What Is Involved In Drilling Oil Well ?

Oil well drilling requires a great deal of work from a wide range of professionals. For well drilling oil to be successfully completed, many distinct stages of the process must be completed. These include: initial research and the discovery of oil; legal satisfaction and - always - social and environmental responsibilities; the creation of drilling rigs; and, finally, the extraction of the oil.

The first step in the process is to locate an oil source. Research geologists sites where rock and soil conditions suggest possible oil deposits. Today, satellite imagery helps them study land. Other modern technologies help measure anomalies of the Earth's gravitational and magnetic field that could be indicative of a petroleum depot. Various seismic instruments can also be used to send shock waves through rock layers to determine if oil pools exist beneath them.

After a site has been identified, legal issues have to be addressed. Companies must work within the limits of the laws of the jurisdiction in which the site is located. International efforts for parts of countries and supranational and multinational organizations are now encouraging companies to maintain certain standards, no matter where they are. Companies are increasingly needed to research and minimize possible negative social and environmental impacts of drilling oil wells.

Preparations for drilling the oil well include clearing trees and leveling the ground. A reservoir is built to keep some of these natural debris while artificial rubbish must be removed from a natural site. Natural waste is also sometimes transported to another location if its collection at the site could cause environmental damage to the area. Access roads are usually needed for transportation to and from the site, but in cases where the site is remote or road construction has been banned, alternative access by air or waterways may need to be consolidated.

Once these preparations have been made, the crew digs a hole around the programmed drilling position. This work is known as a "cellar." The main drilling is built and other holes are dug around for storage. Finally, the plant is installed and deep drilling can begin. A chassis tube is inserted where the perforator has dug, followed by concrete to create solid walls. After the drilling process is completed, the system is removed, and a pumping system is installed. The oil can be extracted.