1.

Planning
Depth Referencing
This article describes the various depth references used for drilling onshore and
offshore wells: Reference Datum, Chart Datum (CD), Mean Sea Level (MSL), High
Tide (HT), Low Tide (LT), Water Level (WL), Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT), Depth
Subsea (SS)

Reference Datum
For operations involving a rig, either onshore or offshore, all depths (either along
hole or true vertical) are referred to the drill floor of the rig which initially drilled the
well (original drill floor).
These depths below drill floor (BDF) measured from the rotary table Kelly bushings
(RTKB) are in turn referred to a universal datum, the Chart Datum (CD), for the local
area.
Note: For onshore operations, the reference point for depth is the mean sea level
(MSL) and the rotary table Kelly bushings (RTKB).

Chart Datum (CD)

CD is a constant reference datum which has the following features:
It is a fixed datum
The actual level of the water (A) will not normally fall below it. The height of the sea
surface above CD at a particular time of the day is published in Tide Tables for the
local area.
It is the reference for water depth on a chart (B).

The height of Mean Sea Level (MSL) above CD is usually known (C)

Mean Sea Level (MSL)

The overall average level of the sea calculated over a period of time for the local
area. The height of MSL is fixed distance above CD.

High Tide (HT), Low Tide (LT)

Daily extreme water levels during High Tide and Low Tide respectively. Heights and
times of HT and LT vary daily.

Water Level (WL)

The Level of the sea surface at any instant.

Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT)

The lowest level which can be predicted to occur under average meteorological
conditions under any combination of astronomical conditions. It can only be
obtained properly by studying tidal predictions covering, ideally, 19 years.

Depth Subsea (SS)

The vertical depth, usually to a specific formation or target of a deviated well,
measured from MSL.

Tide Tables
For offshore operations the Drilling Supervisor shall ensure that the correct Tide
Tables are available on the rig. Tide Tables are predictions and may not be accurate
because of local environmental conditions e.g. changes in atmospheric pressure and
surges caused by conditions outside the immediate area. Marine department may
be consulted if additional guidance is required.

Well Depth References

On a new well, depths shall be recorded in feet Below Drill Floor (BDF) measured
from rotary table Kelly bushings (RTKB). The datum shall be mean sea level (MSL).
On a side track or workover well depths shall be recorded in feet Below Drill Floor
(BDF) but shall also be referenced to the "Original" rig drill floor elevation.

Reservoir Depth Reporting

For reservoir engineering purposes the depths shall be reported below MSL or
subsea (SS).

Offshore Existing Structures

In the case of an existing structure, the elevation of a marker e.g. the top of the skid
beam, above MSL shall be obtained from the Engineering Department before the rig
arrives on location and shall be noted in the Drilling Programme. The distance to
the actual water level (D) plus the tide correction to MSL shall be added to (C) to
obtain RTKB above CD.

RTKB above CD = D + tide correction + C

Offshore Single Well (Open Location)

The RTKB height above CD shall be established by measuring the distance from the
Drill Floor (DF) to the actual water level (D) and adding including the tide correction.
The air gap (D) shall be determined by the Drilling Contractor Toolpusher and
verified by the Drilling Supervisor.
RTKB above MSL = D + tide correction
During the rig move a Marine representative will be on board to establish the exact
location. He shall be advised of the agreed DFE prior to his departure from the rig.

Land Locations
The land elevation above MSL shall be provided by Petroleum Engineering and shall
be noted in the drilling programme.
For individual wells the depths are referenced to RTKB.

Drillpipe and Bottom Hole Assembly Standards

This article describes the standards for Drillpipe and Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA).

Pipe Tally Requirements

Master Drillpipe Tally Book

The master drill pipe tally book shall be kept by the Driller in the dog-house
and in the Tool Pusher office. This is to be updated every tour.
Both the drill pipe single and stand columns shall be totaled vertically and
compared to the cumulative total.
When the totals show no discrepancy, the column is to be initialed by the
driller on tour.
The Contractor Toolpusher will make a daily check and also initial the totals.
When drilling or reaming, connection depths shall be written on the
Geolograph record at the time of the connection.
The Contractor toolpusher shall make a physical check of the total drill pipe
on hand daily.
Drill pipe checks shall be made at each trip before and after reaching casing
depths.
Each individual drilling tally assembly item shall be annotated.
All drill pipe RIH to be drifted as per API.

