Mr. Erik Milito - The House Committee on Natural Resources ...

ISOLATING POTENTIAL FLOW ZONES DURING WELL CONSTRUCTION 67
— work the drillstring up and down;
— increase the standpipe pressure and continue to apply torque and work the pipe;
— as a last resort, commence jarring in the direction opposite to the last pipe movement.
B.2.10 Regulatory Issues
One component of proper well planning includes appropriate regulatory review. Typically, the regulatory agency with
jurisdiction for the well will need to review the well plan before operations begin.
Well plan submittal documents tend to have the following features in common:
— a description of drilling objectives,
— planned casing and cementing programs,
— drilling fluid program,
— equipment testing policies and procedures,
— borehole evaluation and directional survey programs,
— estimates of pore pressures and fracture gradient.
Depending on the type of regulatory system in effect, the agency may or may not approve the well plan in its entirety,
or it may require certain changes to the plan to meet regulatory requirements.
B.2.11 Communications Plan
A key feature of good well design is effective communication of the plan to the personnel that will execute that plan.
<strong>The</strong> well design should be communicated through a written plan and through personnel meetings.
For complicated wells, holding a meeting to “drill the well on paper” can often highlight areas of risk and concern, and
gives an opportunity for all parties to understand their role in executing the well program. A discussion of human
factors, required training and experience of personnel should be highlighted.
Pre-spud meetings are often used to review the relevant topics contained in the well plans, highlight and review safety
issues with the personnel, and address topics related to annular flow prevention. <strong>The</strong> prevention of annular flow does
not rest solely with the cementing operation and well control equipment. It is a process that involves wellhead
equipment, directional control, wellbore quality, drilling fluid management and cementing operations.