As part of an AGR managed multi-well campaign in the Mediterranean and North Africa, AGR was contracted by Genel Energy to drill a deep water exploration well targeting a fractured carbonate reservoir, and to conduct a drill stem test if hydrocarbons were found.
CHALLENGE
- Fractured carbonate drilling risks - major losses, H2S, slow drilling, minimising impairment , 983m water depth
- Designing a well with sufficient contingencies in place but retaining flexibility to drill quickly and economically if the risks did not materialise
- Managing rig performance, as this would be the second well after an 18 month programme of shipyard work
- Managing logistical constraints in a shared port facility
- Delivering a well test programme that could cope with a range of oil types and the fractured carbonate reservoir setting
RESULT
- The well was drilled to the planned TD after adjusting casing setting points in response to well behaviour, and using a planned contingency hole size
- Quality logistics support in a changeable operational situation with a long supply line - delivered on all requirements and enabled operations to proceed with no logistics related downtime
- All operational challenges encountered were overcome including major losses drilling fractured carbonates, and well control events
- Fractured carbonate well test was delivered including acid stimulation and nitrogen lift