Drillpipe

The Drilling Supervisor is responsible to ensure the following points:

Any new pipe (including HWDP) must be checked and formally
accepted/rejected against contract requirements.
The hard facing must comply with requirements and be in an acceptable
condition.
The drillpipe must, as a minimum, meet premium specifications.

Bottom Hole Assemblies

The submerged BHA weight is the weight of the drill collars only. When a jar is
included in the string it is the submerged weight of the drill collars below the
jar.
The Heavy Weight Drillpipe is not included in the weight of the BHA, unless a
minimal assembly is used where the HWDP is planned to apply the weight on
bit.
The attached BHAs are recommendations and the Drilling Supervisor should
use his own judgement to determine the correct number of drill collars.
Do not install a stabilizer next to a crossover. (The cause of most failures of
crossovers and stabilizer connections is misalignment of the tooljoints).
Stabilizers with eccentricity between the connections and the blade OD will
also suffer early fatigue failure.
When PDC bits are run, a shock sub should not be included in the BHA but a
drilling jar should be included.
Avoid in general the use of too many connections next to each other.
(Homogenous load distribution to be considered)
Do not run more DCs than required.
Do not run a jar as standard, but only if required. (Jar, if required, to be
installed at optimum position, i.e. one DC between jar and HWDP).
No safety joints shall be run in drilling assembly
Shock subs are more flexible than DCs, especially 6 in: and smaller sizes.
Do not run a different assembly on a check trip during logging or prior to
running casing than the one used for drilling.
Do not run stabilizers, which are more than in under gauge as one of the
bottom three stabs in a packed hole assembly.
Do not change assemblies halfway. Time consuming reaming results in
deteriorating hole conditions with a risk of sticking the assembly
mechanically.
Ensure that all assembly items have the required bore back and stress relief
grooves prior to use.

Weight on Bit
The Maximum WOB is 75% - 90% of the submerged BHA weight.
Limit WOB to 75% when drilling is rough.
Increase WOB to 90% when drilling is smooth.

Sequence of Operations - Typical

Offshore Well
Operations

General Practices

1. Conductors at jacket level

Ensure cap not dropped into conductor

Ensure that no loose items or junk on bottom
Check that conductor not crimped
Mark conductor with red paint in case
conductor sinks during production
Take extreme care when POOH in case
bit/stabilizers hook up on bottom of conductor
Remove cap prior to operations
Diver required to guide bit into conductor
As above
Ensure 1 000 bbl. of spud mud mixed and
available
Enough chemicals to drill 36in hole sector on
board
30in casing is on board
Divers on board as required
Position rig
Jack up and level
30in conductor driven to refusal (+/- 25m)

2. Conductors below seabed

3. Prior to Drilling Operations

4. Position rig
5. 30in conductor (multi-well
jackets only)
6. Drill 36in hole (exploration
wells only)

7. Run and cement 30in casing

(exploration wells only)

8. Drill 26in hole

Drill surface hole with 26in bit and 36in hole

opener
Use seawater with viscous pills
Survey as required
Control drilling rate
Run TOTCO survey and confirm less than 0.5
degree inclination
Measure, drift and number
casing. Clean/inspect threads
Thread lock guide shoe and float collar
Make up shoe track, check float equipment
with water
Run centralizer as per Drilling Programme
Sting into shoe with drill pipe and cement
casing.
Prepare to perform top job with stinger if no
cement returns
WOC minimum 4 hours
Divers to cut window in 30in conductor
Drill 26in hole to depth specified in Drilling
Programme

