Recent North Sea successes build confidence

The recent application of underbalanced drilling (UBD) techniques in Shell`s southern North Sea gas fields has provided evidence of the benefits these techniques can deliver compared to a conventional program. In addition, the success of these operations has demonstrated that with the right approach to system design and regulatory compliance within a legislative environment, the techniques developed for land operations can be adapted to mitigate all offshore safety, environmental and operational concerns. Impeccable planning and a team effort resulted in two wells successfully drilled using underbalanced techniques. With confidence in the safety and efficacy of the system, future projects will concentrate on improving efficiency and well productivity.