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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

Building capabilities to deliver high well count developments*

R. Evans A and S. Parry A
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Origin.

The APPEA Journal 51(2) 717-717 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ10097
Published: 2011

Abstract

In September 2008, Origin completed a $9.6 billion transaction with ConocoPhillips to form Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG)—a fifty-fifty coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas joint venture. As the upstream operator, Origin is planning to ramp up production to more than five times present production levels. In a two-year period, Origin tripled Queensland CSG production volumes to 300 Tj per day. This expansion was based on existing business systems and processes and it was recognised that additional capability would be required to further ramp up production and associated activities.

A project was commissioned to build operational capability and capacity—processes, systems, organisation design and people—to efficiently drill the required number of production wells. This priority project addressed a business objective to step up the drilling of CSG production wells from approximately 60 to 350–400 per annum. The transformational solution comprised three key components: business process re-engineering, technology development and organisational re-design. The solution included the definition, documentation and transformation of business processes—this ensured consistent, repeatable and scalable processes capable of drilling of 350–400 wells per annum.

The processes are now enabled by resource scheduling and document management systems that are fully integrated. The resultant well delivery system is managed by a team that provides the business with decision making information regarding the resource use required to support the delivery of the APLNG commitments. Given the transformational nature of the solution, the delivery of all three components was under-pinned with change management impact assessments, education, communications and deployment. The total solution was deployed in August 2010.

Ross Evans has more than 15 years of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. Ross joined Origin Energy more than 10 years ago and has been involved in Origin’s CSG business as it has grown from a small beginning to the large potential LNG export projects being considered. Prior to joining Origin, Ross held a number of roles with Esso & BHP. An engineer by background, Ross has held a diverse range of roles including technical roles, project management, commercial roles and asset management, which has provided experience across all aspects of the oil and gas industry. Ross is the development and appraisal manager. Member: CSG Leadership Team for the Upstream portion of the Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) CSG to LNG project.

Stephen Parry joined Origin Energy in 2009 and has managed several projects in the Queensland CSG team. He has experiences in the logistics, transportation, pharmaceutical and oil and gas industries from working across Europe, the US and southeast Asia.

Stephen has 15 years of experience in managing projects and programs, business process improvement and large change initiatives. He is a longstanding member of the Project Management Institute as well as an alumni member of the Open University MBA program and Thunderbird University Management School.

Stephen continues to support Origin Energy Upstream, from within the Queensland CSG Programs and Business Improvement team, to expand existing capacity and capability to meet their future APLNG commitments.