Abstract

Increased Efficiency through Spatial Representation of a Multi-Rig Drilling Schedule
Track: Petroleum
Authors: REBECCA BRISENO, Les Jagielko

The Spraberry Trend Area field is the second largest oil field in the United States. Pioneer Natural Resources, the largest acreage holder in the trend area, has an active drill program consisting of 30-40 rigs. Historically, drilling program scheduling has been managed in an Excel spreadsheet but as the number of wells and rigs has grown the need to better manage the distribution of rigs and scheduling of wells became apparent. Using python code we have been able to convert the spreadsheet into a map product. The spatial representation of the data offers numerous efficiencies which were previously unattainable such as minimizing rig mobilization distances through point to path analysis and better grouping wells into drilling superintendent areas for easier oversight and management by creating minimum convex hull polygons by grouping fields. This map serves as an integral communication tool between our corporate and field offices.