Technical Challenges in Deepwater Operations for Oil and Gas Industry

This article discusses the technical challenges faced by Schlumberger in deepwater operations for oil and gas industry. It also provides tools for analysis of the problem and concludes with the importance of seismic imaging and evaluation of deepwater reserves for efficient operation of the well.

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Background of the organization: Schlumberger
Schlumberger is one of the leading producers of technology in the world for the
characterization of reservoirs, drilling, production as well as processing of oil and gas. The
organization works in more than 85 countries and employs about 100,000 people from 140
nations. The organization provides a comprehensive range of services and products from
solutions of pore to pipeline to exploration for efficient recovery of oil or gas (Slb.com 2018)
Problem Statement: Technical Challenges
Due to an increasing global demand of energy, the organization faces an
unprecedented technical challenge to meet the rise in the demand. This requires development
of technology that can allow access to sources of hydrocarbons, previously thought
inaccessible or unrecoverable; extend production in mature fields as well as improve the
utilization of unconventional sources. The key technical challenges faced by the organization
include: deepwater operations, flow assurance, geothermal services, unconventional
resources, heavy oil, enhanced oil recovery, exploration, geomechanics, high pressure and
high temperature and carbonate reservoirs (slb.com, 2018). In this context, the challenges of
deepwater operations will be discussed.
Tools for analysis of the problem:
Several parameters are useful for measuring the feasibility of a deepwater operation.
These include seismic interpretation, seismic inversion studies, evaluation of deepwater
reservoirs and deepwater flow testing can used for the analysis of the challenges and allow
effective operational design (Slb.com, 2018).
Seismic interpretations for deepwater oil/gas well are required to be precise. Pore
pressures can be analyzed by measuring the overburden and layer thickness along with the

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seismic velocities. Proper estimation of the seismic velocities and map contouring process in
deepwater oil/gas well is important to ensure optimum positioning of vertical wells and
horizontal wells during subsequent development of the well. Seismic Inversion Studies can
be used to generate a 2D or 3D image of the reservoir. Pre-stack angle dependant reflected
waves can also provide stronger information on the lithology as well as the fluid content of
the reservoir, and can be applicable for multicomponent and multi-azimuth seismic surveys.
Using seismic inversions, seismic attributes such as elastic and acoustic impedance,
compression velocity, shear velocity and density cubes can be analyzed. This information can
be used to plan a safe and efficient well and landing locations (Slb.com, 2018).
Evaluation of the deepwater reservoir quality can be performed by understanding the
fluid properties and reservoir matrix. A real time reservoir evaluation while drilling can
provide high quality data for real time evaluation of the reservoir during the drilling
operation. Measurements like resistivity, porosity, permeability and lithology can help to
improve understanding of the reservoir matrix. With such information interpreters will be
able to identify dripping beds, faults and fractures which can affect the drilling performance
and help in making decisions on the designing and optimization of the reservoirs. Deepwater
flow testing can also help to understand potential changes in the pressure of the reservoir
during the operation of the field. It can also help to analyze the scale and the volumes of the
reservoir (Slb.com, 2018).
Conclusion
Different technical challenges exist in deepwater oil/gas drilling operations. These
challenges include the necessity of optimizing the extraction process as well as ensuring
efficient operations. Seismic imaging/interpretation as well as evaluation of the deepwater

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reserve is important methods that can allow characterization of the wells, and help to make
designs to allow optimal and efficient operation of the well.

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References:
Slb.com (2018). Technical Challenges | Schlumberger. [online] Slb.com. Available at:
https://www.slb.com/services/technical_challenges.aspx [Accessed 29 Mar. 2018].
Slb.com (2018). About Schlumberger | Schlumberger. [online] Slb.com. Available at:
https://www.slb.com/about.aspx [Accessed 29 Mar. 2018].