Professional Documents
Culture Documents
G
1200u
CONTENTS
CoxrnNTS
CrrA.pranI
TncrrNoLoGY oF wELL
CoNrnor,
Page #
l.l introduction and scopefor well conhol
I .l. 1 RotaryHelperTrainingCriteriafor eualificationin Well Conhol z
1.l.l.l Prerequisites
for rotaryhelperqualification 2
1.1.1.2Govemment regulations- 2
1.1.l .3 Blowoutprevention equipment J
1.1.1.4 Themoreobviouswarningsignalof kicks -'
l.l. 1.5Well-controloperations 3
Dr. M. S. Farahat
II CONTENTS
1.1.3.9Controllingshallowgas
8
1.1.3.10Blowoutpreventeranddivertersystem
8
1.1.3.11Closingunits
9
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CONTENTS
III
1.3.5Kick killing procedures
1.3.6StackGasClearingprocedures 39
1.3.7OffBottom Kicks 43
1.3.8Tertiarywell controlprocedures 48
69
1.4DeepWater-WellControltechniques
1.4.1RICK DETECTION 94
I.4.2 FRACTLIREGRADIENTS 94
I.4.3 SURFACEHOLE KICKS 95
1.4.4RESERVOIRDESCRIPTION 95
98
I.4.5 WELL CONTROLMEASURES
1.4.6KICKS BELOW PROTECTIVECASING 98
I.4.7BARITE PLUGS 100
I.4.8 ACCUMULATOR SYSTEMS l0l
I.4.8.1 DESIGNPROCEDURE 105
I.4.9 FLLIID DENSITY CONTROL 109
I.4.10VISCOSITY ll0
1.4.1IFLTIIDLOSS lls
1.4.12SALIMTY r17
I.4. 13GAS COTINTING 117
1.4.14 SPECIALOPERATIONS 119
1.4.14.1 STRIPPINGAND SNIIBBING ll9
1.4.14.2 VOLTIMETRICMETHOD 119
119
1.4.14.3 PRESSTIRE METHOD
tzv
1.4,14.4 PLUGGEDDRILL PIPE
1.4,14.5
120
HOLE IN DRILL PIPE
1,,4.1 120
4.6 EXCESSTVE CASINGPRESSURE
1.4.14.7 T'NDERGROTINDBLOWOIJTS r2l
l2r
'5 Field Practicefor well conhol problemand
rheir sorutions,andworksheet r23
I.5 .1 SPECIALWELL CONTROLPROBLEMS
I.5.2 WORKSHEETPROCEDIIRE 130
13t
I.5.2.1HOW TO CALCULATE WELL KILLING
PROBLEMS 131
1.5.2.2W ell ControlWorksheet
133
Dr. M. S. Farahat
IV CONTENTS
CHAPTERII
Orpsnonr DRILLING
TEcHNoLoGY
Page#
.l
2.1 Introductionandscopefor offshoreoil andgasdrilling technology 137
2.I.I DRILLING 138
2.1.2PLATFORMS 140
2. I.3 SUBSEATECHNOLOGY r4l
Dn M. S. Farahat
, CONTENTS
v
CHAPTERIII
Dnrr,r,rNc pRocNosls ANDINTRoDUCTToN
TO DRILLING UNDERBALANCE
F r.r: 1
Page #
3.1Drilling Prognosis l
186
:
3.2.1What is Underbalanced
Drilting?
193
3.2.2Why Drill Underbalanced?
195
3.2.2.1Increasedpenetrationrate& Bit Life
195
3.2.2.2MiloimizedLost Circulation
196
3.2.2.3MirumizedDifferentialSticking
197
3.2.2.4ReducedFormationDamage
t97
3.2.2.4 EarlierproductionandReducedStimulation
requirements 197
3.2.2.5ImprovedFcrmatironEvaluation
r98
3.2.2.6EnvironmentalBenefits
t99
3.2.3Underbalanced
Drilling Techniques
199
3.2.3.1Gaseous
Drilling Fluids
200
3.2.3.2Two-phase
Drilling Fluids
204
3.2.3.3Liquid Driiling Fluids
208
3.2.4.SurfaceSystems
208
3.2.5Limitationsto Underbalanced
Drilling 210
3.2.5.I WellboreInstabiliW
210
3.2.5.2WaterInflows
2ll
3.2.5.3DownholeFires
212
3.2.5.4DirectjonalDrilling Equipment
ZLJ
3.2.5.5ExcessiveHydrocarbonproduction
213
3.2.5.6EconomicFactors
214
.'!r.'t .- :
Dr. M. S. Faraha
VI CONTENTS
CsaprrnfV
Druutne tNo Couptrrtorv or Gts llnus ttt
EcyprraN Mrlrrnnn q.NEan Coxcrssrox
CaseHrsrony
Page # .,
4.2 GeologyOverpressure
Sourcesof the Area 219
4.2.1GeneralGeology 219
4.2.1.1Temsahconcession 2r9
4.2.1.2B altimconcession 219
4.2.2Overpressure
Sources 219
4.2.2.1Compaction 221
4.2.2.2Tectontcs 221
.. i..rr'.
J..
