As part of Det Norske's development of the multiwell Ivar Aasen project, SLB personnel were deployed to provide the OptiWell service for 24/7 monitoring of the offshore Norway operation for approximately one month.
The scope of work was to perform single-well monitoring focused on the new well construction KPIs established by SLB and Det Norske. The wells included in this initial period were drilled in three sections by the Maersk Interceptor jackup from predrilled topholes.
After collaborating with the operator to set benchmarks for each KPI, the well operations analyst deployed to the project was able to alert Det Norske each time rig performance deviated from plan. By coordinating with the offshore mudlogger and using the InterACT service, the SLB well operations analyst was able to display real-time KPIs. With this capability, the operator took action in real time, instead of having to access the KPIs in the following day's report.
By comparing each section of the current well to those in previous wells, the SLB well operations analyst pointed out where performance could be improved in the next well. Measuring this performance marked the first step toward identifying efficiencies and potential cost savings.
Throughout drilling, the SLB well operations analyst outlined well monitoring workflows and processes that would enable Det Norske to push ROP to the maximum limit as safely as possible. In a field development project in which each well is very similar to the next, ROP limits could be challenged, especially in the overburden. By determining this limit, it becomes possible to drill wells at a higher ROP without jeopardizing wellbore integrity or safety.
To avoid similar challenges experienced in past wells, SLB well operations analyst designed a program with a focus on monitoring and detecting warning signs during tripping. Real-time broomstick plots are streamed to the drilling supervisor's screen on the rig and at the Det Norske office to increase awareness of any trouble zones experienced while tripping.
The SLB well operations analysts providing the OptiWell service are trained and experienced in using VIRTUAL HYDRAULICS software, enabling tripping schedules and hydraulic simulations to be available to operators 24/7. While tripping, real-time KPIs—including actual versus simulated tripping speeds—are used to determine tripping efficiency.
In consideration of significant challenges in running lower completions and casings in the past, Det Norske and SLB updated the operator's drilling and tripping practices and completed several runs without any of the previous challenges.
Since integrating the OptiWell service across its operations on the Ivar Aasen project, Det Norske has also seen a continuous improvement in the makeup and laydown times of its BHAs.
On the recent D-19 well in the Ivar Aasen project, Det Norske set new field records for net and gross ROP in both the 8 1/2-in and 12 1/4-in sections. The operator experienced a 48% decrease in slip-to-slip tripping time compared with the project average and achieved improved casing slip-to-slip performance.
