| Title | Drilling the Philippines' First Geothermal Relief Well |
|---|---|
| Authors | R. E. Retuya, F. E. Mendita, M. Z. Aguilar, B. B. Belista and J. E. Jumawan |
| Year | 2004 |
| Conference | PNOC-EDC Geothermal Conference |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Well 5R-13D is the first geothermal relief well in the Philippines drilled by Philippine National Oil Company Energy Development Corporation (PNOC-EDC). This is possibly the only relief well in the geothermal industry drilled using a single shot directional survey system. This well was designed to relieve the pressure of the uncompleted Well 5R-12D that blew out and toppled down the drilling rig on top of it after encountering a shallow pressurized two-phase zone at 450m estimated at about 4 MPa. Early completion of Well 5R-13D was very important to control the environmental, social and economic impact brought about by the continuous discharge. To note, Well 5R-12D is within an environment with vegetation and wildlife habitation. This well also discharged part of the re-injected brine from the adjacent re-injection well. In spite of the various drilling constraints like the proximity of the drilling pad against the main geologic fault prompting a revised welltrack, the non-utilization of MWD tools and time constraints, Well 5R-13D successfully intersected and quenched Well 5R-12D. A cement plug was set to fully contain it. As an added bonus, it was assessed that Well 5R-13D may be a good candidate for production well. |