I
4.tl9t5 Effortl 224
4.3.1 ProgrammingModifications 224
. 4.3.1.1Programming
Modificationin TemsahConcession 224
4.3.2ContingencyPlan 226
Dn M, S. Farahat
CONTENTS VII
4.7.1Evaluation 238
4.7.2Comments 238
4.8 Bicenterlsshnique to OversizeHole underCasings 239
.. r
4.8.1Inhoductionto Bicentertheory 239
4.8.1.I Bicenterapplicationin well TemsahNorth West# I 241
4.8.1.2Evaluation 242
4.11PosicloseruSystem(SecondGeneration) 248
CsAprnnV
. TEcHNoLoGY FoR DRILLING AI\D CoMPLETING
HORTZONTAI.,EXTENDED REACHWELLS
Page#
5.1 LateralDrilling: A new applicationshowspromise 251
5.1.1 Initial Drilling Operations 251
5.1.2DrainholeDrilling Operations 254
Dr. M. S. Farahat
VIII CONTENTS
5.2.5.I Design/Planning
Stages 266
5.2.5.2Supervision 268
5.3HorizontalDrilling is BecomingCommonplace:
I{ere s How It s Done 269
5.3.1What constitutesa horizontalwell 271
5.3.2Applicationsfor horizontalwells 272
5.3.3Well geometry 274
5.3.3.1Radiusof curvature 275
5.3.3.2Hoizontalsectiondiameter 275
5.3.4Drilling operations 276
5.3.4.1Verticaldrilling 276
5.3.4.2D eviateddrilling 278
5.3.4.3Approachingthetarget 279
5.3.5Drilling thedrainhole 280
f'
5.4 High-AngleandHorizontalWell Completions 283
5.4I HOzuZONTAL COMPLETIONS 284
5.4.2HIGH-ANGLE COMPLETIONS 286
5.4.3CEMENTINODESIGN 287
5.4.4OFF-BOTTOMCEMENTING 288
!,i:1,r
5.4.5Rotation/ Reciprocation 289
5.4.6TorqueLimitations 291
5.4.7FORMATHON PACKERS 294
5.4.8Evaluation 294
.* ,1., _i.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CONTENTS IX
CnaprnRVI
Appr,rcluoN oF,corlD
: Tubing .i:
Page#
6.1 Coiled Tubing Fluid (Water)Jetdrilling
309
6.1.1 UltrashortRadiusRadialSystem(llRRS)
311
6.1.2Control While Drilling
311
6.1.3Inclinationandrhree Dimensionarsurvey of RadialDrainhole
312
6.1.4Completions
312
Dr. M. S, Farahat
x CONTENTS
6.3.3Pre-Jobmodeling )zt
6.3.4Coiledtubinghistory 328
6.3.5Fuhre Applications 329
Cnlprrn WI
-'.
Furunr oF HoRTzoNTAL :... t. -
DRILLING IN EGYPT
Page#
7.1 Evolution of Horizontal Technology 330
7.1.1OptimalPlacement i 331
7.1.2 Geosteering
into Reservoirs )JZ
7.1.6FaultingResultsIn Bypassed
Oil 338
a
7.1.7 StratigraphicComplexitiesToo 339
REFERENCES 368
Dr, M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
CHAPTERI
TnCTTNOLOGYOF WELL
CONTROL
We have now entered a new millenium and have made a significant leap forward
with respect to well control. In the past. efforts were constrained by the complex
nature of multiphase flow in an arurulus.This flow regime, which occurs during a
well-control situation. wzrsvery diffrcult to understandand impossible to model in a
timely manner becauseof limited calculation capability. do you remember using a
slide rule?
controlthe annulus.
. :..1
l. Downholemud propertiesandrheologl.
2. Realisticinflux mechanisms.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF IYELL CONTROL
3. Timing of events.
4. Gasmigrationanddispersion.
1. RotaryHelper.
2. Derrickman.
3. Driller.
4. Toolpusher.
. 5. Operators Representative.
1.1.1.2 Governmentregulations
The helper shall receive general instructionson govemmentregulationsthatare
pertinent to the work in regardto well controlactivities.Copiesof the regulations,
orders,or absfractsof pertinent sectionsshall be furnished to the helper.These
instructions(asin USA) shallincludeasa minimum: '
A. Drilling procedures.
B. Pluggingandabandonment.
C. Pollutionandwastedisposal.
tn addition to the above. the helper strati ieceive instruction on the purpose.
operation.and generalcare of thefollowingauxiliaryequipment:
I. L I. 5 l{ell-control operations
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF VELL CONTROL
The derrickman shall have completed the training as a rotary helper or possess
equivalentexperiencebefore enrolling in the derrickman course.
l. Drillingprocedures.
2. Pluggingandabandonment.
- 3. Pollutionandwastedisposal.
I. l. 2.3 Blowoutpreventionequipment
I . I .l .3.
l. Equipmentlistedundersubsections
2. Degasser.
choke.
3. Adiustable
I. 1.2.4Drilling Jluids
Dr. M. S- Farahat
CH I TECHNoL0GY oF II.ELL CqNTRqL 5
A Density.
B Viscosit-v.
C Fluidloss.
D Salinity.
E Gas-cuning.
F Procedurefor increasinsmud densitv.
1.1.2.5Wornings@ak of kicks
Thederrickmanshallreceivegeneralinstructions
consistent
with his assigned
duties
on warningsignalsthat indicatea kick or conditionsthat can leadto a kick suchas.
butnot limitedto- the followine:
Dr. M. S. Forahat
6 CH I TECHNoLoGy oF VELL CoNTRoL
The driller shall receive instructions on drilling fluids with emphasison the
following:
A Density.
B Viscosiry.
C Fluid loss.
D Salinity.
E Gas-cutting.
F Procedurefor increasingmud density.
1.1.3.4Causesof kicks
The importanceof measuringthe mud requiredto fill the hole during trips and
methodsfor measuringand recordinghole-fill volumesshall be emphasized.Such
for shallowgasconditions.
importanceshallbe furtheremphasized
The driller shall receive instructions on the waming signals that indicatea kick or
conditionthat can leadto a kick. Thesewarninesienalinclude:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF IYELL CONTROL 7
l. Driller s.
.
2. Wait and weight.
3. Concurrent (circulate and weight).
4. Other applicable constantbottom hole pressuremethods.
Dn M. S. Faruhat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF W,ELL CONTROL
1.1.3.9Controllingshallow gas
A Controllingshallowgaskicks.
B Useof diverters.
C Useof marinerisers.(offshoreoperations).
1.1.3.10Blowoutpreventerand divertersystem
l. Installation.
