Definition(s)
Conductor Casing
Component that provides structural support for the well, wellhead and completion equipment, and often used for hole stability for initial drilling operations
- Note: 1 to entry: This casing string is not designed for pressure containment, but upon completion of the well it might have a casing head; therefore, it can be capable of containing low annulus pressures. For subsea and hybrid wells, the low-pressure subsea wellhead is normally installed on this casing string.
[SOURCE: API RP 90, modified]
Source: ISO 16530-1:2017, Petroleum and natural gas industries – Well integrity – Part 1: Life cycle governance, First Edition, March 2017. Global Standards
Conductor Casing
“Conductor casing” means the casing that is installed in a well to facilitate drilling of the hole for the surface casing (tubage initial).
Source: Canada Oil and Gas Drilling and Production Regulations, SOR/2009-315, February 2013. Regulations
Source: Drilling and Production Guidelines, The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada, March 31, 2011. Regulatory Guidance
Source: Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Drilling and Production Regulations, SOR/2009-317, Canada, current to May 31, 2012. Regulations
Conductor Casing
“Conductor casing” means a casing string which is often set and cemented at a shallow depth to support and protect the top of the borehole from erosion while circulating and drilling the surface casing hole.
Source: Corporation Commission, Oil and Gas Conservation, Oklahoma Administrative Code 165:10, February 2013. Regulations
Conductor Casing
- “Conductor casing” means one or more strings of casing set and cemented to provide a base for an air body for diversion of shallow naturally occurring natural gas including coalbed methane and to accomplish one or more of the following well construction objectives:
(a) Stabilize unconsolidated sediments;
(b) Isolate shallow aquifers that provide or are capable of providing groundwater for water wells and springs in the vicinity of the well; or
(c) Isolate groundwater before penetrating the workings of an active underground mine.
Source: Division of Mineral Resources Management – Oil and Gas, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1501:9, January 2012. Regulations
Conductor Casing
Provides structural support for the well, wellhead and completion equipment, and often provides hole stability for initial drilling operations. This casing string is typically not designed for pressure containment. However, in some cases, the conductor casing may serve to isolate shallow formations, similar to a surface casing.
Source: API STD 65 – Part 2, Isolating Potential Flow Zones During Well Construction, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, December 2010. Global Standards
Conductor Casing
“Conductor casing” means a casing string set before surface casing; depending on well configuration, “conductor casing” can be either the first or second string of casing set in a well and usually supports a diverter system.
Source: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Definitions, Alaska Admin. Code tit. 20, § 25.990, December 7, 2012. Regulations
Conductor Casing or Conductor Pipe (onshore and bottom-supported offshore installations)
A relatively short string of large diameter pipe that is set to keep the top of the hole open and provide a means of returning the upward flowing drilling fluid from the well bore to the surface drilling fluid system until the first casing string is set in the well.
Source: API RP 59, Recommended Practice for Well Control Operations, Second Edition, May 2006. Global Standards
Conductor Casing
Provides structural support for the well, wellhead and completion equipment, and often provides hole stability for initial drilling operations. This casing string is not designed for pressure containment, but upon completion of the well, it may have a casing head; therefore, it may be capable of containing low annular pressures. This casing is set prior to encountering any hydrocarbons at a depth where the fracture gradient will allow for an increase in mud density and is cemented to the surface or mudline. For subsea and hybrid wells, the low pressure subsea wellhead is normally installed on this casing string.
Source: API RP 90, Annular Casing Pressure Management for Offshore Wells, Upstream Segment. First Edition, August 2006. Global Standards