In Field Referencing Study by Drone Aeromagnetic Measurement

Abstract

Abstract Relief well drilling plays a crucial role in mitigating uncontrolled well incidents, ranging from minor well-control events to catastrophic blowouts. Achieving accuracy in drilling a relief well, particularly in intercepting a small target or re-entering an uncontrolled well casing, is of paramount importance. To ensure success, advanced survey management techniques are essential for precise relief well and target well positioning. Among various techniques, conducting an In Field Referencing (IFR) acquisition has proven to have a significant impact on reducing well lateral uncertainties by accurately determining the local geomagnetic field and its crustal anomalies. In the context of relief well drilling operations, achieving timely and effective In Field Referencing (IFR) is key due to the time constraint. This paper focuses on the chosen method of deploying a drone from an offshore barge in order to conduct the IFR, highlighting its efficiency and effectiveness. The utilization of a drone enables rapid deployment and data acquisition, contributing to significant time savings. Additionally, the offshore barge serves as a stable platform, facilitating precise positioning and data collection during the IFR procedure. Notable advantages of IFR acquisition include fine-tuning target well positioning through IFR and Multi Station Analysis (MSA), reduced lateral uncertainty of the target well, enhanced quality control thresholds for MWD data, accurate calculation of azimuth using IFR-corrected declination, increased chances of target well detection during the locate phase, improved interference detection from the target well, and enhanced interception efficiency with robust HSE management. This article presents a comprehensive study on the implementation of IFR during the planning phase of an offshore relief well project in an offshore field. It covers various aspects, including mobilization, acquisition set-up, methods employed, procedural considerations, and the obtained results. By shedding light on the IFR process, this study aims to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of advanced survey management techniques in relief well drilling operations.