This document summarizes the presentation "Drilling with Charlie" given by Charles Brister on November 10, 2005 to the Association for the Study of Peak Oil USA. It discusses the history of oil drilling over the last 100 years, highlighting key technological developments like directional drilling, measurement while drilling tools, and the challenges of drilling in difficult conditions. It also considers debates around the sustainability of oil supply and whether new technologies can overcome depletion.
7. Following the oil price collapse in the 1980’s the rotary rig count plummeted
from a high of nearly 4,000 rigs in 1981 to a low of about 600 rigs in 1999.
Over 500,000 oilfield personnel lost their jobs during the 1980’s.
8. The big rigs were cut up first because
there was no market for rigs capable
of drilling to great depths.
The experienced hands were forced
to try to build new lives- most
swore never to return.
9. 2005: It is the survivors who the burden falls upon.
11. Rig 22 survived the cutting torch
but lay in the grass for
16 years.
Most rigs that are capable of
drilling are active now.
There is essentially no more
rigs to be had.
12. There’s no stopping for weather. Kelly up, stay on bottom drilling.
Time is money at $21 per minute rig time. Drilling is a 24 hour operation.
15. Multiwell pads was one of the original applications for directional drilling. Now it is used
to reduce the “footprint” of oil and gas development. Otherwise four times the surface
disturbance would be required for the above example.
Drilling Pad
Gas Wells
Target Target
Target
16. Mud Motor
The Business End
Mud motors use the pumped drilling fluid to turn a shaft and in turn the
bit that is screwed into the end of the motor.
The only thing rotating during directional steering is the bit.
17. Directional Probe
with
accelerometers
& magnetometers
Gamma Probe with
Sodium Iodide Sensor
Pulser/Tubine
Power Source
Measurement While Drilling (MWD)
provides surveys of the well bore location,
along with measuring the relative gamma
radiation of the rock formations being drilled.
Before MWD, tools were lowered by wireline-
very time consuming and impractical for
horizontal drilling.
18. Positive pressure pulses generated by the MWD Tool is interpreted by surface
computers into 1’s and 0’s - binary code. It is further translated into Tool Face
Inclination, Azimuth, and Gamma radiation counts.
21. Using the technology of directional drilling and the knowledge of the wellsite geologist,
Geosteering was born. This is an example of landing into the target zone.
22. 2 miles down and 2 miles out- in a 3 ft thick target zone. We follow Mother Natures’
handiwork, down dip and then back up.
23. 100 % oil over shaker and in the possum belly. What you see when the team is
“Staying in Zone.”
24. So are the “Boomers” right? Technology means unlimited oil?
25. Or are the “Doomers” right? Mother Nature will cut us off no matter what we do...
27. Our future is an energy world of complementing technology.
28. We must use this time and oil resources wisely.
There will be no second chance.
29. Credits
Vintage oilfield photography: Human Interest Library, Books Inc. 1928
Rig Count, Baker Hughes Inc.
Positive Pulse Detection, Sperry Drilling Services/ Halliburton Energy Services
Mudlog, Location Sample Service, Jackson, Ms
Pore Pressure Prediction, Quad Mudlogging, Lafayette, LA
Landing, Tooke Rockies, Inc., Dickinson, North Dakota
Horizontal Profile, Lon Willer Consulting, Sidney, Montana
“The Rod” courtesy of Bridgid Nelson. Thank you Bridgid.
Solar Rig, Vulcan Solar Systems, Lafayette, LA
This presentation is dedicated in memory of Darryl Richard.
