The sun rising slowly from the sea directs its first rays through Morten Eidem’s window. He has been looking forward to this January day, when SDL is to be put through its paces on Statfjord.

“We’re lining a well as we drill it – which represents a world-class innovation,” explains Eidem, who is a senior researcher at the group’s Rotvoll research centre in Trondheim.

““This solution minimises the threat of collapse and other downhole problems, saving a lot of time and avoiding operational problems.”

Morten Eidem on the deck of Statfjord B

(Photo: Arne Reidar Mortensen/Statoil)

Success
A corresponding test carried out last August on Brage – which lies like Statfjord in the Norwegian North Sea – is described by Eidem as a success.

“We met our target of drilling with a liner 1,200 metres long. We’ve since made some improvements, and are now in full swing with the next tests.”

Funded by Statoil and oilfield services specialist Baker Hughes, the novel technology has also been tried out on a land rig in Oklahoma.
Swapping a warm prairie landscape for rough North Sea weather represents a bit of a contrast, says Eidem with a smile. He has been responsible for technical execution of the pilots.

“We face challenges with delivery pace and costs, at the same time as reservoir pressure is declining in a number of mature fields,” says Turid Eikebu Alfsen.
As leader for drilling and completion activities on Statfjord, she believes that SDL could provide a solution to these challenges.

Under Statfjord B’s derrick, Eidem carefully unscrews the thick plastic cover protecting the specially designed bit. This gleaming piece of innovative technology is intended to help improve recovery from Statoil’s mature fields.

“We’ve made a substantial commitment to research and development aimed at enhancing our drilling and downhole operations,” explains Eidem.

“Intensive efforts are being made to boost the recovery factor on mature fields in order to enhance their profitability – and this is precisely where the new drilling method comes in.”

“The challenge here on Statfjord is declining well pressure as the reservoir approaches full depletion,” explains drilling engineer Isabelle Skontorp, who will be observing the test.

“We decided at an early stage that this was a technically appropriate well to use in order to test the SDL solution.”

Passed
A few nervous and hectic weeks later, Eidem can report yet another success with the Statfjord B well. The technology passed its test with flying colours, and will soon be ready for other fields.

“After this Statfjord pilot, SDL will be commercialised,” he says. “And many other players have already indicated their interest in making use of the new technology.”

SDL represents a major commitment, which could overcome the challenges faced on fields with low margins by reducing lost time and operational problems.
That will make it possible to drill more wells into zones with difficult pressure conditions or weak and unstable formations.

“In the longer term, we intend to continue developing SDL to replace conventional drilling with a one-trip system of this kind,” says Eidem.

“We’ll then be able to drill, safeguard the well with a liner and cement that into place in one and the same operation.”