The document summarizes best practices in coal bed methane (CBM) drilling. It discusses how unconventional mobile rigs provide advantages over conventional rigs for CBM drilling, including faster rig setup and moves between locations, higher drilling rates, and a smaller environmental footprint. Unconventional rigs can typically set up to drill within 1-4 hours and require fewer loads to move between locations. Examples from CBM drilling projects in various regions demonstrate how unconventional rigs can drill and case wells within a few days. Safety, mobility, and minimizing non-drilling time are emphasized as keys to successful CBM programs.

1. Indo CBM 2014, Jakarta
Best Practices in CBM Drilling
Shane A. Lein, Product Manager
Shallow Oil, Gas and CBM Drilling Equipment
Garland, Texas

2. Best Practices in CBM Drilling
The key to a successful CBM Drilling Program is Safety,
the Ability to “Quick Turn” the Wells, Quick Set up,
Mobility and small Environmental Footprint
– Safety = good reputation as a Contractor and Employer
– More wells == mmoorree rreevveennuuee
– Quick Set Up = more actual drilling time
– Mobility = more actual drilling time
– Small Environmental Footprint = “Green” Contractor, less $$ spent
on location preparation

3. Best Practices in CBM Drilling
Drilling Method requirements are also a consideration
– Amount of equipment required
Mud System
– Mud Pits, Water Tanks, Mud Pumps, Mud Cleaning EEqquuiippmmeenntt,, MMuudd aanndd
Mud Treatment Chemicals
Air System
– Auxiliary Compressor, High Pressure Booster, A Few polymers/additives

4. Unconventional Rigs vs. Conventional Rigs
Overall Operating Cost Advantage of Unconventional Rigs
– Less Crew
– Fewer Loads to Move
– Fast Rig Up-Hours, not Days
– Reduces Non Drilling Time/Cost
– Increases Drilling Performance
– Higher Efficiency than Conventional Rigs designed to drill much deeper
– Physical Size of Drilling Location
– Less complicated to rig up providing for a safer environment

5. CBM DRILLING
Safety, Speed, Mobility, Footage Production, Less
Environmental Impact

6. TYPICAL CBM LOCATION
MOBILE RIG
DOG
HOUSE
MUD PUMP
(NOT SHOWN)
MUD TANK
GEN
Average Location Size
40m x 40m or smaller
VAC
TRUCK
SET
SUB STRUCTURE PIPE TUBS PIPE RACKS

7. TYPICAL CBM LOCATION
Average Location Size
40m x 40m or smaller
SLUDGE
ROLL-BACK
TRUCK
LOCATION
OFFICE
MUD
TANK
MUD
PUMP
TANK

8. Conventional Oilfield Land Rigs
Many Loads (average 15-25, costing tens of thousands of $$ per rig move)
More components to assemble, set and rig up
Larger drilling location required
Standard crew of 5 (per shift) x 2-12 hour shifts or 3 x 8 hour shifts
– 10-15 Crewmembers per shift plus supervisory ppeerrssoonnnneell oonn ssiittee
– Driller
– Derrick Hand
– Motor Hand
– 2 Floor Hands
+ Rig Supervisor/Tool Pusher

9. Conventional Drilling Rig Package
Rig-MaPst,i stub,
draw works
BOP’s
Choke Manifold
Degasser
Mud System
Pits/Cleaning
Large Location
Pad 107m x 107m
Change House
Tool House
Pipe Racks
Pipe,Collars,
Casing
Living Quarters and
offices
Diesel Engines
Gen Sets
Water Tank
Diesel Tank
Mud Pumps
Mud Mixing House
Mud/Chemicals
Reserve
Pit

10. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
EXCELLENT MOBILITY SAVES TIME MONEY
Quick rig moves from location to location

11. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
EXCELLENT MOBILITY SAVES TIME MONEY
Quick rig moves from location to location
Quick rig up
– Usually a 1-4 hour rig up, depending on drilling methods and auxiliary equipment requirements
–– SSppuudd ssoooonneerr

12. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
EXCELLENT MOBILITY SAVES TIME MONEY
Quick rig moves from location to location
Quick rig up
– Usually a 1-4 hour rig up, depending on drilling methods and auxiliary equipment requirements
–– SSppuudd ssoooonneerr
High footage production
– Top Drive, better pipe control
– Down Hole Hammer-Air or PDC Rotary-Water/Mud Flush
– Less time on the well

13. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
EXCELLENT MOBILITY SAVES TIME MONEY
Quick rig moves from location to location
Quick rig up
– Usually a 1-4 hour rig up, depending on drilling methods and auxiliary equipment requirements
–– SSppuudd ssoooonneerr
High footage production
– Top Drive
– Down Hole Hammer-Air or PDC Rotary-Water/Mud Flush
– Less time on the well
Quick rig down

14. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
EXCELLENT MOBILITY SAVES TIME MONEY
Quick rig moves from location to location
Quick rig up
– Usually a 1-4 hour rig up, depending on drilling methods and auxiliary equipment requirements
–– SSppuudd ssoooonneerr
High footage production
– Top Drive
– Down Hole Hammer-Air or PDC Rotary-Water/Mud Flush
– Less time on the well
Quick rig down
Few loads to move
– Saves time and money

15. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
EXCELLENT MOBILITY SAVES TIME MONEY
Quick rig moves from location to location
Quick rig up
– Usually a 1-4 hour rig up, depending on drilling methods and auxiliary equipment requirements
– Spud sooner
High footage production
–– TToopp DDrriivvee
– Down Hole Hammer-Air or PDC Rotary-Water/Mud Flush
– Less time on the well
Quick rig down
Few loads to move
– Saves time and money
– Smaller Environmental Impact-Drilling Location
Fewer Crewmembers
– 3 Per shift typical
Reduced Non Drilling Activity = More Rotating Hours

16. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
SAFE RIG MOVES and DRILLING OPERATIONS
Less complicated equipment to rig up/rig down
– No awkward positions to pin equipment

17. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
SAFE RIG MOVES and DRILLING OPERATIONS
Less complicated equipment to rig up/rig down
– No awkward positions to pin equipment
No Climbing Mast

18. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
SAFE RIG MOVES and DRILLING OPERATIONS
Less complicated equipment to rig up/rig down
– No awkward positions to pin equipment
No Climbing Mast
NNoo HHiigghh RRiigg FFlloooorrss

19. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
SAFE RIG MOVES and DRILLING OPERATIONS
Less complicated equipment to rig up/rig down
– No awkward positions to pin equipment
No Climbing Mast
NNoo HHiigghh RRiigg FFlloooorrss
Smaller scale equipment
– More keen awareness of the Crew as to the whereabouts of others
– Fewer Crew Members required to operate the rig

20. Unconventional Rigs, Moving on to a
Location
SAFE RIG MOVES and DRILLING OPERATIONS
Less complicated equipment to rig up/rig down
– No awkward positions to pin equipment
No Climbing Mast
NNoo HHiigghh RRiigg FFlloooorrss
Smaller scale equipment
– More keen awareness of the Crew as to the whereabouts of others
– Fewer Crew Members required to operate the rig
Hands Free Pipe Handling
– Safer working environment for Crew Members
Remain clear of Rotating Pipe

21. SETTING UP TO DRILL
RAPID SET UP SAVES TIME MONEY
Information from Actual Rig Moves
AIR DRILLING - NO SUBSTRUCTURE
5 TRAILER LOADS - 4 PEOPLE
1/2 - 1 1/2 HR SET UP UNTIL DRILLING
AIR ON BOARD TO BEGIN DRILLING IMMEDIATELY

22. SETTING UP TO DRILL
RAPID SET UP SAVES TIME MONEY
Information from Actual Rig Moves
AIR DRILLING - NO SUBSTRUCTURE
5 TRAILER LOADS - 4 PEOPLE
1/2 - 1 1/2 HR SET UP UNTIL DRILLING
AIR ON BOARD TO BEGIN DRILLING IMMEDIATELY
MUD DRILLING - FULL HEIGHT SUBSTRUCTURE
7 TRAILER LOADS - 6 PEOPLE
2 1/2 - 4 HR SET UP UNTIL DRILLING
QUICK HOOK UP TO ON-BOARD MUD PIPING

23. Drilling Methods
Mud/Air Rotary
Down Hole Hammer

24. AIR VS. MUD DRILLING
AIR
FASTER MORE ECONOMICAL IF
– ROCK FORMATIONS
MUD
FASTER MORE ECONOMICAL IF
– UNCONSOLIDATED FORMATIONS
– LESS WATER INFLUX
– SMALLER HOLES
– LOST CIRCULATION ZONES NOT A
PROBLEM
– LOW PRESSURE GAS DEPOSITS
– LARGER WATER INFLUX
– LARGER HOLES
– NO LOST CIRCULATION ZONES
– HIGH PRESSURE GAS DEPOSITS

25. MUD ROTARY - AIR ROTARY - DTH
SELECTION CRITERIA
THE FORMATIONS TO BE DRILLED
THE HOLE SIZES REQUIRED
THE HYDRAULICS (WATER) IN THE FORMATIONS
ECONOMICS

