Submitted by BP
Impact
Reduced drilling time by 24 days per 10,000 feet drilled compared to previous campaigns
Description of Best Practice
Major oil and gas operator, BP, has achieved a significant reduction in drilling time by focusing on performance management and introducing new technology.
During the appraisal of the possible third phase of development on the Clair field, West of Shetland, the application of new technologies, applying lessons from previous drilling campaigns alongside a rigorous focus on performance management reduced drilling time by 24 days per 10,000 feet drilled compared to previous campaigns.
The continuous improvement from the first well to the last saw productive rig time –the underlying operational time to completethe same tasks –improve from 53 days to 39 days. The implementation of new technology saved an average of four days’ drilling per well. In addition, completing a dual zone well test in a single run instead of two saved two to three weeks of well testing operations.
Russell Morrice, BP Drilling Engineering Manager commented: “Our approach to well operations in the appraisal of Clair reduced drilling time to such an extent that an additional sixth well was drilled within the original five well schedule. This enabled further appraisal of the Greater Clair field in support of both a potential Phase 3 development and ultimately maximising recovery ofthe UK’s oil and gas. The approach will now be used in other drilling campaigns”.
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