Driving High Performance and Decarbonizing Well Construction Carbon Dioxide CO2 Footprint: A Petroleum Development Oman PDO Case Study

Abstract Petroleum Development Oman PDO has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In alignment with this goal, this paper showcases how high performance can be achieved while reducing the carbon footprint of well construction. Petroleum Development Oman PDO achieves high performance through a series of continuous improvement initiatives, known as the "Well Staircase." These initiatives encompass well design optimization, the adoption of new technologies, operational efficiency enhancements, and cementing design optimization. A comprehensive value creation workshop, involving all stakeholders, was conducted to consolidate these initiatives. Furthermore, this workshop quantified the planned cost savings and time reductions. To operationalize Petroleum Development Oman PDO's net-zero emissions aspiration, a new dimension was introduced to these key initiatives - a reduction in Carbon Dioxide CO2 emissions. Illustrative examples of these initiatives include slimming the well design in the A-field, resulting in an 11% reduction in costs per well, a saving of 9.8 days, and a decrease in CO2 emissions by 245 tonnes. Replacing Motorized Reamers MSRs yielded a 1% reduction in well costs and a 0.4-tonne reduction in CO2 emissions due to transportation. The optimized slurry formulation led to a 15-tonne reduction in CO2 emissions per well. The elimination of round trips by employing a risk-assessed hole condition approach resulted in a cost saving of 1.6% per well, a time saving of 2.5 days, and a reduction in CO2 emissions by 62 tonnes. This innovative approach demonstrates how high performance can be achieved while simultaneously decarbonizing well construction, providing valuable insights and practical strategies for the industry's journey toward a sustainable future.