Monitor operations from Onshore Drilling CenterConocoPhillips drills about 20–25 wells a year in the North Sea Chalk Fields—particularly Ekofisk, Eldfisk, and Tor—located offshore Norway. In this region, where most wells are horizontal, it is critical to monitor geosteering in real time to accurately place wells in the desired reservoir zone. ConocoPhillips had six drilling centers; the company wanted drilling operations to be monitored from a centralized Onshore Drilling Center in its Tananger, Norway office to improve well positioning and mitigate collision risks.

ConocoPhillips Optimizes Geosteering and Well Placement in the North Sea Using Real-Time Data Case study: Onshore Drilling Center and Petrel software empower cross-discipline communication and critical drilling decisions to maximize Chalk Fields recovery

Schlumberger Information Solutions

Challenge

Improve well position monitoring to keep well in pay zone and mitigate collision risks; establish close onshore/offshore collaboration between engineers and geologists; address IT infrastructure issues (difficult setup, unreliable system, points of potential failure).

Solution

Implement Petrel* seismic to simulation software in a centralized Onshore Drilling Center using a third-party WITSML server via Osprey* Connect; enable one team to monitor all offshore operations in real time throughout well life cycle—from planning through reservoir evaluation phase.

Results

Improved geosteering and well placement through 3D visualization technology; reduced geological and drilling risks with anticollision analysis; increased production and enhanced recovery using water injection; enabled effective cross-discipline communication.

Location of the North Sea Chalk Fields with zoom-in showing Ekofisk, Eldfisk, and Tor.

Norway

Case study: Onshore Drilling Center and Petrel software empower cross-discipline communication and critical drilling decisions to maximize Chalk Fields recovery

Leverage Petrel and other software capabilitiesWith cross-discipline communications being a key driver to a well’s success, ConocoPhillips selected Petrel software to enable real-time monitoring, data flow, and communication of drilling progress in the Chalk Fields. Petrel software is powered by Osprey Connect (formerly Real-Time Data Link), the component that connects Petrel and other applications to WITSML. This technology enabled real-time data sources to support remote geosteering efforts and optimization of well placement in this challenging environment. Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) assisted with implementation of the new tools, ensuring that the setup was seamless and the systems operated reliably.

Enabled offshore visualization and knowledge sharingConocoPhillips experienced a smooth Petrel software implementation. The team found the technology reliable and quick to run, and it also increased the effectiveness of skilled resources. Offshore visualization and knowledge sharing integrated the activities of engineers and geologists through

■ 3D visualization in real time

■ close tracking of planned versus actual well path

■ dynamic comparison of real-time logs to expected 3D geological property model (e.g., porosity)

■ CPI-generated workflow

Team collaboration in centralized visualization room supports offshore operations.

■ instant availability of data in all windows (cross-section, 3D, map, and well section)

■ quick loading of look-ahead surveys and target points to support operational decisions

■ capacity to perform rapid reservoir model updates

■ the same view of data for geoscientist collaboration both onshore and at the wellsite

■ collaborative discussions among different asset and rig operations team members (biostratigrapher, directional driller, drilling supervisor, and geologist).

“We wanted to create the

perception of being at the

drilling site using existing

modern visualization and

communication technology;

to let technology bring

people together in a truly

integrated manner.”

Alex Jones Exploration GeologistAtlantic Margin Team

ConocoPhillips Norway

250 m

100

ft

Image shows 3D visualization in real time. (At 250 ft/hr, the ROP real-time feed is approximately 1 ft behind the bit.)

Model depicts actual geosteered well path with porosity log.

Case study: Onshore Drilling Center and Petrel software empower cross-discipline communication and critical drilling decisions to maximize Chalk Fields recovery

Improved geosteering decision making and well placementCritical geosteering decisions were made much more easily and quickly using the 3D visualization technology installed in the Onshore Drilling Center. The Center’s dedicated collaboration room facilitated real-time communication across offshore and onshore teams. Most importantly, well placement was improved with the help of more sophisticated tools, which reduced geological and drilling risks while improving production and water injection results.

Schlumberger Information SolutionsSchlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) is an operating unit of Schlumberger that provides software, information management, IT, and related services. SIS collaborates closely with oil and gas companies to solve today’s tough reservoir challenges with an open business approach and comprehensive solution deployment. Through our technologies and services, oil and gas companies empower their people to improve business performance by reducing exploration and development risk and optimizing operational efficiencies.

E-mail sisinfo@slb.com or contact your local Schlumberger representative to learn more.

www.slb.com/sis

*Mark of SchlumbergerOther company, product, and service names are the properties of their respective owners.Copyright © 2008 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 08-XX-XXXX

*Mark of SchlumbergerOther company, product, and service names are the properties of their respective owners.Copyright © 2009 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 09-IS-0112

“The major difference

(for this well) has been the

ability to use/see the Petrel

program offshore. To me,

it has been very helpful

to be able to see the well

in a three-dimensional

perspective.”

Henry Stachg Drilling Supervisor

Eldfisk Apha ConocoPhillips