Positive Effects Of New Technologies On Hindered Iranian Industry

Since the heavy sanctions were imposed against Iran by the European and American companies in the past years most of the industry requirements were met by Iranian companies cooperating closely with Chinese service providers to sustain development and share in the local industry, an objective which was not completely fulfilled in some cases like the South Pars/North gas field development.

Despite the new hardware technologies which could have added value to the drilling industry, an upgrade in the operating process assets, comprehensive education and training could also be beneficial to the industry by collaboration with major operator companies. Utilizing software’s in planning and operation analysis could also be beneficial in precise engineering, planning and forecasting operation. The engineering software’s could aid by predicting the well trajectory, optimizing hydraulics and appropriate bit selection. More importantly knowledge management as one of the enabling technologies for service delivery to create a knowledge management system that addresses key weaknesses is essential for maintaining continuous improvement in evolving companies. A structured search facility could allow engineers to locate lessons learned and performance achieved in drilling environments.

From another point of view the main hardware technologies adding benefit to the industry are related to the main services which have the most influence in operation which include drilling rig, directional drilling, drilling fluid and drill bit services.

The management of directional drilled wells has progressed to a stage where targets have been reduced in size to a point in the earth with no tolerance. Directional drilling and acquiring real time gamma ray and resistivity measurements would allow the overlying formation tops to be identified and trajectory maintained in thin and narrow reservoir formations reaching the landing point. Steering would be possible with rotary steerable systems by real time data acquisition to reach moving targets. This technological development has prompted the design of a range of PDC bits specifically for use on rotary steerable systems. Logging While Drilling has made some significant progress combined with the present MWD technology, conventional LWD measurements are able to provide the necessary information for geosteering and petrophysical and geological evaluation along with downhole vibrations in real time. Vibrations as one of the main reasons of drill string failures and poor performance in the industry is due to the destructive impacts and fatigue that causes huge amounts of drilling energy waste and invisible lost time.

Utilizing directional drilling tools and applying real-time MSE data to optimize drilling parameters while drilling could also eliminate downhole vibration and is essential in making the best use of field geomechanics information.

By benefitting from the third generation rotary steerable systems an increase in extended reach and horizontal wells could be accomplished by more complex well plans and reduced number of drilling platforms.

Recently created drilling fluids with higher lubricity and new additives like Expansive LCMs containing multiple-sized particles to with a synthetic polymer could reduce industry troubles by addressing revenue loss from huge mud losses and the non-productive time spent with the rig with reduced performance.

Advances in cement designs has developed cements for many applications like side tracking which could reduce failures, in building up kickoff angles and operational delays and cost overrun.

Softwares in the phase of planning and execution could be decisive in design and execution for example the development of a MEM is essential in making the best use of field geomechanics information. Once a MEM is constructed, it can be used to estimate and predict the best possible methods for safe drilling and completion in both a single borehole and for field development.

The high level of drilling activity in Iran demands efficient deployment of resources to deliver approved plans. Perhaps the most important factor in boosting performance in the drilling industry is knowledge transfer and training. Leading companies could aid the Iranian industry in expanding knowledge on good practices in operation and optimized decision making technics and guidelines.

Vahid Daneshkhah, Pedram Rafiee, and Pooya Alizadeh
Drilling Operation

Positive Effects Of New Technologies On Hindered Iranian Industry

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