2. Operation.
3. Maintenance.
4. Testing.
In addition to the above, the driller shall receive instructionson the purpose,
installation. operation. and general maintenanceof the following auxiliary
equipment:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF IYELL CONTROL 9
the toolpusher shall have completed the training described in subsection 1.1.3 for
the driller or possessthe equivalentexperience.
The toolpusher shall receive instnrctions on the calculations required for well-
control operations. Example calculation shale be practiced in class problems. The
toolpushershall also receiveinstructionson the calculationof equivalentpressures
at the casing seatwith emphasison the importanceof casing seatdepth.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
l0 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF NlELL CONTROL
1.1.4.7Closingunits
One. chargingprocedures
l. prechargepressure
2. operatingpressure.
b. fluid volume.
1. usable
2. required.
c. fluid pumps
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF IYELL CONTROL u
d. maintenance.
l. chargingfluid.
2. Inspectionprocedures.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
l2 CH I TECHNOL0GY oF WELL CoNTRoL
1. Penetrationratechange.
2. Shaledensitychange. .....":.,, 1.,.;
3. Mud chloridechange.
4. Trip, connection,andbackgroundgaschanges.
well-killing operationandshallsubsequently
directsuchan operationusinga model
well or equivalent simulationdevice.In addition,he shallreceiveinstructionson a
diverteroperation.
1.1.6 QualiJicationprocedures
1.1.6.1Rotaryhelper
Documentation of test results: The time requiredfor him to completethe drill shall
1.1.6.2.Derrickman
Dr. M. S. Faraltat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL 13
1.1.6.3Drillcr
1.1.6.4Toolpusher
Dr. M. S. Faralmt
l4 CH I TECHNDL0GY oF WELL CqNTRqL
1.1.6.5Operators representative
Prerequisites..He shall have familiar with the basic duties of rotary helper,
derrickman,driller, and toolpusherduring well-conhol operationsandshallhave
completedthe trainingrequirementsoutlinedin subsectionr.l.5.
Dr. M. S. Faralnt
CHI TECHNqL0GYoF InELL coNTRoL
l5
Dr. M. S. Farahat
16 CH I TECHNDLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
-.
Suggesteditem for inclusion inon-bofrom drilling ardtripping pipe drills are set
out in subsectionsl 1.7.1 andl.l.T.2respectively.The listing of theseitemsdoes
not necessarilyconstitutea recommendationthat eachof the itemsbe includedin
the drill or that the drill sequence
be the sameasthe listing.
1.1.7.2Trippingpipe
1. Detectkick andsoundalarm.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL t7
2. Install safetyvalve;closesafetyvalve.
3. Positionpipe: prepareto closeannularpreventer'
4. Install insidepreventer;opensaferyvalve.
5. Recordtime.
6. Recordcasingpressure.
7. Check all valveson chokemanifold and blowout preventerstackfor correct
position(openor closed).
8. Checkfor leakson blowoutpreventersstackandchokemanifold'
g. Checkflow line andchokeexhaustlinesfor flow"
10. Checkaccumulator pressure. . :.:.ii.
11. Prepareto extinguishsources ofignition.
12. Alert standbyboator preparesafetycapsulefor launching'
13. Placecraneoperatoron duty for possiblepersonnelevacuation'
14. Prepareto lower all escapeladdersand prepareother abandonmentdevices
for possibleuse.
15. Prepareto strip backto bottom.
16. Time drill andenterdrill reP
Example:
TD 1000ft
Hole size 26 inches
Mud wt. 9.0 ppg
Holevol. 0.6567bbVft.
Dr. M. S. Faraltat
l8 CH I TEcHNoLoGY oF qELL C0NTRqL
Expandedgasfrom 1000feet:
(465psi) (0.7374cuft) : 14.7v2
Therefore,pressurereductionat bottomcouldtheoreticaliybe:
TD 1500ft
Holesize 26 inches
Mud wt. 9.2ppe
Holevol. 3.687cu ff/ ft (0.6567bbyft)
Porespace 207ocontaininggas
ROP 50 ft/hr (184.4cu ff/ hr drilled)
Gasdrilledperhour: 184.4* 0.2:36.87 cu ft /hr.
Formationpressure @ 1500ft : 698psi
Plvt:P2v2
698+37= 14.7Y2
Before kick:
{. Penetrationrate(increasingtrendwith samebit weight/RPM/hydraulics).
{. Torque trend increase (only trend, not sharp fluctuations due to lithology
changes).
* from local areaor
normal earths temperaturegradienttrend.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
l9
'"-
' : '!'
"
*
Arterkick:
pressureand strokes.
{. Chloridechangein mud filtrate.
Example:ShallowKick:
Dr. M. S. Farohat
20 CH I TECHN,L^GY oF VELL C,NTR,L
The well is flowing 9.0 ppg salt H2O at 12 BPM. How fast would you haveto
pump 16 ppg mud to give anequivalentmud12.5ppg?The estimatedbalancing
mudweightis 12.5ppg.
To divert:
.l Openchokeline.
.f. Closeannularpreventer.
To Analyze:
{' Pre-calculate the maximum pressure that can be safety closed-in without
fracturingthe formationbelow the casingshoe.If offshore,considerthe pressure
createdby the columnof seawater.An exampleof this will be shownlater.
'f' check flow rate after diverting. A small flow, in some
cases,canbelived-
with if the casingpoint is near.Thereis an advantageoffasterpenetrationrates
under small water flow conditions.The situation shouldbe closely analyzed,
however, and in most cases the mud weight should be increasedwhile
circulatingwithout backpressure,until the flow stops.
* Analyze the kick contaminant so that the safety of the operation takes
priority.
* Rig-up bulk mud facilities so that baritecanbe mixed quickly and without
delays.Theseshouldbe someredundancyin equipmentto assureno shut down.
