Evolution of the drilling technology in JAPEX Yufutsu and Katakai field

Abstract

The beginning of JAPEX Yufutsu (in Hokkaido) Oil & Gas Field development was the success of the exploration well “Minami-Yufutsu SK-1” approximately 30 years ago during 1988 to 1989, while Katakai (in Niigata) Gas Field development started earlier than that and about 40 years ago when the exploratory well “Katakai SK-8” succeeded in 1978. In both fields, drilling days have been drastically shortened by introducing new technologies to improve drilling rate and maintain well stability, and the optimization of casing programs. Also, reservoir contacts have been maximized by drilling high angle deep wells, horizontal wells, and branch wells, and the choice of production cementing slurries has been changed in order to achieve well integrity throughout the well life cycle.

This paper introduces the history of JAPEX's drilling technologies focused on deep exploration of Yufutsu and Katakai Field.