Drilling Risk Management in Southern Iraq Oilfields

Abstract

Risk assessment and management objective is to maximize the probability of a project's success by identifying,
analysing, mitigating, and controlling the risks.All drilling projects have some degree of risk, and project
objectives in terms of cost, schedule, quality, performance, and profitability may not be met.Drilling a risk
management system is an integrated system for managing health, safety, environment, and service quality. It
consists of processes, standards, procedures, work methods, and forms that determine how work is performed
within companies.
Two case studies were selected in southern Iraq oilfields; Abu Ghirab and Halfaya oilfields. Four wells were
selected; three wells in Abu Ghirab oilfield and one in Halfaya oilfield. The two case studies included problems
that have been occurred in the four wells. The first case study included a deformation in a 9? inch casing in the
Abu-Ghirab and Halfaya oilfields, and the second case study was on the lost in the hole two radioactive logging
sources in Halfaya oilfield.
These two case studies' methodology has focused on investigating and designing a new casing using Landmark
software for Abu Ghirab and Halfaya oilfields wells. The investigation and analysis of two radioactive logging
sources tools in Halfaya oilfield that was lost in the hole. Then the drilling risk management and contingency
plan were performed to avoid these problems.
Poor cement evaluation practices were shown from the information that was obtained from the casing
deformation investigation. Formation integrity test (FIT) and casing integrity tests (CIT) have not been
implemented, and the cement bond log (CBL) or segmented bond tool (SBT) log has not been running in the
hole. Well HF in Halfaya oilfield was abandoned due to lost in the hole (LIH) two radioactive logging sources, and
the proposal is presented to re-abandon the well or re-enter this well by retrieving the LIH or sidetrack and redrill the well to a new bottom hole location. Also, monitoring and checking the radioactive contamination in the
abandoned well in Halfaya oilfield before starting any operation as the contamination gives rise to the radiation
hazard.
Due to investigation findings based on facts and analysis, it is concluded that well design optimization, perfect
drilling practices, selecting excellent casing manufacture, and improving the accuracy of cement evaluations
would mitigate or prevent these problems in these two oilfields in the future. Therefore, drilling costs and time
are reduced; leading to achieving the drilling companies' goals, zero non-productive (NPT), and improving
key performance indicators (KPIs).