Proper planning controls workover costs

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Drilling-DCW; (United States)

OSTI ID:5968127

This article points out that the well servicing/workover market historically has been plagued by too much equipment and too few jobs. At a time when well after well is being abandoned due to the sharp decline in oil prices, there is little prospect the market will reach an improved supply/demand balance in the near future. Many speculate the well servicing market has a much more positive outlook over the long term. Thousands of promising wells have been temporarily abandoned for extended periods of time under relaxed plugging regulations. Many of these wells will need extensive remedial work when higher prices provide incentives for production start-up. Even when the market does improve, and particularly in the current environment, controlling workover costs is critical. Many wells which may have received remedial attention under the economic conditions of 1985 do not even begin to qualify for workover efforts in the current environment. In circumstances where a workover is still economically feasible despite low oil prices, the volatility of the market has discouraged remedial efforts. The most effective way to control costs in a workover is through proper planning. Careful and detailed planning equates to a smooth workover operation. This in turn keeps costs to a minimum and provides maximum positive impact on the bottom line income of a well. There will always be problems that are impossible to foresee when planning for a workover. But consistently accurate predictions are more likely if attempts are made to anticipate every potential problem and a corresponding diagnosis is developed prior to the operation. After the critical feasibility studies and reservoir analysis, proper preparation ensures that the well's economic return is improved.

• OSTI ID: 5968127
• Journal Information: Drilling-DCW; (United States), Journal Name: Drilling-DCW; (United States) Vol. 48:1; ISSN DRDCD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
020700 -- Petroleum-- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
030600 -- Natural Gas-- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
COST
ECONOMICS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FORECASTING
MAINTENANCE
MARKET
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PLANNING
REPAIR
WELL SERVICING
WELLS