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How to drill an oil and gas well from A to Z, or in a shorter form from one to seven.

The first step is to determine what type of rock we will be drilling. The second step is to refine this preliminary well configuration by determining the exact dimensions required of casing strings. Afterwards, the third stage is to select the appropriate bits, bottom hole assembly (BHA), and drillstring for each hole section.

The fourth step is a big one, selecting a rig, which goes hand in hand with the abovementioned characteristics of drilling a well. Eventually, we get a shortlist and go to the market to close the best fit for purpose rig contract. The fifth step is the huge logistics framework that surrounds a drilling operation to ensure it goes smoothly and most important of all, for safety to prevail. The sixth step is to plug and abandon the well. Gladly, strict regulations have been put in place to ensure industry best practices are always followed.

Last but not least, the seventh step encompasses all of the previous six, which is to assess and mitigate the environmental impact of all the operations. Safety is, from the beginning until the end of oil and gas drilling, the number-one priority.

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Miguel Ferraz