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Title: Operator/service team cuts cost of completing marginal gas wells

Journal Article · · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)
OSTI ID:6701080
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Union Pacific Resources Corp., Fort Worth, TX (United States)
  2. Halliburton Energy Services, Fort Worth, TX (United States)

By combining optimized drilling and completion procedures with an operator/service company alliance, Union Pacific Resources Corp. (UPRC) decreased drilling/completion costs by 24%/well in its East Texas Cotton Valley gas production operations. Improved design of tubulars, cement, mud system, bits, fracturing gel, and zone isolation led to the steep decline in drilling and completion costs. In the past, gas reserves easily justified well costs of $1 million/well. However, for marginal areas this cost had to be substantially reduced. Many areas considered margin at $1 million are feasible at one-half that cost. The exploit marginal-acreage team (EMAT) of UPRC and Halliburton Energy Services (HES) personnel was formed in March 1993 to find ways to improve the economics of completing wells in marginal areas. The paper discusses drilling cost, completion styles, fracture stimulation, zone isolation, the alliance and its benefits.

OSTI ID:
6701080
Journal Information:
Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Vol. 93:3; ISSN 0030-1388
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English