Conference Programme:

“People & Equipment: Ensuring the Fundamentals in Today’s Expanding Industry”


Tuesday 2 December 2008

07:30 – 08:30    Conference Registration, Coffee Service & Open Exhibition
                        Sponsored by: Weatherford Drilling International

08:30 – 09:00    Welcome & Introduction

                        HE Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Rumhy, Oman Ministry of Oil & Gas
                       
                       Keynote presentation: Mohammed Al-Barwani, Chairman, MB Petroleum Services LLC.

 09:00 – 10:00   Session I: Training & Competency
                        Session Chairmen: Chris Ball, Weatherford Drilling International & Gary Castell, Nabors Drilling International Ltd.

Comparison of Drillers Method and Wait and Weight Method: Comprehensive Analyses of the Two Constant Bottom Hole Circulating Methods
Paul Sonneman, Rana S. Roy, Chevron
The only well control training rig personnel often get is the classroom and simulator training. Personnel may lack the ability to apply classroom training in a real situation. A choke drill can bridge this gap in training. It can be performed in a cased hole prior to drilling out the casing shoe and this can improve the kick handling capability of rig personnel. The importance of pre-recorded kill rate pressure will also be discussed.

Implementation of a Task Based Training and Competency Program
Arend Snaas, Weatherford
The implementation and early results of a task based competency and training program will be presented.

10:00 – 10:30    Networking Break & Open Exhibition
                        Sponsored by: Weatherford Drilling International

10:30 – 12:00    Session II: Case Study I
                        Session Chairmen: Abdel Naser Abu Aishah, Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) &
                        Chris Ball, Weatherford Drilling International

Delivering HP Wells in a Low Cost Environment
Ibrahim Al Farei, Petroleum Development Oman
Petroleum Development Oman lays out their experience delivering complex HP wells in a low cost environment combined with the current stretched labour and equipment market.

Kick Handling with Losses in an HTHP Environment
Fred Ng, Wild Well Control, Inc.
In HTHP wells, loss of returns is a frequent complication in kick handling. Operational and technical options for handling typical scenarios will be describe, including simultaneous occurrence of losses and influx. Case studies from HTHP wells will be used to illustrate relevant issues, including applicable mitigations and contingencies for well planning and drilling operations.

A Case Study in Relief-Well Drilling Using a Modified Driller’s Method as a Well-Intervention Alternative to Bull Heading
Ray Tommy Oskarsen, John W. Wright, John Wright Company, Ole B. Rygg, Thomas Selbekk, Wellflow Dynamics, Michael E. Allcorn, Alert Disaster Control
A well drilled in Syria was shut in after the drillpipe parted and a 60 bbl kick was taken. After evaluating the options for going forward, it was decided to drill a relief well. Subsequent to intersecting the target well, the hydrocarbons were circulated out by pumping mud down the relief well and out through the choke manifold of the target well.

12:00 – 13:30    Luncheon & Open Exhibition
                        Sponsored by: National Oilwell Varco

13:30 – 15:00   Panel Discussion: "Ensuring Personnel Fundamentals in Today's Industry"
                       Moderator: Alan Hippman, BP

The drilling industry faces a number of challenges on the personnel front. The difficulties of ensuring personnel competence are heightened by the industry's current growth and subsequent shortages of skilled and experienced labor. Contractual hiring constraints and staffing levels, along with the effects of automation, add to this complex situation. Panel members representing a cross-section of the industry will explore the efforts individual companies are making to overcome these obstacles. 

