Smart drilling spurs operator`s return to Tuscaloosa trend
A well-engineered combination of bits, drillstring components and drilling fluids is enabling Amoco to drill its Tuscaloosa trend redevelopment wells in the East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Port Hudson field for an average cost of $42.94/ft, a 40% cost reduction from the $71.70/ft trend averaged achieved in the 1980s. With only three new wells completed in this field to date, Amoco and its service partners are focusing on applying new combinations of technology that will further improve overall well costs in the trend. This smart drilling can turn a marginally economic project into a profit-maker. One vertical and two S-shaped directional wells have been completed in the Port Hudson field, two wells are drilling ahead. The Georgia Pacific No. 5 well report is used to illustrate the basic drilling procedures in the field. When following this Tuscaloosa well plan, the selection of tubulars, fluids and bits must take into account high torques through the directional section, extremely abrasive and frequent sand/limestone stringers, pressure fluctuations through the lower intervals, dipping formations and temperatures approaching 320 F when nearing total depth. Yet, efficiency and cost gains have been achieved in the Tuscaloosa redevelopment program.
- OSTI ID:
- 147940
- Journal Information:
- Petroleum Engineer International, Journal Name: Petroleum Engineer International Journal Issue: Sup; ISSN 0164-8322; ISSN PEEID4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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