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Table of Contents
Production
Biostratigraphy is an invaluable part of modern production drilling and it is likely that significant dollar value can be attributed to its use. In fact, biostratigraphy can be utilised in “real-time” operational drilling situations during exploration, appraisal and production phases. The general operational aspect of biostratigraphy is discussed later in this manual.
Maximising production from a field requires the optimum placement of production wells both laterally and vertically within a reservoir. The advent of horizontal production wells has shown to clearly demonstrate a significant advantage when compared with more conventional, vertical or subvertical wells.
It is estimated that operational biostratigraphy in the North Sea alone adds around £2 billion of economic value each year to oil & gas revenues (Haydon Bailey, Network Stratigraphic Consulting Ltd. pers. comm.).
Techniques revolve mainly around placing the production well bore along optimum trajectories (“biosteering”) and in the accurate placement of casing strings to mitigate against pressure differentials (“geostopping”).