Z-44 Chayvo Well: The Deepest Oil Extraction (Infographic)
Advances in technology have meant oil and gas companies can now go drill down to previously impossible depths. In this infographic learn more about the Z-44 Chayvo Well, which as part of the Sakhalin-I project, is the deepest on the planet.
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Z-44 Chayvo Well
Over the years drilling companies have had to go deeper into the earth to extract oil. In 1949 the average depth of an oil well drilled was 3,635 ft by 2008 that was 6,000 ft.
Advances in technology have meant oil and gas companies can now go drill down to previously impossible depths. In this infographic from Fuel Fighter we focus on the Z-44 Chayvo Well, the deepest on the planet.
SEE ALSO: FPSO revival: Opportunities and outlook
In 2011, Exxon Neftegas, operator of the Sakhalin-1 project, drilled the then world’s deepest well surpassing previous record holders the Al Shaheen well and the Kola Superdeep Borehole as the world’s longest borehole. The Odoptu OP-11 Well reached a measured total depth of 40,502 ft (12,345 m). But in 2012, Exxon Neftegas beat its own record by completing the Z-44 Chayvo well. This well has an astonishing total depth of 40,604 ft (12,376 m) which is 15 times the height of the worlds tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
You will also find out how the depth of this well compares to depths of the earth’s core layers and how much it cost to complete this, the deepest ever oil extraction.
Into The Depths by Fuel Fighter.
For more infographics check out The Top 25 Events That Rocked The Cost Of Crude Oil
Honourable mention: Kola Superdeep Borehole
Located in western Russia, this time just 10 km from the border with Norway, the Kola Superdeep Borehole holds the record for vertical depth. The Kola Superdeep Borehole tops the list with the deepest artificial point on earth. However, this hole was dug for science as the goal of the project was to reach into the earth's crust.
The project started in 1970 and reached a total depth of 49,000 feet, but by 1989 final depth of 40,230 feet could only be reached due to unexpectedly high temperatures.
This hole is deeper than the deepest point of the ocean, and it's the deepest hole ever dug into the Earth.
The Kola Superdeep Borehole was allegedly shut down in 1992 because it actually reached “hell” itself. At its most extreme depth, the drill had pierced a super-hot cavity, and scientists thought they heard the screams of lost souls...
Correctly maintained wells are more than reducing the risk of uncontrolled leaks and hellish folklore, Checkout this article on Four Steps To Successful Well Integrity Management
