Successful Practices - Drilling Operations: Cotton Valley Reef
Studies show that drilling costs can vary by as much as +/- 50% even for wells in the same geologic area with the same objectives. This works addresses the thesis that this performance variation can be reduced along with total drilling costs by the use of successful practices.
Summary:
Because well drilling normally accounts for 50-80% of total exploration costs and 40-70% of total developmental costs, reductions in drilling costs can have a significant impact on the total economic viability of a gas resource base. Studies show that drilling costs can vary by as much as +/- 50% even for wells in the same geologic area with the same objectives. This works addresses the thesis that this performance variation can be reduced along with total drilling costs by the use of successful practices. The study explains much of the variation by evaluating drilling learning or experience curves, aiming to capture the benefit of every operator's drilling experience and to develop a guide to effective drilling operations. Documenting state-of-the-art drilling technology and practices for Cotton Valley reef wells, the study surveyed the industry, found organizations that were drilling effectively, and gleaned the best drilling practices from each of them. Based on this information, a complete Drilling Operations Plan was developed for an archetypal well named "Successful Cotton Valley Well #1" as a benchmark for performance and as a guide to planning and execution.
