Northside: Reliability Based Design – The Inevitable Evolution in Complex Wellbore Tubular Design

Traditional design approaches, including working stress design, have served our industry well for decades. In recent times, with an increase in deeper, hotter, and more complex wells, the Industry has encountered the limitations of traditional design approaches that often imply either the impossibility of design, or force engineers to make subjective compromises in the design. More sophisticated alternative design approaches are needed, primary among which is reliability-based design.
This lecture focuses on the application of reliability-based design for complex wells. Traditional design approaches and their limitations are reviewed briefly. The evolution of design to limit states, as exemplified by the recent ISO TR 10400 and API TR 5C3 documents for casing and tubing is discussed in some detail. The rationale for reliability based design is introduced. The rigorous statistical basis and the standards that govern the development of reliability based designs are discussed and placed in the context of the natural tolerance and aversion of a society to risk. The concept of "Design Levels" based on the sophistication and probabilistic nature of the approach is introduced.  Finally, it is shown that reliability based design approaches are standard in virtually every other structural and civil design disciplines, with our industry being a late adopter of this critical enabling technology.

Please register prior to the event to facilitate improved planning and admission. Walk-ins will be accepted on a first come/ first serve basis as space allows.

 
If you have special dietary needs, please email the event contact with your requests PRIOR to arrival at the event.
 
Thank you.
 
Parking: Use Contract Entrance. Push button on kiosk and tell security that you are with the SPE Northside Study Group in the Greenspoint Club.

Location: Greenspoint Club
16925 Northchase
Houston , TX 77060

Date: Oct. 11, 2011, 11:30 a.m. - Oct. 11, 2011, 1 p.m.