Sonic Recording for Oil Gas Drilling

Sonic Recording is a technique used in drilling operations to analyze rock and ground underground formations with sound waves. Oil and gas exploration and recovery uses a drilling rig that creates a deep hole called a hole by using a rotating drilling tool connected to long tube sections. The drilling head creates a hole with a diameter equal to the tip size.

A sound reproduction tool is connected to a powered wire and dropped the hole to create a sound recording chart. This instrument consists of a transmitter and receiver co-located on a long tube that fits into the sound hole. The transmitter sends a series of high frequency ultrasonic pulses in all directions that enter the surrounding rock formations and return to the receiver.

To prevent the transmitter and the receiver from interfering with each other, a number of different techniques are used. The transmitter and the receiver are separated from the distance, creating a more cylindrical shape. Sound absorbing materials and rubber gaskets can help reduce part of the sound from the transmitter reaching the receiver. The most important drawing element refers to turning off the receiver every time the transmitter sends a pulse. This prevents false signals in the sound recording results, and prevents the sounds transmitted from damaging the receiver.

The transmitter sends sound impulses in short gusts, entering the rock surrounding the hole; part of the sound quickly reflects back to the receiver, and some enter the surrounding rock and is diffracted, which means it changes direction from the output sound. Since the diffused sound returns to the receiver, the time difference between the transmitted and the return sound is recorded. Another sound travel effect in the ground is attenuation, which is a reduction of sound due to absorption. As the sound enters rock around the well, rock and other materials absorb the sound, reducing the amount of signal that returns to the receiver; this in turn can provide information on the characteristics of the ground.

Sonic recording is effective in determining the characteristics of a hole because sound travels different depending on the rock or surrounding ground of the transmitter. The first sounds to return to the receiver are p-waves or pressure waves, because they typically have the highest speed or speed. Waves P travel faster in high density rock, and slower in sand or less dense soil, which is called more porous.

The second type of sound waves to return to the receiver is waves S, or cut. A cutting force wants to tear something apart, so these waves are measuring the formation for its ability to cut or break. This is important in oil drilling, because the formation of oil or gas must be broken before the product can be recovered; this is called fracking. Waves S will provide information that is used in this operation.

When the sound recording tool is sent a hole, which provides a visual representation of the sub-superficial characteristics. Rock fractures can aid drilling operations in the product area, but can cause problems if found elsewhere in the hole, which can be sealed with a pipe or similar cement sealant to prevent leakage from the bore. Water may also be a problem for drilling operations, as it will blend with the product; If water enters the well in any large quantities, it may require further processing later to remove it from the oil. Another concern is contamination of groundwater with oil, so understanding where there are layers of water can reduce environmental concerns.

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Exploration Drilling

Exploration drilling is a procedure in which several test holes are perforated in order to evaluate the soil content in a particular area. It was conducted to find out whether the valuable materials are present, and to evaluate the quality of these materials. There are a number of industries that use drilling exploration in their work, sometimes with their own drilling crews, and sometimes through companies offering hire of drilling services.

A common reason for drilling exploration to do is in mining prospecting. Once a potential site is identified, drilling exploration can be used to determine whether the site has material of interest ranging from metallic minerals to diamonds, and to evaluate the quality and quantity of such materials. 

In the first drilling exploration phases, several test holes can be excavated for carotage covering a large area. Once site value is confirmed, additional holes can be drilled and people can learn more about site quality. The company has to determine whether exploiting the site will generate profits that exceed the costs of drilling and the ongoing site maintenance costs once it is active. A site with potentially poor returns could be too expensive to invest, leading the company to pull out.

The oil industry also uses exploration to pervade suspect oil deposits. Drill samples are analyzed to determine the quality of the crude, while geologists work on estimates of how much oil can be available at the site. People are sometimes surprised to learn that crude oil actually enters into quality ranges that determine what can be done on the market by analyzing oil deposits on a critical site.

