The oil and gas industry continuously strives to drill wells better, faster, cheaper, safer, and environmentally responsible. Over time technology and lessons learned have increased drilling efficiency – constantly reducing wasted time, effort and/or skills needed to accomplish the same goal or increasing the benefit to cost ratios. This is exemplified in day drilling performance curves which generally correlate to drilling time to drilling costs. Through evolution of technology the drilling time to drill a well in a specific area can be reduced (see figure 1). The measure of effectiveness has a limit. Recently a theoretical limit has been introduced by industry to drill a “virtual or perfect well”. Physics of the drilling process dictates how fast a well can optimally be drilled. Rock strength, the hole size, the fluid hydraulics and horsepower applied and other factors determine how quickly a well could theoretically be drilled with the current technology. Through technology evolution the drilling performance efficiency or drilling effectiveness is constantly increasing. Through Health, Safety and Environment efforts the industry has reduced wasted time and skills due to accidents.

Over the years, DOE/NETL has been on the fore front of developing new technologies which improve drilling efficiency. NETL has helped to develop technologies ranging from new bit cutters to LWD and MWD systems to finally smart pipe. New cutters have helped to increase rate of penetration and also cutter longevity. LWD and MWD systems increase drilling efficiency through smarter drilling and the smart pipe will allow for even for efficient drilling. NETL will continue to be a leader in new technology development for improved drilling efficiency through programs such as Deep Trek, Microhole Drilling and Effective Environmental Protection.

More on Advanced Tools and Methods

More on Advanced Drilling