Odfjell Technology Assists Hunt Oil Company of Romania in Setting European Depth Record for Casing While Drilling

Odfjell Technology, a prominent supplier of offshore drilling and well operations, has played a pivotal role in assisting Hunt Oil Company of Romania in achieving a European depth record for 20’’ casing while drilling (CwD).

In an effort to mitigate potential surface hole hazards such as shallow gas, formations sensitive to swabbing, tight hole, and loss of circulation, Hunt Oil Company chose to employ a casing while drilling approach for its Macoveiu 3900 well in Buzau, Romania. The decision to utilize casing while drilling was aimed at providing benefits in terms of time saving for the surface section of the well.

In order to overcome challenges associated with limited rig surface equipment capabilities, including a maximum achievable working flowrate, thorough analysis of drill bit performance, wellbore hydraulics, and hole cleaning was required. The existing 20” casing by 24” bit design underwent comprehensive analysis, optimization, and validation to ensure suitability for the anticipated conditions.

The implementation of Odfjell Technology’s CwD services not only resulted in a record-breaking depth of 798m below rotary but also yielded several other advantages. Notably, Hunt Oil succeeded in reducing the number of runs required, leading to significant time and cost savings. This was made possible through the elimination of conventional bottom hole assembly handling and tripping times, achieved by utilizing Odfjell Technology’s casing running tool (CRTi), torque turn computers, manual handling tools, hydraulic power tongs with high torque capacity, and power packs.

In her remarks on this achievement, Elisabeth Haram, EVP Well Services at Odfjell Technology, emphasized the company’s dedication to providing industry-leading well services and highlighted the substantial hours and costs saved by its suite of well services.

Meanwhile, Ciprian Rotareanu, Operations Superintendent at Hunt Oil Company of Romania, expressed appreciation for the effective team collaboration and persistent effort that resulted in the successful execution of casing while drilling, with no recordable incidents or accidents. Rotareanu underscored the importance of communication and teamwork in overcoming challenges and achieving milestones.

The European record-setting performance in casing while drilling not only reinforces Odfjell Technology’s position as a preferred well services provider, but also exemplifies the potential for turning challenges into opportunities through effective collaboration and effort.

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In conclusion, Odfjell Technology’s support in enabling Hunt Oil Company’s European depth record for casing while drilling stands as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in addressing complex drilling challenges.