Well planning and drilling translate the development strategy into a safely constructed well, integrating subsurface objectives, well architecture, pressure behaviour, drilling engineering and real-time operational decisions.
Well construction
A drilling programme must connect the subsurface target with a practical well design. Geological prognosis, pressure prediction, trajectory, casing, drilling fluids and well barriers must work together.
Drilling is also an information-generating process. Measurements acquired while drilling can confirm or challenge the original geological and reservoir assumptions and influence decisions before the well reaches its final depth.
Well delivery workflow
The well moves through progressively more detailed engineering decisions, with continuous integration between subsurface information and drilling operations.
Translate the field development requirements into clear objectives for each well and establish the technical basis for design.
Key activities
Develop the well architecture, trajectory and drilling programme required to reach the target safely and efficiently.
Key activities
Identify subsurface and operational hazards and establish the barriers and controls required for safe well construction.
Key activities
Construct the well according to the approved programme while continuously responding to actual subsurface and drilling conditions.
Key activities
Use drilling and formation data to continuously improve understanding of the formations encountered and the well's position within the reservoir.
Key activities
Bring the drilled well to the required technical standard and prepare it for formation evaluation, completion and subsequent operations.
Key activities
Integrated disciplines
Successful well construction requires coordinated decisions between subsurface teams, drilling specialists and well integrity disciplines.
Well planning decisions
What is the primary objective of the well?
Where exactly should the well enter and penetrate the target reservoir?
What pressure, stability and geohazard conditions are expected?
What casing, mud and cement design provides the required well barriers?
How should the trajectory and drilling parameters respond to the subsurface?
What evidence confirms that the well is ready for completion?
Engineering chain
Next stage
Once the well has been drilled and evaluated, completion engineering determines how the reservoir will be connected to the wellbore and brought into productive operation.