Geologists can use drilling exploration to learn more about geological layers without the specific target of exploiting mineral resources. Carotages can provide a great deal of information about geological composition of a site and history. These samples can also be picked up by ice and mud deposits to collect layers of stored data that provides climatic information; Pollen displacement can indicate change in time, for example, while increases in deposits of certain chemicals can sometimes be related to geological or human activity.

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Horizontal Well

What is 'Horizontal Well'

A well that is transformed into horizontal in depth, providing access to the oil and gas reserves in a wide range of angles. horizontal wells has grown in popularity during the 1980s, such as natural gas and oil exploration turned away from less productive than vertical wells. This type of well is used to gain access to conventional sources of reserves.

horizontal wells became economically viable in 1980, such as computerized mapping and directional localization and holes made access difficult to reach deposits of oil and natural gas, easier and more convenient. Of the three categories of drilling horizontal rays - short, medium and long - average drilling is more prevalent

horizontal wells tend to be much more productive than vertical wells. This is because they allow a single well to reach more points, without the need for further vertical wells. This makes each far more productive individual, since most tanks are more productive throughout their horizontal axis that their vertical access. horizontal wells also reduce the risk of introducing water or gas intrusions in the case of oil exploration.

While more productive than vertical wells, horizontal wells tend to be more expensive. Although this cost has decreased over the years tends to be a learning curve associated with exploring new types of fields, especially for developers and inexperienced.

horizontal wells usually starting with the drilling of a vertical well. Drilling vertically allows engineers to examine rock fragments at different levels, in order to determine where the reserves are located. horizontal wells are then "kicked off" from the auction primary vertical, and enter the tank to an "entry point" after the drilling of an arched hole.

The extraction of oil and gas from conventional sources, such as shale rock formations, often requires the use of horizontal drilling technologies.

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Vertical Well

A well that is not converted into horizontally in depth, allowing access to the oil and gas reserves are located directly below the point of surface access. Historically, natural gas and oil exploration has involved the use of vertical wells because the directional drilling technology was expensive and complicated. Drilling of vertical wells is considered a conventional method.

Vertical shafts differ directional wells, such as horizontal wells, deep because they require the use of directional drilling. This makes them less expensive to develop, although less productive because of their limited range.

While vertical wells may be less complicated to bring in line of directional wells, their limited angles make them less able to reach a wider part of the underground area. Because a vertical shaft can access only the reserves of petroleum and natural gas directly under, making a large manufacturing industry requires the drilling of many vertical wells. They are especially handy in case of reserve thin layers located over a wide area. Since a vertical well can be drilled in a single direction, the exploration company must estimate the most productive portion of the reserve from the beginning; a vertical drilled well can go right through the reserve, drawing only a portion of the available energy.

horizontal wells usually starting with the drilling of a vertical well. Drilling vertically allows engineers to examine rock fragments at different levels, in order to determine where the reserves are located. horizontal wells are then "kicked off" from the primary vertical shaft.

The extraction of oil and gas from unconventional sources such as shale rock, often requires the use of horizontal drilling technologies because the source can be executed in the horizontal direction. If the reserves are located in a residential area, well vertical drilling would require both the displacement of residents or require them to live next to a tower.

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Directional Drilling

A drilling technique in which a well is bored to multiple angles. Directional drilling refers more often for the non-vertical angle drilling, including horizontally. It is used both to recover oil and natural gas underground, and is useful in situations where the shape of the tank is abnormal. It is also used to adjust pressure created by the gas in mines (degassing).

As a technique, directional drilling allows oil and gas operators to approach a potentially productive zone, without the need of a well to be drilled directly above that area. A central site can serve holes that reach more and more to non-vertical angles positions. This reduces the number of facilities and which must be constructed and maintained. With no need to build new wells may also lead to the exploration of smaller fields that would otherwise be uneconomical.

Early involved directional drilling tip of the tip with a different vertical angle, resulting in a straight line away from the well. The modern drilling techniques allow the use of tips that can bend; allow engineers to adjust the direction of the well is drilled to a certain extent. This can be accomplished through the use of hydraulic jets

Directional drilling is used in the development of mines, in order to reduce the risk of potentially dangerous gas breakages. In-mine drilling techniques allow companies to create holes in advance of my face.

