Directional Drilling Services: Why is the technique so valuable?
The practice of controlling the direction and deviation of a wellbore to a predetermined underground target or location is referred to as Directional Drilling. Since the 1920s, directional drilling has been an integral part of global oil and gas industrial operations. In recent times, the demand for directional drilling services has been on a rise owing to the increasing demand for deep and ultra-deepwater oil and gas reserves.
The High-Value Proposition
Directional drilling has gained popularity over the years for the following reasons:
- Reducing the environmental impact by avoiding a surface site that is operationally difficult or ecologically sensitive.
- From a single well, a larger gas resource can be targeted.
- Bringing down the costs or surface impact by drilling several wells in different directions from one surface location.
- From an onshore site, targeting an offshore resource.
- Enhancing oil and gas production by drilling in a manner that exposes more of the reservoir to the wellbore.
It’s been almost 100 years and this technique is opening up great avenues for the oil and gas industry. Let’s have a look at the major applications of directional drilling tools and future prospects.
Major applications of Directional Drilling
Directional drilling services are employed for the following major applications:
Multiple Wells from a Single location
With respect to field developments, specifically offshore and in the Arctic, it is important to drill an optimum number of wells from a single platform or artificial island. Directional drilling technique has immensely contributed in bringing down the costs and the ecological impact of this application. Consequently, the demand for directional drilling services is constantly increasing.
Inaccessible surface locations
When a well is inaccessible with normal vertical-drilling practices, the technique of directional drilling is employed to reach a producing zone. It is the location of a producing formation that dictates the remote rig location and directional-well profile. Directional drilling services are required for applications like this where wells with ‘extended-reach’ are most commonly drilled.
Multiple Target Zones
Intersecting multiple targets with a single wellbore is a highly cost-effective way of delivering high production rates. Directional drilling happens to be the most economical approach for a multiple completion in cases in which the bed dips of the producing formations are designed in such manner. This also finds application in multiple production zones which are adjacent to a fault plane or beneath a salt dome.
Sidetrack
This technique may be employed either to drill around obstructions or to reposition the bottom of the wellbore for geological reasons. With a blind sidetrack, drilling around obstructions, such as a lost string of pipe, is usually accomplished. If a certain direction is critical in locating an anticipated producing formation, oriented sidetrack is required.
Fault Drilling
It becomes very difficult to drill a vertical well through a steeply inclined fault plane to reach an underlying hydrocarbon-bearing formation. For this, the wellbore may be sidetracked perpendicular or parallel to the fault for enhanced production. With respect to unstable areas, a wellbore drilled through a fault zone could be exposed to risk due to the probability of movement or slippage along the fault. Hole conditions may also be affected because of formation pressures along fault planes.
Salt Dome Exploration
Production of formations can be found under the hard, overhanging salt dome caps. The possibility of drilling problems increases with drilling a vertical well through a salt dome.
Relief-well Drilling
In relief well drilling, an uncontrolled or wild well is intersected near its source. Following this, mud and water are pumped into the relief well to kill the wild one. Directional drilling services are extremely exacting for this application category.
River-crossing applications
Directional drilling services are employed extensively for the placement of pipelines that cross beneath rivers. The telecommunication companies have also been using these services for the installation of fiber-optic cables.
A Brief Overview of Global Market for Directional Drilling Services
Recent industry analysis indicates that with increasing investments in offshore projects the global market of directional drilling will experience growth. Higher capital investments are involved in offshore projects and such projects receive returns on investments over an extended duration. But with the technological developments over the years, the cost involved in offshore oil and gas projects has come down. Consequently, with the reduction in breakeven costs of offshore oil and gas drilling projects, there will be a further increase in investments in these projects following which, the directional drilling market will experience significant growth.
Research highlights that the integration of directional drilling technologies in modern equipment is one of the key emerging trends which is likely to gain traction in the coming years. The focus on advancing the oil and gas equipment for reducing the total drilling time and the cost of drilling for enhancing the profitability of companies. This also improves the productivity of oil and gas drilling activities. The directional drilling market growth will be supported by technological improvements in the modern oil and gas drilling equipment in the forthcoming years.
Key Findings from the Directional Drilling Market Report
According to a recent industrial report, the global directional drilling market size will grow by USD 4.36 billion during 2019–2023.
Global Directional Drilling Services Market
Another industrial report highlights that the size of the global directional drilling services market is expected to reach USD 13.45 billion by 2025. Owing to the high demand for energy and increasing oil and gas exploration activities, the directional drilling services market is expected to grow over the forecast period. Technological developments are also gaining immense attention and these are attracting service providers. This would further contribute to the market growth.
We can clearly observe that the market for directional drilling services holds immense potential and this has opened up numerous business opportunities for the directional drilling companies and service providers.
Moreover, the technological advancements in directional drilling are a gamechanger and it will be interesting to observe the transition of the oil and gas industry with these revolutionary developments.
Directional Drilling Companies making a difference in the Oil & Gas Industry
At Cougar Drilling Solutions, the in-house manufactured downhole tools are combined with directional drilling expertise and experience. The objective is to seamlessly execute J-type, S-type, deviated and horizontal drilling applications both onshore and off. This company is equipped to operate in the most challenging downhole drilling conditions with high-temperature motors and MWD/LWD tools.
With time and efforts, Cougar has achieved recognition and trust among its clients. By employing top-notch technology, systematic planning, competent and highly experienced personnel, the company has come a long way. Moreover, their services are backed by high levels of health, safety and environment, quality and operational standards. Rich experience of decades in the industry adds greatly to Cougar’s credibility in directional drilling services.
The other leading directional drilling companies recognized globally for their directional drilling services have been mentioned below:
Energy Dais: Simplifying Your Search for Directional Drilling Companies
For efficient business operations, it is crucial to find a company with excellent track records. Energy Dais, the largest oil and gas directory, has listed some of the most prominent directional drilling companies on its website. These companies are verified and the organization makes sure that you connect with the most qualified and reliable business partners for directional drilling services.
Visit www.energydais.com for more information on directional drilling services.
With a background in English Literature and a diverse experience in writing and editing, I also focus my creative energy in the dynamic oil and gas industry. I strongly believe that the world needs to be more aware of the myriad shades of the energy landscape, which has a domino effect on other contours shaping our society.
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