RTD TOPICS/ OBJECTIVES	                                                                                           Category


1.	To develop reliable preventative strategies for formation damage and sand                     TE + E
         control, including:

     	-	development of underbalanced drilling capability;
      	-	improved understanding of instability risks in depleted HP/HT wells;
     	-	improved gravel packing for HP/HT wells;
      	-	damage profile prediction in horizontal wells and development of 
                improved remediation strategies.

2.	To improve capability for  integrated (mechanical / geochemical / borehole fluid               TE
          / borehole geometry / pressure) simulation / modelling to provide design and 
          operational guidelines in 3D space and time

	(Asset focus of the above topics: all assets requiring intervention by drilling but 
        especially HP/HT reservoirs and high permeability/poorly cemented reservoirs)  

(Well bore instability remains a key issue offshore Northwest Europe. Common 
problems resulting from instability include stuck drill pipe or logging tools, high torque
or drag while drilling, poor quality logs, poor quality casing cement jobs and sand 
production. The fundamental issues surrounding well bore instability are only now
being systematically and scientifically investigated. Pressure for improvement comes 
especially from HP/HT developments and from the need for preventative sand control 
to avoid costly workovers in hostile deepwater marine environments.)
	

TE- technology enhancement.  CR- cost reduction.  E- enabling.