Douglas Oil & Gas Wells PNG

PROJECT OVERVIEW

In 2002, Webster Drilling & Exploration was contracted by Austral Pacific / Rift Oil PLC to commission a slim-hole exploration drilling package to drill two exploration wells to depths of 2,000 m in the remote Western Province of Papua New Guinea. The well site was located 20 km inland from the Strickland River barge landing and was accessible only by MI-8 helicopter.

SCOPE OF WORK

Phase 1: Rig Sourcing and Preparation

Webster Drilling identified and sourced the LY605 rig from Idaho, USA, supplemented with equipment from Australia and New Zealand. A team was deployed to Salt Lake City and Idaho to conduct an initial assessment and provide technical support to Turnsteel Ltd during the six-week refurbishment period. Webster’s drilling and mechanical crews conducted rig trials before disassembly and shipment.

Phase 2: Mobilisation

Rig components from several countries were consolidated in Papua New Guinea. Equipment was transported by barge over 500 km up the Fly and Strickland Rivers, then moved 20 km inland and assembled at the well site using a MI-8 helicopter. Webster managed the assembly and commissioning of the drilling package at the remote location.

Phase 3: Drilling Operations

Webster Drilling provided complete crewing and operational management for 24-hour drilling operations:

• 1 Toolpusher
• 1 Relief Toolpusher/Driller
• 2 Drillers
• 2 Derrickmen
• 2 Floormen
• 1 Site Logistics Coordinator

Webster Drilling managed recruitment, training (BOP certification to Derrickman level and first aid), crew rotations, visas, personnel insurance, PPE, communication equipment (radios and satellite phones), HSE systems implementation and daily operations reporting.

PROJECT OUTCOME

Both wells were successfully drilled to approximately 2,000 m. Operations were completed with no lost-time incidents.

KEY CAPABILITIES DEMONSTRATED

• Multi-country equipment sourcing and integration
• Heli-portable rig operations
• Remote PNG drilling operations
• Complex logistics management (barge and helicopter transport)
• Technical engineering and rig commissioning
• Complete crew management and HSE implementation in remote locations