scholarly journals Horizontal Drilling: Regulatory and Contractual Implications

1992 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 272
Author(s):  
R. E. Pelzer ◽  
R. A. Lehodey
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Horizontal Drilling ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Legal Implications ◽  
Natural Gas Industry ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
The Common

Recent technological developments have allowed the petroleum and natural gas industry to drill horizontal wells on a cost-effective basis. Although the technology is still relatively new in Canada, it has potentially significant benefits to the industry, including greater flow rates per well and greater ultimate recovery of petroleum substances. It has been estimated that by 1995 there may be as many as 450 horizontal wells drilled in Alberta per year. The implications of horizontal drilling are that the current regulatory schemes and certain of the common agreements utilized in the industry do not readily accommodate it. The authors discuss some of the legal implications raised by the new technology and examine problems with the current regulatory schemes and certain industry agreements.

Evolution of Completion Techniques in the Lower Shaunavon Tight Oil Play in Southwestern Saskatchewan

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Schlosser ◽  
M.. Johe ◽  
T.. Humphreys ◽  
C.. Lundberg ◽  
J. L. McNichol
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Point Energy ◽  
Horizontal Drilling ◽  
Oil Reserves ◽  
Coiled Tubing ◽  
Open Hole

Abstract The Oil and Gas industry has explored and developed the Lower Shaunavon formation through vertical drilling and completion technology. In 2006, previously uneconomic oil reserves in the Lower Shaunavon were unlocked through horizontal drilling and completions technologies. This success is similar to the developments seen in many other formations within the Williston Basin and Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin including Crescent Point Energy's Viewfield Bakken play in southeast Saskatchewan. In the Lower Shaunavon play, the horizontal multistage completion era began in 2006, with horizontal divisions of four to six completion stages per well that utilized ball-drop sleeves and open-hole packers. By 2010, the stage count capabilities of ball-drop systems had increased and liners with nine to 16 stages per well were being run. With an acquisition in 2009, Crescent Point Energy began operating in the Lower Shaunavon area. The acquisition was part of the company's strategy to acquire large oil-in-place resource plays. Recognizing the importance that technology brings to these plays, Crescent Point Energy has continuously developed and implemented new technology. In 2009, realizing the success of coiled tubing fractured cemented liners in the southeast Saskatchewan Viewfield Bakken play, Crescent Point Energy trialed their first cemented liners in the Lower Shaunavon formation. At the same time, technology progressed with advancements in completion strategies that were focused on fracture fluids, fracture stages, tool development, pump rates, hydraulic horsepower, environmental impact, water management, and production. In 2013, another step change in technology saw the implementation of coiled tubing activated fracture sleeves in cemented liner completions. Based on field trials and well results in Q4 2013, Crescent Point Energy committed to a full cemented liner program in the Lower Shaunavon. This paper presents the evolution of Crescent Point Energy's Lower Shaunavon resource play of southwest Saskatchewan. The benefits of current completion techniques are: reductions in water use, increased production, competitive well costs, and retained wellbore functionality for potential re-fracture and waterflooding programs.

The Essence of Horizontal Drilling Challenges in Depleted Reservoirs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rida Mohamed Elgaddafi ◽  
Victor Soriano ◽  
Ramadan Ahmed ◽  
Samuel Osisanya
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Horizontal Well ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Stability Loss ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Planning Stage ◽  
Horizontal Drilling ◽  
Infill Drilling ◽  
Drilling Operations

Abstract Horizontal well technology is one of the major improvements in reservoir stimulation. Planning and execution are the key elements to drill horizontal wells successfully, especially through depleted formations. As the reservoir has been producing for a long time, pore pressure declines, resulting in weakening hydrocarbon-bearing rocks. Drilling issues such as wellbore stability, loss circulation, differential sticking, formation damage remarkably influenced by the pore pressure decline, increasing the risk of losing part or even all the horizontal interval. This paper presents an extensive review of the potential issues and solutions associated with drilling horizontal wells in depleted reservoirs. After giving an overview of the depleted reservoir characteristics, the paper systematically addresses the major challenges that influence drilling operations in depleted reservoirs and suggests solutions to avoid uncontrolled risks. Then, the paper evaluates several real infill drilling operations through depleted reservoirs, which were drilled in different oilfields. The economic aspect associated with potential risks for drilling a horizontal well in depleted reservoirs is also discussed. The most updated research and development findings for infill drilling are summarized in the article. It is recommended to use wellbore strengthening techniques while drilling a horizontal well through highly depleted formations. This will allow using higher mud weight to control unstable shales while drilling through the production zone. Managed Pressure Drilling should be considered as the last option for highly depleted formations because it will require a greater level of investment which is not going to have a superior rate of return due to the lack of high deliverability of the reservoir. Using rotary steerable systems is favored to reduce risks related to drilling through depleted formations. Precise analysis of different drilling programs allows the drilling team to introduce new technology to reduce cost, improve drilling efficiency and maximize profit. It is the responsibility of the drilling engineer to evaluate different scenarios with all the precautions needed during the planning stage to avoid unexpected issues. The present market conditions and the advancement in technologies for drilling horizontal wells increase the feasibility of producing the depleted reservoirs economically. This paper highlights the challenges in drilling horizontal wells in highly depleted reservoirs and provides means for successfully drilling those wells to reduce risks while drilling

Matching odour treatment processes to odour sources

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jeavons ◽  
P. Hodgson ◽  
J. Upton
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Control Technology ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Odour Control ◽  
Technology Processes

Severn Trent Water Ltd. has reviewed the performance of its existing odour control technology and conducted trials with new technology. Processes were then selected for a costing exercise for air flow rates and odour concentrations typically found at sewage treatment works. The most cost effective processes for various applications are outlined.

scholarly journals Developments in Natural Gas Purchase Contracts

1984 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
J. Jay Park
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Legal Implications ◽  
Natural Gas Industry

This paper examines some of the legal implications resulting from developments in the natural gas industry with particular emphasis an take-or-pay provisions of gas purchase contracts and the proliferation of discount buyers of natural gas.

Pipeline Purging Principles and Practice

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Johnson ◽  
Steven J. Svedeman ◽  
Christopher A. Kuhl ◽  
John G. Gregor ◽  
Alan K. Lambeth
Keyword(s):  
Computer Software ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Mixing Parameters ◽  
Natural Gas Industry ◽  
Scientific Principles ◽  
Routine Basis ◽  
Gas Purging ◽  
Model Computer ◽  
Transmission And Distribution

Gas purging, a process of displacing one gas by another gas, occurs on a routine basis in the natural gas industry when pipelines are purged into and out of service. In a project sponsored by the Gas Research Institute and in cooperation with the American Gas Association (A.G.A.) the purging practices as outlined in the A.G.A.’s Purging Principles and Practices manual are being reviewed because many of today’s pipeline purging operations occur under conditions not addressed directly in the manual. The program focus is on the purging procedures outlined in Chapter 8 of the manual entitled Gas Transmission and Distribution Pipes. The technical objective of the project is to develop an understanding of the scientific principles upon which safe, practical purging practices can be based. Direct displacement and inert gas slug purging operations are explained in terms of dispersion and mixing parameters and their relationship to the gas velocity. Field data is compared to the results of an analytical mixing model. Computer software for planning safe and cost effective pipeline purges has been developed. Finally, recommendations for revising Chapter 8 of the A.G.A. manual are presented.

Computation of Turbulent Flows in Natural Gas Pipes with Different Rectifiers

2012 ◽  
Vol 455-456 ◽  
pp. 344-350
Author(s):  
Z.H. Xiong ◽  
Zhen Lin Li
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
The Future ◽  
Natural Gas Industry ◽  
The Common

With the development of natural gas industry, improving the accuracy of the flowmeter systems is becoming the common concerned problem both corporations and customers. Many experiments demonstrate that the different flow field structures in pipes with diverse baffle installations have great influence on the measure accuracy of flowmeters. In order to measure the flux in pipes more accurate, the flowmeters must be installed downstream the baffles far away so that the irregular flows induced by baffles have less influence on the flowmeters. However, the installation lengths downstream baffles for flowmeters in ISO are are usually much longer than the allowable lengths for the local flowmeters. To decrease the installation lengths and loss measure accuracy of flowmeters as little as possible, it is necessary to study the flows in pipes with baffles. CFD is a good tool for the study. Here, the flows in a diffusive pipe with various rectifiers are computed as examples. The lengths of the irregular flows induced by the diffuser and rectifier are shown. By analyzing and comparison the numerical results, the installation lengths for flowmeters and the rectification of the different rectifiers are confirmed. The study conclusions will be very useful for guiding the local flowmeter selection and installation in the future.

