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WELL-COMPLETION 



J. E. Eckel, Chairman 



Mid-Continent District Study Committee 

 on Completion Practices 



Considerable thought was given to the time and order in which problems 

 present themselves and require decisions in the process of drilling and complet- 

 ing wells. Operating and organizational procedures vary with companies, 

 but the nature of the operation brings about a certain order that is generally 

 followed. Completion operations are defined as those that occur from the 

 time the drill first penetrates the pay zones until the well is placed on 

 routine production; but some of the completion decisions must be made 

 before the hole is started in order to tie into planning the drilling program. 

 Responsibility for decisions may rest individually or jointly with the production 

 personnel, reservoir-engineering personnel, drilling personnel, and general 

 management. Figure 38-1 sets forth the general order in which these problems 

 present themselves. The brackets to the left indicate the class of personnel 

 involved in the choice to be made. Also, note that the choices to be made are 

 indicated as applying to a proved producing area. A wildcat would be similar 

 to the extent that areal information on geology, probable producing sands, and 

 general data from nearby fields or wildcats can be applied. 



The initial choice indicated is the style of bottom-hole setting. It is 

 believed that this choice should be made before the well is started because of its 

 influence on drilling procedure, casing programs, plans for special drilling-in 

 equipment, and effect on contract well cost. This is indicated as a joint problem 



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