Dn M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHN)L0GY oF VELL C,NTR7L
2l
Dr. M. S. Farahat
JJ CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONTROL
How does a driller analyze how much pressure can be closed in with short casing
strings set?
Therefore.ii more than 138 psi were closedin, lost circulationwould probably
occur. On regular standpipegauges.it would be doubled whether the pressure
would registerbelow 200 psi. so on this kick. it would be betterto divert and
evaluatepressurewith accuratechoke manifold pressuregauee and stay below
fracturepressure.
To minimizeshallow gasproblems:
1. Drill shallow hole carefully to minimize washouts,This will facilitate
cementingcasing.
2. Locateshoesin morecompetentformation.
3. Measurefrac (leakoff) gradient.
4. Usesqueezingto guarantee validity of leakofftest.
5. Desisr to shutwell in below250feet(250feetbelowmud line).
l. openchoke.then
2. closeannularpreventer.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF IYELL CONTROL 23
When the fracture gradient curve is draw (as shown in Fig. 1.3),theveryfine
balancebetween gain and loss canbe readilyseen.Oncethe well is closedin, the
balance shifts very quickly, and, in the case of the short casing string- lost
circulationdevelops.
Figure L4 points out that lost circulationwould occurif only 2000 2200 feetof
easing were set. The amountof casing,in this example,would dependon whether
the minimum geostaticgradientcuryeor the 85% of minimum geostaticcurvewas
beingused.
Frac gradiens: [(Ieak olf pressure) -(water depth * 0.44pslrn / depth below mud
linel
Formation pressare = (water depth t, 0.44) + (depth below mudline * frac
gradient)
Example:
Leakoffpressure :620 psi
Waterdepth : 500 ft
Fg : [620-(s00*0.44)y500 = 0.8psi/ft
Fp = (500* 0.44)+ (500 * 0.8): 620psi.
Dr. M, S. Farahat
24 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF VELL CONTROL
_s@fi.
L Frochre
FormoflonKlcjr
Fte.l. I
Igt
D
LDir
GO
@
EIE@oo
PFtrra h p9
F3.
Dr. M. S. Farahat'
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL t<
O.9lil
hb
:D
tr;tl' t.3
lO:OS@@{@
R-t h PSI
FV' ta
Dr. M. S. Farahat
26 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
OF EAntYOflECnON
l,lPoGrTAJ.lCE
l@
O c.(d-,r d obrd tr.d
2G) O A-,. dr. cdto n '
llld olfElnl o, ttsi(F
l! ln,d tr dtrrt
@ Rri drr *Jlc r\
ttD
LdlrdrEdd'qtn
tld Irdd L cYr.rr
r&.: F-r. ngh. d
@ t* trE.
\ '. d dth, rl
.lbll b ll
gD
O.9lh
a@
t{E
tao
l@ 2@ @@r@a@lloE
_ r.lrtt nrd
'i'ochd lld
fr.|'t
c+
IBr<-\e
-----1J 4(
\_/
rI
Lri
nlmat ror^.'l.63ra|lr
$; t,n k$t 0odqtl.'r.tu. rt' ti{ lkr.f hhl*.-"tr,,l t'{ Dn'it'.."rhxr'nnrl r"l'ntr" !.
iliisi'. rttdbr.Tlx-l'YT rt'rth t(lunri n,r Inr l .1,!n{"' :'xl nxlioh' Inn |fl r'rur"'
"l
t--^ t /
rt{' t'o
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNoLoGY oF VELL CONTROL 27
6. (sub sea stack) If the riser is equifped- open the mud line dump valves to
allow sea flooding into the annulus while pumping down the drill string at
maximum possiblepump rate.
7. MAKE ALL NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO ABANDON TI{E RIG OR.
LOCATION.
8. Continue pumping until gas has cleared at surface for at least a bottoms up
circulation.
9. Stop the pumps and check for flow'.
Ifflow is observed:
g Continue pumping at maximuin pump rate until another bubble is
circulated out of the hole and bottoms-upstrokesare again pumped.
n Repeatstep# 9.
Dr. M. S. Farohat
28 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONT-ROL
2. Procedure# 2
Diverter procedure while tripping :
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONTROL 29
NOTE:
The possibility of regaining primary well control in this situation dependslargely on
the bits distancefrom bonom (the greaterthe distance.the lessthe possibilit-v).
Possibleoptionsto consider:
6 Continue circulating seawater at maximum rate from presentbit depth until
the kick zone depletes itself and primary well control can be restored. If any
componentof the divertersystemfails. the rig or locationmust be abandoned.
0 Sport a healy greasepill from bit depth to surface
10. Continue pumping until gas cleared at surface for at least a bottoms up
circulation.
ll. Stopthe pumpsand checkfor flow.
Dr. M, S. Farahat
30 CH I TECHN0LOGY OF W.ELL CONTROL
Procedure # 3
Riserlessdiverter procedure:
Note:
ln water depths of 500 feet or less,the SAFEST RESPONSEto shallow gas events
is to abandonthe location until the gas zone depletesitself.
2. Open pump suctions to the weighted mud in the reservepit if available. When
the weightedmud pit is depleted,continuepumpingwith mud or seawater.
In a few hours to a couple of days,the gas sand should eventually deplete itselt and
orimarywell controlwill be restored.
Consider location abandonmentif the situation posesa potential safety threat to the
rig and personnel.
Dr, M. S. Farahot
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF fr'ELL CONTROL 3l
1. Raise the kelly above the rotary table or to a predeterminedheight for proper
spaceout.
2. Stopthe pumps.
3. If flow is detected. sound the kick alarm and initiate shut in procedures as
quickly as possible.
..:;,'.-.,'J
:
Procedure# 5
FIow checkprocedure while tripping
l. Stopthepipetrippingoperation.
Surfacestack observefor flow at the flow line for 5 to l0 minutes.