9. Run and cement 20in casing

10. Drill 17.1/2in/16in hole

11. Run and cement 13.3/8in

casing

12. Drill 12.1/4in hole

Use seawater with viscous pills

Pump at 1 200 gpm or greater
Survey as required
Sweep hole and spot 100 bbls viscous pill on
bottom
Take TOTCO survey at section TD
Measure, drift and number
casing. Clean/inspect threads
Thread lock guide shoe and float collar
Make up and check stab in float equipment
with water
Run centralizer as per Drilling Programme
Cement casing and bump plug. Pressure test
casing against plug
Prepare to perform top up job with stinger if
no cement returns (Divers to observe cement
returns)
WOC minimum 4 hours
Run diverter and pressure test (As in
programme)
Rig up and function test diverter
Drill 17.1/2in/16in hole depth specified in
Drilling Programme
Use seawater with viscous pills
Pump at 1 200 gpm
Survey as required
Sweep hole clean and spot 300 bbls viscous
pill on bottom
Measure, drift and number
casing. Clean/inspect threads
Thread lock guide shoe and float collar
Make up shoe track, check float equipment
with water
Run centralizers as per Drilling Programme
Install ECP or MSIPC if required
Cement casing and bump plug. Pressure test
casing against plug
Prepare to perform top up job with stinger if
no cement returns
WOC minimum 4 hours
Lift riser and install 20.3/4in x 13.3/8in backoff seal assembly
Nipple down diverter
Install 13.5/8in x 5 000 psi casing head
housing
Nipple up 13.5/8in BOP stack and pressure
test as per Company standards (500/5000 psi)
Pressure test casing to 2500 psi
Circulate well to low solid non dispersed mud

13. Run and cement 9.5/8in

casing

14. Drill 8.1/2in hole

15. Log 8.1/2in hole

Drill out 13.3/8in shoetrack

Drill 10 feet of new formation and perform
formation integrity test limited to 0.65 psi/ft.
gradient
Drill 12.1/4in hole to depth specified in
Drilling Programme
Pump at 800 gpm or as per motor
requirements
Survey as required
Run intermediate logs if required
Remove wear bushing
Measure, drift and number
casing. Clean/inspect threads
Thread lock guide shoe and float collar
Make up shoe track, check float equipment
with water
Install MSIPC as needed
Run centralizers as per Drilling Programme
Cement casing and bump plug. Pressure test
casing against plug
Prepare to perform top up job with stinger if
no cement returns
WOC minimum 4 hours
During cementing operations, rotate and
reciprocate casing (not possible in highly
deviated wells)
Lift BOP and install 13.5/8in x 11in 5 000 psi
tubing head spool
Reinstall BOP stack and test same to 500/5
000 psi
Install wear bushing
Pressure test casing to 3500 psi
Circulate well to non-damaging polymer mud
Drill 10 feet of new formation and perform
formation integrity test limited to 0.65 psi/ft.
gradient
Drill 8.1/2in hole through reservoir sections to
depth specified in Drilling Programme
Pump at 400 gpm or as per motor
requirements
Survey as required
Run open hole logs specified in Drilling
Programme
Borehole must be smooth, clean and
conditioned for logging
Confirm availability of fishing equipment for
all logging tools
Loggers to safely secure/locate
explosives/radioactive sources

16. Perform drill stem test

subject to log results according
to testing programme
(exploration wells only).

17. Run and cement production

casing/liner subject to drill stem
tests and logs

18. Completion and clean up

19. Suspend or abandon

Wiper trip to TD, circulate condition mud

Retrieve wear bushing
Circulate/condition the hole prior to running
open hole DST
Measure and record all tools, prepare/issue
running list
Include a pup joint for correlation; run log
before setting packers - if required
Rig up, make secure and pressure all test
lines
Fill annulus prior to opening test tool,
thereafter monitor level
Drilling Supervisor to be present during all
setting/opening/recovery and unseating/POOH
with DST tools; tests will not start in darkness
Well is to be monitored for swabbing;
continuous fill-up is NOT permissible while
POOH
Follow reverse-out procedures to ensure
optimum recovery
Run 5.1/2in/7in casing
Measure, drift and number casing,
clean/inspect threads
Conditioning trip, spot a 40 bbl. Hi-Vis pill (70
FV)
Change bottom rams to casing rams and
pressure test
Thread lock float shoe and float collar
Make up shoe track, check float equipment
with water
Centralizers as per Drilling Programme
Pup joint will be located above of each pay
zone if available
Mud left in annulus after cementing will be
treated with Biocide
Preflush brine will be equivalent density to
mud; treat with SAPP and Biocide
Run completion as per Programme
Perforate according to log analysis
Clean up well until BS&W<1%
Flow well
Suspend for completion by Petroleum
Engineering
Submit notice of Intention to Abandon
including proposed plug intervals to operations
Isolate all permeable zones with 200 ft. of
cement above/below each zone. Casing; 70 ft.
above/100 ft. below shoe
Ensure isolation between producing

