Abstract

The first well to be drilled in a water depth of greater than 600 feet was drilled by Exxon Company U.S.A. in the Santa Barbara Channel in 1965. Since that time, roughly 10 years ago, there has been continued exploration interest in deep water areas, and expenditures and development efforts have extended Esso’s deep water capability to meet near-term requirements for drilling in over 1900 feet of water in late 1975, and 3000 feet of water in 1976, both off Western Thailand.

A description of the developments in deep water drilling is presented, including discussion of the following five topics: (1) Summary of industry’s deep water drilling experience, (2) Comments on Esso’s recent deep water drilling experience offshore Egypt, (3) Review of Esso’s near-term deep water requirements, (4) Discussion of the major challenges in deep water drilling, and (5) A cost comparison illustrating the relative costs of deep water drilling.

The following major challenges in deep water drilling are discussed in detail: station keeping, reduced fracture gradients, blowout preventer control systems, equipment performance, and application of technology. The majority of the comments made on these challenges are discussed in relationship to the Discoverer 534 drillship which is under contract to Esso. This vessel is one of the most advanced deep water drilling ships in operation and is capable of drilling to 20,000 feet in water depths of 3000 feet.

An update of actual performance with the D-534 will be given at meeting time, but is not included in the published paper, as drilling in 1900 feet of water commenced after the paper was prepared.