26.4 Existing Planned Well to be Avoided (Caging)

‘Caging’ can happen in the latter part of a site development program when collision risk with currently undrilled planned wells are given low priority. Eventually the planned wells cannot be drilled as the slot is ‘caged’

in by other wells. It is worth including the trajectories of currently undrilled but planned wells into the program so that their positions can be considered when assessing the impact of a non-conformity to plan. In such

cases, the client should be apprised of the risk to future well plans and his agreement to proceed be obtained in writing. Clearly it is best if all anticipated future well plans are included at the earliest stage.