Directional Surveys and Associated Issues Keith May Technical Permitting Engineering Unit Presentation Overview Introduction Survey Requirements Submission Procedures Engineering Review Special Field RulesSWR 86 changes ID: 767253
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Directional Surveys and Associated Issues Keith May Technical Permitting Engineering Unit
Presentation Overview Introduction Survey Requirements Submission Procedures Engineering Review Special Field Rules/SWR 86 changes
Directional DrillingAdvancements in drilling technology give drillers incredible control and precision Bolstered by Shale plays, and frack technology
Directional DrillingMeasurement while drilling or MWD tools allow driller to “steer” the drill bit Positional data transmitted up the wellbore Gives us X, Y, and Z coordinates
Where does the RRC come in?RRC requires survey and inclination data be reported. Insures lease line and wellbore spacing rules are followed Protection of oil and gas reservoirs
Applicable RulesSWR 11 Outlines requirements for surveys SWR 12 Requirements for Survey certification Rule 86 Horizontal wells
Where can I find the Rules?
Where can I find the Rules?
Where can I find the Rules?
Where can I find the Rules?
Presentation Overview Introduction Survey Requirements Submission Procedures Engineering Review Special Field Rules/SWR 86 changes
Relevant Rule: SWR 3.11Statewide Rule(SWR) 11 outlines requirements for surveys The purpose is to accurately depict wellbore’s location in 3-D space Different wellbore profiles require different survey types
Survey TypesInclination Surveys Inclination and offset data only No coordinates or directional data Directional Surveys Provide coordinate data (X, Y, and Z) Give most accurate picture of wellbore path
Inclination SurveysRequired for any well drilled/deepened with rotary tools Data point requirements: First data point less than 500’ deep Data points need to be less than 1000’ apart Last point within 1000’ of Total depth (TD)
Form W-12
Submitted on Form W-12 by operatorPerformed by drilling companyCertified by both 16 Inclination Surveys
Form W-12 Accumulative displacement is given without a compass direction, must not exceed distance to nearest lease line.
Ideal Vertical Well 150’ 300’
Actual Vertical Well 150’ 300’ 45’ 85’ 25’ Cumulative Total Displacement: 45’+85’+25’= 155’ 155’
Directional SurveysRequired for any intentionally-deviated well Data points less than 200’ apart Also required if W-12 shows possibility of crossing lease line
Horizontal Well W-12 acceptable through surface casing Gyro or MWD required for rest of well
Directional Well Gyro or MWD required through entirety S-Curve is a special case, requires permission
Survey Common Mistakes WRONG SURVEYS for wellbore profile Surveys missing completely Surveys lacking certification Surveys don’t tie-in Surveys attached for wrong well Solution Survey Company must correct and Resubmit
Certification Requirements Survey Company Name Name and title of individual performing survey Date survey was performed Type of survey conducted Complete well identification Depths surveyedDrilling permit plat with bottom hole location
Example Certification I, name , an authorized employee of THE SURVEY COMPANY , have verified the GYRO/MWD survey performed on 04/01/2013 to 04/02/2013 , from 200’ to 15000’. The data are true, correct, complete and within the limitations of the tool. This survey was conducted at the request of OPERATOR for LEASE WELL# (API#) drilled in TRAVIS COUNTY , Texas.
