One of the most important, yet overlooked, aspects of drilling any kind of well is the five P’s step: prior planning prevents poor performance. This goes for the simplest house wells to the most complicated oil and gas wells. It is just as important, just a matter of scale. Poor engineering and planning on a deep well can easily cost a good percentage of the total cost of the job. This can be just as bad for a small driller; even though the costs are less, the percentage can be significant.
Before moving a rig onto a job, a few things need to be considered. Is the site accessible? At some times of the year, conditions can be so bad that matting or dozers will be needed to mobilize. Is that in the bid? Some states have serious weight restrictions during the spring thaw, making most rigs overweight. I know some drillers that have to unload all their drill pipe in the spring and haul it separately. And they can still be overweight. That is another trip that should be considered. On big, multi-load rigs, this means that loads need to be broken down and more trucks used, adding to the mob cost and time. Some loads, like big mud pumps, can’t be broken down, thus requiring permits. I’ve seen drillers try to slip a heavy load in when the DOT isn’t looking. This works ‘til he gets caught; then the fine is usually much more than the permit, and DOT will be watching him forever. Not worth it.