formations

Final / End of Well Report

General information
Well and rig summary information plus the date that the well was spudded and
abandoned / suspended / handed over to Production.
Well schematic showing final well status.
Time vs Depth graph, showing planned vs actual performance.
Final cost breakdown showing planned vs actual costs by category.
A summary of good points from drilling the well.
A summary of areas of concern or problems encountered while drilling the well.

Drilling Operations
Description by hole section (text); use the Drilling Supervisors Daily Diary notes as
the basis along with daily drilling reports etc. Write out a description of events.
Note especially information on how best to drill each formation encountered; include
suggested bits, parameters, mud properties, drilling practices etc.
Bit performance analysis; planned vs actual performance, constraints on bit
performance, notes on how the bit & BHA selection and parameters could be
improved.
Mud performance analysis. Show planned vs actual performance, problems
encountered (especially borehole stability related), how these problems were
handled, suggestions for improvements on the next well.
Casing and cementing performance analysis. Discuss problems encountered,
comment also where performance was good.
Specific problem areas; fishing jobs, other remedial work, kicks etc.
Other items not covered by the above areas.
Conclusions and Recommendations. How time could be saved, problems avoided or
reduced, anything to improve performance next time.

Rig; Personnel, Equipment, Procedures and

Contract
Factors affecting drilling performance (related to personnel, equipment, drilling
programme, procedures or rig contract).

Solids control equipment performance analysis.

Conclusions and Recommendations.

Logistics
Equipment lists as shown in the Drilling Programme; show any deficiencies in these
lists. (i.e. update for future reference)
Highlight any problems regarding vessels, helicopters, road transport etc.
Conclusions and Recommendations.

Service Companies
Problems with equipment, personnel, procedures or contracts.
Conclusions and Recommendations.

Geological Results
Prognosed vs Actual lithology encountered.
Conclusions and Recommendations.

General
Communications and Computers.
Anything else not covered above.
Conclusions and Recommendations.

Appendices
Directional surveys and well plots.
Bit record.
Casing and cementing reports.
Formation Integrity Test reports.
Print off showing pore pressures, fracture gradients, mud densities and overburden
gradient against depth. (E.g. Sperry Sun PPFG printout)
Hole Section Summaries showing this well and offset wells for comparison (refer
Drilling Manual on CD).
Copy of the Drilling Programme, Technical Justification and Amendments to the
Drilling Programme
List of personnel who supervised planning, drilling and evaluating the well.

Drilling Standards

This article describes the basic Drilling Standards.

The Drilling Department shall deliver a fit for purpose wellbore, the criteria of
which are:
attainment of the required bottom hole position
meet the planned trajectory without excessive dogleg security
penetrate the reservoir without formation impairment
provide hole conditions that allow attainment of high quality logs, RFT data,
cores, cuttings etc.
drill the well without injury to personnel or damage to the environment.

Depth Referencing
All depths (either along hole or true vertical or plug back /packer) must be
referenced to the original Rotary Table Kelly Bushings (RTKB) of the rig which initially
drilled the well (original derrick floor). Mean sea level and sea bed must also be
reported.
On new wells, depths shall be recorded in feet below RTKB. On a sidetrack well
depths shall similarly be recorded in feet below RTKB but shall also be referenced to
the original rig drill floor elevation. Sidetrack wells are to be named as WELLNAME
(Mother bore), WELLNAME-A (sidetrack 1), WELLNAME-B (sidetrack 2), etc.

Chemical Stocks
A sufficient quantity of mud and chemical stocks shall be available at the well site to
drill the well or a portion of the well. Stocks of Barite/CaCO3/Salt shall be available
to weigh up the mud in emergencies.

Drilling Equipment Requirements and Inspections

Responsibilities
The Drilling Supervisor shall ensure that all standard requirements for availability
and management of equipment are adhered to in accordance with the Drilling
Contractors and third party contracts, prior to the commencement of drilling
activities and at all times the drilling activities are in progress.