Sub sea stack line up the trip tank andmonitortrip tank level for 5 to l5 minutes.
l. Soundthekick alarm.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
32 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF VELL CONTROL
Record shut in drill pipe and casing pressures every 2 minutes. Three
consecutivepressurerecordingsindicate stabilizedpressure'
Note: lf desired and shut in pressurewill allow,, the annular preventer can be
closedandthe pipe ramsopenedto allow drill stringmovement'
Procedure # 7
(shutin procedure
Subseaslaclt.' while drilline)
1. Soundthekick alarm.
positionfor properspaceout in the BOP
2. Raisethe Kelly to the predetermined
stack.
3. Stopthepumps.
4. Closetheupperannularpreventer.
5. Openthechokeline failsafevalvesbelowtheintendedhang-offrams'
6. Observeshutin pressures-
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONT-ROL 33
Ifthe stabilization of SICP was not observedor recorded. use tapped pressure
bleedingprocedure(# 1l) to checkfor the possibilityoftrapped pressure.
.
Adjust annular preventer closing pressure relative to the observea StCp tsee
annularpreventeroperations,manual)..
7. Maintain the drill string in motion if the wellbore exhibits a differentialpipe
stickingtendencY.
Tie the slip handlestogetherand rotate the pipe slowly. Make up he kelly to
rotate lt necessary.
Dr. M. S. Farohat
34 CH I TECHNoLOGYOFWELLCONTROL
If the stabilization of SICP was not observedor recorded, use n apped pressure
bleedingprocedn'e (# I l) to check for the possibiliry oftrapped pressure.
7. Maintain the drill string in motion if the wellbore exhibits a differential pipe
sticking tendency.
7, Recordthepit gain.
Procedure # I0
Drill string hang-off procedure
Procedure# II
{
Troppedpressure bleedingprocedures
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNoL0GY oF WELL C0NTRoL 35
1. Bleed from the casingsideonly l/4 to ll2 barrelor until the drill pipe pressure
response.
2. Close the chokeandallow time for thepressures to stabilize(2- 3 sec/1000feet
ofdepth).
3. Observethe shut inpressures(useshutincasingpressureifdrillpipepressure
is not available):
Procedure# 12
Gasmigration pressure bleedingprocedure
Note:
NOTE:
Ifthe initial stabilizedshutin drill pipe pressureis not known,usetrapped
pressurebleedingprocedures(# i1), to determinethe stabilizedvalue.
NOTE:
Dr. M. S, Farahat
36 CH I TECHN0L0GY OF WELL CoNTR0L
Procedure# 13
Shut in drill pipe pressure with a solidfloat valve
1. Pump one-strokeat a time into the drill pipe while observingshutin drill pipe
pressure.A largerig pumpcanbe slowly rolledby quickly startingandstopping
the pump.
NOTE:
The drill pipe pressure 'wrll inerease quic*ly {l to l0 strokes)as the
fluid abovethe float valveis pressurized.
incompressible
NOTE:
Drill pipe pressurecan be bled to zero psi through the fill-up line andthe
procedurerepeatedto confrrmaccuracy.
Procedure# 14
Bing the well on choke
NOTE:
SLP: Staticline pressurefor subseastacks.
CSG: Casingpressurefor surfacestacks.
1. Zero all pump strokecountersto insurea backup counter.
2, Openthe chokeslightly (1/8 to l/4 openposition).
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CHI TECHNOLOGYOFWELLCONTROL 37
3. Slowly increasethe pump speedto the desired kill pump rate (KPR) while
adjustingthe choketo maintainSLP/CSGpressureat its shutin value.
4. With thepump at the desiredspeed,observethe drill pipe pressure.
Procedure# 15
Takethe well off choke
NOTE:
SLP: Staticline pressurefor subseastacks.
CSG: Casingpressurefor surfacestacks.
1. Recordthe presentcirculatingSLP/CSGpressure.
2. the pump speed.
Slowly decrease
3. Adjust the choke to maintainthe SLP/CSGpressureat he recordedcirculafing
valueasthe pump speedis reduced.
4.' Whenthe pump is shutdown, closethe chokecompletely-
NOTE:
Closea positivesealvalveaheadof thechokeif thechokedesignwill not froma
positive seal.
Procedure # 16
Determine an unknown kiII pump pressure (KPP)
NOTE:
SLP: Staticline pressure for subseastacks.
:
CSG Casingpressurefor surfacestacks.
1. If needed,calculatekill mud weight(KMW) andincreasethe mud weightto kill
density.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
38 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF IYELL CONTROL
4. Slowly increasethe pump speedto the desired kill pump rate(KPR) while
adjustingthe choketo maintainSLP/CSGpressureat its shutin value.
5. With the pump at the desiredkill speed,andthe SLP/CSGpressureadjustedto
its shutin value,allow time for the pressureto stabilize(2 to 3 sec/1000ft depth)
6. The observedcirculating drill pipe pressure is the INITIAL CIRCULATING
PRESSURE (ICP).
NOTE:
If total strokespumpedat this point exceedthe surfacesysfo,mdisplacementstrokes,
the ICP mustbe correctedfor the volumeof KMW that hasenteredthe drill strine.
Procedure# I7
. Changekilt pump rate (KPR) during the kill operation
NOTE:
SLP = Staticline pressurefor subseastacks.
CSG: Casingpressurefor surfacestacks.
1. Recordthe presentcirculatingSLPiCSGpressure.
2. Slowly decreaseor increase KPR to the new desiredspeedwhile adjustingthe
choketo maintainSLP/CSGpressureconstantat the recordedvalue.
3. Allow time for the pressures
to stabilize(2 to 3 sec/I000ft of depth).
4. Read the new circulating drill pipe pressurefor the new KPR directly'from'the
chokepanelpressuregauge.
