Therefore, pressure integrity at a junction can be achieved by using tubing and packers.

Figure 7 – TAML Level 5

Description

Main bore – cased and cemented

Lateral section – cased and cemented

Junction – pressure isolation is achieved by completion string and packer

Advantages of TAML Level 5

• Allow production from a main bore and lateral at the same time
• Wellbore support
• Junction integrity
• Easy access to a main bore and a lateral
• Easy and effective for zonal isolation

Disadvantages of TAML Level 5

• Large wellbore required

TAML Level 6

TAML Level 6 is suitable for a weak and unstable junction. For TAML Level6, cementing junction the same way as TAML Level4 is not acceptable, so the Level 5 uses a premanufactured junction. Two separate wells are drilled from a main wellbore and a premanufactured junction is installed downhole.

Figure 8 – TAML Level 6

Description

Main bore – cased and cemented

Lateral section – cased and cemented

Junction – pressure isolation is achieved by casing or liner to seal the junction.

Advantages of TAML Level 6

• Easy and effective for zonal isolation
• Adaptable for all formation types
• Allow both separate or comingle production
• Allow independent production/injection of each production zone

Disadvantages of TAML Level 6

• Large wellbore required
• Limited pressure differential rating

References

Adam, J, 1986. Applied Drilling Engineering (Spe Textbook Series, Vol 2). Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Drillingcontractor.org, (2011), Multilateral Well Bashkiria drilled in 1953 [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.drillingcontractor.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ml03.jpg [Accessed 6 June 2017].

Gabolde, G, 2006. DRILLING DATA HANDBOOK 8TH (IFP Publications). 8. Editions Technip.

http://petrowiki.org. 2017. Multilateral completions. [ONLINE] Available at: http://petrowiki.org/Multilateral_completions. [Accessed 6 June 2017].

http://tehtsk.ru/, (2010), Multilateral Well [ONLINE]. Available at: http://tehtsk.ru/upload/iblock/45d/45d8cd0448f144a2eff6ef74704be14c.png [Accessed 1 June 2017].

Inglis, T, 2010. Directional Drilling (Petroleum Engineering and Development Studies). 1987. Springer.

TAML website online. 2010. TAML website. [ONLINE] Available at: http://taml-intl.blogspot.com/. [Accessed 6 June 2017].

The present downturn has made large portions of us question whether the oil industry is dying. The quantity of oil and gas jobs lost amid this downturn is assessed to be between 400,000 – 500,000 around the world. In the meantime the industry faces existential dangers from preservationists, elective energy and electric cars.

Here, we examine what is probably going to happen, and what you ought to do about it.

Change is surrounding us, in truth a large number of the suspicions that we experienced childhood with, that our folks showed us, are turning out to not be valid for us by any means. For instance:

• There are no ‘jobs forever’ any longer, employer stability is a deception.
• Education is being seen less as an early life occasion, and to a greater extent a deep rooted attempt.
• The normal individual is encountering more continuous employment changes, and profession changes as well.
• Technological propels undermine many jobs, and request that we investigate our ability sets and future prospects.

So instead of watching the oil cost, and pondering when the recuperation will begin (for us), we have to search internally, at things that we can control. Some of these things incorporate wellbeing, individual funds, preparing and proceeded with education. Fortunately, we can without much of a stretch discover the data that we require on the web. The conundrum is that these days we have less control of our professional stability, and more control of our lives when all is said in done.

A hefty portion of the more youthful oil and gas specialists are finding the need to take a gander at different businesses, not knowing when they may have the capacity to return.

Augment your prospects with reliable individual preparing and change

Notwithstanding amid boom times, the best specialists keep on learning both at work, and at home. Numerous offshore oil and gas specialists work the 28 day turn cycle. What you do amid your 28 days off will decide your vocation direction.

Amid your time at home, there will be a lot of chance to think about and promote your vocation in the oil and gas business, for instance:

OnePetro offers an enormous measure of on the web, uninhibitedly accessible journals and other technical papers. Here is a quote from their site:

OnePetro is an online library of technical literature for the oil and gas exploration and generation (E&P) industry. With commitments from 18 distributing accomplices and giving access to more than 160,000 things, OnePetro.org is the authoritative asset on upstream oil and gas. Access to OnePetro is accessible to the overall population and full- s and technical substance can be acquired online through individual buy or membership.

Oilandgastraining.com is another great alternative for the individuals who need adaptability and a quality web based preparing program.

IHRDC presents OilandGasTraining.com offering moment access to just about 1,000 online expert and petro-technical instructional classes in more than 300 branches of knowledge. With an inherent electronic learning administration framework (LMS), organizations as well as people can without much of a stretch: Identify and buy courses that meet their preparation needs; Track and screen course execution, evaluations, testaments, test-scores, and reports; and, Instantly dole out courses to representatives while giving a savvy, adaptable answer for convey e-Learning.

Petrolessons.com is a newcomer to the oil and gas online education space, they are the initially crowdsourced choice. This sort of arrangement is less controlled and ‘attempted and tried’, and will be reliant on the nature of the givers. A fast sweep of the contributing writers page will probably uncover a couple industry names that are now commonplace to you.

Petroskills offer extensive courses to oil experts, it is a greater amount of a disconnected arrangement however worth examining relying upon your area. Here is a scrap from their site:

With a total range of arrangements, courses and learning apparatuses, PetroSkills is creating skillful oil experts in every technical procedure, crossing the industry’s whole esteem chain, around the world. PetroSkills administrations and arrangements associate figuring out how to the working environment, permitting businesses to oversee and guarantee the fitness of specialists at each level.

There are clever laborers in all enterprises who have chosen to concentrate online to increase new capabilities. We don’t have to backpedal to college or school for 2-4 years to learn new skills, or to change industry. Taking a couple of months off can be hard monetarily, not to mention a couple of years where you need to pay immense wholes from your investment funds.

Handy and economically feasible skills can be educated on the web. Not exactly at online colleges, but rather in a scope of smaller scale or nano degrees or expertise particular capabilities. Ones that organizations require, and are seeking employ for. You can likewise figure out how to advertise any sort of item or administration web based, including showcasing yourself!