      -  Soud Al-Marhuby, HR Executive Manager, Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL)
-  Eiman Al-Hazza, Supervisor, Training & Professional Development Unit, Drilling & Workover Department, Saudi Aramco
-  Edward Petersen, Field Superintendent, Nabors Drilling International Ltd.
-  John O’Neill, Oman Wells Manager, BP
- Maged Basta, MEA (Middle East & Asia) Learning Centre General Manager, Schlumberger

15:00 – 15:30    Networking Break & Open Exhibition
                        Sponsored by: Weatherford Drilling International

15:30 – 17:00    Session III: Equipment
Session Chairman: AbdulHadi Al-Qahtani, Saudi Aramco

BOP Shear Ram Testing for Smart Well Completions
Adib Al-Mumen, Stephen Smith, Saudi Aramco
The results of a series of tests where completion strings with multiple control and gauge lines installed on the OD were sheared and the Shear Blind Rams pressure tested. This report discusses the methodology, the test results and recommendations.

Advancements in Shear Technology
Eric Ensley, Frank Springett, Jim Brugman, National Oilwell Varco
Through extensive research into the mechanics of shear, significant reductions in shear force of drill pipe in BOP's have been made possible. This presentation will discuss the magnitude of those improvements, the mechanics of shear and technically how those improvements were achieved.

Taking Sour Gas Kicks in Water Base Fluids - How Much Does a High pH Actually Help?
Hermann F. Spoerker, Markus Doschek, OMV Exploration & Production Ltd.
Running high-strength steel drill pipe in wells that potentially can encounter sour reservoir fluids becomes more and more common when going to larger depths. The paper reviews the fluid and chemical kinematic effects of a sour gas kick entering into a high-pH fluid in the well bore and the resulting effects on high strength steel pipe.

17:00 – 18:30    Welcoming Reception & Open Exhibition
                        Sponsored by: Cansco Dubai

Wednesday 3 December 2008 

07:30 – 08:30    Conference Registration, Coffee Service & Open Exhibition
                        Sponsored by: Weatherford Oil Tool Middle East Ltd.

08:30 – 09:00    Keynote presentation:
                        Eamon Gorman, Well Engineering Director (UWD), Petroleum Development Oman

09:00 – 10:30    Session IV: Contingency Planning
                        Session Chairmen: Jean Normand, National Drilling Co. & Pat O’Shaughnessy,                             
                        National Drilling Services Co. (NDSC)

Concurrent Operations Risk Mitigation throughout H2S Well Test Operations and Well Control Planning
Phanijyoti Sarma, UWXZ, Danny Byrne, UWXZ, Tariq Riyami, UWXU, Petroleum Development Oman
Concurrent operations hazard identification & risk mitigation throughout H2S well test operations and well control planning conducted within a producing field.

Relief Wells - What it Takes
Jim LaGrone, Boots & Coots
Drilling a relief well is surprisingly different than a conventional well bore. An illustration of those differences will make the operator aware.

Modeling and Simulation of Blowout Well
Dr. Ebrahim Hajidavalloo, Eng. Parham Omidian, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran
A better understanding of flow field around the blowout well can be a great help in making the correct decisions during the killing program of a well.

10:30 – 11:00    Networking Break & Open Exhibition
                        Sponsored by: Weatherford Oil Tool Middle East Ltd.

11:00 – 12:30    Panel Discussion: "Ensuring the Fundamentals of Equipment Integrity"
                        Moderator: Pat O’Shaughnessy, National Drilling Services Co. (NDSC)

Exploding growth and a number of new manufacturers serving the drilling industry have introduced a number of supply chain and other equipment issues. These range from service availability to equipment certification, parts availability and even authenticity of parts. Operators and contractors based in the Middle East will discuss how these issues affect their day-to-day operations and plans for expansion, along with measures taken to minimize their impact.

           - Mark Koper, UWX Contracts & UWD Well Control Manager, Petroleum Development Oman
        -  Mike Edmondson, Country Manager, Weatherford Drilling International
        -  Reji Mathew, Maintenance Manager, National Drilling Company
        -  Bandar Al Mutairi, Team Leader Drilling & Workover Engineering Drilling, Operations Group, Kuwait Oil Company (to be
          confirmed)
        -  Abdullah Saif Al-Hady, Drilling Operations Manager, Abraj Energy Services LLC

12:30 – 13:45    Luncheon & Open Exhibition
                        Sponsored by: National Drilling Company

13:45 – 15:15    Session V: Well Control
                        Session Chairmen: Dean Hills, Ensign International Energy Services LLC & Charlie Yester, Noble International Ltd.

Evolution of Well Control Policies and Procedures for Saudi Aramco
Iqbal Ahmed, Stephen Smith, Monty Gilleland, Saudi Aramco
An outline of the evolution of Saudi Aramco’s well committee, policies, procedures and equipment requirements as well as highlighting recent changes and foreseen limitations with state of the industry well control equipment.

Well Control Equipment Inspection and Certification
Mark Koper, UWXC, Arjan ter Haak, UWXC, Petroleum Development Oman
Well Control Equipment inspection and certification across the board is suffering due to new equipment brands entering the market, lack of OEM facilities in the region and eroding inspection/certification knowledge. PDO’s Well Engineering Directorate mapped out the current status and put together with the Drilling Contractors recovery plans in place.

BOP Equipment Recertification Study
Stephen Smith, Monty Gilleland, Saudi Aramco
The results of a study of the time period between BOP recertification are presented. The study was undertaken by tracking equipment after a complete refurbishment to “as new” condition through a three year period and what repairs were required to bring it back to “as new” again.

15:15 – 15:45    Networking Break & Open Exhibition
                        Sponsored by: Weatherford Oil Tool Middle East Ltd.

15:45 – 16:45   Session VI: Case Study II
                       Session Chairmen: Charlie Yester, Noble International Ltd. & Dean Hills, Ensign International Energy Services LLC

Ahmadi 143 Well Control
Safi Akhtar, Waleed Al-Baghli, Ashis Gohain, Kuwait Oil Company
When a well is located very near to a residential area, any surface gas leak is potentially disastrous. In this case history, the welding around 20-3/4 3MX SOW Wellhead and 18-5/8 casing was not 100% rated for H2S service. Pumping H2S scavenger mud down the annulus from time to time was needed to keep the welded area around the wellhead free from H2S. The maximum allowable wellhead pressure was 500 psi. The casing shoe was at 240 ft and the formation was too week to hold surface pressure.

Case History: Capping a Desert Blowout Involving Several Operational Hurdles
Tim Bell, Cudd Well Control
An explanation of the systematic approach to working through the series of well control remediation issues and the required attention to detail and safety of a blowout well in close proximity to a large processing facility.

16:45    Prize Drawing & Closing Remarks

Unassigned Papers of Note: 

The following paper proposals will be included in the conference if a scheduled paper becomes
unavailable. In addition, these presentations will be made available in the IADC conference proceedings, should the author so desire. 

Well Integrity Management
Ghaith Darmacki, UWXU, Daniel Byrne, UWXZ, Petroleum Development Oman
Well Integrity and Well Services Management on a portfolio of aging wells and yearly added new wells is a complex process. This presentation explains the systems and process management Petroleum Development Oman has put in place to tackle this.

Talent Development: A Learn-As-You-Go Approach
Shereen Hussain, Weatherford Oil Tool Middle East Ltd.
Now more than ever companies must pay attention to their prime investment; their people. Talent is the scarce resource and a learning culture will ease the upcoming effects of the "crew change".

Offshore Case Histories of Continuous Circulation while Drilling HPHT Wells
Rod Vogel, National Oilwell Varco
Continuous Circulation System assists in successfully drilling HPHT wells by overcoming drilling concerns in HPHT wells. 

Underbalanced Workovers in Mature, Low Pressure Fields
John Bowling, Blade Energy Partners, Arie De Weerd, Sofia Soares, Yahya Al Mawali, Petroleum Development Oman, Jason Allard, High Arctic Energy Services
Low pressure, low flow rate oil wells can be serviced without using overbalanced workover fluid as the primary well control barrier. Replacing the primary well control barrier requires additional equipment, procedures and training but is providing operational and production benefits in mature fields for PDO.

Exhibiting Companies: