DRILLING A NATURAL GAS WELL

By Dan McVey, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer — Gas Operations

Drilling a natural gas well involves much more than making a hole in the ground. It entails the integration of complex technologies, requiring the producer to make decisions about unexpected pressures and rock formations. The well will be the only conduit to move the oil or gas from the reservoir to the surface; it must be a conduit that will last at least 50 years and be flexible enough in design to allow for the application of future technologies.

Drilling operators must confront and solve extremely difficult technical and safety problems as they bore through layers of subsurface rock to access the strata that contain oil and gas. In addition, they must drill in a way that protects the geologic formation, the production capacity of the well, and the surface environment.

Problems that arise during drilling must be diagnosed using the data that is transmitted from the bottom of the well to the surface, where the information is collected on the rig floor. Depending on the depth of the well, you can lose valuable time before the problem is addressed, leading to the possibility that the situation worsens and drilling operations must be halted. The greatest economic risk occurs when drilling stops after much time and work have been invested.

Attention Natural Gas Members

In accordance with Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations 49 CFR, Part 192.16, Energy Cooperative is required to inform members that the member shall be responsible for their gas service lines.

What you need to know

The member is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all gas piping from the gas meter to all gas appliances.

The member is responsible for the repair/replacement of the gas service line located on the member’s property from the buried curb valve to the inlet of the gas meter. Buried gas piping that is not maintained may be subject to the potential hazards of corrosion and leakage.

For your safety, all buried pipe should be periodically inspected for leaks. If the buried piping is metallic, it should also be periodically inspected for corrosion. If an unsafe condition is found, the gas piping will need to be promptly repaired.

When digging near buried gas piping, the piping should be located in advance and the excavation done by hand. As a reminder, any time you are excavating, OHIO811 should be called by simply dialing 811 or 1-800-362-2764 at least 48 hours prior to digging. OHIO811 will notify various utility companies to locate utilities lines in the area.

Plumbing and heating contractors can assist in locating, inspecting, and repairing the member’s buried piping. The Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that a DOT-qualified plumbing contractor must be used to repair or replace a member’s buried piping upstream of the meter, including the gas riser attached to the meter set. While this is not required for piping downstream of the meter, Energy Cooperative strongly recommends a DOT-qualified plumber be used for all buried gas piping.

Dealing with serious unforeseen problems is the greatest challenge during the drilling process and the primary reason for developing advanced drilling technologies. The U.S. Department of Energy has formed partnerships with industry, national laboratories and universities to conduct research and develop new technologies to reduce the costs and risks of drilling, reduce potential damage to geologic formations, and protect the environment.

DrillingCheaper.There is still no substitute for drilling. The goal of this aspect, then, is to develop drilling technology that is cost effective. Costs are measured in terms of impact on the environment, lifespan of the well and its machinery, and long-term productivity of the well. This requires drilling wells that will last a long time in the precise location needed to achieve maximum recovery of oil and gas, without damaging the environment.

DrillingCleaner. An important objective of today’s research is minimizing the environmental impact of drilling activities. This includes reducing the amount of surface disturbance and responsibly disposing of wastes generated by the drilling. The development of small-bore wells has led to a 75 percent reduction in the amount of surface disturbed and waste generated. Operating costs are also reduced by 50 percent. The goal is to develop drilling technologies that are environmentally neutral, or even friendly.

Drillingforthe21stCentury.The focus of this research is the development of ‘smart well’ technologies that will enable drilling without rigs—systems that will leave no footprint. There is also research into advanced drilling systems that anticipate problems and adjust automatically. Using lasers for drilling is another focus of the research. High-power laser technology developed by the military for national defense could be adapted to drilling for oil and gas.

The research goals include:

DrillingFaster.This element addresses the need for increased efficiency during the drilling phase. Drilling rig time is the most expensive part of the operation, comprising 30-35 percent of total cost. Technologies are being developed to reduce equipment failure, extend the life of drill bits, and reach the target area with as few course corrections as possible.

DrillingDeeper. This aspect addresses the complex geologic environments that affect the drilling phase. Technologies and strategies are being developed that use the specific characteristics of a geologic formation itself to help drill the well. An example of this is the deeper, harder rock formations that contain natural gas. The most efficient strategy is to focus on the brittle nature of the rock itself, which breaks into large chips when hit. It is more efficient to break up the rock by hitting it than to crush and grind it into powder, as is usually done

Thank you to our members!

Because of the generosity of our members rounding up their bills to the next whole dollar amount each month, the Energy Cooperative's Operation Round Up Foundation has donated more than $3.9 million to community organizations.

The Operation Round Up Foundation awarded

$32,755 in OCTOBER

To the following community organizations:

Hospice of Knox County to purchase monitors and scales

West Muskingum Schools for library books

Bethel Mission Inc. for family night equipment - TV & soundbar

Granville Fire Department to purchase dry suits

Turbin Project to purchase tables and chairs

Pleasant Street Elementary for 3D printers

John Glenn Youth Basketball for portable basketball hoops

St. Francis de Sales to purchase chrome books

Utica Fire Department for Marc radios

Do you know an organization that could benefit from an Operation Round Up grant? Scan the QR code with your smart phone or visit myenergycoop.com/roundup.