Simple but Effective: A Case History Demonstrating Enhanced Performance and Simplified Logistics from New Rotary Steerable

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A Aburto Perez ◽  
Anurag S Yadav ◽  
Steven R Farley

Abstract Based on input from key operators in the Middle East region, a new rotary steerable system (RSS) was launched after a compressed development schedule. This paper describes the development and introduction of the larger tool sizes needed for both onshore and offshore hole sections, including hole sizes from 12 in. and up, in the Middle East. It also outlines the deliberate design of the tool for local assembly and repair. Large diameter (9-1/2 and 11 in.) RSS designs used an existing, smaller design for Middle East applications in both offshore and onshore wells as a basis. When designing these new sizes, engineers took note of lessons learned with smaller sizes of the tool and incorporated design elements for local manufacturing, assembly, and repair. The resulting simple, modular construction enables increased levels of local content and provides for significant reductions in transportation, and therefore associated emissions. Of course, although local content and sustainability are highly desirable, performance is essential, and this paper describes case histories demonstrating how well the new tool worked in real-world Middle East applications. In one notable example, the newly introduced 9 1/2-in. diameter RSS was used to drill an offshore section in the Gulf of Arabia. The tool was mobilized after two older generation RSS had become stuck for days. Consisting primarily of argillaceous limestone, the formation had a history of stuck-pipe events. The new RSS was recommended for this application because of a slicker construction, with a fully rotational bias unit, minimal bottom hole assembly (BHA) stabilization, and an optimized junk slot area, which together help to reduce stuck-pipe risks. The tool drilled to the target depth in a single run, thereby achieving all directional requirements. Notably, after reaching the target depth, the assembly was tripped out of the hole without any requirement for backreaming. This seamless exit, in turn, indicated achieving a smooth wellbore. Other case histories demonstrate results with both new sizes of this tool. The paper also discusses in detail the ability to repair locally and engage the local supply chain. Specifically with Middle East applications in mind, a new, simple RSS design in large diameter versions has demonstrated success in offshore and onshore applications across the region. The design has also proven capabilities for manufacturing and repair local to operations, which enables maximizing in-country value, optimizing use of the tools, and energizing local supply chains.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Butler ◽  
Matthew Kelsey ◽  
Baidy Racine

Abstract Historically, the ability to perform intervention on multilateral wells has been limited. While multilateral (ML) well construction technologies have progressed to a high level of reliability, multilateral systems that enabled intervention during the life of well had a more limited track record. Intervention outcomes after prolonged periods of production were less consistent. This lack of technologies with sufficient intervention case histories meant that generally multilateral well architecture was not selected in applications where thru tubing intervention was a requirement. In recent years, multilateral well architecture has continued to increase in demand, with more ML wells drilled and completed in the last five years than any other five-year period in the technology's history. With this increased demand has come industry enthusiasm to further mature its intervention capabilities. This paper will review two recent case histories of separate multilateral well completion systems that enable intervention. This opens up new potential for the industry to take advantage of the cost reductions achieved with multilaterals in a much larger scope of well applications. Two separate completion systems will be covered in this paper, System A installed in a cemented multilateral junction and system B, a completion that creates a hydraulically isolated junction via either a dual string completion or a single string completion that splits into two strings. These case histories were exectuted in 2017 to 2019, and interventions were performed after one to two years of production. Detailed in each case study will be an overview of the equipment, the operational sequence, intervention outcome, and any lessons learned or improvements. The systems have demonstrated themselves as a reliable method to access laterals in non-ideal downhole environments where debris is present after the well has been on production. The tubing sizes for the case studies are 3-1/2" and 4-1/2". In each of these wells, the following operations have been successfully performed: drift testing, acid stimulation through coil tubing and breaking of a ceramic disc. Both slickline and coil tubing have been used for the interventions and in some cases with tractors. Junction inclinations range from 1 to 43 degrees. Plans for ongoing installations for the systems are being executed in the Middle East Region. Further, expansion of the system A capabilities by integrating it with other existing technologies is also planned. This will enable projects such as the installation of a trilateral well with flow control and intervention for each individual leg, and also the conversion of existing single bore wells to multilateral with intervention capability.


Based on personal accounts of their experiences conducting qualitative and quantitative research in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, the contributors to this volume share the real-life obstacles they have encountered in applying research methods in practice and the possible solutions to overcome them. The volume is an important companion book to more standard methods books, which focus on the “how to” of methods but are often devoid of any real discussion of the practicalities, challenges, and common mistakes of fieldwork. The volume is divided into three parts, highlighting the challenges of (1) specific contexts, including conducting research in areas of violence; (2) a range of research methods, including interviewing, process-tracing, ethnography, experimental research, and the use of online media; and (3) the ethics of field research. In sharing their lessons learned, the contributors raise issues of concern to both junior and experienced researchers, particularly those of the Global South but also to those researching the Global North.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 909-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asharul Islam Khan ◽  
Hafedh Al-Shihi ◽  
Zuhoor Abdullah Al-khanjari ◽  
Mohamed Sarrab

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Hugo Vizcarra Marin ◽  
Alex Ngan ◽  
Roberto Pineda ◽  
Juan Carlos Gomez ◽  
Jose Antonio Becerra

