The UK's Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) is holding a so-called "hackathon" to identify new technology and practices which can reduce the cost of well construction on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).
Jointly driven by the Technology Leadership Board Workgroup, ITF and the OGA, the focus of the event will be to highlight challenges associated with well construction and to use the day as a platform for supply companies, including developers, to work with industry to identify innovative solutions.
It is the first of a series of hackathons to take place at the newly established Oil & Gas Technology Center.
Margaret Copland, Senior Wells and Technology Manager at the OGA, said: “Well construction currently accounts for approximately half of field development costs. By hosting this hackathon, we particularly want to identify technologies that can be adapted from other industries and new, innovative ideas that could transform how wells are constructed.
“New technologies and efficient practices have the power to deliver significant savings in this area. This could allow additional marginal and mature field reserves to be developed and extend the life of existing infrastructure to maximize economic recovery for the whole UKCS.”
The format for the day will comprise a number of themed stations with additional support from facilitators, also known as "pioneering practitioners", who will capture the ideas at each topic station.
Challenge 1 – Rock cutting and Transportation
Challenge 2 – Borehole Stability and Formation Pressure
Challenge 3 – Wellbore Isolation
Challenge 4 – Materials for Downhole Equipment
Challenge 5 – Maximizing productivity from a well
Malcolm Banks, Well Construction Solution Center Manager at the Oil & Gas Technology Center said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this exciting event. It will bring together oil and gas operators, service companies and technology specialists from the oil and gas sector and other industries to explore how new and existing technologies can transform the way we drill hydrocarbon wells, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
"The event will shape the technology development program of the Well Construction Solution Center, one of three solution centers being established by the new, Aberdeen-based Oil & Gas Technology Centre, which aims to become the go to technology center for the oil and gas industry in the UK and internationally.”
Ideas generated at the event will be collated into a report which will be made freely available and be used in developing a program of projects.