Publications

Muriah/Masalembo Shell B .V. have successfully utilised a geotechnical data acquisition (soil boring) vessel to investigate future drilling locations for the presence of shallow gas. The concept of drilling an 8 1/2 inch pilot hole with a dedicated, highly mobile vessel to confirm the absence of shallow gas greatly reduces the ultimate risks to the jack up drilling unit. The shallow gas investigation is conducted early in the planning phase of the drilling programme Land is therefore used to optimise the well configuration. This practice also reduces net drilling costs through material and operational time savings.