5. Correctthe drill pipepressureschedulebythevalueofpressurechangeforthe
new KPR.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF W'ELL CONTROL 39
.NOTE:
g Hold the pumpspeedconstantat KPR;
n Adjustthe chokehold the observedcirculatingpressureconstantthroughthe
remainderof thekill operation.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
.au
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF TYELL CONTROL
8. Ifno-flow is detected:
Surface stack clear the rotary table and open the BOp.
Sub sea stack follow procedure # 20 or 2 I to safety
, clear the stack gas from the
BOp stack and then open the lower rams.
Procedure# 19
The wait and weight kitt procedure
KMW = (SIDPP/TVD*0.052)
+ OMW
NOTE:
andsuccessful
kill operation.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNoLoGy oF VELL CqNTR'L 4l
NOTE:
If the kill pumppressurevalueis unknown,referto procedure# 16.to determinethe
unknownKPP.
TableI.I
.srlcs PR,ESS
'';". "I
0 15OO : ICP
100 1460
200 1420
STKDTVISIONS
_ (STKSTO 300 1380
400 PRESS
BrTyl0 1 3 4 0
DROP/STKDIV =
500 1300
(rcP-FCP/10)
600 1260
700 t220
800 I180
900 1140
S T K St o b i t : 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0= F C p
NOTE:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
42 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF VELL CONI'ROL
CAT]TION:
actualSIDFp= Observed
SIDpp StdpipeHSp
* If actuarSIDpp
is observed,refer to procedure# l l.
pressure. to check for trapped
A Secondbubbleis pumpedout;
Dr, M. S. Forohat
CH I TECHN0L0GY oF VELL C0NTRhL
43
* Ifno-flow is detected:
l. Closethelowerrams.
4. Openthe upperannularpreventer.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNqL0GY oF wELL C,NTRuL
6. connectthedrilr stringcompensaror
(DSC)air suppryto thechokemanifold.
13' Adjustthe DSC pressureto just lift the pipeweight from the
hang-offrams. l
14. when the trip tank indicatesthe riser mud is reakingtluough
the hang_offrams
and/orthe flow rate from has stopped.unlock and op"n ,t
hung_o#rams to
allow the.risermud to U-tubeinto the chokeline. "
Dr, M. S. Farahal
CH I TECIINOLOGY OF WELL CONTROL 45
' '
diverter closed and the shakerline valve open and then repeatstep # 17.
NOTE:
Hold the pump speedconstantwhile displacingthe riser. If an increasein return
flow indicatesgas approachingthe surface.close the shakerline valve to divert
returnsoverboard.
* If the observed flow stops when the lower rams are close4 check for shut in
pressures.
NOTE:
Hold the pump speedconstantwhile displacing.If an increasein retum
flow indicatesgas approachingthe surface.closethe shakerline valve to
divert the retumsoverboard.
Procedure# 2I
StackGasUnder TheAnnular Preventer
1. Closethe lowerrams.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
46 CH I TECHNoLOGY oF VELL CoNTRoL
6. With 80% of the choke line displaced, close the kill line failsafe valves and
close the air supply valve.
7. Route the retuming DSC air and stack gasthrough a flare boom
8. Open the choke completely to allow rapid bleed off of the choke line air
pressureand stack gas through the flare boom.
ll. When the U-tubing flow through the flare boom stops,close the choke line
failsafevalves.
olf kill mud weight was neededto kill the kick, openthe kill line failsafevalves.
Circulatedownthekill line anddisplacetheriserwith kill mudweight.
l5.Monitor the trip tank for flow. If flow is observe4close the lower rams and
again.checkfor flow.
Dr. M. S. Farohat
CH I fEcHNoLOGY OF WELL coNTRoL 47
Procedure# 22
StackGasIhnderThe Blind / Shear Rams
5. Close the upper annularpreventerand slowly strip the drill string UP until the
lowertool joint is underthe annularpreventerpacking.
Dr, M. S- Farahat
48 CHI TECHN0L0GYDFVELLCDNTRuL
ll. When the U-Tubing flow stops,CARFULLY back off the top drill string
connectionto bleedoffany gasthatmight be trappedat the top ofthe drill string.
12. Open the blind / shearrams and monitor the trip tank for flow. If flow is
observe4 close the blind/shearrams and circulateriser displacementstrokes.
Repeatstep# 12.
oIftheobservedflowstopswhentheblind/shearclosed.checkforshutincasing
pressure..
13. It no-flow is observeddisplacethe choke and kill with the desiredfluid and
resumeoperations.
, .:
1.3.7Off Bottom Kicks
hocedure # 23
STRIPAND BLEED PROCEDARE
Dr. M. S. Forahat
CH I TECIINoLOGY oF VELL coNTRoL
(MCPL)=MACP*0-8
NOTE:
If the casing shoe TVD is 33bloor less than the TVD of the well. use (0.6) to
calculateMCPL.
1
3. Calculatethe barrelsof displacement
per standof pipe strippedinto the wellbore
(BBL/Srd). '
(Sub Sea Stack) Slowly decreasethe closing pressureto the value of pressure
recommended by the manufacturer.Seethe annularpreventer
operationsmanualfor properclosingpressure.
NOTE:
Allow the lubricatingmud volumeto flow into the bleedtank and becomepart of
thetotalvolumemudvolumebledperstandof pipestrippedintothehole.
6. Hold the chokeclosedand slowly strip I standof pipe into the hole. SICP will
increaserelativeto the volumeof pipe strippedinto thewellbore(bbls/std).
Dr. M. S. Farohat
50 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF VELL CONTROL
olf one standstrippedinto the hole increasesthe SICP ABOVE the desiredvalue
(SICP+ SafetyFactor),bleedmudfrom thewellboreuntil the SICP (Table1.2)
reachesthe desiredvalue. :
TableI.X
MACP= 1250psL MCPL: 1000psi BBLs/Std: 2.3bbls
NOTE:
NOTE:
Dependingon the increasein casingpressure.one to severalstandsof pipe
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL 51
:
canbe strippedbeforeSICp increasessignificantly
6 Sub Seastack:If the choke line fluid densityis lighter than the mud density.
SCIPwill decreaserelativeto the hydrostaticpressureincreaseas mud displaces
the chokeline fluid duringthe first few stands.
p A seepagelossof mud to the formationmaybe occurring.
