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1 Executive summary
The main goals of the OG21 initiative are to (1) develop new technology and knowledge to increase the value creation of Norwegian
oil and gas resources and (2) enhance the export of Norwegian oil and gas technology. The OG21 Cost-effective Drilling and
Intervention (CEDI) Technology Target Area (TTA) has identified thirteen key strategic drilling and well intervention needs
to help meet the goals of OG21. These key strategic drilling and well intervention needs are based on a review of present
and anticipated future offshore-Norway drilling and well intervention conditions and the Norwegian drilling and well intervention
industry. A gap analysis has been performed to assess the extent to which current drilling and well intervention R&D and
other activities will meet the key strategic needs.
Based on the identified strategic drilling and well intervention needs and the current industry R&D and other activities, the most important gaps for meeting the OG21 goals in the area of cost-effective drilling and intervention are:
ü technology for low-cost exploration wells,
ü environment-friendly drilling technology,
ü low-cost methods for well intervention/sidetracks,
ü deepwater drilling technology,
ü new extended-reach drilling technology,
ü technology for arctic drilling conditions,
ü technology for deep HPHT wells,
ü methods to increase rig availability,
ü technology for reducing drilling costs,
ü methods for reducing drilling hazards,
ü drilling and intervention technology for high-productivity wells,
ü increased competency and basic research related to drilling and intervention, and
ü enhanced export of drilling and intervention technology.
Particular focus should be placed on developing new technology for low-cost exploration wells to stem the downward trends in the number of exploration wells drilled and the volume of discovered resources. The CEDI TTA has the following additional recommendations:
· The perceived gaps in addressing the key strategic drilling and well intervention R&D needs should be communicated to the principal developers and suppliers of new drilling and well intervention technology, including the service companies, research institutes, universities, operators, and other organizations involved in drilling and well intervention technology development.
· The needs and gaps in the area of drilling and well intervention should be reviewed on an annual basis and communicated to the appropriate government agencies.
· The government should increase seed funding via the Research Council of Norway for proposals that address the strategic drilling and well intervention needs.
· Where consistent with business interests, operators should consider increased funding for development of drilling and well intervention technology that meet the strategic needs for Norway.
· The industry should develop new creative partnering and risk sharing models for development of capital-intensive new drilling and well intervention technology.
