Drilling optimization in deepwater field development offshore Brazil

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:160660

Awad, S P; Piazza, M R; Nogueira, E F ^[1]

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1. Petrobras S.A., Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Giant deepwater oilfields had been discovered in Campos Basin, offshore Brazil, through the eighties. After overcoming initial problems while drilling the exploratory wells, appraisal wells were drilled under regular performance standards, comparing to shallow water previous data. At that time, Albacora and Marlim field development plans were considering improved performances to occur due to the expected learning effects. The combination of the simultaneous use of dynamic positioned and deep anchored rigs with the technical improvements in well operations resulted in an outstanding overall drilling performance for the development campaign of those fields. The drilling program was concluded well ahead of schedule, establishing guidelines for future deepwater field exploitation. This paper describes Petrobras experience of planning and drilling deepwater development wells, showing the principal measures and factors that led to an update of the company`s operational standards. Also, the ultra deepwater drilling R and D projects carried out at the moment are briefly introduced, being their aims to keep or even improve the company`s performance and safety records as water depths up to 2,000 m are considered for oilfield developments offshore Brazil in the future.

• OSTI ID: 160660
• Report Number(s): CONF-950501--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
BRAZIL
DESIGN
OFFSHORE DRILLING
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE
PLANNING