Patterson Family

Caltex Pacific Indonesia Helicopter Rig 56

During the time I was in Indonesia we used the HeliRig to drill wildcat well that surrounded our producing operation. The concept of drilling our exploration prsospects was to use a rig dropped into the jungle using helicopters. We contracted Bristol Helicopter Company to transport our rig to the location. Initially we would drop a crew as close to the proposed location as possible and they would hack their way into the jungle until they found the seismic line that would take them to the exact location of the proposed well. The crew would clear the location by hand until they had an area large enough to start dropping equipment. We broke down all the equipment in 3500 pound loads. This was the maximum slung load that the helicopter could carry. First we dropped a Caterpillar D8 on the location to aid in clearing the jungle. This crew would clear an area for the rig, living quarters, and a helipad. Once the rig was assembled drilling commenced. If the well resulted in a discovery, it was plugged for reentry. Later the field would be developed if the economics justified.

A staging area was built base on the flying distance of the helicopter with a slung load of 3500 pounds. These staging areas were usually built near an existing road or on a river so we could take advantage of boat and land transportation.

An example of chosing a base camp near a river to minimize flying loads.

All of the supplies necessary to drill the well was flown into the location by Bristow Helicopters. In addition to the rig all the drilling mud, bits, fuel, galley, living quarters, spare parts and personel was flown into the location