Publications

Conoco Indonesia Inc. drilled 13 wells in its Block 'B' contract area in the Natuna Sea during the drilling campaign of 1990/91. This drilling campaign was the largest and most successful ever in Conoco’s 24 years of operating in Indonesia. The original program called for the delineation of the recently discovered Belida Field and to test a number of prospects which were considered to be potentially gas-bearing. Because of the successful implementation of a ”low-cost” drilling philosophy, with wells costing as low as US$ 1.5 million, Conoco was able to accommodate drilling of more wells within the same allocated budget. These low costs encouraged the partnership to commit additional funds which led to a total of 13 wells being drilled, proving up significant quantities of additional oil and gas reserves. This paper discussed the drilling environment in Conoco's Block ’B’ in the Natuna Sea and the practices developed to achieve these low cost wells.