Issues

Regulatory/Policy
Environmental
Technical
Economic

History of Heliportable
Drilling
> 20 years heliportable drilling
Approximately 200 heliportable wells
South America, Indonesia, New Guinea,
New Zealand, Wyoming, Mackenzie Delta

Previous Heliportable
Evaluations in BC
Projects

Industry rejection = cost and safety

Government rejection = uncertainty around environmental risk associated with blow-outs and safety

- Amoco Canada
Petroleum Company Ltd.
(Beattie Peaks, 1991)
- Talisman Energy (PCP
Falls, 1994)
- Imperial Oil Limited
(Belcourt Creek, 1995)
- Murphy Oil Company Ltd.
(Sikanni, 1996)

- Husky Oil Operations Ltd.

(Sikanni, 1996)
- Murphy Oil Company Ltd.
(Chicken Creek, 1999)
- Ricks Nova Scotia Co.
(Ladyfern, 2000)
- Marathon Canada Ltd.
(Koller Creek, 2001)

Regulatory and Policy

Review

Petroleum and Natural Gas Act

Workers Compensation Act
Oil and Gas Commission Act
MK Management Area Act
BC Maximum Disturbance Review Criteria
No explicit exclusion of heliportable drilling
Promote responsible development, safety,
environmental protection and socio-economic benefit

ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION

Impact of Roads

long duration (2+years)

erosion, sedimentation
habitat removal,
fragmentation
access for hunting and
fishing, wildlife

wildlife displacement
animal-vehicle
collisions
landscape aesthetics
weed dispersal

Impact of Helicopters
short duration (e.g., months)
wildlife displacement
noise pollution
reduced large spill response
reduced potential for vehicle spills

TECHNICAL EVALUATION

Key Technical Issues

Drilling Rig Availability and

Capability
Drilling rigs with 3,400 m depth
capability available in North America
Drilling rigs with 5,400 m common
internationally
Heliportable service equipment is
available

Helicopter Availability and

Capability
Drilling Rig Mobilization
heavy lift helicopters (e.g., Chinook 234, Sikorsky S-64)(10,000 kg capacity)
readily available
Routine Service
medium lift helicopters (e.g., Bell 212, A-star)
readily available

Blow-out
Avoidance and Control
Low probability (e.g., 0.3:1,000 wells or
1:3,333 wells)
Proper planning
Experienced and supervised crews
Stockpiling supplies and BOP equipment
Rig ignition in minutes
Relief well typically not required

Safety
Many remote industrial operations
without 24 hour access
Require standard OHS risk assessment,
OHS Schedule 1 compliance
Road access not the first means of
emergency response
Require well trained, experienced and
supervised crew

ECONOMIC EVALUATION

Key Cost Considerations

Major Direct Heliportable

Cost Factors
Size of rig
Duration of drill
Contingency stockpiling and
backhauling
Stand-by charges (relief rig, heavy
equipment)

CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS

Key Findings
Significant environmental benefits in many
cases
Heliportable rigs and support service
equipment are available
Worker safety and sour gas well control
concerns can be managed
Heliportable drilling will tend to be more
expensive where short and/or simple access is
required

Critical Site Factors

Environmental Sensitivity
Availability of Low Impact
Alternatives
Helicopter Site Risk
Blow-out Risk and Sour Gas

Decision Making Options

Assess tradeoffs and alternatives
Assess and numerically score critical
factors
Require heliportable by location
Require heliportable by circumstance
Company vs. government decision

Recommendations
Include heliportable drilling as an MK
management tool
Develop a Policy and Best Practices
Suitability mapping
Implement a Pilot Study
Consider financial incentives
Investigate feasibility of heliportable
production and operations