StatoilHydro has an enviable reputation for positioning wells correctly, especially high-angle and horizontal types intended to reach more distant parts of a reservoir and ones which do not follow simple paths (3D wells).
But the ability to hit the right target every time remains some way off. This is because reconstructions of subsurface geology and reservoir complexity (earth models) are always fraught with uncertainty.
Together with major contractors and other oil companies, the “dart” team has developed and industrialised a range of new products for achieving real-time, optimised and quality-controlled positioning of production wells in relation to an earth model.
These products are regarded as market leaders and have been incorporated in StatoilHydro's first facility for real-time operations support – the land-based support centre at Stjørdal in mid-Norway.
This facility puts the group well up with the front runners, and represents a major step towards implementing the “intelligent field” concept.
Linking offshore installations with land-based support teams not only enhances value creation from drilling and well operations but also leads to new forms of collaboration between personnel on land and offshore.
