Emerging technology will guide deepwater well design

This article discusses the major differences between deep and shallow water drilling. Navigation gear is used to locate well site. A batteryoperated transponder is dropped and future well location reference is measured from the point the transponder comes to rest. Hydrostatic pressure plays a greater role in deep water drilling. Certain areas of importance in well design unique to deepwater drilling are discussed such as casing, wellhead and BOP structural integrity, and the effect of low fracture gradients on casing requirements.