Dr. Ali Ghalambor: An overview on the oil and gas well drilling process

Ali Ghalambor. Image credit: bunkerville.wordpress.com

Ever wondered how the process for drilling oil and gas wells work? This Dr. Ali Ghalambor article will enlighten you about the basics of this process, which is a vital aspect in the oil and gas industry.

In the complex world of the petroleum industry, drilling is just a part of what it takes to extract petroleum fluids from beneath the surface of the earth. It entails many elements which will require much planning, studies and research before the actual execution of such operations. A team of geologists, scientists, engineers, and other industry experts works to formulate strategies on how to properly source out oil and gas.

Finding the source of oil is of course the first step to drilling a well. Geologists are said to be primarily responsible in locating the right conditions for an oil trap, which includes the source rock, reservoir rock, and entrapment. Some of the things that they consider in finding oil trap are surface rocks and soil types.

Ali Ghalambor. Image credit: osha.gov

Dr. Ali Ghalambor has co-authored various handbooks about drilling, production and well completion in exploiting petroleum bearing formations. These handbooks are useful reference for industry movers and those who aspire to work in the petroleum field.

After the site selection, further studies are made particularly on the boundaries and environmental impact of the process. Permits and agreements are also ironed out. In preparing the land, several holes are dug around the area, and a rectangular pit or cellar serves as the workspace around the hole.

Once the rig is set, the drilling operations may start. From the starting hole, experts drill the surface up to the pre-set depth. The pre-set depth is located just above the oil trap. A cemented casing must be placed into the section of the hole to avoid it from collapsing. After several casings, the drilling would continue until it reaches the final depth, wherein there are several tests such as well logging, drill-stem testing, and core samples done. Once the final depth is reached, a perforating gun is lowered into the well. The gun creates the necessary holes in the casing wherein the oil will flow.

Ali Ghalambor. Image credit: wilderness.org

Dr. Ali Ghalambor has over 35 years of academic and professional experience in the field of petroleum engineering. For more about him, follow this Facebook page.