The vast majority of us will have questioned the eventual fate of the oil and gas business as of late.

We see discourses each day about when the oil and gas industry will recuperate… Individuals ask “is this the new typical?” when in certainty “ordinary” speaks to generally brief timeframes in mankind’s history.

Some say that petroleum derivatives ought to be prohibited instantly, if that were practical then the vast majority would be interested in the likelihood. Particularly the individuals who experience the ill effects of asthma and different ailments identified with air contamination.

Who might genuinely be against zero air contamination? Outside air in all real urban communities? A fossil-nut?

Who might need to clutch a poisonous relic from the historical backdrop of human development and technical advancement – IF there were a superior other option to cover the greater part of our request necessities?

Actually non-renewable energy sources are digging in for the long haul, at any rate for a couple of decades. Regardless of the possibility that cars with inside ignition motors were prohibited, and coal consuming electrical plants were as well… Would regardless we penetrate for oil and gas? Obviously we would.

Fuel for cars speaks to a little cut of interest, commanded by petrochemical side effects, in addition to cargo and carrier fuel. Does anybody feel that plastic items will be banned at any point in the near future? On the off chance that they are supplanted by something biodegradable then maybe this is as welcome as the finish of air contamination.

One day, we may see then end of mining and penetrating, however this would be so far into the future it is most likely something for our youngsters or grandchildren to contemplate.

Meanwhile, expect booms and busts at regular intervals, and after that later on we can glance back at the pattern lines and check whether the industry has extended or contracted from today.

Where does that leave the 300,000 – 400,000 dislodged specialists? Where does it leave an equivalent number who may be questionable about what’s to come?

The genuine question is not where the eventual fate of the industry lies, but rather where YOUR future untruths. Is it an eventual fate of dread of progress, antagonism and uncertainty? Or, then again is it a fate of grasping change, self-improvement and new open doors?

Regardless of whether you are a driller, gourmet expert, specialist or bookkeeper, your occupation could be at hazard. There is no employment that a self-learning self-ruling robot will be not able do. Everybody’s occupation could be at hazard sooner or later.

History discloses to us that when an industry kicks the bucket, it is supplanted. Jobs vanish yet individuals don’t. In the mid 1900’s more than 40% of grown-ups in the US worked in farming, now it is around 2%. Did the agrarian upheaval exacerbate us better or off?

“Luddite” originated from a development against computerized weaving machines, they were stressed over the loss of jobs for the individuals who made garments by hand, not simply sewing, but rather the production of the material! There were the individuals who were in the stallion and truck industry that were against Henry Ford’s first production line computerization.

Does this sound like you? Would you have been the last metal forger? Or, on the other hand would you have seen something worth being thankful for and went to work for Henry Ford? Maybe even in rivalry with him?

In this way, one day you occupation may be truly away for ever, yet that time is probably going to be far off. Meanwhile, on the off chance that you need to remain in a similar part, you have to ensure that you are not among the weakest and minimum effective among your associates.

More essentially than the truth, is the observation.

You won’t not be the best at what you do (albeit maybe you are?)…

It is conceivable to make the feeling that you are!

Activity steps, paying little respect to whether the oil and gas industry passes on:

Refreshing your CV to guarantee that it demonstrates your skills and involvement in the absolute best light. This is something that is difficult to do all alone, the vast majority are unassuming and don’t prefer to blow their own particular trumpet excessively. In the event that you get a CV makeover from one of our expertise pool counsels then they will recognize what to emphasize and what to quell in your profile. The way that you see yourself and your own accomplishments will be distinctive to the way that others see it.

Clean up your web-based social networking profiles to ensure that they are all present and up and coming. Obligingly approach companions and partners for supports on the off chance that they know about your work and can underwrite you sincerely. Expel any pictures that may indicate you in a negative light.

Get dynamic in any accessible groups, both on the web and disconnected. It will most likely dependably be genuine that individuals like to contract others that they definitely know and like. You next customer or business could be a piece of a group that you are now some portion of, or could join effortlessly. Likewise with the industry itself, it will be a while before robots are settling on contracting choices. Here are the best two oil and gas groups on the web.

Make a business site that can develop in size and specialist after some time. Grandstand your insight, experience and mastery there. Your own site trumps a web-based social networking profile in light of the fact that the vast majority of your opposition won’t have a site. Everybody has a Facebook or LinkedIn profile, just topic fans and additionally specialists are seen to have a technical site.

It bodes well to make an online store in different enterprises. Was the oil and gas business a fantasy industry that you worked towards as a little tyke? Is it accurate to say that you are more enthusiastic about your latest occupation, as you are about your latest side interest or test outside of work? In a current data economy, an attorney may conclude that they will be more joyful as a flower specialist. A designer may be more joyful as an enterprise travel visit administrator. We are in the age of the ‘side gig’ that can be made in the night times and ends of the week, here and there these undertakings prompt more satisfaction, now and again more cash, in some cases both. The in all probability situation is for the side gig NOT to take off, however we are on this Earth for a brief timeframe, taking after your fantasies safy may be justified regardless of an attempt.

Choose that you’re preparing and instruction is a deep rooted handle, not something that you did ‘when you were youthful’ or ‘at school’. With the likelihood of online courses and preparing, there is no purpose behind you not to keep on homing your aptitudes and resume. There is an abundance of data for you to learn online about the vitality industry, or whatever other industry as well.

It is not that anybody might want to see you leaving the industry… That wouldn’t bode well as it is much the same as a store proprietor requesting that customers shop somewhere else… Or, on the other hand a colleague suggesting that you exchange.

It is progressively that we as a whole have an obligation to help other people in way that are to their greatest advantage, not only our own. We trust that the industry turns and that you will be one of the new applicants that we help put into that immaculate part. Despite whether this happens, lets all step up with regards to making the best of the circumstance that we confront, at this moment.

Is the oil and gas industry biting the dust? Not yet, and not for some time.

These are amazing photos of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010.

On 22 April, two days after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig, an oil leak was discovered when an oil slick began to spread at the former rig site.

Originally, BP reported that no oil was escaping from the well but, on 24 April, the Coast Guard confirmed that there was a “serious spill” occurring.

