WCB - the little oil patch that could

The globally dominant position of the Western Canadian Basin (WCB) in innovative exploitation technology (horizontal wells) and the major role it plays in related technical pursuits (underbalanced drilling, extended reach drilling, coiled tubing and multi-branch technology) are discussed. This enviable position has been gained despite the fact that in comparison to the world's major producing areas, the WCB is a region of relatively thin, varied, depleted reservoirs of limited reserves and meagre profit margins. Yet in this marginal setting, oil production increased over 90 per cent in the last decade, in large part due to the exponential growth of horizontal well applications. It is argued that Canada's leadership in exploitation technology is not simply a result of the thin, depleted reservoirs, but is promoted by a combination of many factors, foremost among them being a collective spirit of co-operation and innovation among the oil companies. The variance in reservoir setting, the corporate culture, the entrepreneurial spirit, a competitive service market, extremes of environment, a stable political and economic framework close to the largest diversified markets (i.e. the USA) also have played important contributory roles. 3 refs., 1 tab