Kind of a dumb question about drilling unconventionals
Kind of a dumb question about drilling unconventionals
(OP)
I have noticed that many oilcos tend to drill unconventional wells and run 4 1/2" casing. While this keeps the cost of the drilling program down, I do hear of multiple problems when trying to produce these wells. For example, landing a rod pump to about 70 degrees as opposed to running it to 90 degrees.
A small ESP might do better, but the 4 1/2" diameter limits ESP's from playing in this area due to pump + cable clearance.
So my dumb question is; what is the cost difference in drilling a well to say 7500 feet MD (say 4500 feet TVD) and running 5 1/2" casing to TD vs 4 1/2" casing?
A small ESP might do better, but the 4 1/2" diameter limits ESP's from playing in this area due to pump + cable clearance.
So my dumb question is; what is the cost difference in drilling a well to say 7500 feet MD (say 4500 feet TVD) and running 5 1/2" casing to TD vs 4 1/2" casing?





RE: Kind of a dumb question about drilling unconventionals
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. —Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist
RE: Kind of a dumb question about drilling unconventionals
If you have some firm numbers on how much the drilling department saves on this type of decision, I would appreciate it. My calculations show about 200 000 dollars over the drilling and completions, but that money is easily made back in not doing a bunch of workovers and repairs.
I simply can't understand oilcos short-sighted rationale on this, but I may very well be missing something.
RE: Kind of a dumb question about drilling unconventionals
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. —Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist