“Take an energy excursion exploring the basics of different types of wells, their purpose and construction, associated regulatory, technology and engineering-design controls put in place to prioritize health, safety, and the environment.”
Summary
This lesson examines the basics of a well, different well types, regulatory measures for contamination prevention, and the stages of well construction and completion. Motivation for this lesson is the importance of a well for human activities such as natural resource extraction and waste injection. “What is a Well” lays the foundation for subsequent lessons that focus on different considerations made prior to well construction, controls for contamination prevention, an engineering-design challenge, and a case study on the Macondo Blowout.
Learning Outcomes
- Compare and contrast extraction and injection wells and the purpose of each
- Evaluate the agencies responsible for overseeing the regulation of extraction wells, injection wells, and the individuals working at these sites
- Identify and describe policies established to oversee working conditions at well sites
- Determine the responsible parties for the various stages of oil and gas production and their primary goals
- Differentiate between onshore and offshore production and describe the technology required for each method
- Explain how ownership of mineral rights differs in the United States compared to other nations and understand how mineral rights can be severed from surface rights
- Describe the process by which operators can explore for oil and gas on government and private properties
- Evaluate the various ways the government can benefit from oil and gas projects
- Assess issues surrounding signature bonuses and analyze scenarios related to this process
- Determine the greatest challenges associated with building a safe well
- Analyze and explain the steps to well completion, including specific equipment necessary to develop a well correctly
