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Drilling for Deep Geothermal Exploration, Slim Holes and Large Diameter Wells October 3, 2008

Louis E. Capuano, Jr. President & CEO ThermaSource, Inc.

Well Drilling

Take recommendations from the Geologic / Geophysical staff Drill exploration or development well that penetrates target Given a location and true vertical depth to a target Develop surface location as close to target as possible
reduces directional work needed to get to desired location

Drilling department develops drilling program to penetrate the target


completes well with hole size and casing program to maximize production from the well

Differences of Drilling Geothermal vs. Oil/ Gas Wells


1. 2. 3. 4. Temperature Low reservoir pressure sub-hydrostatic Hard rock drilling volcanic Large production rate

Well Drilling
Pertinent data is required to adequately design and drill the well Goal is to develop drilling program then a cost estimate for budgeting purposes Questions that we need answered in order to develop a drilling program and cost estimate:

Location of the well Governmental regulations for the area to be drilled Proposed depth of well Proposed production interval Production hole diameter (final hole size) Nature of the Resource (Will the well flow on its own or need to be pumped?)

Well Drilling
Questions that we need answered in order to develop a drilling program and cost estimate: (continued)

Elevation of the well Proposed lithology As much information as possible from nearby wells Expected temperature profile of the well

Determining Drilling Programs


Slim Hole Cost = Low Speed Limited information gained Large Bore Wells Exploration wells can be converted to production wells Cost = High Full range of information gained
Reservoirs can be tested and evaluated

Slim Hole vs. Large Bore Wells

Well Drilling
Develop a completion program based on available lithologic information, resource type (flowing or pumped), resource temperature and depth Define hole and casing size and approximate setting depths

30 12.25 Hole

Large Bore
Well Profile

Large Bore Rigs/Wells

8.5 3.5 Hole

Slim Hole
Well Profile

Slim Hole Rigs/ Wells

Well Drilling
Develop step by step drilling program.
This program will put in order the steps to drill and complete the well

Example of Large Bore Drilling Program


Drilling Procedure - Operations in sequence: Prepare Location Install 30 conductor pipe to 50 and install cellar around the same Prepare sump and pad to fit rig layout Move in Rig and rig up on well Center Rig over conductor Extend conductor to appropriate height for safe working Begin building spud mud volumes in mud pits Make up 26 BHA and spud through 30 conductor

Drilling Program
Drilling Procedure - Operations in sequence: (continued) Drill 26 hole to 400 +/- with mud Circulate and condition wellbore for casing and cementing POH with 26 drilling assembly Pick up and run in the hole with 20 94 ppf casing Make up casing with float shoe on bottom and stab-in collar 1 joint above float shoe Once casing is landed on bottom, Stab into collar with drill pipe Pump cement through drill pipe and up through the annulus until cement returns to surface Wait on Cement Wait for approximately 12 hours before testing cement bond If needed perform a top job to seal surface casing

Drilling Program
Drilling Procedure - Operations in sequence: (continued) Cut off 30 conductor and 20 surface casing and attach Blowout equipment Install a slip-on wellhead on 20 casing and weld the same Install BOP stack Pressure test BOP and casing to 400 psi Pick up 17-1/2 Drilling assembly RIH to stab-in collar and begin to cleanout cement Drill out float collar, cement and float shoe Continue drilling 17-1/2 hole to 2000 +/ If lost circulation is encountered treat with LCM and monitor losses Pull out of the hole for 13-3/8 casing Lay down 17-1/2 tools and rig up casing crew

Drilling Program
Drilling Procedure - Operations in sequence: (continued) Pick up and RIH 13-3/8 casing Make up casing with float shoe on bottom and stab-in collar 1 joint above float shoe Once casing is landed on bottom, Stab into collar with drill pipe Pump cement through drill pipe and up through the annulus until cement returns to surface Wait on Cement Wait for approximately 12 hours before testing cement bond If needed perform a top job to seal surface casing

Drilling Program
Assign time to each step in the procedure. This establishes a drilling curve (Days vs. Depth)

Depth (ft)

Drilling Curve for Slim Hole & Large Bore

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100 3200 3300 3400 3500 3600 3700 3800 3900 4000 0 2 4 6 8 10

Planned

Drilling Days

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

Well Drilling
Design detailed casing program: Based on hole size, casing size (O.D.) and approximate setting depth, we then design to casing string Establish casing grade, weight per foot and connection type Design casing based on manufactured properties of the casing weight and grades, API (American Petroleum Institute) established manufactured properties for:
Collapse (ability to resist external pressure that is a crushing action) Tensile strength suspension ability of the pipe Burst ability to resist internal pressures

Well Drilling
We use these properties to design the best casing for the job. We attempt to get the best weight and grade to reduce cost and resist corrosion from the produced resource.

Wellhead and Valving


Design the Wellhead and valving needs for the well: Factors to consider: Flowing well Vapor or liquid dominated resource Pumping well Blow out prevention system needed during drilling

Example of: Large Bore Wellhead and Valving

Drilling System Design


Each section of the well must be drilled with the best systems to allow casing to be set and cemented. Various systems are available: Mud Systems have many purposes; cool bit and drill strings, lubricates, carrys out cuttings, holds back and balance wellbore and resource pressures and helps to keep poorly or unconsolidated formations in place Aerated System is a mixture of mud or water and air injected within. Used in areas of low reservoir pressures and poorly consolidated formations Air Drilling uses compressed air in areas of vapor dominated resources

Cementing
A cement slurry and procedure is designed to completely fill all annular spaces between the casing and the wellbore: Good cementing is the key to success in geothermal well completions:
It reduces expansion due to temperature Reduces casing problems due to trapped voids of mud or water between casings

Cement is designed to:


Give adequate pumping time Produce adequate compressive strengths once it is hard and set Develop good bonding between casing and wellbore & casing and casing

Large Bore Well Directional Program


A program is developed to drill the well vertically and then deviate the well into the desired direction to the target. The deviation of the well is built up to a value that reaches the target into the direction of the target. The program is submitted to directional service companies for procedures, tool requirements and cost estimates.

Slim Hole Well Straight Hole

Large Bore Directional Well Program

Bid Process
The bidding process establishes availability and prices The process begins once all programs have been designed and materials and services specified: Casing and drilling loads can be determined as well as pumping needs and drilling rig requirements The most important factors are:
Derrick capacity Draw works horsepower well pulling capacity Substructure height Pumping output Power needs Space requirements Drill pipe size and grades Mud system capacity Mud cleaning equipment Rotary table size Fuel consumption Day rate Mobilization/Demobilization costs Extra provided equipment Forklift BOPE

Bids are received and evaluated. A cost estimate is developed based on bids and days vs. depth curve.

Well Cost Estimate

Large Bore Well Testing Program


A testing program is developed based on the resource:
Vapor dominated resource Flow rate Downhole measurement (PTS) Discharge requirements Resource sampling Fluid dominated resource Flow rate and lifting method Pumped Air lifted Downhole measurements (PTS) Discharge requirements Resource sampling

A final analysis is completed for reservoir evaluation and resource size.

Contingencies
Slotted liners Option to run and cement additional casing strings as required Special handling needs Hot liners Welded pipe and casing Additional blow out preventer needs and rotating heads Sumpless operations Abatement of emissions during drilling Air compressors Air, steam and cuttings separators. Discharge re-circulating systems Handling poorly consolidated formations Corrosion Mud Coolers

Questions?

Thank You

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