Batch 3
Batch 3
05 06 07
Mud circulation Casing of Oil Highlights
system Wells
Introduction - Liquid Fuels
• Definition: Liquid fuels are energy-dense substances in
liquid form, primarily derived from hydrocarbons, used
extensively for combustion in engines and industrial
processes.
• Importance:
⚬ Transportation: Fuels vehicles such as cars, trucks,
airplanes, and ships.
⚬ Industrial Processes: Powers machinery and
equipment in manufacturing and production.
⚬ Power Generation: Utilized in generating electricity in
power plants.
• Examples:
⚬ Fossil-Based: Crude oil, gasoline, diesel, kerosene.
⚬ Renewable: Biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel.
Types of Liquid Fuels
• Fossil Fuels:
⚬ Gasoline (Petrol): A volatile fuel derived from petroleum, primarily used in
internal combustion engines.
⚬ Diesel: A heavier fuel oil used in compression ignition engines, known for its
energy efficiency.
⚬ Kerosene: A light fuel oil used in jet engines and heating applications.
• Synthetic Fuels:
⚬ Coal-to-Liquid (CTL): Conversion of coal into liquid hydrocarbons through
processes like Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
⚬ Gas-to-Liquid (GTL): Transformation of natural gas into liquid fuels, offering
cleaner alternatives to conventional petroleum products.
• Biofuels:
⚬ Ethanol: An alcohol-based fuel produced by fermenting sugars from crops like
corn and sugarcane; commonly blended with gasoline to reduce emissions.
⚬ Biodiesel: A renewable fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats, suitable for
use in diesel engines either pure or blended.
⚬ Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Advanced biofuels designed for aviation,
aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector.
Global Reserves & Distribution
• Major Oil-Producing Countries:
⚬ Saudi Arabia: Leading exporter with vast reserves.
⚬ Russia: Significant producer with extensive oil fields.
⚬ United States: Notable for shale oil production.
• OPEC and Non-OPEC Nations:
⚬ OPEC: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries, coordinating policies among member
countries.
⚬ Non-OPEC: Countries like the USA, Russia, and China
contributing significantly to global oil supply.
• Oil Demand and Supply Trends:
⚬ Increasing Demand: Driven by industrialization and
transportation needs.
• Supply Challenges: Geopolitical tensions, exploration costs,
and environmental regulations impacting production.
Global Oil Production and Consumption
Overview
• Global Oil Production and Consumption (2023):
⚬ Total World Oil Production: Approximately 101.8 million
barrels per day (bpd).
⚬ Total World Oil Consumption: Approximately 99.95
million bpd.
• The top 5 largest oil producing countries in the world are
United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Canada and China
which accounts for nearly 53% of oil production.
• The top 5 largest oil consuming countries in the world are
United States, China, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia which
accounts for nearly 48% of oil consumption.
• The Ghawar field in Saudi Arabia is the largest onshore oil
field in the world.
• The Pacific Berkut is the largest offshore oil rig.
• The Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat is the world’s largest oil
refinery.
Crude Oil & Petroleum Reserves
• Definition of Crude Oil: A naturally occurring, unrefined
petroleum product composed of hydrocarbon deposits
and other organic materials.
• Formation Process of Oil Reserves:
⚬ Organic Material Deposition: Accumulation of dead
marine organisms in sedimentary basins.
⚬ Burial and Heat: Over millions of years, layers of
sediment compress the organic material, subjected to
heat and pressure.
⚬ Transformation: Conversion into hydrocarbons
through chemical reactions.
• Classification of Oil Reservoirs:
⚬ Conventional: Easily extractable oil using standard
23 drilling techniques.
Branches ⚬ Unconventional: Requires advanced methods like
hydraulic fracturing to extract, e.g., shale oil.
Types of Oil Reservoirs
• Volatile Oil Reservoirs
⚬ Contain a high proportion of lighter hydrocarbons, which makes them highly sensitive to pressure
changes.
⚬ These reservoirs have higher gas-to-oil ratios (GOR) and expand significantly when pressure declines.
⚬ Upon production, these fluids release gas in the reservoir itself, leading to pressure depletion if gas is not
reinjected.
• Black Oil Reservoirs
⚬ Contain heavier hydrocarbons with a low GOR, typically below 2000 SCF/STB (standard cubic feet per
stock tank barrel).
⚬ When produced, the oil remains liquid with minimal gas separation, making it easier to process and
transport.
• Wet Gas Reservoirs
⚬ Characterized by a higher proportion of liquid hydrocarbons dissolved in the gas phase.
⚬ The temperature of the reservoir is just above the cricondentherm, which means the gas contains
significant amounts of condensable liquids.
• Dry Gas Reservoirs
⚬ Composed mostly of methane (>95%), with little to no heavier hydrocarbons.
⚬ The gas extracted is in gaseous form and does not condense into liquid hydrocarbons at surface
23 conditions.
• Unconventional Reservoirs
Branches ⚬ These reservoirs have very low permeability and porosity (2–10%), requiring advanced extraction
techniques.
⚬ Examples include shale oil, tight gas, and coalbed methane.
