Table of Contents

Vol. 7, No. 1
1st Quarter 2001

Deep Drilling Challenges Focus of Houston Workshop

During a March 20-21 meeting with industry and researchers in Houston, DOE representatives heard from industry regarding the problems encountered in drilling and construction of deep wells, the technology gaps and needs to overcome those problems, and what and how DOE can contribute in industry/ government collaborations. The meeting was hosted by DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratory. 

Deep well solutions require ever-advancing technologies and processes. These may include, for example, new drilling approaches that incorporate advanced information technology, new bits, and new high-temperature materials, sensors, and electronics. Through four concurrent breakout sessions, DOE heard from industry about: drilling and completion fluids, completion-based well design, advanced smart drilling, and drilling diagnostics and sensor systems. Approximately 85 attendees from industry, government, and the national labs participated in the breakout sessions. Many of the problems that have historically resulted in high cost for deep drilling were discussed; however, it was also noted that new technologies, not previously available, could potentially be applied to make a significant difference in deep drilling economics.

Proceedings will be available for public review and comment by around May 1 and will be accessible through the PTTC homepage (http://www.pttc.org) and on NETL's Strategic Center for Natural Gas homepage (http://www.netl.doe.gov/scng).

For further information, contact Brad Tomer, Strategic Center for Natural Gas (304-285-4692 or 

btomer@netl.doe.gov) or Sam Varnado, Sandia National Laboratory (505-845-9555 or sgvarna@sandia.gov).

Field Results from East Texas DOWS Application Now Available

Using funding provided by DOE's National Petroleum Technology Office (NPTO), Argonne National Lab and Arthur Langhus Layne - LLC analyzed field data donated by an East Texas field operator for a downhole oil-water separator (DOWS) installation, in this case a REDA AQWANOTTM hydrocyclone unit. The unit was installed in October 1998 and ran for more than a year. Before the test, the well produced 43 bopd plus 3,384 bwpd. For over two weeks oil production held steady and water dropped to only 448 bwpd. Over the following months, performance was erratic and problems were experienced with recirculation.

Although not an economic success, performance during part of the test was encouraging and the overall experience provides many lessons learned. Operators considering DOWS application are encouraged to review these field results, available in downloadable pdf format from Argonne's website: http://www.ead.anl.gov/pub.

For further information, contact John Veil phone 202-488-2450 or email jveil@anl.gov.

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New Website For NETL's Strategic Center for Natural Gas (www.net.doe.gov/scgn)