If the scIP after bleedingcontinuesto be slighrly higher than the last recorded
value:
NOTE:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
52 CH I TECHN0LOGY oF VELL CoNTR0L
The bit is below the influx on stand# 20, indicatedby the decrease
in SCIP
afterbleedingthe2.3 bbls-Table1.3.
.' :
Toble1.3
=
MACP 1250psl MCPL = 1000psi BBLs/Std:2.3 bbls
E Stopthestrippingoperarion.
0 (procedure
Usethecirculationkill procedure # l8).
g Ciiculate the top portion of the influx out of the hole with original mud
weight(OtvIW).
Dr, M. S. Farahat
CH I TECIINOLOGY OF VELL CONTROL
53
Procedure# 24
Off bottom kill procedure l
SF : Safetyfactorof 50 to 100Psi.
CAUTION:
If differentialstickinghasoccurredor is likely, usethe mininum safery
factor(50 Psi).
# 14.
3. Bring the well on chokeusingprocedure
4. NOTE:
5. With the KMW at the bit, hold the pumpspeedconstantand adjustthe choketo
hold the PRESENT drill pipe circulating pressureconstantuntil the KIvflV
refumsto surface.
CAUTION:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
54 CH I TECHNoLoGy oF VELL C0NTR0L
The hydrostaticpressureof the mud in the standpipe will be reflectedon the drill
gauge(20 to 70 psi).
pipepressure
8. Ifno-flow detected:
Surface stack: Clearthe rotary tableand openthe BOP. :
Sub sea stack: Follow procedure# 20 or 21. to safetyclear the stackgas from the
' BOP stack and then open the lower rams.
If flow is observed.
closetheBOPandreturnto step# 7.
10. Install an inside BOP or a wireline retrievabledart sub it the top of the drill
stringanddisplacehe drill stringwith originalmudweight(ON,[W).
ll. Run the drill string into the hole while monitoringthe trip tank or flow line for
well flow.
The well begins to flow as the boftom hole assemblyenters the bubble and
elongatesthe gascolumn height
12. lf or when well flow is detected.shut in the well and use the strip and bleed
Dr. M. S, Farahat
f,5
.. CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
Procedure# 25
Riserkill Procedure
NOTE:
density,the
If the chokeline fluid densiry(cLF ppg) is lessthan the drilling fluid
actualshutin casingpressure(SICPa)mustbe calculated'
* *
HSP> = (mudppg CLF ppg) 0'052 waterdepth
SICPa= obsemedSICP HSP>
(SF)-
calculatethe KMW densityusingSICPaplus 50 to 100psi safetyfactor
*
KIWW= KSCIPa + SF)/ (water depth 0'052)l + Orig Mud WL
NOTE:
IftherequireddensiryofKlvfWexceedsthesafurationdensityoftheweighting
kill cannotbe
materialOR the maximummud weight for the riser design.The riser
employed.
Otherpossibleoptionsto consider:
Dr, M. S. Farahat
56 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF TYELLCONTROL
NOTE:
The value of safetyfactor(SF) usedto calculatekill mud weight (KMW, step#
l) will be imposedto the observedSICP.
4. If no-flow is observed,fill 1/2 of the trip tank with kill mud weight andline up
the trip tank to the riser package.
6. Bleed original mud weight from the LOWER chokeor kill line tap availableon
the stackandreturn this fluid to the pits.
* Continue bleeding OMW, until the trip tank level hasretumedto the level
markedin steo# 4.
NorE:
.i r:- '' : " " '
I to 3 standscan be tripped into thewellborebeforebleedingthe trip tanklevel
backdown.
7. Stop the trip at frequentstand intervals(5 to 10 stands)to monitor the well for
flow.
Dr. M. S, Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL 57
8. with the bit into the influx or at bottom,usethe circulationkill procedure# lg,
to circulatethe influx out of the wellbore.
1. calculate the hydraulic force (Hyd lbs) acting to push the drill collars (DC) out
of theBOP:
Sub Sea stack If the chokeline fluid density(cLF ppg) is lessthanmud density,
calculatethe actualshutin casingpressure(SICPa)to determinethe hydraulicforce
(Hyd Lbs).
NOTE:
Otherpossibleoptionsto consider:
Dn M. S. Farahat
58 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF VELL CONTROL
4. Run the bit to thetop of theblind ramsandfill the drill stringwith mud. :".' :'
7. If the weight of the strippingassemblyis sufficient, open the blind rams and
refer to the strip and bleed procedure# 23, to strip the drill string into the
wellbore.
- Optiorts:
of
1. Obtain a drillable wireline bridge plug and lubricatorto fit the last string
casing.
NOTE:
Orderinga secondbridgeplug asa backup is recommended'
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL 59
2. calculate the kill mud weight (KI\,[w) required to control the kick pressure
below the plug andincreasemud density.
,,r.- :
SF = safety Faaor of 50 to 100 psl
I{MIY: KSICP + SF) / (TWtit * 0.052)J + Orig Mud wt
10. Circulate the kill mud weight to the bit andback to surface.
tl. CAREFULLY drill through the bridge plug. When the bridge plug is drilled,
raisethe kelly, stopthe pumpsandcheckfor possibleconditions.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
60 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF VELL CONTROL
n Strip the drill string below the bubble or to bottom. Refer to the strip and
bleedprocedure# 23.
g Refer to the wait and weight kill procedure# 19, to circulatea new KMW
from bit depthto surfaceandthenproceedto step# 12.
'
14. With the bit below the bubble or on bottom. refer to the circulation kill
procedure# 18,to circulatethe kick andkill mud weightout of the hole with
originalmud weight.
