DRILLING COURSEWORK

This coursework is designed as a self-study program to further the student

knowledge regarding wells drilling operations and development of a drilling
program.
DIRECTIONS:
You are the Asset Team Manager with ESPOLTech Petroleum Corporation. A new
vertical development well has been proposed for drilling on a newly licensed oil
field. You are required to carry out the following tasks:
Recommendation: Identify each member of the team with a specific charge or
specialization.
1. Planning a new well involves the work of a team of highly qualified engineers
over a period of several months. List and discuss the main steps that are taken
when planning an onshore development well. Design process diagram showing
charges and responsibilities of each engineer in the team.
2. Explain what is meant by the term The well is designed from the bottom to
the top. And describe the reasons why is this approach selected when drilling a
well.
3. Design the drilling fluids to be used. List:

What are the main functions of a drilling mud?

How the mud properties can be modified to suit different down hole
conditions?

4. Define the term ECD (equivalent circulating density) and discuss the key mud
properties that influence its value. How do variations in these properties affect
ECD?. What are the consequences of a high value of ECD in a well, and how
should they be controlled?
5. What is the pore pressure and its importance?. What is the fracture pressure
and its importance?. Using the graph provided (pore/fracture pressure) for the oil
field, propose a casing scheme for the well using the graphical approach. Discuss
the suitability of the selected casing setting depths in relation to the lithology.
Discuss your selection. The wellhead has three hangers and the final hole size is
8 .
6. What are the main functions of an oilwell cement, and what are the main
properties controlled by additives?. Some casing strings are not cemented back
to surface. What problem does this condition creates in the un-cemented
annulus?. With the casing design proposed in the question before, calculate the
volume of slurry needed to case the hole completely. Mention the additives you
should add to overcome the subsurface conditions set in the graph. You had
finished cementation operation and the CBL log had shown that is not a good
bond, what will you do?.
7. Well control is a very important aspect in maintaining safety while drilling.
Explain the following:

Primary well control

Secondary well control
Tertiary well control

What are the main steps taken when a well has taken a kick, and how is the well
brought back into control?.
8. From the information supplied on the graph select a suitable BHA to drill the
final 8 hole. Tip: Start determining a suitable WOB. Assume a 5 and 21.87
lb/ft drill pipe. Discuss why you have selected the tools in your proposed BHA.

Recommendations:

You are expected to produce a professionally written report with an

executive summary, list of contents, conclusions, etc.
Presentation of the final work is COMPULSORY IN ENGLISH.
Number your sections and pages.
Provide equations and calculations made in the main body of your report.
The report has to have a maximum word length of 4500. The word count
excludes tables, charts, graphs, appendices.
Use 1.5 line spacing, verdana, font size 11.
You can name the field, well, if you like. Originality will be consider.
Work in pairs.
Remember you are an engineer and you are presenting a WELL
PROGRAM.
Reference your work properly!!.
Use graphs, tables, charts, pictures, everything you consider relevant for
your report.
Give concise reasons for your selections and decisions. State your
assumptions.
Most of the information included in this report will be evaluated in the final
exam. So, do your best!.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 11:30 THURSDAY 28th JANUARY 2016. Submit
your work on time!!.
You are asked to submit your project both, paper (office) and soft version
(sidweb).