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Summary Polar Lights company (PLC) is a 50/50 joint venture (JV) formed by Conoco and Arkhangelskgeologia (a Russian Geophysical Association, aka AG) to exploit reserves In the Timan Pechora Basin. The first field to be developed under this JV was the Ardalin field. The equipment of three Uralmash 3-D-86 rigs was supplemented with western components, materials and services to successfully drill the wells in the Ardalin field. This paper identifies the major Russian and western rig equipment merged on the rig and the Russian and western materials and services used during the drilling operations. Introduction The Ardalin field is located on the tundra, north of the Arctic Circle in the Timan Pechora Basin of Russia. Logistically, the field is isolated. No other production operation or logistical infrastructure exists within a 65 km radius. The field is accessed only by snow/ice road in the winter and by helicopter during all other seasons of the year. The number of wells needed to develop the field was limited (less than 24 wells total) and the expected reserves in the field gave this project marginal economics. To date, the approach taken by oil ventures between Russian and western organizations have varied in scope and content ranging from total utilization of Russian equipment to total utilization of western equipment and services. The most cost effective approach for drilling operations in Ardalin was to complement the equipment of existing Uralmash 3-D-86 rigs with specific western components to optimize performance and to utilize certain services and equipment from western sources. The 3-D-86 was analyzed and specific systems were either supplemented or completely replaced. All modifications were performed with regards to the safety regulations governing oilfield activity. A budget of MM $ 2.5 per rig was used to procure the equipment identified.

Ever more restrictive regulations have necessitated minimal impact drilling procedures that have led to the development of a variety of methods for the disposal of liquid drilling waste. Current Alaska regulations severely limit the use of reserve pits other than in an emergency situation for the disposal of liquid phase waste. Current efforts are being directed at minimizing liquid discharges while conserving water and maximizing solids control efficiency. This paper presents a case history of a recent project on Alaska's North Slope where operator requirements and logistics necessitated on site dewatering of drilling fluids. A retrofitted chemically enhanced centrifuge was utilized for this process. The design, fabrication, operations, and economics are summarized. The conclusions should prove beneficial for future planning of restricted discharge drilling operations such as will be necessary should Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge be opened to drilling.

In developing the Ardalin field, the Polar Lights Company merged Russian and western expertise to conduct drilling operations in a hostile and ecologically sensitive arctic tundra environment. The field is located above the Arctic Circle in northern Russia (Figure A). The nearest Russian road system is over 60km away and the nearest railhead is 240 km from the field. Three Russian rigs were constructed with selected western upgrades, twelve development wells were drilled, and three existing Russian wells were worked over within a 24 month period. Operations were supported with a snow road in the winter season and Russian helicopter in the summer season. All materials for one year's worth of drilling had to be transported to the field prior to break-up (end of trucking activities on the snow roads). Services and equipment were sourced from both inside and outside of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Temperatures in winter reached -45 C. The field is located in one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in the world, and numerous precautions were taken for the protection of the environment. Russian operating philosophies were successfully merged with western practices. This paper will focus on the operational criteria initiated and infrastructure system that evolved to support this project. Introduction Polar Lights Company (PLC) was awarded the license to develop Ardalin in January 1992. Design of the pipeline, central facilities and drilling program were imtiated in June 1992 and first oil from the production facilities began in September 1994 (28 months). Civil construction began in January 1993. Three drill sites (A, B, and C pads), three satellite pad sites, a central facilities location, and an internal road system were constructed over the next 18 months. During the Phase I drilling program, twelve development wells were drilled, and three existing reservoir delineation wells were worked over. Drilling activity took place concurrently with ongoing construction of a central production facility, in-field flowlines, production modules for each pad, a 64 km pipeline to the Russian internal transportation system, and a metering / storage facility at the pipeline take point. One Russian exploratory drilling rig was constructed on each drill site. Construction of Pads A and B were completed in April 1993 using material from a local quarry area. All rig components were moved and placed on the drill site areas by the time ground transportation activity on the tundra was stopped (called Break-up) in May 1993. The rigs were constructed over the next 4-5 months and drilling commenced in September and October respectively. Drill Site C was constructed during the 1993 / 1994 winter season, rig construction activity took place during the summer of 1994 and drilling operations commenced in August 1994. Drilling time to the Devonian objective at 3200m TVD was optimized to 55 days at the end of the program (reduced from a previous Russian average of over 180 days for exploratory wells). LOCATION The Ardalin field is located at the 68th parallel, above the Arctic Circle, 130km south of the Barents Sea. The area is composed of an estuarine tundra eco-system. Surface topography of the general area varies by 30m - 50m in places. Average seasonal temperatures were warmer than Prudhoe Bay by only a few degrees. Winter temperatures fell below -45 C with wind speeds in excess of 50 km per hour. Summer temperatures reached 25 C. The tundra lies above discontinuous perma-frost. Earthen pads, averaging 3m thickness, were constructed for all drill sites and Satellite pads. Drill sites were designed to accommodate up to 9 wells, and the Satellite locations were single well pads. P. 491

A new simulator that has been designed and built at Curtin University can simulate rock drilling in different environments. Horizontal and vertical stresses, pore pressure, circulation pressure, rate of penetration, depth of cut, and torque can be precisely monitored by the simulator to investigate the effects of each of the parameters for optimisation purposes. A computer simulation is also initiated using Particle Flow Code in two dimensions (PFC2D) for further studies on rock cutting mechanism and direct numerical results. The results obtained by combining these two methods are of high reliability for predicting cutting behaviour of different bits. This paper presents the new drilling equipment and the results of studies on sandstone drilling. Previously, the single cutter scratching test on Mountain Gold sandstone was modelled by PFC2D and the results were very similar to the experimental results. Here, custom-made full-face PDC bits are used for drilling in cubical samples of synthetic sandstones with known properties. Water is used as the drilling fluid and the rock sample is drilled under atmospheric conditions. Bit torque, WOB and ROP are monitored to obtain optimum drilling response in terms of ROP and specific energy. The obtained results are of high importance in predicting drilling speed and optimum drilling parameters. This can improve well planning and has the potential to reduce the cost of drilling wells.