26. FORMATIONS - DRILLING METHODS
FORMATION
TYPES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
MEDIUM HARD
IGNEOUS ROCKS
UNCONSOLIDATED
UNCONSOLIDATED SOFT
VERY HARD
EXAMPLES OF SCHIST QUARTZITE
FORMATIONS
VERY HARD GRANITE
MASSIVE BASALT
SAND, CLAY, GRAVEL SOFT SHALE
MED. LIMESTOME
SOFT SANDSTONE
MED. SHALE
GNEISS
GRANITE
SOFT LIMESTONE
SOFT DOLOMITE MED. SANDSTONE
AQUIFER
CHARACTERISTICS
OPTIMUM
DRILLING FOAM
METHODS ADDITIVES
FOAM
ADDITIVES
LARGE WATER INFLUX
WHILE DRILLING
MODERATE TO LOW
WATER INFLUX
DRILLING
AIR ROTARY
DRILLING
MUD
VERY LOW WATER INFLUX OR NO WATER
WHILE DRILLING
AIR DHD
DRILLING
WHILE DRILLING

27. HOLE SIZE
GENERALLY, AS HOLE SIZE INCREASES BEYOND A CERTAIN
POINT, AIR DRILLING WILL BECOME LESS ECONOMICAL
– CLEANING THE BIT AND HOLE BECOMES A PROBLEM
DRILLING SLOWS DOWN
– ADDITIONAL AIR COMPRESSORS AARREE RREEQQUUIIRREEDD
COSTS GO UP

28. FORMATION HYDRAULICS
WHEN FORMATIONS ARE SATURATED WITH WATER, AIR
DRILLING WILL BECOME TOO SLOW TO BE ECONOMICAL
– WHEN MORE WATER COMES INTO THE HOLE THAN THE AIR LIFT
SYSTEM CAN EVACUATE, DRILLING RATE SLOWS DOWN AND
EVENTUALLY STOPS
– ADDING ANOTHER COMPRESSOR AND A BOOSTER
COMPRESSOR WILL OVERCOME THE WATER PRESSURE BUT
WILL ADD OPERATING COST

29. ECONOMICS
WHEN SUB SURFACE CONDITIONS SLOW DOWN THE DRILLING RATE
WHEN ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS ADD COST
AIR DRILLING WILL NOT BE ECONOMICALLY FFEEAASSIIBBLLEE

30. TYPICAL AIR ROTARY
OR DTH-PERCUSSION
DRILLING SET UP

31. Mud
Drilling

32. ACTUAL CASE STORIES
RAPID SET UP SAVES TIME MONEY
Actual Case Example (Alberta, CA)
800m Depth CBM Well (Water/Bentonite Flush)
– Move on Location and Rig Up
4 Hours
– Drill 100m of 9 7/8” Surface hole and set 7” Surface Casing
10 Hours
– Drill 700m of 6 1/8“ Production hole and set 4 ½” Production Casing
18 Hours
– Rig Down
2 Hours
Total Well, 34 Hours (Excludes BOP Test at Rig Up and Logging Production Hole)

33. MUD DRILLING LOCATION, ALBERTA CANADA

36. ACTUAL CASE STORIES
RAPID SET UP SAVES TIME MONEY
Actual Case Example (Other Areas)
China
– Mud Drill 12 ¼” to 40m, set 9 5/8” casing
– Air Drilling (DTH) to 350m set 5 ½” casing
– Total Time-5 days

37. CBM Location in China

38. CBM Location in China

39. ACTUAL CASE STORIES
RAPID SET UP SAVES TIME MONEY
Actual Case Example (Other Areas)
India - Air Drilling
– Conductor - Drill 17 ½” to 15m, set 13 3/8” casing
– Surface - Drill 12 ¼” to 150m, set 9 5/8” casing
– Production - 7” to 1000 m, set 5 ½” casing
– Total Time-5 days

40. Compact CBM Location in
West Bengal, India

41. Compact CBM Location in
West Bengal, India

42. Compact CBM Location in
West Bengal, India

43. ACTUAL CASE STORIES
RAPID SET UP SAVES TIME MONEY
Actual Case Example (Other Areas)
Australia
– Water Flush Drill and set 9 5/8” surface casing to 120m
– Water Flush Drill to TD at 1000m and set 8 ½” production casing
– Total Time-3 days

44. CBM Location in Queensland, Australia

45. CBM Location in Queensland, Australia

46. CBM Location in Queensland, Australia

47. Additional Photographs of Unconventional
Rigs in CBM Application
Safe, Mobile Equipment, Quick Moving, Quick Rig Up/Down
Small Environmental Footprint

48. CBM WELL IN WESTERN VIRGINIA

49. CBM WELL IN WESTERN VIRGINIA

50. GAS WELL LOCATION SOUTHERN ARKANSAS

51. FLARING OFF THE GAS – AIR DRILLING WITH LOTS OF
WATER IN THE HOLE

52. GROUND LEVEL LOCATION
AIR DRILLING - CBM - PENNSYLVANIA

53. MOUNTAIN TOP LOCATION
NARROW MOUNTAIN TOP LOCATION IN VIRGINIA

54. CBM Location in Botswana, South Africa

55. Rigging up two rigs in Arkansas.
Drilling in Fayetteville Shale

56. Questions?
Thank you for your time and attention