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UNIT 5
OIL AND GAS WELLS OPERATION

When the well has been drilled, it must be completed.
Completing a well consists of a number of steps; installing the well
casing, completing the well, installing the wellhead, and installing
lifting equipment or treating the formation should that be required.

Figure 5.1 - Completing a well

Well Casing
Installing well casing is an important part of the drilling
and completion process. Well casing consists of a series of metal
tubes installed in the freshly drilled hole. Casing serves to
strengthen the sides of the well hole, ensure that no oil or natural
gas seeps out of the well hole as it is brought to the surface, and to
keep other fluids or gases from seeping into the formation through
the well. A good deal of planning is necessary to ensure that the
proper casing for each well is installed [8]. Types of casing used

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