Surface Equipment
Rig surface equipment requirements will be covered in the Drilling Contractors
contract. All rig floor gauges, recorders and alarms shall be functioning properly.
Inspection of drilling lifting equipment shall be performed prior to commencement
of all wells and inspected every six months.

Downhole Equipment

The provision of downhole drilling equipment will be covered by the relevant

contracts between the Company and the Drilling contractor, and the Service
Companies providing services not covered by the Drilling Contract. Operating daily
rate and standby rate shall be specified if not already covered in the Drilling
Contract.

Pressure Control Equipment

All pressure control equipment shall comply with API 53.

Kick Detection and Well Monitoring Equipment

All kick detection and well monitoring equipment shall be available and fitted on the
rig as per the Drilling Contract. Mud logging units are to be pressurized.
All detection and monitoring equipment shall be fully operational. Fire and H2S drills
are to be conducted weekly and reported.

Well Control Philosophy

At no time shall the hydrostatic pressure be less than the formation pressure. A
minimum overbalance of 75 psi for oil wells and 150 psi for gas wells shall be
maintained.
In the event of a kick, the normal method employed to kill the well during drilling
shall be the wait and weight method. But if there is no string in the hole the
volumetric method or bull heading will be conducted and if the kick occurs in the
horizontal section, the Drillers method will be used.
For horizontal wells the normal method to kill the well is by the Drillers method.

Drilling Programme - Preparation and

Content

Responsibilities for preparation, approval and content of the drilling programme.

Drilling Programme are the approved instructions for carrying out activities and
tasks which are required to achieve the objectives of the drilling process. Before
commencing drilling operations, an approved signed copy of the Drilling Programme
must be available on the rig site.

Responsibilities
The Drilling Supervisor and Operations Engineer shall ensure that:
there are no anomalies in the programme
all technical and safety issues are addressed
all personnel at the rig site involved with the programme clearly understand
their duties and responsibilities.
While activities and tasks related to the drilling progress are ongoing, it is the
responsibility of the Drilling Supervisor to ensure that there is no divergence from
the Drilling Programme unless a revision has been approved in accordance with the
Drilling Programme revision procedure.

Preparation and Approval

The Drilling and Completion Programme are prepared by the Operations Engineer
and must be signed by the following personnel before they are considered approved
for implementation:
Operations Engineer for the well
Senior Operations Engineer
Drilling Superintendent
Drilling Manager
Reservoir and Petroleum Engineering Manager
The Drilling Programme must be available for signature at least two weeks before
the spud date, depending on the availability of the datasheet from petroleum
engineering department.

Content of the drilling programme

The Drilling Manager shall ensure that the following subjects have been addressed
in the Drilling Programme:
Well objective(s) and target(s)
Well datum level
Expected TD
Time versus depth graph (as applicable)
Conductor co-ordinates (as applicable) and offset co-ordinates
Water depth (for offshore wells)
Non-standard operations
Potentially hazardous operations (over pressures, shallow gas, collision risk,
possible H2S, expected lost circulation zones, unusual casing string weights,
etc.)
Offset well data
Expected pressures with depth versus pressure prognosis chart and table
Leak off test requirements
Hole deviation and survey requirements (as applicable)
Milling operation
Batch drilling
Target tolerance (as applicable)
Diverter / BOP requirements and test pressures for each hole section
Bit Programme
Hydraulics
Well Control Procedures
Wellhead specifications
Casing programme
Mud programme (as applicable)
Cementing programme (as applicable)

Logging programme (as applicable)

Formation characteristics and depths of expected hydrocarbons
Evaluation programme (if applicable)
Simultaneous Drilling and production operations (for offshore operations if
applicable)
Rig move (for offshore operations)
Rig move plan for onshore operations
Suspension of operation
Hand over form

Sequence of Operations - Typical

Onshore Well

This article describes the sequence of operations and the general practices for a
typical onshore well.
Operations
1. Prepare access road and
well lease

