How can an operator consistently deliver best in class drilling performance around the world? Phillips formed a Critical Well Improvement Team (CWIT) to answer this question. This team included representatives from each of its E & P business units and from every discipline involved in drilling projects. The team critically looked at the processes used in planning and executing drilling projects and examined the obstacles that stood in the way of consistently delivering best in class wells. This lead to the development of the MaxWell, short for Maximum Well Value, Process. The MaxWell process includes a consistent methodology to be used in planning, executing and post well analysis of drilling projects. In addition, it introduces a common filing structure, a common format for documents generated by a drilling project, and a method for sharing lessons learned on a global scale. MaxWell also includes a staffing template to help each division identify the personnel resources required to deliver best in class drilling results. This paper will discuss the steps the CWIT took to develop MaxWell, the MaxWell process itself, and the care taken in developing an implementation plan to insure that MaxWell becomes a part of the well planning culture and does not become another forgotten initiative.