While the basic concepts of directional drilling date back to the 19th century, has become a popular technique such as computer technology has become more common. The toe angle used for bored shaft can be regulated by a computer using GPS signals to pinpoint the location of an oil and gas field. Engineers create the 3D field models to determine the best location for good, and the best approach to the hole to follow.

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Drilling Rig

A drilling rig is a machine that creates holes in the earth sub-surface. Drilling rigs can be massive structures housing equipment used to drill water wells, oil wells, or natural gas extraction wells, or they can be small enough to be moved manually by one person and are called augers. Drilling rigs can sample sub-surface mineral deposits, test rock, soil and groundwater physical properties, and also can be used to install sub-surface fabrications, such as underground utilities, instrumentation, tunnels or wells. Drilling rigs can be mobile equipment mounted on trucks, tracks or trailers, or more permanent land or marine-based structures (such as oil platforms, commonly called 'offshore oil rigs' even if they don't contain a drilling rig). The term "rig" therefore generally refers to the complex of equipment that is used to penetrate the surface of the Earth's crust.

Small to medium-sized drilling rigs are mobile, such as those used in mineral exploration drilling, blast-hole, water wells and environmental investigations. Larger rigs are capable of drilling through thousands of metres of the Earth's crust, using large "mud pumps" to circulate drilling mud (slurry) through the drill bit and up the casing annulus, for cooling and removing the "cuttings" while a well is drilled. Hoists in the rig can lift hundreds of tons of pipe. Other equipment can force acid or sand into reservoirs to facilitate extraction of the oil or natural gas; and in remote locations there can be permanent living accommodation and catering for crews (which may be more than a hundred). Marine rigs may operate thousands of miles distant from the supply base with infrequent crew rotation or cycle.

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Drilling Rigs Type

There are many different types of drilling rigs. Which rig selected depends on the specific requirements of each drill site. Roll your mouse over each picture to see what kind of rig it is.Its a good for drilling knowledge

Land Based Drilling Rigs - The land-based drilling rig is the most common type used for exploration. This site is using a conventional, land-based drilling rig that is smaller and more efficient than those used in the past.

Slim Hole Drilling Rig - A conventional drill bore might be 18 inches in diameter; a slimhole bore can be as little as 6 inches. A slimhole well drilled to 14,760 feet may produce one-third the amount of rock cuttings generated by a standard well. The size of the drill site can be as much as 75 percent smaller, since slimhole equipment requires less space than conventional equipment. However, slimhole drilling is not technically feasible in all environments.

Coiled Tubing Drill Rig - Conventional wells are drilled using sections of rigid pipe to form the drill string. In some cases, coiled tubing technology can replace the typical drill string with a continuous length of pipe stored on a large spool. This approach has many benefits, including reduced drilling waste and minimized equipment footprints, so it is especially useful in environmentally sensitive areas. This technology is best suited to re-entering existing wells, and when multiple casing wells are unnecessary.

Jackup Drill Rigs – These rigs may be used in relatively shallow water -- less than 300 feet deep. A jackup rig is a floating barge containing the drilling structure that is outfitted with long support legs that can be raised or lowered independently of each other. The jackup, as it is known informally, is towed onto location with its legs up and the barge section floating on the water. Once at the drilling location, the legs are jacked down onto the seafloor, and then all three legs are jacked further down. Since the legs will not penetrate the seafloor, continued jacking down of the legs raises the jacking mechanism attached to the barge and drilling package, and slowly lifts the entire barge and drilling structure to a predetermined height above the water. These rigs are extremely strong, since they have to withstand ocean storms and high waves. These rigs are moved by simply by moving the legs up and down, which makes them cost-effective and easily shifted out of harm's way during storms.

