The “intersect on the first attempt” is a bit of a red herring. No, they don’t usually get it on the first try. But after a handful of tries, they do. In close proximity there is ferrous sensing technology and (I believe) inertial guidance all the way down.
General Electric has such stuff to get within inches of a casing and has been using it for several years, “175 successful projects”. (I sure hope obama did a google search and will be using this technology. It is GE, so I imagine he will).
The entire article has useful information related to the BP blowout and gives a good description of hazards they may encounter.
What is MAGRANGE™III?
MAGRANGE™III (an acronym for MAgnetic Gradient Ranging) is GE Energy’s latest suite of proprietary hardware, software, and interpretive tools that can locate subterranean steel materials within inches, at depths in excess of 15,000 feet.
Utilizing this patented technology in blowout well control, GE Energy is able to accurately drill a relief well to control a blowout, to retrieve or sidetrack around a fish, and in a variety of other situations that require directional drillers to precisely locate a target well or fish.
MAGRANGE III simplifies the relief well process by providing superior data to determine the direction, angle, and distance of the relief well to the target well. Even the best well surveys are only accurate within approximately 50 feet (assuming a .25 (accuracy at 12,000 foot depth), and many older wells have no surveys at all. Put MAGRANGE III to work for you for the help you need in a blowout.
Why should I use MAGRANGE III?
Previous methods of well control required multiple sidetracks to be drilled, increasing the cost and time needed to recover a blowout. MAGRANGE III delivers accurately positioned relief wells, often enabling well control to be regained within an hour. With more than 175 successful projects completed, GE Energy is the company to trust when you need immediate well control.
How does MAGRANGE III hardware work?
The MAGRANGE III sensor array is run into the drill hole on a wireline. Magnetic data is logged either during the insertion or removal of the tool. The typical scenario includes the operator drilling the relief well in the general proximity of the target well (usually within 20-60 feet), running MAGRANGE, and then, based on data collected, adjusting the down hole tool to more accurately reach the target well. Depending on the depth of the hole, measurements can be repeatedly taken to further fine tune the relief well until control is regained.
What service does MAGRANGE III include?
GE Energy is the industry leader in blowout well control. Superior technology, combined with an experienced lead engineer overseeing every project, allows GE Energy to deliver fast and accurate blowout control, when and where you need it. From initial solution engineering, to data measurement and analysis, and to success, GE Energy provides unmatched service at your drill site.
When should I consider MAGRANGE III?
MAGRANGE III has proven successful in a wide range of purposes – below is a summary of possible applications:
• Typical blowout: MAGRANGE III can position the relief well close to the perforations of the target well, permitting kill fluid to be pumped into the relief well and the blowout control to be brought under control. Depending on the formation, the relief well may be effective up to 20 feet away, or in other instances, direct mechanical contact may be required for the relief well perforations to impact the target casing – often in two hours or less.
• Proper well abandonment: If foreign materials or rot prevents a well from being cemented and properly abandoned, MAGRANGE III can facilitate drilling alongside the original hole and “kick over” to make a shallow intercept. The original well can then be cemented and can be abandonment completed.
• Avoid charged formations: In the vicinity of a damaged well, shallow sands can become highly charged with gas, making relief work dangerous. Using MAGRANGE III, GE Energy is able to track the target well at a safe distance before controlling the well.
• Fish location: MAGRANGE III can be used in original wells to strike below the relief well and to pinpoint the location of a fish. Retrieval is particularly challenging in washouts, however, MAGRANGE III can provide essential data to allow the fishing operator to retrieve the fish. In instances when a relief well is drilled and the fish is unable to be retrieved, MAGRANGE III can enable a drill back into the original hole below the fish, converting the relief well into the new well.
• Intermediate kill for all hole depths: Typically, every 3000 feet of additional depth doubles the cost of a relief well. For wells are between 17,000-20,000 feet deep, MAGRANGE III can be used to drill nearly parallel, and into contact, with the target well (at an intermediate depth of approximately 10,000-12,000 feet). A borehole televiewer can then be utilized to locate and radioactively mark the sector of the relief well in which contact is made with the target well. A high-powered perforating gun with a radiation detector can then be lowered into the hole to perforate directly into the target well and regain control of your drilling operation.
Be prepared when a blowout arises
Contact GE Energy today to learn more about the superior technology and service of MAGRANGE III.