Recent Southern North Sea exploration drilling has focussed on deeper Carboniferous prospects in the U.K. and Dutch Sectors. (See Location Map)

Attempts to optimise the process of drilling deep Carboniferous exploration wells have been successful. Five wells in excess of 13850 feet, (4222 metres), have been drilled since 1989 and a significant learning curve has been seen.

Keywords:
optimisation, shale, drilling fluid formulation, drilling fluid selection and formulation, washout, primary objective, intermediate log, southern north sea, deep carboniferous exploration well drilling, hole interval
Subjects:
Drilling Operations, Drilling Fluids and Materials, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Drilling fluid management & disposal
Copyright 1991, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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