Overview

2006 confirmed foreseen changes. The demand for oil was near the offer or production capacity and the rather stable high oil prices induced new drilling programs. The result was a drilling-rig market with use near 100% and new rig construction for the offshore fleet nearing 100 rigs. The wake-up was rather sudden. If current programs use mostly conventional drilling technology while constant technology evolution improves productivity, new prospects soon will require new drilling technology. Papers highlighted here and listed for additional reading describe recent technology advances.

R&D programs in 2005 and 2006 anticipated the need for new technology.

In the ultradeep offshore, water depth more than 10,000 ft, conventional riser architecture has reached its limit; the hyperstatic riser is one solution.
In deep prospects and extended-reach wells that require multiple intermediate casings, monobore architecture renders these projects feasible.
In deep buried reservoirs, the effects of high temperature require careful review of the cement formulation.
In some mature or shallow unconsolidated prospects with low fracture gradients, the use of ultralight cements may be required.
For production from acidic environments, long-term cement-sheave durability must be studied.

Noticeable efforts have been made to improve more-conventional drilling.

Understanding drillstring behavior and taking into account contact forces related to string bending will improve trajectory prediction, and its monitoring will certainly increase the overall rate of penetration.
Various methods of cuttings disposal exist, and the understanding of cuttings reinjection is improving.
The reliability of cement-bond logs has improved with respect to zone isolation, especially when communication tests are impractical or cost-prohibitive.

A Risk-Based Approach to Waste-Containment Assurance

Single-Diameter Technology Capable of Increasing Extended-Reach Drilling by 50%

Cement-Bond-Log Interpretation Reliability

Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Ultrahigh Temperature on the Mechanical Parameters of Cement

Dominique Dupuis, SPE, is Head of Drilling Engineering and R&D for Pride International, formerly Forasol. He joined Forasol in 1977. Previously, Dupuis held positions of Site Manager, Commercial Manager, and R&D Manager. He has published several SPE papers on slimhole drilling. Dupuis holds an engineering degree from École Centrale de Nantes. He also serves on the JPT Editorial Committee.

Overview

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