Semi-Submersible Rigs – Drilling in water deeper than 300 feet demands some kind of floating platform to hold the rig. Semi-submersible rigs are floating vessels supported on large pontoon-like structures that are submerged below the sea surface. As with jackup rigs, the operating decks are elevated as much as 100 or more feet above the pontoons on large steel columns. This design has the advantage of submerging most of the area of components in contact with the sea and minimizing loading from waves and wind. Semisubmersibles can operate in a wide range of water depths, including deep water. Semi-submersibles can either be attached to the ocean bottom using strong chains and wire cables or may utilize dynamic positioning to remain stationary during drilling without anchors.

Drill Ship - For exploration targets farther offshore, specially designed rigs mounted on ships can drill a well in water depths up to 10,000 feet. These rigs float and can be attached to the ocean bottom using traditional mooring and anchoring systems, or utilize dynamic positioning to remain stationary during drilling without anchors.

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Drilling for oil

After the drilling of one exploration well, designed to confirm the presence of oil and other wells are drilled to delineate the deposit. Most wells are drilled using a drill bit, a cutting tool on the end of a set of drill pipe supported by a metal tower called derrick. The drill bit is rotated. The drilling speed varies greatly depending on the nature of the rocks traversed. Of the "drilling mud" (a mixture of clay with water and chemicals) is continuously injected inside the stems. It goes back into the space between the rods and the walls of the well. The mud serves to cool the drill bit and remove the cuttings. Back on the surface, the slurry is filtered and reinjected into the well. Analysis of the debris can qualify the rocks traversed. 

Advances in drilling techniques now allow the completion of drilling small diameter boreholes deviated (obliques), horizontal multidrains, etc ... This progress has allowed the exploitation of deposits that were previously unprofitable, for technical reasons and / or economic. 

For offshore deposits (offshore), is generally used for pumping platform independent. Special ships can be used to exploit deposits of lower capacity.

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Exploration and prospecting for new oil fields

To find oil, we look for sedimentary basins where oil and gas have formed. Gas and oil then had the opportunity to migrate through porous rock capable of holding large quantities. 

In spite of modern tracking techniques (satellite imagery, geophysical, three-dimensional seismic surveys), the discovery of a new deposit is uncertain until the introduction of drilling. Only the latter can confirm the presence of the precious liquid.

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State of the World's Oil Reserves

A simplified figure and relatively speaking: a cube of 7 kilometers from the side, half empty (or half full, it depends), with a leak rate equivalent to the Rhone is the current state of reserves and world oil consumption.

Proven reserves are generally estimated at between 140 and 160 Gt, or 1,050 to 1,200 Gbl. But taking into account technological advances and a recovery rate above 30%, the reserves could reach 266 Gt (or 1'996 GBL). The truth is that the reserves are not well known, and that in addition to proven reserves, it is quite inappropriate to make hypothetical assumptions about the probable reserves and ultimate.

Fairly coarse (and varies according to findings nouvaux oilfields), proven reserves are geographically distributed as follows:

• 55-60% in the Middle East;
• 15-18% in North America;
• 7-8% in Central and South America;
• 6-7% in Eastern Europe and Former Soviet Union;
• 6-8% in Africa;
• 3-5% in Asia and Oceania;
• 1-2% (!) In Western Europe;

I'll let you calculate how many tons or barrels this is by geographic area.

The countries of OPEC account for approximately 75-80% of total world proven reserves. Several sources say, however, that the state reserves of many countries been an overestimate: these optimistic data are primarily used to sit supremacy and economic influence of the major producing countries.

The rise in oil prices led to interest in deposits unconventional oil , such as oil sands, whose operation is known as energy-intensive, highly polluting, and catastrophic for the environment (despite some methods that allow to avoid the creation of open pits).

Global warming also affects some plan to use: the melting of arctic ice led some companies (such as Arctic Oil & Gas Corp) interest in the exploitation of hitherto inaccessible deposits.

Finally, the exploitation of new (types of) deposits appears to be the preferred track to generate more wealth to the detriment of the fight against global warming and more generally the protection of the environment. Or how to cut ever more ardently the branch on which we sit ...

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