Deep Water Slender Wells

The Slender Well Concept

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Background

Slender Wells

Outside the Gulf of Mexico, many of the world’s deepwater oil and gas reserves lie in regions with benign weather conditions and simple geology. Often, wells are drilled with as few as 2 or 3 casing strings. This permits the use of a smaller, considerably lighter riser, and the use of a smaller lower cost drilling vessel than would otherwise be required.

Thus, the slender well concept will allow some areas of the world to be developed economically where this would not have been possible with conventional technology.

The slender well drilling system offered by Deep Water Slender Wells Ltd (DWSW) uses proven technology in conjunction with a pressurised casing riser, a surface BOP, and a subsea shut-off and disconnect device.

The advantages of DWSW's approach to slender well drilling include:

The ability to quickly and easily modify rigs of opportunity, expanding their operating envelopes, and reducing mobilisation and demobilisation costs
Applications include both exploration and development drilling
Reduced riser and mud mass reduce tensioner requirements and allow the use of a smaller, lower cost drilling vessel
Savings in operating time due to fast riser running speeds
Reduction in mud volumes and costs
The use of prelaid moorings to allow drilling operations to begin within hours of arriving on a location

Thus, DWSW's approach to slender well drilling allows for wells that are as small as possible but as large as necessary, and is only restricted by water depth, environment, hydrostatic pore pressure, reservoir depth, and the availability of suitable drilling vessels.