Hi RIK,
Well, casing has been run RIK. So, you can doubt that if you wish OR you can question where the release that you expect on this TIGHT HOLE is. I can't tell you where the release is, but I'm not "looking" for one either.
Yes, completion costs can run pretty high on a well like this. But, replacement well costs would be one H--- of a lot higher!!! I'll bet that the Apache "man in charge" NO DOUBT thought something along the following lines after he had reviewed his log data:
"""""Sure would be nice to have a test on this thing. Looks to me that it probably would DST in the order of 15 - 20 MMCF/D based on all the wells that I've seen and tested over the last 25 years but you never really know what they'll do without an actual test. And, I wonder what the pressure really is in this Swan Hills. I know that it is about 7,500 psi in that offset well a couple of miles away, but you know it could be a little bit different here. I know that I'm going to have to spend money and do a completion and subsequent 4 point test on this well even if I do DST it, so should I spend the money on a DST (~$35,000???) at this time or not?? I know that the cost of a DST would pay for a good part of the casing I need. Should I even take the RISK of trying to pull off a DST on a zone that looks undoubtedly to be gas pay with NO underlying water indicated on my logs?? Golly, I sure wouldn't want to get stuck with a damn DST tool down at ~14,000 feet and then have to spend a few days "fishing" it out. HELL, I COULD EVEN LOSE THE F------ HOLE OVER THAT AND THEN "MY REPLACEMENT" WOULD HAVE TO REDRILL THE HOLE JUST TO EARN!!! Oh chit, maybe since my log data looks so damn good, I better just get pipe in this hole and earn. Besides, with that high H2S content, I have to be thinking and concerned about embrittlement of my drill collars. Oh, and there's always the possibility that this ~7,500 psi zone could give a good gas kick and poison my crew. And hell, I guess it could even blow wild on me!! No!!! I've spent $4.5 million to get to this point. I know the investors in my partners' companies all want to hear a DST rate really badly, but damnitall, I have to cover my butt, too!! My boss down in the states won't give me that big fat bonus at Xmas if I lose this well!! I think I'll order that casing, RIGHT NOW!!!"""""
Since they in fact did case the well, it could also mean that all companies are in TOTAL agreement with the decision!!!
Later,
grayhairs |
