Relief Well History
Santa Barbara oil spill occurred in January 1969 in the Santa Barbara Channel in Southern California According to Dr. Preston Moore the first relief well ever was for this problem and the objective was to penetrate and produce the reservoir to blowdown the pressure and thus “stop” the flow, e.g., RELIEF WELL “relieved” the pressure in the reservoir.
Why Do We Drill Relief Wells?
Answer: Because we have to! If there is another solution, it is taken because time is the driving factor in any well control event. SOLUTION MUST BE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER IN ALL CASES.
- GOM Event 2007 Off-bottom Kill Objective
- N. America HTHP Land
How Does Ranging Fit Into the Project
Overlapping responsibilities
OVER ALL OBJECTIVE – STOP THE FLOW – STABILIZE THE WELL
Impact of Time
OBJECTIVES
- Allow communication for a pump to kill operation
- Least risk per ALARP (as low as reasonably possible)
- Least time possible (time = exposure in blowout)
....
View the entire Presentation:
L. Wm “Bill” Abel - ABEL Engineering LLP