Page 5 - Drilling Technology in Nontechnical Language

Contents

1 Drilling Geology 1

Overview 1
Origins of Rock 1
Plate Tectonics 4
Lithology 7
Rock Strengths and Stresses 12
Hydrostatic Pressure Imposed by a Fluid 14
Geological Input to Drilling Wells 17
Summary 20

2 Oil and Gas Reservoir Formation 21

Overview 21
Source Rock and Hydrocarbon Generation 22
Vital Rock Properties 24
Primary Migration 25
Structural Traps 25
Reservoir Rock 26
Seal Rock 27
Secondary Migration 28
Reservoir Drives 29
Problems Related to Fluids in the Reservoir 31
Summary 31

3 Drilling a Land Exploration Well 33

Overview 33
Identifying a Prospect 33
Well Proposal 34
Well Design and Drilling Program 37
Drilling the Well 52

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