Wireline-quality data at lower cost: Formation pressure and magnetic resonance logging-while-drilling technologies reduce deep-water drilling costs and enable novel formation-evaluation programs

摘要

Shell Offshore Inc. successfully drilled and completed a commercially productive well in the Ram Powell Unit in Viosca Knoll field, Gulf of Mexico as part of a redevelopment program that began in 2003. The target was relocated after finding a water zone in the initially drilled section. The company plugged back and sidetracked to an updip location. In its decision-making for drilling and the overall completion, the company used formation-pressure-while-drilling (FPWD) measurements and saved more than USD1 million by eliminating the need for two difficult wireline-pressure measurement runs on drill pipe. FPWD measurements were successfully used on a subsequent well, eliminating the need for a third pipe-conveyed wireline run. Magnetic-resonance-while-drilling data provided important information regarding fluid viscosity, rock texture (net sand calibration), permeability and grain-size estimations used in the design of the well completions.