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Title Green Canyon wells require well-engineered drilling programs
Creator/Author Corley, J. ; Vice, C. ; McCary, T. ; Decker, B.
Publication Date1986 Jan 01
OSTI IdentifierOSTI ID: 5840297
Other Number(s)CODEN: PEEID
Resource TypeJournal Article
Resource RelationPet. Eng. Int. ; Vol/Issue: 58:1
Research OrgAmerada Hess Inc.
Subject020200 -- Petroleum-- Reserves, Geology, & Exploration ;020300 -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production ;423000 -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-); LOUISIANA-- PETROLEUM DEPOSITS;OFFSHORE DRILLING-- PLANNING;OIL WELLS-- PLANNING;PETROLEUM DEPOSITS-- EXPLORATION; CONTINENTAL SHELF;ECONOMICS;QUATERNARY PERIOD;RESEARCH PROGRAMS;RESERVOIR ENGINEERING;SAFETY;TERTIARY PERIOD
Related SubjectCENOZOIC ERA;CONTINENTAL MARGIN;DRILLING;ENGINEERING;FEDERAL REGION VI;GEOLOGIC AGES;GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS;MINERAL RESOURCES;NORTH AMERICA;RESOURCES;USA;WELLS
Description/Abstract Drilling in the Green Canyon area poses technical and operational challenges for operators and the oil field service industry.^ Amerada Hess Inc.`s success in carrying out a two-well exploratory program in Green Canyon`s Block 66 was due to a well-coordinated team effort, carefully designed drilling plan, and prudent operating procedures.^ The Green Canyon area is located 75 miles offshore, southwest of New Orleans, La., at the edge of the continental shelf.^ Research of offset wells in May 1984 provided numerous factors to consider for a safe and economical completion of the two-well drilling program, including: Logistics; Water depth of approximately 1,200 ft; Operational cost - the cost for a drillship or semisubmersible and auxiliary equipment and supplies can run $80,000 day; Formation pressures which require high mud weights at shallow depths; Low fracture gradients in deep water; Gumbo shale formations which are susceptible to hydration and dispersion.^ Further, operating personnel were concerned with several potential downhole problems that could be caused by the gumbo shale formations: Well bore instability; Hole cleaning, hole pack-off, plugged flow lines, and lost circulation; Gumbo balling on the bit and drill string; Excessive torque and drag; Excessive swab and surge pressures; Stuck pipe; Inadequate directional control; Improper solids control.^ In the Green Canyon area, with a high daily cost of operating, economics are greatly influenced by time spent on location.^ Therefore, once the well is designed, emphasis must be placed on a drilling fluid to 18,000 ft.^ The first well was deviated at 3,800 ft to a maximum of 39/sup 0/ angle, which was maintained to 9,900 ft and dropped to vertical.^ The curved sections of hole were cased quickly.^ In addition, control was enhanced by reduced balling on the bottomhole assembly and a gauge hole.
Country of PublicationUnited States
LanguageEnglish
FormatPages: vp
System Entry Date2001 May 13

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