Oil Well Drilling Planning for Vertical Drilling (Manual)

Drilling planning is the key to being able to safely and economically drill a usable hole for oil
and gas production. The economic feasibility of drilling a well is established from cost
estimation of drilling, completion, and production operations, while safety and cost control are
achieved through the proper planning of all relevant programs that have an impact on the
proposed prospect well. Planning for drilling an oil well requires many detailed studies
evaluating every aspect that directly or indirectly influences the successful economic outcome of
the project. Planning requires intuitive, common sense judgments controlling decision making,
along with the analyses representing the coordinated efforts of many individuals, each of whom
contributes specific skills to the task. The objectives of drilling planning are: First, to identify
and address all significant engineering parameters, that are likely to have a direct or indirect
impact on the proposed drilling venture. Next, prepare a drilling plan that addresses all issues
and that will enhance the success of the prospect well by drilling in safe, efficient, and
economical manner in compliance with all federal, state, and local government rules and
regulations. Therefore, my case study would be Well Gelama Merah, it is a vertical exploration
well located in Block SB-18-12 Offshore Sabah, Malaysia. I will use the data from Well Gelama
Merah to develop a systematic, reliable, economical, and safe, vertical oil well drilling planning
guideline. The effect and functions of each steps and equipments utilized in the development
phase of an oil field (Gelama Merah) would be analyzed and technically justified. The relevance
and importance of each of the procedures would be explained, and sample calculations would be
provided as a guideline for future reference.