Project Overview

An independent operator planning its first deepwater exploration well engaged SPD to provide the full well design. The operator had strong subsurface and commercial capability but no in-house deepwater well engineering resource. The well was targeting a high-pressure gas prospect beneath a complex shallow section characterised by shallow water flows and unstable sediments, in a jurisdiction where the operator had not previously drilled.

SPD’s Approach

SPD assembled a dedicated well engineering team covering all design disciplines: shallow hazard assessment, pore pressure and fracture gradient prediction, casing design, cementing, drilling fluids, well control, directional drilling and completions. The design process was structured around concept select, detailed design and pre-well reviews, each with formal peer review. Regulatory permit applications were prepared in parallel. SPD engineers were present on the rig throughout execution.

Results & Value Delivered

✔ Well Drilled Safely to TD — First deepwater well completed safely without well control incidents or significant unplanned NPT.

✔ Shallow Hazards Managed — Shallow water flow and wellbore stability hazards managed within design parameters.

✔ Regulatory Permits Secured — All required permits obtained ahead of rig mobilisation.

✔ Full Technical Authority Provided — End-to-end well engineering from basis of design through on-site execution.