With no oil reaching the shores yet, Beltra contracted a plane to take him over the Gulf. Even that task was difficult, with planes barred from numerous areas and unable to fly below 3,000 feet.

Soon he found plenty of oil, with 62,000 barrels flowing from the leak per day.

Meanwhile BP was working to stem the spill. The company sent underwater robots to try to activate the well’s defunct blowout preventer safety valve, but this failed.

Next, BP tried placing a “containment dome” over the largest leak and piping the oil to a storage vessel. That method failed as well.

In mid-May, BP engineers successfully inserted a tube to begin capturing some of the oil, which was then transferred to a drill ship on the surface.

“When I was there working, I was just like, when is this going to end?” Beltra told Business Insider. “It was flowing and flowing and flowing.”

Beltra’s four-day assignment was extended to 28 days. After the first month, the spill showed no signs of stopping.

For part of the cleanup, the Coast Guard would ignite “controlled burns” of oil slicks. This method works, but only in particular situations.

In late May, oil began finally reaching Louisiana shores. According to Beltra, BP and the government began heavily controlling what areas the media did and didn’t have to access to.

“[BP and the government] were trying to minimize what was going on,” Beltra says. “They wanted it to look like it wasn’t as bad as it was.”

After nearly three months and 4.9 million barrels of oil, the leak was finally capped on 15 July. In June, BP announced the cleanup complete, after 3 years of working in the area. Questions remain about the long-term effects of the spill.

This last photo is from NASA.

Ref – All content and photos belong to Daniel Beltra, Incredible photos of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill

This is good to see the American oilfield in the old day.

Drill crew

The surveyor

East Texas Oil Fields

Damaged Oil Derrick

Oil Derrick in River Basin

After a Fire

Good Team

Reserve pits

Galveston

Oil Derricks

Black Gold

Kilgore

Flowing oil

Blow out

Blow out

Drilling Crew

All photos and credit belong to: Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas

Norwegian energy company Statoil has completed the installation of the 38,000-tonne topside of its Mariner A production, drilling and quarters (PDQ) platform in the UK sector of the North Sea.

The topside consists of eight modules, including two that weigh more than 10,000 tonnes each, based on top of a steel jacket. On August 2, the final piece of the puzzle was lifted into place using the heavy lift vessel Saipem 7000. With the installation of the Mariner A topside complete, the platform is now connected to the Safe Boreas accommodation floatel.  The flare, a crane and some stair towers have also been installed offshore on Mariner A.

Mariner Field

Located some 250 kilometers Scotland’s north-east coast, the Mariner field will contribute more than 250 million barrels of heavy oil reserves with an average production of around 55,000 barrels per day over a period of 30 years.

Mariner A will be connected to the floating storage unit (FSU), Mariner B, where tankers will load oil produced at the field for transport to global markets.

Production is expected to commence in 2018. Drilling has already started at the field using a jack-up rig, which will assist Mariner A for the first four years.

Reference – https://www.statoil.com/
www.gcaptain.com/watch-38000-tonne-mariner-a-topside-installed-off-scotland/

This is purely for learning purposes. You can see what happen in the footage below. Three man were inspecting the top drive system on the rig floor. All the sudden the drilling link was accidentally released and it hit these guys.

What can we learn from this video?

Energy isolation – Energy (electric and hydraulic) is not properly isolated so when the man accidentally operate the top drive link tilt, the link is moved without any warning.

Trapped energy – It might have trapped hydraulic pressure in the system. People may not recognize this point.

Line of fire – The team is not aware of line of fire and what if if the link is released.

Incorrect procedure – Based on the footage, the guy who is standing in the back moves back behind may some mechanism resulted in the link moving and crushing another man.

How can we prevent this from happening it again?

Please feel free to share your thought on how to prevent this accident in the comment box below.

Over the past ten years, the price of oil has certainly been volatile. This has led to concern at all levels, from the businesspeople selling oil, to the governments and policy makers in charge of regulating the industry. There are also environmental concerns associated with increased fossil fuel consumption, leading some to question whether there are enough oil reserves to satisfy demand, and what the long-term consequences of extraction may be.

As you can see, there are a lot of questions surrounding the oil industry at the present time. To help make things a little clearer, we have composed a list of the ten countries with the largest oil reserves in the world, to show how they fit into the global energy landscape.

1. Venezuela – 298.4 Billion Barrels

Venezuela Oilfield Map

Possessing over 298 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, Venezuela is by far the country with the largest reserves in the world today. While they currently hold the top spot, they only reached this point fairly recently- at the end of the previous decade, it was Saudi Arabia which was well out in front of other countries in terms of its oil reserves.

That all changed when Venezuela discovered huge oil sands deposits, which significantly boosted its global ranking. These reserves are similar to those of Canada, although Venezuela also possesses significant conventional oil deposits. In addition, the Orinoco tar sands of Venezuela are much less viscous than those of Canada, meaning the oil sands can be easily extracted with conventional techniques. This means it is much less expensive to extract this oil, putting Venezuela ahead of its North American rival in terms of capital requirements.

2. Saudi Arabia – 268.3 Billion Barrels

Saudi Arabia Oifield Map

For decades now, Saudi Arabia has been famous the world over for its oil reserves. Thanks to the powerful position this puts the country in, the Saudis have had an important place in global politics, as well as making many of the country’s inhabitants extremely rich. This makes it all the more shocking for many to find that their long-established place as leaders in the world of oil has been claimed by Venezuela.
that Saudi Arabia is no longer the world’s leader in terms of oil reserves. Although their 267 billion barrels of proven oil reserves might be somewhat behind those of Venezuela, though, all of that oil is within conventionally accessible oil wells, which are themselves situated within vast oil fields. In fact, the Saudi Arabian reserves make up over a fifth of the entire planet’s conventional reserves. Many believe that with additional exploration, Saudi Arabia may well regain its place at the top of this list. For instance, the US Geological Survey predicts that there may be in excess of 100 billion barrels hidden beneath the Saudi deserts, just waiting to be discovered and tapped.

3. Canada – 171 Billion Barrels

Canada (Hibernia Platform)

According to the latest estimates, Canada is home to around 172.9 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. The most significant chunk of this total comes in the form of oil sands deposits within the province of Alberta. In addition, the majority of the nation’s conventionally accessible oil reserves are also situated in Alberta.

