In 2002 the Hibernia Management and DevelopmentCompany (HMDC), led by ExxonMobil Canada, embarkedupon the development of the northern most compartment ofthe Hibernia development project, (‘A’ Block). To accessthese reserves, it was proposed to drill and complete a 31,000ft measured depth (MD) oil producer with a horizontaldeparture and vertical depth that would exceed the present dayindustry extended reach drilling (ERD) envelope.Successfully drilling this world-class well would requirethe application and extension of currently available drillingand completion technology. Meeting the project goals woulddemand the installation of a large monobore completionsystem with offshore-Canada’s deepest downhole telemetrysystem. The proposed trajectory would require management ofweak and unstable intervals across an extended 17,000 ft MDintermediate section. This trajectory would necessitate theinstallation of record length production casing strings underhigh friction load. Subsurface tool reliability under extremecyclic loading would be needed, especially at the lowerwellbore sections where downhole tool failures would becostly due to depth and trip time. The project would requirethe development of effective strategies to mitigate very highcirculating pressures and fluid rheology at extended distances.Drill pipe and tool joints would require upgrade to meet thehigher anticipated loads for this program. Completionequipment would also require significant enhancements tomeet the pressure and axial load requirements of the wellbore.Planned intervention tools would require modification to allowpassage through the extended reach sail angle. Wellboretractors would be refitted and shop testing would be conductedto ensure all tools were ready for application.To meet these challenges HMDC would leverage existinglocal experiencesexperiences1 while at the same time engage recognizedinternational expertise to supplement existing practices.Technical work sessions were conducted during the planning phase to start the communication process to all stakeholders(including service providers) and to identify critical technicalboundaries and key technologies to extend the current ERDenvelope. The comprehensive review and upgrade of HiberniaERD practices was effected through external engagement ofERD experts for worldwide lessons learned. Internalresources were accessed to effectively integrate the latestconcepts in hole cleaning and wellbore stability. All thewhile, operational and design revisions were based upon, andcomplemented by, successful existing Hibernia ERDpractices.
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