Analysis of Non-Productive Time in Geothermal Drilling Operations - a Case Study of Olkaria.

Abstract

Geothermal well drilling is one of the most expensive activities in a geothermal project. Daily operational costs, such as the daily rig rate, make up a big part of drilling costs. The longer it takes to drill a well, the more expensive the well becomes. It is therefore important to optimize the time spent in drilling so as to optimize the cost of a well. To achieve this, an analysis of the non-productive time incurred while drilling a well is necessary so as to identify areas of improvement. This paper gives a review of the non-productive time incurred while drilling geothermal wells in the Olkaria field in Kenya with the view of improving the process and hence saving on costs.