Well Engineering (Drilling, Completion and Well Service Engineering) Course Deliverables
Appreciation and knowledge of subjects. Knowledge of interfaces with other technical disciplines. Some technical/engineering calculations. Appreciation of new enabling technologies. Well design options.
Offshore
Rigs are classified according to their depth capacity using 4.1/2 drill pipe. Capacity depends mainly on substructure and derrick strength and drawworks HP.
Well TD
Land Rig
Nabors 21-E
2.5 million lb GNC Derrick, 2000 HP Drawworks, 37.5 Rotary Drilling depth 6500 metres
Helicopter Rig
Helicopter rigs are used in remote areas such as PNG. Rigs are transported in 4,000 lb loads by single or twin rotor helicopters. Helicopter shown is a Chinook.
Floating Rigs
Semi-submersible
Drillship
A dynamically positioned drilling unit capable of operating in 1500 metres water depth
Semi-Submersible Rigs
Sedco Express, fitted with an automatic pipe handling system, can drill HPHT wells.
Semi-submersible rigs are designed to drill in hostile environments Water depths range from less than 60 m to 3000 metres. Most buoyancy comes from pontoons below the active wave zone. Semi-submersible rigs are designed to withstand storm force winds exceeding 100 knots and storm waves over 30 metres high. Typical variable deck loads range from 2,000 to over 5,000 tons. Rigs are kept on location by anchors or dynamic positioning systems.
Drillships
Large deck load capacity. Less stable drilling platform than a semi submersible in comparable weather conditions. Guidelineless drilling riser/ BOP systems. Dynamically positioned for deep water applications Can be mobilised relatively quickly over long distances.
Drill Ship
A modern twin derrick drillship designed to permit simultaneous pipe handling operations. Each derrick has a crown block motion compensator. This drillship is maintained on station by a computer controlled dynamic positioning system. Drill ships have large storage capacities that make them ideally suited to operations remote from supply bases.
Swamp Barge
These drilling units are suitable for operations in near shore, sheltered areas. In this case, the coastal flats have been dredged to allow the drilling barge to be positioned on location. Note the dumb barges moored alongside. These contain equipment for well such as casing, mud materials and cement.