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Equipment also stated that, despite such advantages, ERD technology can increase the well process and create drilling issues resulting from the increased torque, drag, hole cleaning, and equivalent circulation density that it produces.“ Overcoming these problems requires operational change to enable operators to address downhole challenges,” the authors wrote.
Remote operations continue to have a transformative effect on the industry. One 2024 study noted that remote technologies can revolutionize the oil industry by improving efficiency, cutting costs, and promoting safer and more sustainable practices. Researchers have focused on recent technological advancements and their impact on the industry to trace the evolution of remote drilling practices. Remote monitoring and control systems, for instance, are“ fundamental to remote drilling operations,” using advanced sensors, telemetry, and communications technology“ to provide real-time data on drilling parameters, equipment status, and environmental conditions,” according to the authors. In addition, operators can monitor and control drilling operations from centralized command centers,“ ensuring precise and timely decision-making.” Ultimately, the
challenges of bypassed pay opportunities will remain, but embracing these best practices and emerging technologies can help extend an oil field’ s long-term productivity, profitability, and sustainability.
There are three key takeaways to consider when evaluating the importance of identifying bypassed pay zones and increasing a field’ s production late in its life. First, new and mature oil fields can be developed without a negative environmental impact. Second, more oil can be extracted while prolonging field life, and third, productivity and sustainability can run in parallel. ■
David Olutusin
David Olutusin, MBA, PG, CPG, P. Geo, C. Geol, FGS, PMP, is a senior geologist with Kuwait Oil Company, and a subject matter expert in oil and gas field development. David is a boardcertified professional geologist, certified petroleum geologist, professional geoscientist, chartered geologist, and project management professional, with over three decades of experience in oil and gas, project planning and execution. He can be reached at david. olutusin @ gmail. com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the author’ s employer.
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