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Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Heliportable Drilling Feasibility Study

Explore the regulatory, environmental, technical, and economic aspects of heliportable drilling in challenging terrains. Learn from past evaluations, review key considerations, environmental impacts, and cost factors to make informed decisions. Get insights, conclusions, and sound recommendations for integrating heliportable drilling effectively.

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Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Heliportable Drilling Feasibility Study

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  1. Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Heliportable Drilling Feasibility Study Randal Glaholt and Lois Pittaway TERA Environmental Consultants in association with Brian Churchill Chillborne Environmental Services Harris Wheeler AAEA Ltd.

  2. Issues • Regulatory/Policy • Environmental • Technical • Economic

  3. History of Heliportable Drilling • > 20 years heliportable drilling • Approximately 200 heliportable wells • South America, Indonesia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Wyoming, Mackenzie Delta

  4. Projects Industry rejection = cost and safety Government rejection = uncertainty around environmental risk associated with blow-outs and safety Previous Heliportable Evaluations in BC • Amoco Canada Petroleum Company Ltd. (Beattie Peaks, 1991) • Talisman Energy (PCP Falls, 1994) • Imperial Oil Limited (Belcourt Creek, 1995) • Murphy Oil Company Ltd. (Sikanni, 1996) • Husky Oil Operations Ltd. (Sikanni, 1996) • Murphy Oil Company Ltd. (Chicken Creek, 1999) • Ricks Nova Scotia Co. (Ladyfern, 2000) • Marathon Canada Ltd. (Koller Creek, 2001)

  5. Regulatory and Policy Review • Petroleum and Natural Gas Act • Worker’s Compensation Act • Oil and Gas Commission Act • MK Management Area Act • BC Maximum Disturbance Review Criteria • No explicit exclusion of heliportable drilling • Promote responsible development, safety, environmental protection and socio-economic benefit

  6. ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION

  7. Impact of Roads • long duration (2+years) • erosion, sedimentation • habitat removal, fragmentation • access for hunting and fishing, wildlife • wildlife displacement • animal-vehicle collisions • landscape aesthetics • weed dispersal

  8. Impact of Helicopters • short duration (e.g., months) • wildlife displacement • noise pollution • reduced large spill response • reduced potential for vehicle spills

  9. TECHNICAL EVALUATION

  10. Key Technical Issues

  11. Drilling Rig Availability and Capability • Drilling rigs with 3,400 m depth capability available in North America • Drilling rigs with 5,400 m common internationally • Heliportable service equipment is available

  12. Helicopter Availability and Capability • Drilling Rig Mobilization • heavy lift helicopters (e.g., Chinook 234, Sikorsky S-64)(10,000 kg capacity) • readily available • Routine Service • medium lift helicopters (e.g., Bell 212, A-star) • readily available

  13. Blow-outAvoidance and Control • Low probability (e.g., 0.3:1,000 wells or 1:3,333 wells) • Proper planning • Experienced and supervised crews • Stockpiling supplies and BOP equipment • Rig ignition in minutes • Relief well typically not required

  14. Safety • Many remote industrial operations without 24 hour access • Require standard OHS risk assessment, OHS Schedule 1 compliance • Road access not the first means of emergency response • Require well trained, experienced and supervised crew

  15. ECONOMIC EVALUATION

  16. Key Cost Considerations

  17. Major Direct Heliportable Cost Factors • Size of rig • Duration of drill • Contingency stockpiling and backhauling • Stand-by charges (relief rig, heavy equipment)

  18. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

  19. Key Findings • Significant environmental benefits in many cases • Heliportable rigs and support service equipment are available • Worker safety and sour gas well control concerns can be managed • Heliportable drilling will tend to be more expensive where short and/or simple access is required

  20. Critical Site Factors • Environmental Sensitivity • Availability of Low Impact Alternatives • Helicopter Site Risk • Blow-out Risk and Sour Gas

  21. Decision Making Options • Assess tradeoffs and alternatives • Assess and numerically score critical factors • Require heliportable by location • Require heliportable by circumstance • Company vs. government decision

  22. Recommendations • Include heliportable drilling as an MK management tool • Develop a Policy and Best Practices • Suitability mapping • Implement a Pilot Study • Consider financial incentives • Investigate feasibility of heliportable production and operations

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