Drilling Efficiency Improvements must reduce cycle time and operational costs.  This expectation demands identification of all factors and challenges that influence drilling efficiency.  These considerations, categorized as Project Risks, Performance Limiters, and Drilling Dysfunctions (RLD), must be analyzed holistically, to facilitate development of cycle time reducing solutions.  As is evident from field performances and benchmarking, developed solutions continue to yield inconsistent results.  This is primarily due to the absence of appropriate definitions for the RLD factors.  Consequently - analysis, relationships, implications, and resulting effects of these factors on peak performance, are not clearly established. 

Contrary to current positions, Risks and Limiters are different elements, with dissimilar drivers and contributions to drilling efficiency.  This presentation will define, clarify, establish dependencies, and identify effects of RLD elements on peak performance.  Additionally, it will show how systematic and holistic project interpretations confirm differences between Risks and Limiters, leading to development of effective drilling systems and appropriate field execution practices.  This approach drives identification, analysis, and remediation of dysfunctions in planning and execution phases, thereby ensuring cycle time and operational cost reductions. Field cases, supporting these positions, analysis, and discussions, will also be presented.