Since tapping Canada’s oil reserves is a costly, time-consuming process, production tends to operate in stops and starts, rather than continuously. Oil companies tend to begin by extracting lower density, higher value oils, and only switch to extracting crude deposits when oil prices are at a peak.

4. Iran – 157.8 Billion Barrels

Iran Oilfield Map

Iran possesses almost 160 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, which puts it in a very strong position in terms of the wealth that oil can bring. In terms of easily-accessible reserves, it actually ranks third, since many of the reserves in Canada are difficult to reach and tap. Iran has been producing oil for over 100 years now, and if they proceed at the current rate of extraction, the country’s reserves will likely last another 100 years. While Saudi oil is spread across a small group of vast, highly rich oil fields, Iranian oil is spread across some 150 hydrocarbon fields, many of which are also home to significant deposits of petroleum crude oil and natural gas.

5. Iraq – 144.2 Billion Barrels

Iraq Oilfield Map

While Iraq has seen its fair share of troubles in the last few decades, it is nonetheless home to some of the world’s biggest proven reserves of crude oil. Given the military occupations in recent years, it hasn’t been possible to conduct any serious exploration of the country’s oil reserves- meaning that the data used to determine Iraq’s reserves is some two decades old, and reliant on outdated survey techniques. However, as the Iraqi authorities start to regain control over larger swathes of their country, there has been significant hope that the nation’s oil infrastructure can be developed in the years to come.

6. Kuwait – 104 Billion Barrels

Kuwait Oilfield Map

While Kuwait is a relatively small country, it is home to an impressive share of the world’s total oil reserves. Some 5 billion barrels lie beneath the Saudi-Kuwaiti neutral zone, which the two countries share. Meanwhile, over 70 billion barrels of oil are situated in the Burgan field, which is the second largest oil field in the entire world.

7. Russia – 103.2 Billion Barrels

Russia Oilfield Map

Russia is packed full of a variety of natural energy sources- in particular, huge oil reserves sit beneath the sprawling Siberian plains. Russia’s oil output fell significantly in the years after the fall of the USSR, production has been boosted over the last few years. As exploration continues below the arctic regions of the country, Russia’s reserves of oil and gas may well rise further.

8. United Arab Emirates – 97.8 Billion Barrels

United Arab Emirates Oilfield Map

The vast majority of UAE oil comes from the Zakum field, which holds an estimated 66 billion barrels. This makes it the third-largest oil field in the Middle East, behind only the Ghawar field in Saudi Arabia and the Burgan field in Kuwait. Around 40% of the country’s whole GDP is linked to its oil and gas input. Since oil was first discovered in the UAE in 1958, the country has used this wealth as a springboard to become a highly modern state, with a remarkable standard of living.

9. Libya – 48.36 Billion Barrels

Libya Oilfield Map

Libya possesses the largest total oil reserves in the whole of Africa. What’s more, it may also be home to much larger reserves than we currently know of, since much of the nation’s subterranean landscape remains unexplored because of previous sanctions against foreign oil companies. In 2012, oil exports made up an enormous 98% of government revenue in Libya. However, because of more recent political instability, Libya’s position amongst the world’s top oil producers is under threat. Once the political situation has died down somewhat, it is expected that Libya will attract significant foreign investment, as companies look to find new reserves in the nation.

10. Nigeria – 37.07 Billion Barrels

Nigeria Oilfield Map

While Libya might have larger reserves, Nigeria is a more active producer of oil, making the country the largest oil producer in Africa, and tenth in the world. At their current rate of production, this would make for a 45-year supply if no new reserves are found. However, pipeline vandalism and militant takeovers of oil facilities have had a significant effect on oil production in Nigeria. Oil accounts for around 14% of Nigeria’s total economy.

References 

OilPrice.com. (2017). Venezuela’s Oil Production Plunges To 13-Year Low | OilPrice.com. [online] Available at: http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Venezuelas-Oil-Production-Plunges-To-13-Year-Low.html [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Energy-pedia.com. (2017). Canada: Hibernia oil field reserves increased by 12 percent. [online] Available at: https://www.energy-pedia.com/news/canada/hibernia-oil-field-reserves-increased-by-12-percent [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Drillinginfo. (2017). Saudi Arabia and Oil: What You Need to Know. [online] Available at: https://info.drillinginfo.com/saudi-arabia-oil-need-know/ [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Parstimes.com. (2017). IRAN Oil & Gas Resources – اطلاعات نفت و گاز ایران. [online] Available at: http://www.parstimes.com/Ioil.html [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Map, I. (2017). Iraq Oil Pipeline & Fields Map. [online] Blog.drillingmaps.com. Available at: http://blog.drillingmaps.com/2014/06/iraq-oil-pipeline-fields-map.html#.Wb03YLIjGM8 [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Moo.gov.kw. (2017). Ministry of Oil – Kuwait Oil Field Map. [online] Available at: http://www.moo.gov.kw/About-Us/Programs/Technical-Affairs/Kuwait-Oil-Field-Map.aspx [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Matthieuthery.com. (2017). Asia | Matthieu Théry. [online] Available at: http://www.matthieuthery.com/energy/fossil-energy/crude-oil/crude-oil-geography/asia/ [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Eia.gov. (2017). United Arab Emirates plans to increase crude oil and natural gas production. [online] Available at: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=23472 [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

Crudeoilpeak.info. (2017). Libya oil field battle lines. [online] Available at: http://crudeoilpeak.info/libya-oil-field-battle-lines [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

I, H. (2017). As Nigeria’s oil reserves rise to 37 billion barrels. [online] SweetCrudeReports. Available at: http://sweetcrudereports.com/2017/01/01/as-nigerias-oil-reserves-rise-to-37-billion-barrels/ [Accessed 16 Sep. 2017].

In April 2013 Transocean’s Deepwater Pathfinder drillship demanded the highest dayrate of any other rig contracted at that time. Eni contracted the drillship at an astronomical dayrate of $681,000 a day from September 2013 through April 2015 to drill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Pacific Drilling recently secured a contract with Malaysian Petronas for its UDW drillship Pacific Santa Ana at a dayrate of $170,000. The Samsung unit delivered in 2011 is capable to drill in water depths up to 12,000ft.

