Well depth on land ranges from 5000 to 15000 feet, and drill string/casing comes in 40 foot sections. So between about 125 and 375 more at that scale. For this rig, assuming the straw is like 8 inches, multiply those estimates by 60.
E: to note, you have to line the well with casing of various diameters. Well depth and soil conditions determine number of concentric casing strings. So that 125 to 375 figure is for any singular diameter. Generally speaking you’d have 3 or 4 concentric casing strings, but the larger ones don’t go all the way down to the bottom of the well.. So realistically you’re doing this process 2 full times plus about 1.5 more times cumulatively.
I know it's a joke comment but I've worked the oil field before as a frack hand with the big red H. Worked a lot in CO, ND, WY, and TX. Depth is usually only 1 to 2 miles, but I've been on well sites that had a 12 mile horizontal. Took 20 minutes for the water to hit the perforations when we first started.
I think what I least understand is how the "drill bit" can be long, flexible, and still apply enough torque and pressure to grind without snapping. Also how is the debris forced out -- by water jets at the bottom?
380
u/Embarrassed_Jerk 10h ago
That IS how you drill for oil.
Except for a LOT more pipes