Operational and safety aspects of drill stem testing—getting it right

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Shangkar Venugopal

Drill stem testing (DST) is recognised by many operating oil and gas companies to be one of the most hazardous operations routinely undertaken. Well testing has a higher potential for loss of life, loss of assets, environmental catastrophe and budget overrun than any other time in the exploration operations. Therefore, it is of great importance to the industry that such operations are extremely well planned and executed. Planning a DST is an extremely complex task and requires a great deal of experience. This paper provides an insight into the techniques and procedures that are used in all the major operational and safety aspects of oil and gas DST. It uses a structured approach to guide the reader through the various best practices that are required to effectively plan and implement a DST operation under just about any circumstances worldwide, onshore or offshore. The project also includes design parameters for contingency conditions that were not normally present during equipment operations but could exist in emergency situations. Problems and solutions associated with perforation, adverse hole conditions, and high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) conditions are also presented. Additionally, this paper includes an overview on environmental requirements, which provides information associated with risk management and legislation.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric van Oort ◽  
Dongmei Chen ◽  
Pradeepkumar Ashok ◽  
Amirhossein Fallah

Abstract Deep closed-loop geothermal systems (DCLGS) are introduced as an alternative to traditional enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) for green energy production that is globally scalable and dispatchable. Recent modeling work shows that DCLGS can generate an amount of power that is similar to EGS, while overcoming many of the downsides of EGS (such as induced seismicity, emissions to air, mineral scaling etc.). DCLGS wells can be constructed by leveraging and extending oil and gas extended reach drilling (ERD) and high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) drilling expertise in particular. The objectives of this paper are two-fold. First, we demonstrate that DCLGS wells can generate power / electricity on a scale that is comparable to EGS, i.e. on the order of 40-55 MW per well. To this extent, we have developed a coupled hydraulic-thermal model, validated using oil and gas well cases, that can simulate various DCLGS well configurations. Secondly, we highlight the technology gaps and needs that still exist for economically drilling DCLGS wells, showing that it is possible to extend oil and gas technology, expertise and experience in ERD and HPHT drilling to construct complex DCLGS wells. Our coupled hydraulic-thermal sensitivity analyses show that there are key well drilling and design parameters that will ultimately affect DCLGS operating efficiency, including strategic deployment of managed pressure drilling / operation (MPD/MPO) technology, the use of vacuum-insulated tubing (VIT), and the selection of the completion in the high-temperature rock zones. Results show that optimum design and execution can boost initial geothermal power generation to 50 MW and beyond. In addition, historical ERD and HPHT well experience is reviewed to establish the current state-of-the-art in complex well construction and highlight what specific technology developments require attention and investment to make DCLGS a reality in the near-future (with a time horizon of ∼10 years). A main conclusion is that DCLGS is a realistic and viable alternative to EGS, with effective mitigation of many of the (potentially show-stopping) downsides of EGS. Oil and gas companies are currently highly interested in green, sustainable energy to meet their environmental goals. DCLGS well construction allows them to actively develop a sustainable energy field in which they already have extensive domain expertise. DCLGS offers oil and gas companies a new direction for profitable business development while meeting environmental goals, and at the same time enables workforce retention, retraining and re-deployment using the highly transferable skills of oil and gas workers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Persent ◽  
Francois Grosjean ◽  
Daniel Averbuch ◽  
Eléonore Roguet

Abstract Oil and Gas companies are considering drilling operations in the challenging high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) environment, which requires new equipment to be qualified to 20,000 psi working pressure and 350°F maximum temperature. In this study, IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) has considered the use of composite-reinforced steel Choke and Kill (C&K) lines for retrofitting an existing drilling riser equipped with 15,000 psi steel C&K lines to HP/HT applications. The feasibility of this upgrade solution has been validated through composite material testing and design studies. The composite provides a 20,000 psi Choke and Kill line that is lighter than a 15,000 psi steel line for (almost) the same outer diameter (OD) while maintaining a nominal inner diameter (ID) of 4.5" for safer operations and ensuring a large safety margin on burst. These major advantages allow the C&K lines to be replaced without increasing the riser mass and with no other modification on the riser design. In particular, the expensive buoyancy modules can be kept in place. Through combining the best features of steel and composite, this technology offers a cost-effective way to upgrade an existing drilling riser to 20,000 psi/350°F applications.