2. Construct cellar and install

conductor

3. Pre-spud meeting, rig

mobilization and spud well

4. Drill 26in Surface Hole

General Practices
Minimize environmental impact due to
survey/construction
- Prepare environmental report and map
- Obtain final survey of Lat./Long/Evaluation
- Avoid natural drainage routes, significant
topographical disruption. Early contractor site
inspection
Arrange timely water supply (well/logistics)
Cellar dimensions are rig-specific
Stove Pipe depth; minimum 6ft.
Drilling Contractor will install stove pipe.
Ensure conductor is vertical, stove pipe flange is
level;
use spirit level to confirm
Pre-spud topics: target zones, geology, drilling,
electric logging, DSTs (field safety/pre-spud
meeting also held)
Follow Drilling Contractor rig move procedures
Communications between vehicles and sites
required at all times
Rig-down and rig-up camp the same day if possible
Sheaves and travelling block to be inspected during
move
Rathole/mousehole to be drilled while WOC
(conductor)
Drill 26in hole to depth specified in Drilling
Programme
Drill using water with viscous pills
If circulation is lost drill blind
Ensure hole is cleaned regularly

5. Run and Cement 20in

conductor

6. Drill 17.1/2 in Hole

7. Run and Cement 13.3/8in

Conductor

8. Drill 12.1/4 in hole interval

Take TOTCO surveys every 100 feet

Place Hi-Vis pill on bottom prior to running casing
Measure, drift and number casing. Clean/inspect
threads
Thread lock guide shoe and float collar
Make up shoe track, check float equipment with
water
Run centralizers as per Drilling Programme
Cement casing and bump plug. Pressure test
casing against plug
Prepare to perform top up job with stinger if no
cement returns
WOC minimum 4 hours
Clean out 20in conductor and drill out shoe with
slick
17.1/2 in assembly
Drill 17.1/2in hole to depth specified in Drilling
Programme
Drill using spud mud with viscous pills
If circulation is lost drill blind and pump 30 bbl. HiVis pills every third connection or as required
Ensure hole is cleaned regularly
Single shot surveys to be taken every 300 feet
Measure, drift and number casing. Clean/inspect
threads
Thread lock guide shoe and float collar (bottom
80ft)
Make up shoe track, check float equipment with
water
Run centralizers as per Drilling Programme
Cement casing while reciprocating and bump plug.
Pressure test casing against plug
If no cement returns, top up 20in x 13.3/8in annulus
WOC minimum 8 hours.
Install 13.3/8in x 13.5/8in casing head housing
N/U BOPs and test rams to 5 000 psi, hydrill to 1
500 psi
Install wear bushing
Drill out 13.3/8in shoe track and displace to water
based mud
Drill 10ft of new formation and perform a leak-off
test
Drill 12.1/4in hole to depth specified in Drilling
Programme
Conduct drill-off tests for optimum WOB
Surveys required as per Drilling Programme
Wiper trip at TD, spot a 150 bbl. Hi-Vis pill (70 FV)
Retrieve wear bushing

9. Run and cement 9.5/8in

casing

Measure, drift and number casing, clean/inspect

threads
Thread lock guide shoe and float collar (bottom
80ft)
Make up shoe track, check float equipment with
water
Centralizers as per Drilling Programme
Use both top and bottom combination wiper plugs
Bump plug, hold 500 psi above displace pressure
15 minutes
WOC minimum 4 hours before slacking off casing or
until surface sample is hard
Collect water sample for testing production casing
cement
Remove BOP stack
Install 13.5/8in x 10.3/4 in casing slips, cut/dress
casing stub
Install 13.5/8in casing spool and test seals to 2 400
psi
10. Nipple-up and test BOP
Pressure test BOP equipment to Company
stack
standards
Rams to 5 000 psi and Hydrill to 3500 psi.
HP tests to 2 000 psi for 15 minutes; LP tests to 500
psi for 15 minutes or as detailed in Programme
Install wear bushing
11. 8.1/2in hole section
Drill out 9.5/8in shoe track with well water
Circulate well to non-damaging mud
Drill 10ft of new formation and perform formation
integrity test
Drill 8.1/2in hole to TD as specified in Drilling
Programme
Survey requirement as per Programme
Conduct drill-off tests on each bit for optimum WOB
Raise MW as required
12. Log 8.1/2in hole section
Run open hole logs specified in Drilling Programme
Borehole must be smooth, clean and conditioned
for logging
Confirm availability of fishing equipment for all
logging tools
Loggers to safely secure/locate
explosives/radioactive sources
Wiper trip to TD, circulate condition mud
Retrieve wear bushing
13. Perform Drill Stem Test
Circulate/condition the hole prior to running open
subject to log results, according hole DST
to Testing Programme
Measure and record all tools, prepare/issue running
list
Include a pup joint for correlation; run log before
setting packers - if required

