China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has set a new daily drilling record of 2,138 meters at a project in Hainan Province. This milestone underscores China's dedication to advancing its offshore oil exploration capabilities.
Offshore drilling presents numerous challenges, including high costs and complex technical hurdles. Achieving faster drilling speeds is essential for meeting operational goals and maximizing resource extraction. The record-breaking project focused on natural gas exploration, reaching depths exceeding 3,600 meters and bottom-hole temperatures of 162 degrees Celsius. The drilling team successfully navigated various geological formations and managed abnormal formation pressure gradients.
Liu Peikai, director of the conventional exploration well project at CNOOC (China) Limited Hainan Branch, shared insights into the achievement:
\"In the design stage, we optimized the wellbore structure, which shortened the entire well construction process. At the same time, we improved the drilling tool based on formation conditions during operation and created a special drilling tool with higher efficiency,\" Liu explained to China Media Group (CMG).
Prioritizing safety and quality, the team employed innovative tools and leveraged digital technologies, such as big data analytics, to enhance efficiency while maintaining rigorous standards.
Zhang Botao, project manager of the conventional exploration well project at CNOOC (China) Limited Hainan Branch, highlighted the impact of CNOOC's independently developed drilling optimization system:
\"Relying on the drilling optimization system independently developed by CNOOC, we can promptly compare historical drilling data from oil and gas wells across various sea areas, make accurate analyses and judgments of downhole conditions in advance, and make better scientific decisions in the face of complex well conditions,\" Zhang said. \"This approach effectively improves operational efficiency and the success rate.\"
Reference(s):
China sets new record in offshore oil exploration drilling speed
cgtn.com