But the lowest dayrate for one ultra-deepwater drillship has been agreed by Vantage Drilling and India’s ONGC in January 2017 for the Platinium Explorer. ONGC has secured the rig for three years for $118 million which translates to a dayrate below $110,000.

Platinum Explorer – Vantage Drilling

Driven by the deepwater dreams of the early 2010’s, the life of the offshore drilling contractors was not easy. They had to go into a crazy rig building race or risk death. Encouraged by the major operators they had no choice. Glowing daily rates and long-term contracts were there to convince the most cautious of bankers. As in the 1860s in Oil Creek, Pennsylvania, crude prices gave rise to all excesses.

The dayrate collapse is the consequence of an unprecedented over supply as companies overbuilt when crude was above $80/bbl and money easy to borrow.
According to some analysts dayrates of $170,000 for floaters may run until the end of 2018.

Ref – Energy Global News. (2017). LOWEST DAYRATE EVER FOR ULTRA-DEEPWATER DRILLSHIPS – Energy Global News. [online] Available at: http://www.energyglobalnews.com/lowest-dayrate-ever-ultra-deepwater-drillships/ [Accessed 30 Sep. 2017].

Cantu, C. (2017). ONGC awards contract to Vantage Drilling’s Platinum Explorer – Drilling Contractor. [online] Drilling Contractor. Available at: http://www.drillingcontractor.org/vantage-drilling-announces-letter-award-platinum-explorer-43381 [Accessed 30 Sep. 2017].

gCaptain Forum. (2017). Transocean’s Pathfinder Signs $600k Day Rate. [online] Available at: http://forum.gcaptain.com/t/transoceans-pathfinder-signs-600k-day-rate/1257 [Accessed 30 Sep. 2017].

Vantagedrilling.com, (2012), Platinum Explorer – Vantage Drilling [ONLINE]. Available at: http://vantagedrilling.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Plat-Explorer-seaTrial-underway.jpg [Accessed 21 September 2017].

Much offshore gas and oil exploration takes place many miles beneath the ocean. As well as involving some seriously complex equipment, oil platforms can also be dangerous places, with numerous environmental hazards to deal with. Well drilling has taken place for thousands of years, with the earliest known instance being in China in 347 AD, and since then there have been numerous accidents which have had a serious impact both on human life and the environment. There is a positive side to this, though- virtually every accident has led to safety reviews, and helped to improve safety protocols and equipment.

Below, we’ve put together a list of the ten catastrophic oil rig accidents, to demonstrate just how dangerous this industry can be.

1) PIPER ALPHA PLATFORM – 6 July 1988

The Piper Alpha Platform

The Piper Alpha disaster is by far the deadliest offshore oil rig accident in history, with 167 of the 226 people onboard at the time losing their lives. Before the incident, the platform off the coast of the UK in the North Sea was producing around 300,000 barrels of crude oil each day- around 10% of the UK’s total oil output. However, in 1988, a communication error led to a deadly mistake. On the morning of July the 6^th, an essential safety valve had been removed from a gas pump, and the pump was placed strictly off limits. However, that information was not properly passed on to the shift managers later in the day, who proceeded to start the pump. This caused a continuous gas leak and a massive fire, which completely destroyed the whole platform. Even worse, the crew had not been properly trained in how to deal with such an incident, and their panic was what led to many of them losing their lives. In the end, it took three weeks to get the fire under control, and just 61 of the crew members made it out alive.

2) ALEXANDER L. KIELLAND DRILLING RIG – 27 March 1980

ALEXANDER L. KIELLAND DRILLING RIG

The Alexander L. Kielland was a semi-submersible platform in Scotland, which at the time served as accommodation for the workers on the Edda oil rig. The rig itself was owned by Stavanger Drilling, a Norwegian-based company, and operated by Phillips Petroleum. However, on that fateful day, one of the bracings attached to the five-legged platform structure failed after being battered by huge waves and high winds. The whole structure tilted some 30 degrees, before being stabilized by a single remaining cable. Eventually, though, the tension became too great, and that cable snapped. This caused the entire platform to turn upside down, trapping many of the workers onboard inside as the platform sank into the deep waters. Of the 212 workers, 123 lost their lives. The subsequent investigation revealed that the weld of an instrumental connection on the bracing had a fatigue crack which had not been noticed- a relatively small problem that ultimately led to deadly consequences.

3) SEACREST DRILLSHIP – 3 November 1989

SEACREST DRILLSHIP

The Seacrest was also known as the Scan Queen, and was owned by the Unocal Corporation. Whilst operating 430km south of Bangkok in the South China Sea, the ship was anchored for drilling at the Platong oil field, when it was hit by 40ft high winds and winds of over 100 knots, caused by Typhoon Gay. The drillship was reported missing the next day, and on the 5th of November was found capsized by a search helicopter. Investigators concluded that the rig had capsized so quickly that there was no time for the crew members to issue a distress signal, let alone act- all 91 crew members lost their lives.

4) OCEAN RANGER OIL RIG – 15 February 1982 

Ocean Ranger Rig

The Ocean Ranger was a semi-submersible offshore drilling rig. While it was owned by the by Ocean Drilling and Exploration Company (ODECO), it had been hired by Mobil Oil of Canada, in order to conduct explorations in the Hibernia Field. At the time, it was one of the largest rigs in the world, able to operate up to 1,500 feet underwater and drill 25,000 beneath the seabed. During a storm, though, the chain locker and upper deck flooded, leading to a loss of buoyancy that caused the rig to capsize. All 84 workers aboard died in the freezing seas.

5) GLOMAR JAVA SEA DRILLSHIP – 25 October 1983

GLOMAR JAVA SEA DRILLSHIP

The Glomar Java Sea was an American drillship, owned by Global Marine Inc., which went missing in the South China Sea during a tropical storm. The rescue effort lasted a week, before search vessels discovered the wreckage some 300 feet underwater. On board had been 42 Americans, 34 Chinese, 4 Britons, and a single Australian. The drillship had halted operations when Storm Lex approached it from the east, and they had reported to Global Marine’s office in Texas that they were experiencing 75 knot winds over the bow. Suddenly, the main office lost contact with the ship, and only 36 bodies were ever recovered- the other 45 crew members remain missing, presumed dead.

