In 2013, Nautec Energy Solutions (Nautec) was invited to assist Strike Energy Limited in delivering their appraisal drilling campaign in the Cooper Basin. Nautec was enlisted to provide complete project management and safe delivery of drilling, stimulation and well testing, from concept to the execution phase.
Given the financial, logistical and technical complexities of the campaign, effective integration with the client was crucial to delivering the project successfully. Nautec approached this challenge by aligning with Strike’s operations and processes, while taking the lead in managing the project.
The Client
Strike Energy Limited (Strike) is an active small exploration and production company
Established in 1997 and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2004, Strike is headquartered in Perth, Western Australia
Strike has major unconventional (shale oil and gas) and conventional development projects in the Cooper Basin, South Australia and Carnarvon Basin, offshore Western Australia, and Eagle Ford Shale, Texas and Gulf Coast Conventional, Texas & Louisiana, USA
The Scope
Review and approval of well design
Rig selection and contract management
Well cost estimates and AFE development
Full engineering support and resourcing of industry experts
Full end-to-end project management services
Day-to-day management and supervision of drilling operations
The Challenges
Financial and logistical limitations were the driving factors in the project management of the campaign
Drilling in well sites was challenging due to remote locations, with very limited infrastructure and support available
Highly complex drilling due to nature of formations (shales with high tendency to swell) and critical equipment operations due to operating conditions
Highly skilled personnel, advanced technology and equipment were critical to success due to the technical complexity of the project
The Services
Geological services including daily formation analysis and reporting
Drilling engineering services including review and approval of well design, development of casing and tubing design and well construction manual, and rig selection
A complete drilling project management service package including project planning, administration, forward forecasting and reporting
Procurement management services including tender documentation
Cost management including daily cost tracking, forecasting and reporting
Site supervision and overall management of drilling and well stimulation operations
The Outcome
Effective integration with client, with the Nautec resources sitting in client’s office and remote site while leading the team for the duration of the campaign
Proactive cost management integrated with operational performance which enabled Strike to better manage joint venture partner expectations
Project delivered on time and on budget despite changes in scope
Project operations conducted with no lost time incidents and/or HSE incidents
Project managed and coordinated with multiple third party contractor services