⚬ Techniques like hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling are essential for economic
production.
Process of Locating Oil Fields
• Geological Surveys:
⚬ Surface Mapping: Studying rock formations and fault
lines.
⚬ Stratigraphic Analysis: Understanding sedimentary
layers to identify potential reservoirs.
• Seismic Exploration Techniques:
⚬ 2D Seismic Surveys: Utilizing sound waves to create
two-dimensional images of subsurface structures.
⚬ 3D Seismic Surveys: Providing detailed three-
dimensional representations of geological formations.
• Satellite Imaging & Mapping:
⚬ Remote Sensing: Using satellite data to identify surface
anomalies indicative of underlying oil reserves.
• Geospatial Analysis: Integrating satellite imagery with
geological data for precise exploration.
Seismic Survey & Exploration Techniques
• Seismic Surveys:
⚬ Principle: Emitting controlled energy sources (e.g., dynamite, air guns) and
recording the reflected seismic waves.
⚬ Data Acquisition: Deploying geophones or hydrophones to capture seismic
responses.
• Types of Seismic Surveys
⚬ 2D Seismic Surveys: Utilize sound waves to create two-dimensional images
of subsurface structures, aiding in identifying potential hydrocarbon traps.
⚬ 3D Seismic Surveys: Provide detailed three-dimensional representations of
geological formations, enhancing accuracy in locating oil and gas reserves.
⚬ 4D Seismic Surveys: Incorporate the time dimension to monitor changes in
the reservoir over time, optimizing production strategies.
• Exploration Techniques:
⚬ Reflection Seismology: Measures the time it takes for seismic waves to
reflect off subsurface formations, helping to map underground structures.
⚬ Refraction Seismology: Analyzes refracted seismic waves to determine the
properties and depths of subsurface layers.
• Role of Geophysicists: Interpret seismic data to identify promising drilling
locations and assess potential oil and gas deposits.
(465) Basic principles of the seismic method | Seismic Principles -
YouTube
Oil Prospecting & Drilling Site Selection
• Factors Influencing Site Selection:
⚬ Geological Analysis: Utilizing geological surveys and seismic data
to identify potential hydrocarbon-rich formations.
⚬ Economic Feasibility: Assessing the cost-effectiveness of drilling
operations, including extraction costs and market oil prices.
⚬ Regulatory and Environmental Considerations: Ensuring
compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and
evaluating environmental impacts to minimize ecological
disruption.
• Risk Analysis & Environmental Impact:
⚬ Risk Assessment: Evaluating potential hazards such as blowouts,
spills, and other operational risks to implement appropriate
mitigation strategies.
⚬ Environmental Impact Studies: Conducting assessments to
understand the potential effects of drilling on local ecosystems
and communities and developing plans to address identified
concerns.
Overview of Oil Well Drilling Process
• What is Oil Drilling?
⚬ Oil drilling is the process of extracting petroleum from underground reservoirs using specialized machinery and techniques.
⚬ It involves creating a borehole in the Earth's surface to access crude oil deposits.
⚬ Oil drilling can be conducted onshore (land-based) or offshore (deep-sea platforms).
• Key Phases of Oil Drilling
⚬ Site Selection & Exploration
■ Conducted using geological surveys, seismic studies, and satellite imaging to identify potential oil reserves.
■ Factors such as depth, location, and economic feasibility are assessed before drilling begins.
⚬ Drilling Operations
■ Begins with spudding, where the initial borehole is created using a rotary drill.
■ The drill bit, attached to a drill string, rotates to cut through rock layers.
■ Drilling mud is circulated to cool the drill bit, carry rock cuttings to the surface, and maintain well pressure.
⚬ Casing & Well Stabilization
■ Steel casings are inserted into the drilled hole to prevent collapse and contamination.
■ The casing is cemented in place to reinforce the wellbore structure.
⚬ Well Completion & Testing
■ Once the target oil formation is reached, perforations are made in the casing to allow oil flow.
■ Techniques like hydraulic fracturing or acidizing may be used to enhance oil recovery.
■ The well is tested for pressure, flow rate, and quality of extracted oil.
⚬ Oil Extraction & Production
■ Oil is brought to the surface using pumps or natural pressure from the reservoir.
■ Extracted crude is transported via pipelines, tankers, or storage units for further processing at refineries.
⚬ Well Abandonment & Site Restoration
■ Once a well is depleted or unproductive, it is sealed and abandoned following environmental safety standards.
■ The site is restored to minimize ecological impact.
• Types of Oil Drilling
⚬ Rotary Drilling: Most common method using rotating drill bits.
⚬ Directional Drilling: Used to drill at angles to reach oil reservoirs under obstacles.
⚬ Offshore Drilling: Conducted on platforms in deep-sea environments.
⚬ Horizontal Drilling: Increases contact with the oil-bearing formation, improving production.
Types of Oil Wells
1. Exploratory Wells (Wildcat Wells)
⚬ Drilled in areas where no prior drilling has been
Types of Drilling Methods
conducted.