6) BOHAI 2 OIL RIG – 25 November 1979

BOHAI 2 OIL RIG

The Bohai 2 oil rig was operating in the Gulf of Bohai, between China and Korea, and was at the time the oldest Chinese-owned oil rig in operation. On November 25th, 1979, the rig was being towed when it was hit by a fierce storm. The high winds broke the ventilator pump, creating a large hole in the deck which quickly became filled with water. This flooding, along with the existing adverse weather conditions, eventually caused the rig to capsize. To make matters worse, the crew members had not received proper training on emergency evacuation procedures or the use of lifesaving equipment, and the accompanying tow boat could only rescue four of the 76 workers on board. Later investigations showed that the deck equipment had not been properly stowed before towing- if it had, then it’s likely more would have survived. The Yuntai Salvage Company eventually used explosives to salvage the sunken rig in 1981.

7) ENCHOVA CENTRAL PLATFORM – 16 August 1984

ENCHOVA CENTRAL PLATFORM

On 16th August 1984, the Enchova Central Platform was operating in the Campos Basin near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when a blowout caused an explosion and subsequent fire on the platform. The majority of the workers aboard were evacuated via helicopter or lifeboats, and survived the accident. 42 other workers weren’t so lucky, though, and didn’t make it out alive. 36 of these deaths were due to the malfunctioning of the lowering mechanism of a lifeboat. The bow hook failed, and the boat was left dangling vertically before plummeting 20 meters into the sea when the supporting cables snapped. The other six deaths were due to workers jumping from the platform into the sea when they were left with no other way out. Incredibly, it wasn’t until another similar accident took place 18 months later that the platform was replaced.

8) BHN PLATFORM – MUMBAI HIGH NORTH- 25 July 2005

BHN PLATFORM – MUMBAI

The Bombay High North platform operated by India’s state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), and was situated in the Mumbai High oil field. On the day of the accident, though it was struck by the support vessel Samudra Suraksha, which had been pushed towards the platform by strong swells. The support vessel hit the platform’s gas export risers and caused at least one of them to leak and, eventually, explode. The resulting fire killed 22 people, and caused significant damage to both the Samudra Suraksha and the Noble Charlie Yester, a jack-up rig operating near the BHN platform. It also caused a huge oil spill, and 120,000 barrels of oil and 4.4 million cubic meters of gas were lost per day. ONGC opened a replacement platform in October 2012.

9) USUMACINTA JACK-UP- 23 October 2007

USUMACINTA JACK-UP

This accident took place in the Gulf of Mexico, when the Usumacinta jack-up platform collided with the PEMEX-operated Kab-101 platform. The cantilever deck of the latter hit the production tree of the Usumacinta, due to storm conditions leading to high winds of around 130 km an hour and waves of 8 meters high. The collision caused oil and gas leakage, and the crew members of the Usumacinta tried to close the safety valves of two production wells on the platform. However, they were unable to completely close them off, and the resulting leakage eventually caused a fire on the platform. 21 people were confirmed dead in the evacuation, and another worker who went missing during the rescue operations was also presumed dead.

10) C.P. BAKER DRILLING BARGE- June 30 1964

The C.P. Baker Drilling Barge disaster also took place in the Gulf of Mexico. The barge was deployed for drilling operations when the hull suffered a blowout. Water began to pour in, and spread throughout the vessel due to the doors on the main deck being left open. It wasn’t long before the whole barge lost power, and within a few minutes of the blowout, an explosion caused the vessel to be engulfed in flames. The crew were forced to abandon ship, but just 22 of the 43 workers aboard survived by jumping into the sea. Eight others were confirmed dead, and a further 13 were missing, presumed dead.

References

Offshore-technology.com. 2012. Piper Alpha Platform, North Sea, United Kingdom. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.offshore-technology.com/projects/piper-alpha-platform-north-sea/piper-alpha-platform-north-sea1.html. [Accessed 17 October 2017].

Watch, O. (2013). Alexander L. Kielland Platform Capsize Accident – Investigation Report. [online] Officer of the Watch. Available at: https://officerofthewatch.com/2013/04/29/alexander-l-kielland-platform-capsize-accident/ [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

haiwreckdiver.com. (2017). The Seacrest Drill Ship – Thai Wreck Diver. [online] Available at: http://www.thaiwreckdiver.com/seacrest_drill_ship-2.htm [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

Disaster Songs. (2017). 1982 Ocean Ranger – Disaster Songs. [online] Available at: http://disastersongs.ca/1982-ocean-ranger/ [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

Oilrig-photos.com. (2001). Oil Rig Photos – Glomar Java Sea. [online] Available at: http://www.oilrig-photos.com/picture/number1760.asp [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

Globaltimes.cn. (2010). 2 feared dead in rig collapse – Global Times. [online] Available at: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/571500.shtml [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

platform, B. (2011). Bombay High Oil fire: When India lost its biggest oil platform. [online] Reportsbyshipra.blogspot.com. Available at: http://reportsbyshipra.blogspot.com/2011/07/bombay-high-oil-fire-when-india-lost.html [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

Pemex.com. (2017). PEMEX | Petróleos Mexicanos. [online] Available at: http://www.pemex.com/en/Paginas/default.aspx [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

Offshore platforms are used to explore, extract, and process oil and gas retrieved from the seabed. One vital part of these structures is the central processing platform (CPP), where the well head fluid is pumped from the wellhead platforms through the riser for processing. The most important function of the CPP is to separate the oil, gas, and water from this three-phase well head fluid, to produce the final product of the platform.

Central Processing Platform (CPP) – OilfieldPix.com

Most central processing platforms feature the following components:

1. Separation Unit

2. Gas compression and dehydration

3. Produced water conditioning

4. Sea water processing and injection system

Separation Unit

As mentioned above, the main function of central processing platforms is to separate oil, water, and gas from the combined well fluid. This fluid comes from various different well platforms, and is delivered to the CPP via a network of subsea pipelines and risers. In addition, the fluid will be additional processed in multiple trains, which typically contain a production manifold, well fluid heater, inlet separator, crude oil manifold and heater, surge tanks, and MOL pumps. The well fluid is initially received in the production manifold, where a demulsified chemical is added to promote the breaking up of water-oil emulsion.

