Subsea template drilling in the North Sea - Experience gained during the initial stages of the Balmoral development

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Pet. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/13992-PA· OSTI ID:6604943

Thorpe, D; Tayler, P

Drilling offshore in hostile environments, such as the North Sea, presents a unique challenge, which is intensified when working over a subsea template. Operations, procedures, and experience relating to drilling through the Balmoral template are described. Special equipment and techniques-including cuttings disposal, cementing, and safety-are detailed, along with directional drilling, surveying, and cuttings disposal. An expensive low-toxicity oil-based mud was used for drilling operations, and a specially developed oil recovery system with a high-speed decanting centrifuge was constructed and installed to reduce costly losses. The system is described and its operational features are highlighted.

• Research Organization: North Sea Sun Oil Co. Ltd.
• OSTI ID: 6604943
• Journal Information: J. Pet. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 39:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
NORTH SEA
OIL FIELDS
OIL WELLS
CENTRIFUGES
CUTTINGS REMOVAL
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
CEMENTING
DRILLING FLUIDS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
SURVEYS
UNITED KINGDOM
WELL COMPLETION
WELL DRILLING
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CONCENTRATORS
DRILLING
EQUIPMENT
EUROPE
FLUIDS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERAL RESOURCES
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
REMOVAL
RESOURCES
SAFETY
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
WELLS
WESTERN EUROPE
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production