The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) is holding a hackathon to identify new technology and practices which can reduce the cost of well construction on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).
Jointly driven by the Technology Leadership Board Workgroup, ITF and the OGA, the focus of the event will be to highlight challenges associated with well construction and to use the day as a platform for supply companies, including developers, to work with industry to identify innovative solutions. It is the first of a series of hackathons to take place at the newly established Oil & Gas Technology Centre.
Margaret Copland, Senior Wells and Technology Manager at the OGA, said: “Well construction currently accounts for approximately half of field development costs. By hosting this hackathon, we particularly want to identify technologies that can be adapted from other industries and new, innovative ideas that could transform how wells are constructed.
“New technologies and efficient practices have the power to deliver significant savings in this area. This could allow additional marginal and mature field reserves to be developed and extend the life of existing infrastructure to maximise economic recovery for the whole UKCS.”
The format for the day will comprise a number of themed stations with additional support from facilitators, also known as ‘pioneering practitioners’, who will capture the ideas at each topic station.
- Challenge 1 – Rock cutting and Transportation
- Challenge 2 – Borehole Stability and Formation Pressure
- Challenge 3 – Wellbore Isolation
- Challenge 4 – Materials for Downhole Equipment
- Challenge 5 – Maximising productivity from a well
Malcolm Banks, Well Construction Solution Centre Manager at the Oil & Gas Technology Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this exciting event. It will bring together oil and gas operators, service companies and technology specialists from the oil and gas sector and other industries to explore how new and existing technologies can transform the way we drill hydrocarbon wells, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
"The event will shape the technology development programme of the Well Construction Solution Centre, one of three solution centres being established by the new, Aberdeen-based Oil & Gas Technology Centre, which aims to become the go to technology centre for the oil and gas industry in the UK and internationally.”
Ideas generated at the event will be collated into a report which will be made freely available and be used in developing a programme of projects.
Attendance at this hackathon is by invitiation only and there are a limited number of spaces. To register interest, visit the ITF website.
It takes place on Tuesday 13 December 2016 from 0800-1500 at the Oil & Gas Technology Centre, 20 Queens Road, Aberdeen AB14 4ZT.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- More information on the hackathon can be found on ITF’s website
- The hackathon concept was originally developed by the computer programming industry and has since been adopted by other sectors
- The OGA’s Technology Strategy can be found here
- The Technology Leadership Board (TLB) works with the industry, government and other stakeholders to define priorities to adopt, adapt and/or develop oil and gas technologies, securing investments, to deliver MER UK and strengthen UK oil and gas industry competitiveness
- The TLB is co-chaired by Carlo Procaccini, OGA Head of Technology and Paul White, Director Subsea Technology at GE Oil and Gas
For more information please contact:
Leona Minellas
Communications Manager
Oil & Gas Authority
Tel: +44 (0) 300 020 1072