Three Phase Separator Unit (Ensepatec.me. (2014))

Next, the mixture is heated in the well fluid heater. Hot oil flows through the shell side, while well fluid flows through the tube side. By heating the well fluid in this manner, the oil and water will be easier to separate in the next component, the inlet separator. This is a vessel where the three-phase separation of well fluid into oil, water, and gas takes place.

The actual separation itself is mainly done by gravity, but this is also assisted by special chemicals, as well as heat. The length of time that the well fluid sits in the vessel is an important factor in how well the components will separate. Once they have done so, the gas is routed to a gas compression and dehydration module, and then any excess gas is sent to the shore through pipelines. Separated water flows into a water conditioning unit, to remove any additional chemicals. The separated oil will flow into the oil manifold. From here, crude oil flows into a crude oil heater, and heated with hot oil. This will ensure that any additional water is better removed in the surge tanks. In addition, demulsified chemicals are added to further promote the breaking up the water-oil emulsion.

The surge tank is kept at a low pressure, so that it can remove as much gas from the crude oil as possible. Oil from the surge tanks can then be pumped directly, or if necessary, diverted into a third-stage surge tank for any additional separation. The separated crude oil will then be pumped by a special crude transfer pump into export trunk lines. The separated gas has its pressure boosted by a pressure LP booster compressor, and then on to a gas compression module.

Gas Compression and Gas Dehydration

Gas Compression:- The gas gathered from separators, surge tanks, and any export gases from other processing platforms is compressed to around 90-100kg/cm2, depending on the field gas lift requirement. Usually, turbine-driven centrifugal compressors will be used for this. The gas is then dehydrated to prevent the formation of gas hydrates- these can form at low temperatures when moisture is present in hydrocarbon gases, and are an ice-like substance which will block the flow of gases within gas flow lines. These gas hydrates may form within adjustable choke valves, PCVs and GLVs in GI lines, since the throttling of gases in these areas can lead to low temperatures. Gas hydrates can have a hugely detrimental impact on production from gas lift wells.

Gas Compression System (Ogj.com. (1998))

Gas Dehydration:- Once the gas has been compressed, it is then dehydrated inside a glycol contactor, using Tri-Ethylene Glycol (TEG) to absorb any moisture from the gas. The glycol contactor is essential a tray column of many bubble cap trays. As the TEG comes into contact with the compressed gas in the bubble cap trays, it absorbs the moisture from the gas, thereby dehydrating it. This dehydrated gas is next sent to feed gas lift wells, and any additional product is sent to an export gas line. The TEG, which is rich in moisture, is then sent off to be concentrated again, converted back to lean glycol, and then recycled in the contactor.

Produced Water Conditioning

The water which is produced from wells along with oil and gas needs to be suitably purified before it can be discharged back into the sea. To do this, a dedicated produced water conditioning unit is used. This will be formed of a flash vessel, CPI separators, an induced gas floatation unit (IGF), and sump caisson.

Produced Water System (MKAPR. (2015))

Flash Vessel: – The flash vessel takes in water from both inlet separators and surge tanks. Here, it is kept at 0.8 kg of pressure. Within the flash vessel, the majority of the dissolved gases are “flashed out”, and then routed to the Lowe Pressure (LP) flare header. Any oil within the produced water is routed to a closed drain header, and collected in the sump caisson.

Corrugated Plate Interceptor (CPI) separators:– Once the water has gone through the flash vessel, it then flows to multiple CPI separators in parallel. Oil from the CPI separator will be filtered into a tank, from which it is then pumped into the oil manifold. Again, any gas will go to the LP flare header.

Induced Gas Flotation (IGF) unit:– From the CPI separators, the water then flows into the IGF unit. This is essentially a large tank, where gas bubbles are aerated by motor-driven agitators. These bubbles collect oil droplets, and float them to the surface, where they can be pumped back to the CPI separators.

Sump Caisson:-Finally, water from the IGF is then routed to the sump caisson. This is a vessel with an opening through which water is continuously drained back into the sea. Any oil which is floating on the surface of the sump caisson is collected into a blow caisson, and then lifted into a skimmer via gas injection.

Water injection system and Sea water processing

Water Injection:- Water injection is performed to maintain the reservoir pressure, and prevent flooding. To stop the reservoir from being damaged, the injected water is kept at a strict high quality. Furthermore, the condition of the pipelines which carry the injection water to the wells and well platforms is maintained with dozing chemicals, to prevent any corrosion or generation of H2s by SRB colonies.

Water injection systems are made up of the following core components: sea water lift pumps, coarse filters, fine filters, deoxygenating towers, booster’s pumps, main injection pumps, chemical dosing system, chemical dozing system flocculent, scale inhibitor, corrosion inhibitor, and a chlorinator.

Subsea Water Injection – (Sulzer.com. (2011))

Sea Water Lifting and Filtering:- Seawater is taken in via seawater lift pumps, and then fed into both coarse filters and fine filters for processing. In coarse filters, the particles are filtered to a level of 20 microns, whereas in fine filters, that filtration takes place at a level of up to 2 microns. Polyelectrolyte and coagulants are then added to the sea water lift pump discharge, to aid with the coagulation of suspended particles.

Water Filtration Process – (Ogj.com (1998))

Deoxygenation and Pumping:- Once the water has been properly filtered, it then flows into deoxygenating towers to remove any excess oxygen. This is done to prevent the formation or aerobic bacterial colonies, which affect Sulphur levels, within the WI flow lines. The oxygen removal is performed through the use of vacuum pimps and oxygen scavenger chemicals. Then, booster pumps take the suction from the deoxygenation towers, and feed it into the main injector pumps. Scale inhibitors, bactericide, and corrosion-inhibiting chemicals are dozed into the discharge of the booster pumps. MIPs then discharge the treated water via water injection subsea pipelines to wells and well platforms.

