Abstract
The operator has faced an uphill challenge to extend the economic life of an existing producing field. The optimal selected solution was to unlock reserves in an adjacent field by drilling an extended reach (ERD) well (Well 1) from an existing platform across a major geohazard fault. In addition to the ERD well, another well (Well 2) was drilled to recover unswept volumes of minor reservoirs in the existing field.
While the ERD ratio of Well 1 maybe only 2.4, the combined complexity of insufficient casing points due to slim hole requirement, narrow drilling margins and crossing a major fault at high angle, pushed the operator's drilling technical and HSE capability to the limit of Malaysia ERD experience. With the only remaining slot on the triple wellhead conductor, this well was the longest well drilled by the operator in Malaysia. These major drilling and geological challenges handcuffed the well design from the get-go, and risk assessments highlighted to stake holders, the risk of failure was prominent without innovative solutions.
This paper elaborates the major challenges and innovative strategies that have enabled successful execution of Well 1, drilled in a fast track drilling program. The team's relentless effort to challenge conventional methods has enabled innovative solutions such as ‘Casing-while-Drilling’ from a splitter wellhead in a congested collision prone platform, use of low rheology drilling fluid for narrow margin drilling as well as top of the line directional equipment. To contain the possibility of exceeding the economic limits, the operator's team also re-strategized the traditionally time based drilling contracting work by implementing the "First in Malaysia" lump sum integrated drilling and completion services contract, where costs were no longer time based, but 100% performance incentivized (IDS and ICS).