In the Mak-Ban Geothermal Field, Philippines, nine (9) new production wells were drilled as part of the 2021 – 2022 Mak-Ban Steam Production Enhancement Campaign (MB SPEC). A deep casing strategy was implemented during well planning and drilling to prevent downflows from the shallow to the deep reservoir but this also resulted to a slower heat-up rate relative to the completed wells before 2010. However, it is still important to explore opportunities to reduce the waiting period from well completion until commissioning of the new wells to the power plant for early generation and improvement of overall portfolio economics. To maximize potential generation from the newly drilled wells, key activities were carefully identified, planned, and executed. The surface facilities were designed and optimized such that they can cover the range of forecasted steam and brine flows for each well. To minimize work disruptions and down time related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a shelter-in-place (SIP) arrangement with stringent health and safety protocols were implemented. This allowed simultaneous operations of drilling activities and well site piping works on the same well pad. Heat-up surveys were also integrated to monitor pressure and temperature conditions while the well is heating up as well as helping to define the potential locations of producing zones. Based from downhole monitoring, recommendations for well stimulation were cascaded as soon as possible to provide heads-up to different stakeholders. Available resources were maximized to streamline operating cost. A few examples implemented in the field are as follows: (a) utilization of nearby base production wells to provide hot fluid to heat-up the shallow casing of a new well, (b) use of high capacity rig compressor for well stimulation while drilling the next well in the same well pad location, and (c) continuous development of odor abatement strategies to manage release of drilling fluids and non-condensable gases (NCG), particularly H2S, during actual flow testing. Even with the various challenges on well heat-up and limited working area during construction of surface facilities, all newly drilled wells were safely commissioned within 45 to 120 days after completion of each well. Despite the extreme difficulties due to the global pandemic, the collaboration and team work across multidisciplinary teams paved the way for a successful drilling campaign and production upside, hence maximizing potential generation from the newly drilled MB SPEC production wells.

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