14. Run and cement

production casing or liner,
subject to log results and
testing

15. Completion and Clean Up

16. Suspend or abandon the

well depending on results of
logs and well tests

Rig up, make secure and pressure test all test lines
Fill annulus prior to opening test tool, thereafter
monitor level
Drilling Supervisor to be present during all
setting/opening/recovery and unseating/POOH of
DST tools; tests will not start in darkness
Well is to be monitored for swabbing; continuous
fill-up is NOT permissible while POOH
Follow reverse-out procedures to ensure optimum
recovery
Run 5.1/2in/7in/7.5/8in casing or liner
Measure, drift and number casing, clean/inspect
threads
Conditioning trip, spot a 40 bbl. Hi-Vis pill (70 FV)
Change bottom rams to casing rams and pressure
test
Thread lock float shoe and float collar
Make up shoe track, check float equipment with
water
Centralizers as per Drilling Programme
Pup joint will be located above each pay zone if
available
Mud left in annulus after cementing will be treated
with Biocide
Pre-flush brine will be equivalent density to mud;
treat with SAPP and Biocide
Calculate cementing volumes using caliper values;
use top and bottom cement plugs
TOC to be 200 ft. above highest hydrocarbonbearing zone (minimum)
Displace with cement unit, using water (containing
corrosion inhibitor if specified). Reciprocate casing
until plug bumps
Hold pressure at 500 psi above displacement
pressure for 15 minutes
Confirm actual TOC with displacement pressure off
Drill out cement to shoe-track
Run bit and scraper to TD inside casing
Log CBL/USIT/GR for zonal isolation
Circulate well to clean filtered brine
Pressure test casing to 3 500 psi
Run completion as per Programme
Perforate well according to log analysis
Clean up well until BS&W<1%
Flow well
Suspend for completion by Production Department,
or/
Submit notice of Intention to Abandon including
proposed plug intervals to operations

17. Survey the well location

18. Restore the well location

Isolate all permeable zones with 200 ft. of cement

above/below each zone. Casing; 70 ft. above/100 ft.
below shoe
Ensure isolation between producing formations
Well location and elevation to be surveyed not later
than 6 months after well spud date
Site will be restored to original condition; access
roads left in useable/acceptable condition

Responsibilities during drilling

operations

Responsibilities during drilling operations (drilling supervisor, drilling contractor,

toolpusher, driller, drilling superintendent).

Drilling Supervisor
The Drilling Supervisor shall provide prior to any particular operation written
instructions to the Drilling Contractor Toolpusher and service personnel. These
instructions shall include but are not limited to:
general sequence of programme events
potential hazards
contingency procedures in the event of occurrence of identified potential
problems
drilling parameters to be used
safety and environmental issues.

Drilling Contractor
It is the responsibility of the Drilling Contractor to drill the well to the correct
programme specifications and to provide a wellbore that is fit for purpose, subject
to the terms of the contract.
The Drilling Contractor shall not compromise safety or well integrity in order to
reach the drilling objectives.

Toolpusher
The Drilling Supervisor shall approve and provide written instructions to the
Contractor Toolpusher prior to any particular operation.

Driller
The Drilling Contractor Driller, who is responsible for the rig crew, shall carry out the
drilling operations written instructions prepared by the Drilling Supervisor. He shall
ensure that drilling and associated operations are carried out with due regard to
optimum drilling, wellbore integrity and rig crew safety, e.g., pressure control and
crew personal safety.

