PHR Implements Cluster Drilling, Saves Up To IDR 248 Billion

Oil refinery (between)

JAKARTA - PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan applies a single site drilling method for many wells (cluster drilling). Through this method, PHR has succeeded in accelerating the drilling process by cutting the time and cost of procuring and constructing wells in the Farmers' Field, with an efficiency value of up to IDR 248 billion in 2024.

PHR's UPstream Business EVP, Andre Wijanarko, said that drilling and construction of the production of one well is usually carried out on a single site (wellpad). The site procurement process is preceded by land acquisition, site stabilization through compactification, provision of operating roads, electricity networks to build channeling pipes to the main distribution network.

"Through the clustering drilling innovation, drilling of several production wells is carried out on one site, using the direct drilling method," he said in a statement to the media, Tuesday, October 8.

He added that since PHR took over the management of oil fields in the Rokan Working Area in 2021, Farmers' Field has become one of the prima donna fields with the largest oil production in the Rokan WK.

"This kind of innovation needs to be done to achieve the target number of drilling executions that continue to increase in the Rokan WK," continued Andre.

He added that this method also significantly reduces the zig-zag rig movement from one well site to another, which of course reduces the potential for incidents.

This initiative, continued Andre, could even cut at least 15 percent of drilling costs, ranging from land acquisition, land supply of stockpiles, to potential social problems.

The North Asset Development (AD) Team in charge of the initiative revealed that the drilling cluster was inspired by the offshore drilling method, in which several wells were accommodated on one platform.

Then how does PHR determine the well points and the drilling direction of each well?

The AD North team explained that it uses digital transformation and automation, which they call SMART-CDSL (Cluster Drilling Selective Location). Determination of well points and drilling directions is carried out through evaluation and integration between reservoir target locations, AMDAL site available in the new wellpad area, to evaluation of the potential for collision with existing wells.

All data is then calculated using Artificial Intelligence assistance. Cycle time from the preparation stage to the execution of drilling can be accelerated significantly.

Through the implementation of cluster drilling, PHR targets 50 wells to be completed by 2024 at Farmers' Square. This number has increased rapidly from the average number of drilling since the transfer of the Rokan WK to PHR in 2021 - 2022.

"We really appreciate the innovations of young PHR people in facing operational challenges. We note that many initiatives are not only able to save operating costs, accelerate the process without sacrificing safety, but also increase production," said Head of SKK Migas Representative for the Sumbagut Region, Rikky Rahmat Firdaus.

The implementation of drilling methods and strategies has also begun to be implemented in Hiu, Gulamo, and Torch Fields for drilling activities in 2025. This proves that this innovation can be applied to massive drilling campaigns for onshore fields, such as the development of pattern waterslood, CEOR, and other massive drilling campaigns in both the Rokan WK and other oil and gas fields.