Certification Common MistakesUploading cover letter instead Double-certifying another company’s interval Certification completely missing Solution: Survey company must correct and resubmit
Presentation Overview Introduction Survey Requirements Submission Procedures Engineering Review Special Field Rules/SWR 86 changes
Submission ProceduresSubmission of directional surveys done by survey company Survey Companies: Must appear on list of approved survey companies Must have active P-5 Must upload certification letter as separate file
Submission ProceduresSurveys may be submitted hardcopy through the mail or through RRC Online System Hard copy submittals may take up to 2 weeks Online submittals are immediately available for review
Submission Procedures
Submission Procedures
Submission Procedures
Submission Procedures
Presentation Overview Introduction Survey Requirements Submission Procedures Engineering Review Special Field Rules/SWR 86 changes
Reviewed ItemsSurvey Completeness Entirety of wellbore covered Tie-ins line up correctly* Certification statements Spacing Lease line spacing* Between well spacing*Permitted Location* NPZ’s
Reviewed ItemsWell Construction Wellbore Profile Abandoned wellbore* Required plugs and cementing* Off-lease Penetration points
Survey Completeness: Tie-InsRRC accepts combination of surveys that represent complete picture of wellbore Surveys must tie in at given depths, with identical coordinates
Survey Completeness: Tie-Ins Last shot point of the shallow survey must match the first shot of the next survey MD: 6296’ N/S: 24.56’ E/W: 14.42’
Survey Completeness: Tie-Ins Compare to proceeding survey Last shot point MD: 6296’ N/S: 24.56’ E/W: 14.42’ Exactly the same, therefore proper tie-ins
Spacing Considerations SHL SHL SHL
Lease line Spacing SHL SHL SHL All points of well must satisfy spacing rule
Between Well Spacing Vertical as well as horizontal SHL SHL SHL
Permitted location Submitted surveys used to plot the well location Compared against the As-drilled plat Surface hole location must be within 10’ of permitted location
Wellbore ConstructionOccasionally surveys indicate abandoned sections of wellbore which may require plugs Crucial to communicate to the D.O. intentions to abandon portions of wellbore in advance
Wellbore Construction FTP PP LTP BHL
Wellbore Construction Situation when a plug would not be required Penetration point above the Kickoff Point (KOP) PP FTP LTP BHL KOP
Wellbore Construction Situation when a plug would be required Penetration point below the Kickoff Point (KOP) PP FTP LTP BHL KOP
Plugging RequirementsGoal is to isolate and protect usable water and productions formations from migration Minimum plug dimensions 100’ think, centered on penetration point Additional 10’ per 1000’ TVD
W-15 PlugPlugging record on page 2 of the W-15 Used to calculate plug thickness
Wellbore Construction Appropriate plug? KOP Plug
Contact District Office: Acknowledge/advise of SWR 14 violation Explain circumstances of violation Make a case for adequate isolation Formally request an exception to the rule Forward District Office response to Engineering Letter from operator to District may not resolve issue Repeat violations may result in recommendation for administrative penalty action 51 SWR 14 Violation
SWR 14 Violation Contact District Office Acknowledge and notify D.O. Explain circumstances of violation Make a case for adequate isolation Formally request exception Forward D.O. response to Engineering Repeat violations may result in recommendation for Administrative penalty action
Oil and Gas Division District Offices: Abilene Corpus Christi Houston Kilgore Midland Pampa San Angelo San Antonio Wichita Falls 10 8A 8 9 7B 7C 5 6 3 2 1 4 53 SWR 14 Exceptions
Contacting the District Office
Contacting the District Office
Contacting the District Office
Engineering ReviewOnline Messages Attached if an issue arises Dispatched at end of day No notification is sent when operators respond
Presentation Overview Introduction Survey Requirements Submission Procedures Engineering Review Special Field Rules/SWR 86 changes
Special Field RulesCustom created rules approved by the Commission for various fields Due to wide array of geologies, industry need and other factors, “one size doesn’t fit all”
Where to find Special Field Rules
Where to find Special Field Rules Shows key information, and link to Docket
Statewide Rule 86 SWR 86 outlines requirements for horizontal drainhole wells ADP requires for all horizontal wells Off-lease PP (if permitted) Box rule Take point provision
Spacing Requirements (SWR 86)1200’ between well spacing 467’ from take points to lease line FTP 467’ 467’ 467’ 467’ LTP SHL BHL
Off-Lease Penetration PointsEnables operators to have SHL and penetration points off lease Must be permitted as such Involves notice to offset operators SHL/PP FTP LTP BHL 467’ 467’
Box/Rectangle Rule Box is created around FTP and LTP, width 50ft or 10% of spacing rule, whichever is greater If wellbore stays within the box, no SWR 37 issues 50’ 50’ FTP LTP
Heel and Toe ProvisionsReduces spacing requirements of take points parallel to the drainhole Not added to SWR 86, only a special field rule FTP 467’ 467’ 200’ 200’ LTP SHL
Common Online Messages
In SummationKnow your required surveys Certify and submit accordingly Remarks are helpful Special Field Rules are your friend Notify the D.O. for any plugging/abandoned sections of wellbore
Contact Information
How is Max Acreage Calculated? Engineering Unit calculates max possible acreage for drainholes Standard calculation is based on the attached graphic
An Example Well in Eagleville (Eagle Ford-1) field with an 7000’ lateral. Eagleville (Eagle Ford-1) is 80 acres per unit Therefore we use bottom table. Each 827 ft increment equals 40 acres 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 7000’ Lateral
Example Continues Divide the drainhole length by 827 =8.46 Round up to 9 additional increments Additional acreage=9x40 acres Therefore total acreage=9x40+80 Max acreage=440 acres