How to Drill For an Oil Well

Drilling for oil requires extensive planning and a good amount of capital to invest. The project will require you to work with contractors, financiers, land owners, geologists and engineers.

The oil is found in the reservoir rock under the ground several hundred meters down. The most conventional conformation in which oil is found is called the folding movement where the earth has moved inward to form an upward fold.

To find oil, geologists are hired who are experts in analyzing surface texture, features, soil types and core samples. The geologists also employ different high technology instruments for example, magnatometer, gravity meters, seismic instruments using shock wave technology, and statellite pictures to find flowing oil under the rocks of the Earth.

When geologists determine a good site it is surveyed for boundaries and environmental studies. Lease is signed and the legal right to the land is obtained from the local authorities.

A reserve pit is made for the debris coming out from the drilling. The land is prepared for the rig and cleared off of trees and vegetations. Several holes are made for the rig to fit in. A conductor pipe is made which is the top portion of the main hole and is larger in diameter than the rest of the hole.

Once the oil rig is installed, it is connected with several other components. These components guarantee the normal functioning of the equipment and safety in case of unexpected pressure release from the bottom of the soil. The hole is dug and casing is installed around it to prevent it from collapsing.

When the oil sand is reached from the reservoir rock, it is analyzed for core sampling, pressure and quality of reservoir rock. A device called a perforating gun is inserted to extract the oil from the well, once the desired depth is reached. When the oil starts flowing in the well, the rig is removed and the oil production equipment is installed to extract the oil.