Abstract It is well recognized that oil and gas companies have increased the implementation of collaborative centers to improve real-time decision making. This reduces non-productive time (NPT) and improves efficiency in oilfield operations. Emerging technologies now enable end users to receive and send intelligent commands while tools operate under downhole conditions. This not only provides the advantage of fewer trips in and out of the hole, but also the ability to control operations from an office-based environment.
In the last few years, Schlumberger has increased the number of collaborative centers, known as Operation Support Centers (OSC), to work closely with operators throughout the world. Surface and downhole data are currently transmitted to these centers in real-time as part of the execution phase in the drilling optimization process. While the focus of this paper is on drilling, real-time data is clearly not limited to the drilling phase and in many cases has been used for completion monitoring and control.
As the implementation of these centers has continued, drilling activity increased more quickly than experts could be developed in all areas of operation and support, despite aggressive recruiting and intense training and development. As a result, experts gathering in one room to advise jointly on several simultaneous rig operations became the norm and operators who experienced it quickly embraced the OSC concept.
Real-time centers, therefore, have become the chief venue for collaboration, data capture, sharing and training, in a way that better meets the needs of fast-growing operations. Interestingly, they have also become a focal point for better coordination of operational changes, as improved communication with tools downhole and with service personnel have facilitated reduced crew and support requirements.
This paper describes the challenges faced in implementing remote drilling operations, the work processes that allow one directional driller (DD) and one measurement while drilling (MWD) engineer to oversee several rigs simultaneously, and details the necessary infrastructure, communication systems and operating results.
Introduction In the past few years, directional drilling services companies increased their capacity by adding more tools and new hires while investing in training and technology to satisfy the oil and gas drilling activity demand. It has also been an unprecedented period in time where directional drillers and MWD engineers have spent less time at home than on rigs or at the office. This in part was due to the many new engineers requiring additional supervision and support.
The value of real-time centers has been discussed at various industry events, meetings and workshops, conclusively demonstrating reduced NPT, improved collaboration and increased rate of penetration (ROP); in short, the ability to reduce total drilling operating cost. Having experts from the various petro-technical disciplines, co-located in one area or zone, with access to all relevant surface and downhole data from sensors, tools and services, gives the flexibility of operational monitoring regardless of the location. Effective decisions can be taken when valuable real-time data is available and discussed with all experts.
The implementation of real-time centers can also be considered a general response by major oil and gas exploration and production companies to the shortage of expert personnel in their own organizations. It is therefore a very dynamic and ever-changing environment as companies implementing this concept recognize value and hence add additional deliverables or requirements.
Now, with the introduction of new concepts and capabilities to the real-time center model, this approach is beginning to prove equally effective in meeting the increased demand for directional drilling services, achieving desired levels of service quality and technical support despite the shortage of expert personnel.