Big Oil and Gas 24: The hole with a new bit and BHA (“Bottom Hole Assembly”). 10,785’ TD. We did not make any hole yesterday due to the bit trip.

CO2?

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

The hole with a new bit and BHA (“Bottom Hole Assembly”). 10,785’ TD. We did not make any hole yesterday due to the bit trip.

This morning, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 6:00 am MST, we are tripping back in the hole with a new bit and BHA (“Bottom Hole Assembly”). 10,785’ TD. We did not make any hole yesterday due to the bit trip. Yesterday morning the decision was made to POOH to change out the bit and BHA. The new bit will have a more aggressive cutting structure to improve P rates. The new BHA arrangement will help maintain angle and azimuth also allowing an improvement in P rates. To change out a BHA is about a three-hour process. While TIH (“Tripping Back in Hole”), the routine procedure is to stop at ±3,000’ (inside the casing) and test the functionality of the mud motor and BHA. The drill string was pressured up and did not test (something was plugged up). We had to POOH again, break down the BHA, correct the problem, and then start back in the hole (about a 6-hour process). To compound matters even more, a winter blizzard blew in mid-morning (25⁰F, 30 to 40 mph winds)(wind chills 6⁰ to 8⁰F) . This turns a 10-hour trip into a 15-hour trip. There was no snow accumulation because it was blowing horizontally to the ground! For obvious reasons, people just don’t move as fast in frigid conditions, especially the derrick man on the monkey board 100’ above the ground. You gotta’ respect these guys for the conditions they work in! There is a link to a short video (3 seconds) below taken by Ben Hadden, LSOG Wellsite Supervisor. You will have to play the video back several times to get a better feel for the weather conditions.

Today’s video features Mr. Tracy Allen, Rig Manager for LSOG Rig 88. Tracy has been drilling in the Rocky Mountain region for 26 years and knows the area like the back of his hand. Rig Managers are responsible for all rig personnel, rig functionality, maintenance, and repairs. They spend most of their time talking and conferring with all rig personnel to ensure safe, efficient operations. One scene of interest in the video is inside the Electrical Power Control Room, commonly referred to as a SCR House. SCR stands for “Silicon-Controlled Rectifier”, a device that converts AC current to DC current. Obviously, the SCR House can be a very dangerous place if you don't know what you're doing!
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Rig 88 is a diesel electric rig, meaning the rig is totally run on electricity generated by three giant electric generators powered by diesel engines. All electrical currents to run the rig, pumps and motors are controlled from the SCR House and must be closely monitored by the rig crew and Rig Manager to assure safe and optimal operating conditions.

A big job, indeed!

This is one generator. We got three of these side-by-side.