The Use of Horizontal Drilling in International Exploration

1992 ◽  
Vol 10 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 230-245
Author(s):  
A.C. Bagnall ◽  
J.B. Blanche
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
South Texas ◽  
Horizontal Drilling ◽  
Reservoir Rocks ◽  
Multiple Orders ◽  
Drilling Technology ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Exploration Tool ◽  
Clastic Reservoirs

Internationally (outside the USA) more than 300 horizontal wells were drilled in 1991. Horizontal well reservoir targets generally consist of a preponderance of clastic reservoirs over carbonates in the ratio of approximately 60% to 40%. The concept of using horizontal wells as an exploration tool can be defined as a means not only of proving new reserves in undrilled plays, but as a means of re-exploring previously drilled and poorly productive terrains. The Austin Chalk play in South Texas is the prime example of this concept in action. Exploration in this case can be defined as the adding of multiple orders of additional reserves value. International basin selection criteria are discussed which can optimise the chances of finding high value additional reserves in the initial stages of an exploration campaign by using horizontal drilling (with the important help of previous subsurface coverage or pilot drilling). These criteria include the presence of self sourcing carbonate reservoirs, the presence and predictability of regional fracturing, the mechanical properties of the reservoir rocks, the presence of significant original oil or gas-in-place and the reservoir depth criteria in which horizontal drilling technology is practicable and cost-effective.

Pipeline Purging Principles and Practice

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Johnson ◽  
S. J. Svedeman ◽  
C. A. Kuhl ◽  
J. G. Gregor ◽  
A. K. Lambeth
Keyword(s):  
Computer Software ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Mixing Parameters ◽  
Natural Gas Industry ◽  
Scientific Principles ◽  
Routine Basis ◽  
Gas Purging ◽  
Model Computer ◽  
Transmission And Distribution

Gas purging, a process of displacing one gas by another gas, occurs on a routine basis in the natural gas industry when pipelines are purged into and out of service. In a project sponsored by the Gas Research Institute and in cooperation with the American Gas Association (A.G.A.), the purging practices as outlined in the A.G.A.’s Purging Principles and Practices manual were reviewed because many of today’s pipeline purging operations occur under conditions not addressed directly in the manual. The program focus is on the purging procedures outlined in Chapter 8 of the manual entitled “Gas Transmission and Distribution Pipes.” The technical objective of the Project was to develop an understanding of the scientific principles upon which safe, practical purging practices can be based. Direct displacement and inert gas slug purging operations are explained in terms of dispersion and mixing parameters and their relationship to the gas velocity. Field data compared to the results of an analytical mixing model. Computer software for planning safe and cost-effective pipeline purges has been developed. Finally, recommendations for revising Chapter 8 of the A.G.A. manual are presented.

Teletinnitus Program at the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Constance Hilory Tomberlin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Care System

There are a multitude of reasons that a teletinnitus program can be beneficial, not only to the patients, but also within the hospital and audiology department. The ability to use technology for the purpose of tinnitus management allows for improved appointment access for all patients, especially those who live at a distance, has been shown to be more cost effective when the patients travel is otherwise monetarily compensated, and allows for multiple patient's to be seen in the same time slots, allowing for greater access to the clinic for the patients wishing to be seen in-house. There is also the patient's excitement in being part of a new technology-based program. The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) saw the potential benefits of incorporating a teletinnitus program and began implementation in 2013. There were a few hurdles to work through during the beginning organizational process and the initial execution of the program. Since the establishment of the Teletinnitus program, the GCVHCS has seen an enhancement in patient care, reduction in travel compensation, improvement in clinic utilization, clinic availability, the genuine excitement of the use of a new healthcare media amongst staff and patients, and overall patient satisfaction.

Finding Fault with the Nexus Pipeline? Agency Capture and the Public Good

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Kear
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Public Good ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Environmental Impact Statement ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
The Public ◽  
Fracturing Process ◽  
Natural Gas Industry ◽  
Regulatory Commission

Natural gas is an increasingly vital U.S. energy source that is presently being tapped and transported across state and international boundaries. Controversy engulfs natural gas, from the hydraulic fracturing process used to liberate it from massive, gas-laden Appalachian shale deposits, to the permitting and construction of new interstate pipelines bringing it to markets. This case explores the controversy flowing from the proposed 256-mile-long interstate Nexus pipeline transecting northern Ohio, southeastern Michigan and terminating at the Dawn Hub in Ontario, Canada. As the lead agency regulating and permitting interstate pipelines, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is also tasked with mitigating environmental risks through the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act's Environmental Impact Statement process. Pipeline opponents assert that a captured federal agency ignores public and scientific input, inadequately addresses public health and safety risks, preempts local control, and wields eminent domain powers at the expense of landowners, cities, and everyone in the pipeline path. Proponents counter that pipelines are the safest means of transporting domestically abundant, cleaner burning, affordable gas to markets that will boost local and regional economies and serve the public good. Debates over what constitutes the public good are only one set in a long list of contentious issues including pipeline safety, proposed routes, property rights, public voice, and questions over the scientific and democratic validity of the Environmental Impact Statement process. The Nexus pipeline provides a sobering example that simple energy policy solutions and compromise are elusive—effectively fueling greater conflict as the natural gas industry booms.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document