How a well is built

Eight stages of drilling and completing a well.

Follow a typical well from engineering and site preparation through drilling, casing, cementing, completion, testing, and production handover.

Select any stage to see what happens

One connected program

Good well construction begins long before the bit turns.

Engineering decisions made during planning, drilling, casing, cementing, and completion influence safety, performance, integrity, and the well’s eventual retirement. Each stage depends on disciplined coordination between engineering, field crews, service companies, regulators, and the operator.

Design for geology, pressure, integrity, and end use

Build verification and contingencies into the field program

Coordinate people, equipment, logistics, safety, and reporting

Preserve accurate records for operations and future closure

Eight-panel educational overview of drilling and well completion stages — Illustrative overview. Actual well architecture, hole sections, casing and cement program, completion method, stimulation, testing, and operating sequence are project-specific.

Stage 1 of 8Plan, design & permitSubsurface objectives are translated into a safe, buildable, and compliant well program.

AI illustration of stage 1: Plan, design & permit

What happens during this stage

Plan, design & permit

The team evaluates the target, offset-well information, geology, trajectory, anticipated pressures, casing and cement program, drilling fluids, well-control requirements, logistics, environmental constraints, and regulatory approvals. Risks, contingencies, cost, schedule, and verification points are defined before mobilization.

Project-specific engineering matters. Actual equipment, procedures, design, testing, documentation, and sequence depend on the well, formation, jurisdiction, operating objective, and approved program.

AI-created educational illustration; not a photograph of a named client site.

Stage 2 of 8Prepare the site & rig upThe location, access, containment, services, and drilling systems are prepared for safe operations.

AI illustration of stage 2: Prepare the site & rig up

What happens during this stage

Prepare the site & rig up

Access and the wellsite are prepared to the approved plan. The rig, fluid system, tanks, power, safety equipment, well-control equipment, and supporting services are mobilized and assembled. Crews complete inspections, pressure tests, communications checks, and pre-job safety reviews before drilling begins.

Project-specific engineering matters. Actual equipment, procedures, design, testing, documentation, and sequence depend on the well, formation, jurisdiction, operating objective, and approved program.

AI-created educational illustration; not a photograph of a named client site.

Stage 3 of 8Spud & drill the surface holeThe first hole section establishes the shallow foundation of the well.

AI illustration of stage 3: Spud & drill the surface hole

What happens during this stage

Spud & drill the surface hole

The well is spudded and the surface section is drilled to its planned depth. Drilling fluid circulates to cool and lubricate the bit, carry cuttings to surface, and help manage wellbore pressure and stability. Crews monitor returns, formation response, hole condition, and operating parameters throughout the section.

Project-specific engineering matters. Actual equipment, procedures, design, testing, documentation, and sequence depend on the well, formation, jurisdiction, operating objective, and approved program.

AI-created educational illustration; not a photograph of a named client site.

Stage 4 of 8Run & cement surface casingSteel casing and cement stabilize the shallow section and protect groundwater.

AI illustration of stage 4: Run & cement surface casing

What happens during this stage

Run & cement surface casing

Surface casing is installed and cemented in place to support the wellhead, isolate protected groundwater, stabilize the borehole, and provide a competent foundation for deeper drilling and well-control equipment. Placement and integrity are evaluated against the approved design and regulatory requirements.

Project-specific engineering matters. Actual equipment, procedures, design, testing, documentation, and sequence depend on the well, formation, jurisdiction, operating objective, and approved program.

AI-created educational illustration; not a photograph of a named client site.

Stage 5 of 8Drill the production holeThe well advances toward the target—vertically, directionally, or through a horizontal lateral.

AI illustration of stage 5: Drill the production hole

What happens during this stage

Drill the production hole

Additional hole sections are drilled to the planned target. Where the design calls for a directional or horizontal well, specialized tools steer the well through the build section and along the lateral. Measurements, geological information, drilling performance, pressure indicators, and wellbore condition guide real-time decisions.

Project-specific engineering matters. Actual equipment, procedures, design, testing, documentation, and sequence depend on the well, formation, jurisdiction, operating objective, and approved program.

AI-created educational illustration; not a photograph of a named client site.

Stage 6 of 8Run & cement production casingThe final casing or liner creates a durable, isolated conduit through the producing interval.

AI illustration of stage 6: Run & cement production casing

What happens during this stage

Run & cement production casing

Production casing or a liner is run to the planned depth and cemented according to the well design. This system supports long-term integrity, isolates formations from one another, and provides the controlled pathway needed for completion, production, intervention, and eventual abandonment.

Project-specific engineering matters. Actual equipment, procedures, design, testing, documentation, and sequence depend on the well, formation, jurisdiction, operating objective, and approved program.

AI-created educational illustration; not a photograph of a named client site.

Stage 7 of 8Perforate & complete the wellThe reservoir is connected to the wellbore and equipped for controlled production.

AI illustration of stage 7: Perforate & complete the well

What happens during this stage

Perforate & complete the well

Completion equipment is installed and selected intervals may be perforated to connect the reservoir to the wellbore. When the approved design requires stimulation, individual stages can be treated using fluid and proppant. Completion methods vary substantially with geology, reservoir characteristics, well architecture, operating objectives, and local requirements.

Project-specific engineering matters. Actual equipment, procedures, design, testing, documentation, and sequence depend on the well, formation, jurisdiction, operating objective, and approved program.

AI-created educational illustration; not a photograph of a named client site.

Stage 8 of 8Flow back, test & hand overThe completed well is safely unloaded, evaluated, equipped, and transitioned to operations.

AI illustration of stage 8: Flow back, test & hand over

What happens during this stage

Flow back, test & hand over

Controlled flowback removes completion fluids and confirms how the well responds. The team evaluates pressure, rates, produced fluids, equipment, and integrity; installs or connects production systems; reconciles records and regulatory reporting; and hands the well over for monitored operations.

Project-specific engineering matters. Actual equipment, procedures, design, testing, documentation, and sequence depend on the well, formation, jurisdiction, operating objective, and approved program.

AI-created educational illustration; not a photograph of a named client site.

Educational reference note: This generalized sequence is informed by public drilling, casing, cementing, and completion guidance from the Alberta Energy Regulator and U.S. Energy Information Administration. It is not a substitute for a project-specific engineering program or governing regulatory requirements. AER drilling overview · EIA completion overview

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