Abstract Given the increased demands on the production of hydrocarbons and cost-effectiveness for the Operator's development wells, the industry is challenged to continually explore new technology and methodology to improve drilling performance and operational efficiency. In this paper, two recent case histories showcase the technology, drilling engineering, and real-time optimization that resulted in record drilling times. The wells are located on shallow water in the Gulf of Mexico, with numerous drilling challenges, which typically resulted in significant Non-Productive Time (NPT). Through close collaboration with the Operator, early planning with a clear understanding of offset wells challenges, well plan that minimize drilling in the Upper Cretaceous "Brecha" Formation were formulated. The well plan was also designed to reduce the risk of stuck pipe while meeting the requirements to penetrate the geological targets laterally to increase the area of contact in the reservoir section. This project encapsulates the successful application of the latest Push-the-Bit Rotary Steerable System (RSS) with borehole enlargement technology through a proven drilling engineering process to optimize the drilling bottomhole assembly, bit selection, drilling parameters, and real-time monitoring & optimization The records drilling times in the two case histories can be replicated and further improved. A list of lessons learned and recommendations for the future wells are discussed. These include the well trajectory planning, directional drilling BHA optimization, directional control plan, drilling parameters to optimize hole cleaning, and downhole shocks & vibrations management during drilling and underreaming operation to increase the drilling performance ultimately. Also, it includes a proposed drilling blueprint to continually push the limit of incremental drilling performance through the use of RSS with hydraulics drilling reamers through the Jurassic-age formations in shallow waters, Gulf of Mexico.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Muñoz ◽  
Samira Mehrabi ◽  
Yirou Li ◽  
Aysha Basharat ◽  
Jennifer Boger ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Advancements in supporting personalized healthcare and wellbeing using virtual reality (VR) has created opportunities to use immersive games to support a healthy lifestyle for persons living with dementia (PLWD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Collaboratively designing exercise-video games (exergames) as a multi-stakeholder team is fundamental to creating games that are attractive, effective, and accessible. OBJECTIVE This research explores the use of participatory design methods that involve PLWD in long-term care facilitates, exercise professionals, content developers, game designers, and researchers in the creation of VR exergames targeting physical activity promotion for PLWD/MCI. METHODS Conceptualization, collaborative design, and playtesting activities were carried out to design VR exergames to engage PLWD in exercises to promote upper-limb flexibility, strength and aerobic endurance RESULTS Our results demonstrate how different stakeholders contribute to the design of VR exergames that consider/complement complex needs, preferences, and motivators of an underrepresented group of end-users as well as game design elements that reflect feedback for therapists and researchers. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that collaborative multi-stakeholder design results in more tailored and context-aware VR games for PLWD. The insights and lessons learned in from this research can be used by others to co-design games, including remote engagement techniques that were used during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar Addagalla ◽  
Prakash Jadhav ◽  
Prahlad Yadav ◽  
Pranjal Sarmah ◽  
Iain Maley ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Paul O’Keeffe

The delivery of higher education in refugee contexts is no stranger to dealing with the unforeseen and responding to the needs of vulnerable learners. Being flexible and adaptable to a multitude of challenges and obstacles is a core component of any scaffolding that wishes to support refugee higher education programmes. InZone, an academic and humanitarian programme at the University of Geneva, has empirically developed a flexible and adaptable ‘learning ecosystem’ to scaffold its delivery of higher education programmes in Africa and the Middle East. This chapter explores how this responsive ecosystem has enabled top tier university programmes in some of the most challenging educational environments between 2017 and 2018. The functioning of the ecosystem is explored within the context of the lived reality of learners in the camps and course participation data is shared to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning ecosystem as a scaffold for enabling higher education in refugee contexts. Lessons learned point to recommendations for pedagogical innovations that could be employed to cope with pedagogical disruptions for the wider education world during testing times such as Covid19.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong-hoon Lee ◽  
Jin-sung Kim ◽  
Hak-ju Lee ◽  
Young-Min Lee ◽  
Hyung-Geun Kim

Modular construction, which involves factory-based modular unit manufacturing followed by installation at a construction site, has been recognized as one of the sustainable construction methods. Its advantages are known to be implemented through (1) standardized design, (2) standardized production method, and (3) large-scale development (mass production system). These three conditions are basic requirements for modular construction market expansion, but it is difficult to define that these conditions are a prerequisite for judging whether modular construction applied or not. Nevertheless, public development companies in regions or countries where modular construction has just begun thought that modular construction should meet all three conditions that are suitable for applying public construction projects. This is because it is difficult to compare conventional construction projects with similar conditions to modular construction projects. This paper analyzes the cost and duration data of three small-scale public construction rental housing (PCRH) projects involving modular construction in Korea. These cases presented herein include a public college student dormitory, public low-rise rental housing, and public mid-rise rental housing in small-scale development projects. Those were applied not standardized design (common design and regulation), but were reflected in each project’s demands (different design and regulation). To compare it, this paper analyzed 91 public housing provision projects’ construction data from 2011 to 2017 from one of the public rental housing provision companies in Korea. Among them, 19 small-scale public rental housing data were extracted for comparing with modular construction project data. The results show that, even if not standardized, the design and production process, and modular construction durations, were more effective—but costs were similar or expensive. Based on the conclusion drawn from three cases, this paper presents important considerations for the application of modular construction in other small-scale public construction rental housing projects from the perspective of public development companies.


Author(s):  
Warren Brown ◽  
Geoff Evans ◽  
Lorna Carpenter

Over the course of the past 20 years, methods have been developed for assessing the probability and root cause of bolted joint leakage based on sound engineering assessment techniques. Those methods were incorporated, in part, into ASME PCC-1-2010 Appendix O [7] and provide the only published standard method for establishing bolted joint assembly bolt load. As detailed in previous papers, the method can also be used for troubleshooting joint leakage. This paper addresses a series of actual joint leakage cases, outlines the analysis performed to determine root cause of failure and the actions taken to successfully eliminate future incidents of failure (lessons learned).


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