Processing complexes will also contain the following components:

• Power Generation
• Water Maker/Utilities/Sewage Treatment
• Emergency diesel generators
• Communication systems
• Air compressors
• Fire water pumps
• Fire detection & Suppression system
• Nitrogen Air receiver
•  Life boats
• Pedestal Cranes

In addition, it is possible that central processing platforms will also contain accommodation for workers, as well as drilling modules or well services. However, these components are completely optional, and dependent on the client’s decision.

Installations of central processing platforms

The majority of central processing platforms take the form of six-leg or eight-leg jacket installations. There will usually be four decks: the sub-cellar deck, the cellar deck, the mezzanine deck, and the top deck. The names of these decks may vary, depending on the equipment which is installed in them. Each deck is fabricated according to the individual client’s needs, before being stacked together onshore. Finally, the central processing platform will be installed in a float-over process at sea by large barges.

Tons Montrose Topside  Installation – (Thialf lifted 10,000. and Krabbendam, R. (2016))

The float-over concept is intended to cut down on the amount of work that needs to be done offshore. However, whether or not this approach is possible will depend on the needs and budget of the particular client.

References

CCPS (Center for Chemical Process Safety), 2012. Guidelines for Engineering Design for Process Safety. John Wiley & Sons.

Ensepatec.me. (2014). 3 Phase Separator – ENSEPATEC – Energy Friendly Separation Technology. [online] Available at: http://www.ensepatec.me/webpage/en/products/horizontal-separators/three-phase-separator.html [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

Erwin, D., 2013. Industrial Chemical Process Design, 2nd Edition. McGraw Hill Professional.

Lieberman, Norman, 2017. Troubleshooting Process Operations. PennWell Books.

Ogj.com. (1998). New filtration process cuts contaminants from offshore produced water. [online] Available at: http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-96/issue-44/in-this-issue/production/new-filtration-process-cuts-contaminants-from-offshore-produced-water.html [Accessed 9 Oct. 2017].

Ogj.com. (1998). Nigeria’s Escravos gas project starts up. [online] Available at: http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-96/issue-16/in-this-issue/gas-processing/nigeria39s-escravos-gas-project-starts-up.html [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

Sulzer.com. (2011). Subsea Systems – Sulzer. [online] Available at: http://www.sulzer.com/et/Industries/Oil-and-Gas/Subsea/Subsea-Systems [Accessed 9 Oct. 2017].

Thialf lifted 10,000. and Krabbendam, R. (2016). Thialf lifted 10,000 Tons Montrose Topside onto the jacket. [online] Heavyliftnews.com. Available at: http://www.heavyliftnews.com/news/thialf-lifted-the-more-then-10-000-tons-montrose-topside-on-the-jacket [Accessed 9 Oct. 2017].

Welcome to MKAPR. (2015). Produced Water Treatment. [online] Available at: http://www.mkapr.co.id/produced-water-treatment/ [Accessed 5 Oct. 2017].

Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG) announced Tuesday that its ultra-deepwater drillship Deepwater Invictus has been awarded a two-year contract with options by a subsidiary of BHP Billiton.

Transocean said the backlog associated with the firm contract is approximately $106 million and the contract will commence in the second quarter of 2018. It includes three one-year priced options.

The Deepwater Invictus was delivered in 2014 and is rated to a water depth of 12,000 feet. It has spent nearly its entire career contracted to BHP.

Deepwater Invictus – (MarineTraffic,com, 2017)

“We are extremely pleased to continue working with BHP,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Thigpen. “Since we welcomed the Invictus into our fleet in 2014, the combination of BHP, Transocean and the Invictus has delivered industry-leading performance; and, we look forward to extending our productive relationship through this multi-year contract.”

A spokesman for BHP said the awarding of the contract supports its exploration focus on the three Tier 1 deep-water opportunities in the US Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

According to Transocean’s latest fleet status report, Deepwater Invictus is currently contracted to BHP Billiton for operations in the Gulf of Mexico at a day rate of $592,000. The current contract spans from January 2017 through November 2017.

References – gCaptain. (2017). Two-Year Contract for Ultra-Deepwater Drillship ‘Deepwater Invictus’ – gCaptain. [online] Available at: http://gcaptain.com/two-year-contract-ultra-deepwater-drillship-deepwater-invictus/ [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].

MarineTraffic.com. (2017). Vessel details for: DEEPWATER INVICTUS (Drill Ship) – IMO 9620592, MMSI 538004610, Call Sign V7XZ7 Registered in Marshall Is | AIS Marine Traffic. [online] Available at: http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:713787/mmsi:538004610/imo:9620592/vessel:DEEPWATER_INVICTUS [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].

Wild Well Control is one of the best well control specialist companies in the world. The company not only provide well control and engineering services to the company’s customers, it also provides free technical knowledge to the public such as Wild Well Control Technical Book that you can download it for free.  Today, we would like to review one of the most useful presentation which is “Well Control Methods” presentation. After you read the review and you like it, we also provide download link for you at the end. Thank Wild Well Control for great contribution to oil and gas industry.

Well Control Methods by Wild Well Control, Wild Well Control (2017)

In this presentation, you will  learn overall of all well control methods.

The topics in this presentations are as follows;

⇒ Learn all well control techniques

• Circulating well control methods – Driller’s method, wait and weight method (engineering method), concurrent method and reverse circulation
• Non-circulating well control methods – Volumetric, lubricate & bleed and bullheading.

⇒ Understand how to properly regulate pressure to control the well by manipulating choke

⇒ Understand choke response and lag time

⇒ Learn some basic well control formulas

⇒ Learn about advantages and disadvantages of well control methods

⇒ Learn some special topics such as well control with air drilling, mud cap drilling, slim hole well control, UBD/PWD equipment, etc

Additionally, this presentation has some illustrations which help learners get more understanding about each subject. You can see some slides from this presentation below.

Six Well Control Method, Wild Well Control (2017)

Example – Driller’s Method Action Sequence, Wild Well Control (2017)

Example – Volumetric Well Control, Wild Well Control (2017)

Example – Bull Heading Chart, Wild Well Control (2017)

Example – Advantages and Disadvantages of mud cap drilling, Wild Well Control (2017)

If you want to download the slide, please check out this link -> http://wildwell.com/literature-on-demand/literature/well-control-methods.pdf