Traditionally in the oil and gas industry, expertise in the geoscience disciplines has been built largely upon the acquisition, interpretation, and post-processing of measurements obtained from wireline-conveyed logging instruments after the well was drilled. However, the recent shift in acquisition strategies toward logging while drilling (LWD) and the evolution of while drilling applications require a new generation of geoscientist equipped with a new set of skills. An in-depth understanding of the latest LWD technology combined with knowledge of the dynamic drilling environment is essential for successful integration of while drilling applications.
A new competency management system has been implemented to facilitate the accelerated development of geoscientists in company core competencies to more effectively adapt to today's while drilling environment. The system consists of a drilling and evaluation competency framework with core disciplines, skills specific to each, and common skills that bridge these disciplines.
Mentors assigned to each geoscientist assess skills and skill gaps, provide guidance and accelerate development through direct knowledge transfer. The competency development system also includes a formal certification process and tracking system that ensures each geoscientist meets or exceeds development expectations.
There are 12 primary geoscience and drilling certifications and six advanced certifications in areas of drilling, geology, geomechanics, formation evaluation and petrophysics, reservoir engineering, reservoir navigation, integrated pressure management, wellbore integrity, and completions and production. The certification process also provides the direct link between competency development, required peripheral training (technical and non-technical), and the career ladder for geoscientists and application engineers.
Introduction
Until recently, geoscientists worked in a post-acquisition environment. Wireline open-hole logging acquisition occurred at the end of each hole section and at total depth. Logs were evaluated during the post-drilling phase to identify pay, and decisions were made on whether to plug and abandon or put the hole behind pipe and make a well.
The evolution of high-quality LWD technologies has led to the replacement of most post-drilling open-hole wireline logging operations in high-spread cost environments with LWD. Eliminating the need for wireline logging after drilling greatly reduces non-productive time (NPT) and subsequently reduces drilling costs significantly.
Although LWD technologies are similar to their wireline counterparts, there can be important differences in the physics behind each measurement. More importantly, LWD and wireline logging environments have stark contrasts: wireline logs in a static environment, whereas LWD occurs in a dynamic environment (i.e., tools rotating in the borehole with constant axial and lateral vibration; bit and bottom-hole assembly whirl; and drilling fluid circulating with its properties constantly changing). These factors can greatly affect the response of the measurements and need to be considered when evaluating every log.
Geoscientists today not only require an in-depth understanding of the latest LWD technology, but also knowledge of the dynamic drilling environment. Additionally, LWD and drilling-related measurements are being integrated in real time to address while drilling challenges in drilling performance, hazard mitigation, advanced wellbore placement, and reservoir characterization. Consequently, the need has evolved for a new-generation geoscientist equipped with a newly defined set of skills.
