WorldWide Drilling Resource

The World’s Most Overlooked Wonder Compiled by Amy White, Associate Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource WorldWide Drilling Resource ® The oi l and gas boom of recent years was made possible by the wed- ding of two innovations - horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (a.k.a. “fracking” in popular media lingo). The “fracking” part of the equation usually dominates the press, leaving horizontal drilling behind in the shadows. This is unfortunate since horizontal drilling is one of the world’s greatest wonders of engineering. When vertically drilling a hydrocar- bon-bearing formation 100 feet thick, an operator is able to contact 100 feet of rock, which limits recovery to the amount of oil or gas flowing into that length of pipe. With horizontal drilling, these same operators can drill and set pipe for over a mile through the same formation, contacting 5200 feet of rock rather than 100 feet. Horizontal drilling is so advanced and precise drilling professionals today can hit a target at the end of a 10,000- foot vertical drill string with a mile-long horizontal section no more than a few inches in diameter. Sensors can be used to detect rock intervals with pro- ducing potential along the way, and to move the drill string up, down, left, or right to target these promising intervals as the horizontal section is drilled. Horizontal drilling technology also has positive outcomes for people and the environment. It enables well sites to be located a good distance from res- idential areas and sensitive ecosystems. Companies are also able to drill many wells in different directions from one well pad, further minimizing impacts to surrounding areas. So why doesn’t this remarkable technology receive more attention? The answer: it lacks controversy, and its name does not attract attention in headlines like “fracking” does. Chris Tucker from Energy InDepth said “frack” has been reduced to an attention-stealing cuss word. Due to the word’s infamous nature, the media has a common practice of expanding the term “fracking” to include any activ- ity related to drilling an oil or gas well. The result is a growing phenomenon of headlines including the “frack” word followed by stories which have little or nothing to do with hydraulic fracturing. While hydraulic fracturing is certainly impressive, it is not a new technique. It’s been used to improve production in U.S. oil and gas wells since 1947, long before horizontal drilling entered the scene in the early 1980s. Over 90% of Image courtesy of newalbanyshale.us the country’s wells have been fractured. Without it, the domestic oil and gas industry would diminish, and we would have to rely on imports for almost 100% of our fuel needs. Greater self-sufficiency, employment opportunities for U.S. citizens, and de- creased disturbance to the landscape are just a few positive results from the union between horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Unfortunately, due to a misinformed obsession with a cer- tain word, the true wonder of horizontal drilling has not received the attention it deserves. 34 DECEMBER 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® 2!, /(& *"/) .& .++(- &* -.+ ' &3"- 5 .+ 5 *'- +0) * 02 ,!"* (("2 4 1 , / %)#$ +) 4 , / %)#$ #,+*.&",*". +) +!"( &3"- ."*. *! * ! In Memoriam Richard Winget “Mac” McBride (1929~2014) Richard Winget “Mac” McBride passed away peacefully in Wichita Falls, Texas, on September 10, 2014, at the age of 84. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Mac later graduated with a degree in journalism from Coe College in Cedar Rapids. He was also a graduate student in industrial psychology at the University of Louisville, in Louisville, Kentucky. He spent time in the U.S. Air Force, with his last assignment being a professor of air science at the University of Louisville. After several years in the banking business, Mac became managing partner in J.R. Adam Seitz, Ltd., an oil exploration and production company headquartered in Wichita Falls. Through his involvement with North Texas Oil Gas Association, now called the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers and Independent Petroleum Association of America, he tirelessly carried the message to the public and the White House for a strong domestic energy policy. He was an avid sportsman, playing baseball and basketball in college; he played tennis and golf while living in Wichita Falls. Mac is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann; son Charles (Lisa); daughters Cindi (Whit), Phyllis, Mary, and Jamie; and ten grandchildren. The management and staff of WorldWide Drilling Resource ® extend their condolences to Mac’s family, friends, and colleagues. they kept trying to sneak hammers in at first; but after giving the SSWS a try, rig hands said it was the simplest tool they ever used. Time will tell if the SSWS can be- come standard, and replace sledge- hammers on oil rigs worldwide. David Wilson believes it can. “It will be amaz- ing to see how this little, simple tool will impact the whole world. We’re proud of it.” Could this Tool cont’d from page 21.