A NORTH Sea high-pressure and temperature (HP/HT) well drilled by the UK unit of GDF Suez has achieved best in class under the Rushmore benchmark process.
The so-called Rushmore Reviews are global and set the “industry standard” for benchmarking of drilling and completions performance worldwide.
The Aberdeen-based outfit says that more than 180 operating companies in 80 countries participate in the reviews as a part of their performance improvement agenda.
Led by Max Proctor, drilling manager for GDF Suez UK, the Central North Sea Tesla exploration well was drilled and completed in record time and ranks as the first HP/HT well ever drilled by GDF Suez.
Using the Ensco 101 jack-up, a drilling time of 48.95 days from spud to a depth of 4,724m (15,500ft), including logging the well and rigging down of the equipment, was achieved. This was calculated using comparative data based on other HP/HT wells previously drilled in the area.
The average drilling rate of 93.57m (307ft) per day exceeded the previous record of 83.82m (275ft) and the project was completed 44 days ahead of schedule.
The well was subsequently plugged and abandoned as planned.
The Tesla well had predicted parameters of 12,670psi (pounds per square inch) pressure and temperatures of 171C (340F) at the target drilling depth. Only 4.1% time was lost through non-productive time (NPT) and there were no lost-time incidents as a result of health-and-safety issues and no environmental incidents. Well cost came in £12million below budget.