Author(s):  
Ashish Gupta

Hazardous area classification or zoning is a method of analyzing and classifying the environment in which explosive gas atmospheres may occur to facilitate the proper selection and installation of equipment to be used safely in that environment. In several oil and gas companies, hazardous area classification is carried out as an integral step of the risk assessment exercise to identify areas where controls over ignition sources are required on the rigs. In this paper, one example of such an exercise is presented. The recommendations from the exercise were used in updating the company’s guidelines on zoning and eventually improving the fire safety of its operations. The paper discusses these factors and their impact on zoning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 925-943
Author(s):  
I.V. Filimonova ◽  
◽  
L.V. Eder ◽  
V.Yu. Nemov ◽  
M.V. Mishenin ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 1291-1312
Author(s):  
N.V. Zyleva

Subject. This article discusses the practice of ensuring the economic security of oil and gas companies operating under the terms of production sharing agreements, where minerals are the object of security. Objectives. The article aims to justify the need to apply professional judgment in the organization of reliable accounting of minerals, explored and extracted under the terms of the production sharing agreement implementation, to avoid various risks to the entity's economic security. Methods. For the study, I used the methods of deduction and modeling. Results. The article presents proposals to arrange accounting of intangible exploration assets (geological information on mineral reserves) and finished products (the part of the extracted minerals owned by the investor and the part owned by the State). Conclusions. As strategic minerals, oil and gas are the targets of various economic risks. Professionals familiar with the specifics of accounting operations in the implementation of the production sharing agreement should be prepared to prevent these risks. The results obtained can be used to design accounting policies and develop local regulations on the tasks and functions of the economic security service of the organization implementing the production sharing agreement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1101-1120
Author(s):  
O.V. Shimko

Subject. The article investigates key figures disclosed in consolidated cash flow statements of 25 leading publicly traded oil and gas companies from 2006 to 2018. Objectives. The focus is on determining the current level of values of the main components of consolidated statement of cash flows prepared by leading publicly traded oil and gas companies, identifying key trends within the studied period and factors that led to any transformation. Methods. The study draws on methods of comparative and financial-economic analysis, as well as generalization of materials of consolidated cash flow statements. Results. The comprehensive analysis of annual reports of 25 oil and gas companies enabled to determine changes in the key figures and their relation in the structure of consolidated cash flow statements in the public sector of the industry. It also established main factors that contributed to the changes. Conclusions. In the period under study, I revealed an increase in cash from operating activities; established that capital expenditures in the public sector of the industry show an overall upward trend and depend on the level of oil prices. The analysis demonstrated that even integrated companies’ upstream segment prevail in the capital expenditures structure. The study also unveiled an increase in dividend payments, which, most of the time, exceeded free cash flows thus increasing the debt burden.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1571-1589 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.V. Shimko

Subject. This article explores the key liquidity figures of the twenty five largest public oil and gas companies between 2006 and 2018. Objectives. The article aims to determine the current values of the key liquidity figures of the largest public oil and gas companies, identify key trends in their changes within the study period, and identify the factors that have caused these changes. Methods. For the study, I used comparative, and financial and economic analyses, and generalization. Results. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the twenty five oil and gas companies' annual reports, the article identifies trends in the changes in the key liquidity indexes in the industry's public sector, and establishes the main factors that affected these changes. Conclusions and Relevance. The largest public oil and gas companies are able to maintain their own liquidity in times of crisis, even. The industry pays the most attention to increasing the instant liquidity ratios. The results of the study can be used to evaluate, forecast, and develop measures to enhance the liquidity of public oil and gas companies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1064-1076
Author(s):  
O.V. Ovchar

Subject. Under rapid changes in the external economic environment, new forms and methods of State regulation of oil and gas industries, especially, improving the taxation and tax regulation instruments become relevant. Objectives. The study aims to provide an original interpretation of methods of improving the tax administration of major taxpayers in the oil and gas sector applied at the present stage. Methods. I employ normative and holistic approaches to examine taxation efficiency in the oil and gas sector, general scientific and special methods of scientific cognition, i.e. retrospective, system analysis, observation, classification, instrumental methods of grouping, sampling, comparison and synthesis, as well as evolutionary and dynamic analysis. Results. I consider basic problems and solutions in the sphere of tax administration of major taxpayers of Russian oil and gas industries. The paper offers a package of measures and recommendations aimed at improving the efficiency of tax regulation, underpins the applied approach to tax administration of organizations operating in the oil and gas sector. Conclusions and Relevance. Our country needs a comprehensive program for tax administration of the entire technological cycle: from upstream operations to full-scale import substitution of consumer goods.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 2765-2789
Author(s):  
O.V. Shimko

Subject. This article explores the market valuation ratios of the twenty five leading public oil and gas companies between 2006 and 2018. Objectives. The article aims to identify key trends in the changes in market valuations of the largest public oil and gas companies, and identify the factors that have caused these changes. Methods. For the study, I used comparative, and financial and economic analyses, and generalization of materials of the companies' consolidated financial statements. Results. The article shows certain changes in the main indicators of market valuation of the leading public oil and gas companies and identifies the main factors that contributed to these changes. It establishes that the most significant for comparison and valuation are ratios based on balance sheet values of assets and equity, and EBITDA, DACF and net income ratios are appropriate as auxiliary ratios. The article says that the exchange segment of the industry has increased the debt load, so instead of market capitalization as a component of the coefficients of this group, it is advisable to apply the company's value indicator. Conclusions and Relevance. The article concludes that the market sentiments towards the stock market segment of the global oil and gas industry are getting impaired. This is quite natural against the background of falling profitability of most leading companies. The results of the study can be useful in evaluating, forecasting and developing measures to increase the market capitalization and value of public oil and gas companies.


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