Advancing Low Carbon Drilling Solutions: Achieved Emission Reduction and Maintain Operational Efficiency in the 1st Green Well in UAE

Abstract The need to transition toward sustainable and green drilling solutions has become a pressing priority for the oil and gas industry, driven by the urgency to minimize environmental impacts while maintaining operational efficiency. The Green well pilot project represents a significant step in this direction by integrating innovative green technologies and practices into its operations. This study demonstrates how Operators and service providers solutions substantially reduced the carbon footprint during well construction without compromising performance, setting a benchmark for sustainable drilling practices. Key green initiatives implemented included the combined use of conventional Class G and Low Portland cement, optimizing the composition of the drilling fluid by reducing diesel and barite, enhancing drilling performance through downhole drilling automation, using electric vehicles (EV) for transportation, automated tubing/casing makeup system and minimizing rig fuel consumption through a hybrid rig setup. As a result, total emissions were reduced by 19.5% compared to conventional drilling methods and by an additional 16.7% beyond initial target projections. The cementing process was optimized to reduce emissions by 4.9%, and further modeling suggests that exclusive use of Low Portland cement could have increased this reduction even further. Drilling fluid composition was refined to achieve a 3.9% emissions reduction. Downhole drilling automation contributed to significant emissions savings by enabling all well sections to be drilled in a single bit run. Transportation-related emissions were minimized through EV truck deployment, cutting transportation-related emissions by 0.03%. The adoption of a hybrid rig and the reduction of rig days resulted in a 10.6% overall reduction in emissions. This case study underscores the viability of Low Carbon emission drilling solutions in achieving significant emissions reductions while ensuring operational excellence. By taking a holistic approach to sustainability, the project demonstrates how innovations in cementing, drilling, transportation, and rig fuel consumption can collectively drive meaningful environmental improvements. The findings provide actionable insights for the oil and gas industry, presenting a scalable model for integrating sustainable practices into future drilling operations. By paving the way for greener, more efficient well construction, this project reaffirms the industry’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.