Abstract
The operator's drilling efficiency program has been expanded to a Limiter Redesign Process that seeks to optimize all rig time, including flat time. As drilling efficiency gains have been achieved, flat time now accounts for roughly 80% of the total rig time and approximately 70% of the total cost of drilling and completions operations; leaving 20% of rig time for drilling. This fact led to the generation of a comprehensive Flat Time Reduction (FTR) program.
The Fast Drill Process has become a well-known workflow to identify hole-making limiters and mitigate them through "relentless redesign to the economic limit of performance". Efforts to increase drilling efficiency continue, and this process has yielded a continuous increase in the overall footage per day and a reduction in flat time within individual hole sections.
To address operations that do not include drilling of rock, the operator has launched a similar effort and workflow process which focuses on "flat time" portions of the well construction process. This has become a key focal point in the organizations approach to maximize capital efficiency. The Flat Time Reduction process provides an environment in which operations are optimized while further enhancing a workplace where "Nobody Gets Hurt."
This process is yielding significant savings globally and has been accomplished through planning, "real-time" recognition and response, collaboration with service providers, and a focus on Non-Productive Time (NPT) reduction while continuously improving safety performance. Field applications of limiter redesign are discussed in this paper. The purpose of this paper is to present the current status and specific approaches being used to reduce flat time and share the workflow process.
