Oil wells are by no means simple endeavors. A lot of design, engineering and project management effort goes into drilling a brand new well. And that’s just the start. Afterward, throughout the well’s life, keeping it operational takes just as much work — and oftentimes more — than creating it in the first place.
In this blog post, we’re taking a closer look at the field of expertise and corresponding services that contribute to the continued health of oil wells around the world and why they’re important. They’re called, quite appropriately, oil well services. Here’s how they keep your oil well online.
For many oil companies, uptime isn’t just a key metric — it’s the metric. When a well is online and producing, drawing oil from the earth, it’s accomplishing several tasks all at once. It’s creating a profit for the operator, paying the paychecks of all the oilfield workers on site and delivering much-needed energy to millions of people.
Oil well services ensure that this continues to happen; that the oil well continues to produce. Through regular checkups and routine maintenance, any potential issues can be identified and addressed before they become more costly. This helps the well reach its full potential and enables it to remain a sound investment for the operator.
If a sprinter pulls their hamstring while competing, their mobility is hampered and they’re no longer able to perform at their peak. It’s not all that dissimilar for an oil well that has concerns. If parts are compromised and in need of repair, or if operating conditions aren’t optimal, the well can’t produce at its highest level and production is negatively impacted.
Fortunately, there’s a role to play here for oil well services, too. Through testing and analysis, as well as maintenance and repair, an oil well’s most critical parts can remain in the best shape possible. An expert eye and repair know-how can allow well casings and barriers, for example, to contain against loss of pressure and leaks, and can help keep on-site pumps and other machinery running at optimal performance.
Regular care can go a long way in increasing the lifespan of just about anything. Take the car you drive every day. Oil changes, tire rotations and annual inspections are necessary to ensure your vehicle lasts many years and doesn’t break down after a few thousand miles of driving. Oil wells require the same type of care and attention, which is where oil well services come in.
To increase the longevity of an oil well — to get the most production out of it over a longer period of time — it’s first important to be aware of your assets and the condition they’re in. After that, you need to approach support of these assets with an eye on extending the overall lifespan of your well in the most cost-effective way.
This could include regular inspection and testing of casings and tubing, as well as checkups and repairs of valves and other parts. Namely, it’s about performing the work that is feasible and has a high rate of success. Otherwise, to save time, money and production potential, you may be better off drilling an entirely new well.