Drilling Supervisor and Drilling Superintendent

The quality of work shall be monitored and controlled primarily by the Drilling
Supervisor, with support from the Head of Offshore / Onshore Operations, to ensure
that the well objectives are not compromised.
Meetings shall be held every morning with the well site personnel (Drilling
Supervisor, Contractor Tool Pusher, service personnel) to plan the operational
aspects relevant to:
safety issues
the forward programme
out of service equipment which may impact drilling operations
scheduling equipment/materials availability
weather forecast and supply boat/craft movement
The Drilling Supervisor shall ensure that he is informed immediately of any
significant deviation from normal operational conditions e.g. increasing levels of
over pull, increasing levels of back-ground gas, slow ROP, gain or loss, change in
direction parameters, abnormal formation, drop / rise in press. etc.
The Drilling Supervisor shall ensure that all key rig personnel are familiar with rig
equipment and standard drilling practices e.g. well control drills, flow checks. All key
personnel must be certified with updated well control, H2S and safety courses.

Well Planning Information Sheet

Well Planning Information Sheet, Well Datasheet, Well Design Information. This is
the list of information required by the drilling department to plan and design a well.
BLOCK / LICENCE
WELL NAME
WELL CLASSIFICATION
PARTNERS (with %'s)
COMMITMENTS/LICENCE CONSTRAINTS
Spud Date
Completion Date
Other Timing Constraints
Total Depth
PROPOSED SPUD DATE
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
Depth (feet or meters)
Referenced to (MSL, LAT)
TARGET LOCATION

Seismic line
Shot point
Coordinates UTM

Surface Location Accuracy

Water Depth
Site Survey

TARGET SIZE / BOUNDARIES

OBJECTIVES
Primary Objectives
Name
Lithology
Depth
Thickness
Type of Fluids
Gradient/Gravity
H2S / CO2 / Chlorides (ppm)
Target Tolerance
Hole angle constraints
Secondary Objectives
Name
Lithology
Depth
Thickness
Type of Fluids
Gradient/Gravity
H2S / CO2 / Chlorides (ppm)
Target Tolerance
Hole angle constraints
GEOLOGICAL SEQUENCE
Geological sequence showing range of possible interval thicknesses and
depths, and any uncertainties.
PRESSURE PROGNOSIS
Include actual reservoir pressure
Potential for overpressure
FORMATION STRENGTH PROGNOSIS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENT
FORMATION DIP
Dip angle and direction for all intervals
TOTAL DEPTH

Definition (e.g. 20 ft. into basement)

TD core required

CORING REQUIREMENTS
Coring Policy (on shows etc.)
Possible cored intervals
Estimated No. and thickness of cores
Restrictions on core size
Special requirements (oriented core, fiber glass inner barrels, low invasion
system, etc.)
SAMPLING REQUIREMENTS
ELECTRIC LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
Top Hole Section
Logs required
Optional logs
No. of runs
Estimated duration
Intermediate Hole Section
Logs required
Optional logs
No. of runs
Estimated duration
Reservoir Hole Section
Logs required
Optional logs
No. of runs
Estimated duration
Cased hole logging
Logs required
Estimated duration
-

Hole size restrictions / preferences

Constraints on drilling mud properties
Rathole required below last depth of interest
Log Data Transmission Requirements

VSP
-

REQUIREMENTS
Type of survey (VSP / check shot)
Estimated duration
Special requirements

TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Type of test

Testing Policy / Objectives

Hole / csg size restrictions / preferences
Est. No. and duration of tests (AFE)
Possible stimulation (acidize, frac)
Testing fluid
Drilling mud tracer requirements
Depth correlation markers in casing
Wellhead / Tree requirements
Flaring requirements
Rathole required below test interval

POTENTIAL DRILLING PROBLEMS

Surface gas (Shallow seismic)
Overpressure
High Temperatures
H2S & CO2
Hole stability (Reactive shales,)
Abrasive formations
Faulting
Hard stringers (chert, quartzite, etc.)
Restrictions on bit types (PDC)
DISCOVERY / APPRAISAL DRILLING
Sidetracking Option
Additional well(s)
Wellhead / Tree heights
Abandonment/Suspension Procedures
OFFSET WELLS
The following list is required (useful) for each offset well:
Mud logs
Composite logs
Pressure detection logs and tests
Drilling completion reports
Daily drilling reports
Daily geological reports
Any drilling related reports, mud recaps, IADC reports etc.