Drilling and Rig strategy

Operating Rig 100 has also been a source of learning; it has proven to be a capable drilling rig with ample opportunity for optimisation, notably during operations such as running casing, working on the well head of the geothermal wells, or during cementation operations. There is also room to improve the Company’s ability to expedite the movement of the rig between well locations.

Geodynamics announced 24 September 2008 that a contract for the construction and supply of a second heavy duty drilling rig had been signed with National Oilwell Varco (NOV); a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of oil and gas drilling systems and components. The additional geothermal drilling rig will cater for deep EGS wells and will be a capable addition to the Australian rig fleet. The lessons learned from operating Rig 100 have resulted in design improvements on Rig 200. These include improved handling of various drill pipe and casing sizes, enhanced circulation system for the drilling fluid, better rig move cababilities, higher pumping capacity and enhanced diesel electric system.

All these modifications to Rig 200 will enhance the ability of the rig to assist the Company in delivering:
• Cheaper wells by drilling faster and better;
• Better wells by enhancing commercial flow potential;
• More commercial wells by drilling deeper to access hotter granite; and
• Smarter wells as we develop greater understanding and gather better data.

To support this revitalised operations effort, Geodynamics will adopt a proven and well known methodology of performance management named ‘Perfection Based Performance’. This methodology is not merely doing what we already do safer, better and cheaper but doing it smarter from the start. The foundation of this methodology was laid in April 2009 and has been further developed in the intervening period, continuing during the Habanero 3 incident. It has been designed so that the performance methodology will support the rapid adoption of all lessons learned from Habanero 3. At the highest level, it consists of only a few remarkably simple elements:

• A desire to be the best and help others to be the best - hunger to learn and keen to share;
• Pervasive leadership at all elements and aspects of operations and across the disciplines;
• Clear performance logic, unraveling business complexity and linking technical tasks to goals;
• Candid measurement of leading performance indicators and honest feedback with swift action;
• Closing the learning-planning-doing cycle because a lesson is truly learned when behavior is changed.

The desire to adopt this methodology is a matter of priority for the Company as it will also result in safer design, higher quality, better informed staff, better equipment and enhanced procedures.

Back to Top