1. Conventional (Vertical) Drilling
⚬ Used to assess hydrocarbon presence and determine
⚬ Drills straight down into the reservoir with minimal
commercial viability.
deviation.
2. Appraisal Wells
⚬ Low-cost but limited to reservoirs directly below the
⚬ Drilled near a discovery well to estimate reservoir size
drilling site.
and productivity.
2. Directional Drilling
⚬ Data obtained helps companies plan development
⚬ Allows wells to deviate from vertical to reach oil
strategies.
deposits under difficult terrains (e.g., cities, offshore
3.Development Wells
platforms, or environmentally sensitive areas).
⚬ Drilled in established oil fields to optimize hydrocarbon
⚬ Increases reservoir contact, leading to higher recovery
extraction.
rates.
⚬ Positioned based on reservoir simulation studies for
3.Horizontal Drilling
maximum recovery.
⚬ Involves drilling laterally through a reservoir for
4.Production Wells
maximum oil exposure.
⚬ Specifically designed for long-term hydrocarbon
⚬ Commonly used in shale formations and
extraction.
unconventional reservoirs.
⚬ Equipped with production tubing, wellhead control
systems, and artificial lift mechanisms (e.g., sucker rod
pumps or gas lifts).
Major Components of Drilling
Drilling Rig Components:
⚬ Derrick: A tall structure that supports the drill string and associated equipment.
⚬ Drill String: A series of connected pipes that transmit drilling fluid and rotational force
to the drill bit.
⚬ Drill Collar: Heavy, thick-walled tubes placed near the drill bit to apply weight and
maintain stability during drilling.
⚬ Drilling Fluid (Mud): A specialized fluid circulated through the wellbore to cool the drill
bit, remove cuttings, and maintain well pressure.
Types of Drilling Rigs
1. Onshore Drilling Rigs
⚬ Used for land-based drilling with easy access to infrastructure.
2.Jack-up Rigs
⚬ Floating barges with extendable legs that touch the seabed, lifting the rig above the
water’s surface.
⚬ Used in shallow waters (up to 100 meters deep).
3.Semi-submersible Rigs
⚬ Floating platforms supported by submerged pontoons, providing stability in deep
waters (up to 3,000 meters).
⚬ Uses dynamic positioning systems to maintain location.
4.Drillships
⚬ Self-propelled vessels equipped with drilling rigs, capable of drilling in ultra-deepwater
(up to 10,000 meters).
Derrick & Its Role in Drilling
• Structure & Purpose:
⚬ Design: A robust, load-bearing framework, typically made of
steel, towering above the drilling platform.
⚬ Function: Supports the hoisting system used to raise and
lower the drill string and casing into the wellbore.
• Types of Derricks:
⚬ Standard Derricks: Permanent structures commonly used in
onshore drilling operations.
⚬ Portable Derricks: Modular designs that can be disassembled
and transported to different locations, suitable for
exploratory drilling.
⚬ Offshore Derricks: Specialized derricks designed to withstand
marine environments, installed on offshore platforms or
drilling ships.
• Load-Bearing Capacity:
⚬ Engineering Specifications: Designed to handle the
substantial weight of the drill string, casing, and associated
equipment, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
Drill String & Its Importance
• Composition of Drill String:
⚬ Drill Pipe: Hollow steel pipes that transmit drilling fluid and
rotational power from the surface to the drill bit.
⚬ Tool Joints: Thickened connections between drill pipes, providing
secure threading and facilitating assembly and disassembly.
⚬ Drill Bit: The cutting tool attached to the bottom of the drill string,
responsible for breaking and disintegrating rock formations.
• Functions & Operation:
⚬ Rotational Force Transmission: Conveys torque from the surface
rotary system to the drill bit, enabling drilling progress.
⚬ Drilling Fluid Circulation: Serves as a conduit for drilling mud,
which cools the drill bit, carries cuttings to the surface, and
balances subsurface pressures.
• Connection with Drill Bit:
⚬ Bottom-Hole Assembly (BHA): The lower portion of the drill string,
including the drill bit, drill collars, stabilizers, and other
components designed to optimize drilling performance and
trajectory.
Drill Collar & Its Functions
• Weight Addition for Penetration:
⚬ Purpose: Provides the necessary mass to apply downward force on
the drill bit, facilitating efficient rock cutting.
⚬ Design: Manufactured from solid steel or other heavy alloys, with a
thicker wall than standard drill pipes.
• Stabilization of Drill Bit:
⚬ Function: Enhances the rigidity of the drill string, minimizing vibrations
and maintaining the desired trajectory of the wellbore.
⚬ Placement: Positioned directly above the drill bit in the bottom hole
assembly to ensure optimal weight distribution and stability.
• Types of Drill Collars:
⚬ Standard Drill Collars: Cylindrical bars providing basic weight and
stability.
⚬ Spiral Drill Collars: Feature spiral grooves to reduce differential
pressure sticking by decreasing the contact area with the wellbore
wall.
• Non-Magnetic Drill Collars: Made from non-magnetic materials, used when
drilling requires the use of directional measurement tools that are
sensitive to magnetic interference.
Rotary Table (Kelly) Mechanism