Industrial and commercial verification of novel method for blowout prevention and handling by improved wellbore positioning

Goal of project: Technical and commercial verification of novel method for improved wellbore positioning while drilling. There are major risks associated with offshore drilling, in part due to limitations in current wellbore positioning methods. Most me thods used today lack a direct correlation to the seismic data used for geological modelling, thus incuring an uncertainty in the drilling operation. Moreover, drilling operations North of 70 degrees latitude suffer from significantly reduced accuracy in magnetic and gyroscopic wellbore positioning, which are the preferred solutions today. At the same, drilling systems and services account for a major portion of the total exploration and production capital expenditure. There is a distinct need for increa sed safety and optimisation in the industry. The proposed solution is to use conventional seismic acquisition together with new processing methods to provide improved wellbore positioning to operators, without obstructing the drilling operation in any wa y. Reliable and precise wellbore positioning will not only optimise the drilling operation itself, but also improve relief well planning and drilling by increasing the chances of a direct hit and reducing the dependency on less efficient magnetic ranging methods for homing in on blowing wells. Commercialisation will be achieved through the founding of a spin-off company providing live wellbore positioning services to drilling operators, on contract with oil companies. The project will improve and industr ialise methods and required tools in preparation for full-scale industrial verification of the technology in a pilot survey together with industrial partner(s).