Procedure# 28
The volumetric kill procedure
NOTE:
If the gas bubble is ABOVE the bit and shut in drill pipe pressureis
accessible,refer of Gas Migration PressureBleeding Procedure# 12 to
controlwellborepressure.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHN0L0GY oF VELL CONTROL 6l
NOTE:
5. Hold the choke closed and allow gas migration to increasethe SICP to the
desiredvalue(SICP+ SF).
Dr. M. S. Farahat
62 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF VELL CONTROL
Table1.1
PSI/ BBL: IO PSI SAFETY FACTOR: ]OOPSI
SICP SICP BBLs
- Time
(After bleed) @efore bleed) Bled
500 500 0
12:00AM
3:00 600 600 0
' 620 0'2
3:40 600
is collectedin the
8. continue to repeatsteps6 and 7 until a l-barrel volume
calibratedPit-
l0 psi of hydrostatic
A lossof I banel of mud from thewellboreripresentsa tossof
pressure(PSI/BBL from the example)'
Tocompensateforthel0psihydrostaticpressureloss,thedesiredSICPu'illbe
by 10psi (in theexample'from 6:20amto 7:20am)'
allowedto increase
NOTE:':'ti:
IfthecalculatedPSI/BBLvalueistoolowtobereadfromtheavailablegauge'
(for example)is collectedin
continueto repeatsteps6 and 7 until a 5 barrelvolume
the calibratedPit.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONTROL 63
Then allow the SICP (table 1.5) to increaseby the PSVBBL value for 5 barrels
(PSI/BBL * 5) before startinganotherbleedinginterval'
Table 1.5
PSI/ BBL: IO Pg SAFETYFACTOR: ]OOPSI
Time SICP SICP BBLS
(After bleed) @efore bleed) Bled
l2:ooAM 5oo 5oo o
3:00 600 600 0
3:40 600 620 0'2
4:20 600 620 0'2
5:00 600 620 0'2
5:40 600 620 0'2
6:20 600 620 0'2 (l)
7:20 610 630 0'2
8:00 610 630 0'2
8:40 610 630 O'2
9:20 610 630 0'2
.
10:00 620 640 0'2 (2)
10:40 620 640 O'2
9. If the well is shut in with the drill stringoff bottom,the kick can be circulated
out of thehole afterthe gasbubblehasmigratedABOVE the bit
when the bubble was migratingbelow the bit, the SICP and SIDPP were both
increasingat an equalvalueandrate.
Dn M. S. Farahat
64 CH I TECHNoLqGY oF IyELL C0NTRoL
10.withallorthemajorityofthegasabovethebit,thekickcanbekilledby
circulatingthe gasout of the hole with the circulationkill procedure# 18.
12. Hold the wellbore closed and allow time for gas to collectat the top of the
wellbore(30 to 30 min).
Procedure # 29
Dynamic lubricate and bleedprocedure
1. Line up to circulate into the BOP stackthroughthe LOWER most kill or choke
line while returningthroughthe UPPERmostchokeor kill line.
.
Routethe retumingfluid from the chokemanifold:
{. Throughthe gasbuster;
* To an isolatedpit, andbackto the pump.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECIINoLOGY oF VELL CONTROL 65
4. Hold the pump speed and casing pressureconstant while observing the PIT
LEVEL.
The pit level will begin to decreaseas gas is vented through the gas buster and mud
is pumpedinto the wellbore.
NOTE:
Allow casingpressureto DECREASEby the calculatedcasing or casilg annulus
PSI/BBLvalue(step# 2) perbanel ofpit leveldecrease.
6. With the pit level stabilizedand casingpressurezero psi or near. stop the pump.
leavethe choke open, and check foe flow at the chokeline or shaker.
I Ifflow is detecte4 close the choke and observethe SICP for indications ofa
secondbubble migrating up the wellbore (a slow and consistentincreasingSICP
and equally increasingSIDDP if available).
g If a second bubble is detecte4 refgr to gas migration pressure bleeding
procedure# 12 to safetycontrol wellbore pressureif circulation is not possible.
;
7. Ifno-flow detected: I
g Surface stack: clear the rotary table and open the BOP.
j SrD sea stack:
If the drill sting is in the BOP, useprocedure # 20 or 21, to clear the stack gas
and then open the lot'rterrams.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
66 CH I TECHNoLoGy oF II.ELL CLNTRqL
If the drill string is NOT in the BOP, useproceriure # 22, to clear the stack gas
and thenopenthe blind/shearrams.
' : lii l ;r\ '''
Pipepulling speed;
Annular clearance;
Drill'string length;
Mudflow properties.
' Procedure# 30
I. NOTE:
2. Calculate the volume of 100% glycol (Gly BBLs) required to cover the
suspectedpermeablezone.
If the stuck depth is grcater than 200 ft from bottom, use l.5timesthe
calculatedGLY BBLS to allow for watercontaminationof the glycol. The
Glycol Pill losesits effectiveness
with increasingwatercontamination.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONTROL 67
*
HSP<-- Mud ppg 9.1) * A052 * GLY BBLS Fo/BBLDC Ann
NOTE:
If the loss of hydrostaticpressurethreatena kick, lead the Glycol Pill with heary
mud pill that has suffrcientdensityto compensate the loss of hydroststicpressure
(HSP<).
Thevolumeof the heavymud pill shouldbe EQUAL to the barrelsof glycol used.
5. Pump the Glycol Pill to the stuck depth at MAXIMUM pump rate. I-eadthe
in step# 3.
Glycol Pill with a heavymud pill if determinedto be necessary
6. Justbeforethe total strokes(step# 4) are pumpe4 apply pipe weight (50 000
155+; andpipe torque(if possible)to the stuckpoint.
7. When the total strokes(step# 4) are purnpe{ stop one pump and slow the other
pump down to MINIMUM speed(10 to 20 spm) and zero the pump stroke
counter.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNoL0GY oF VELL C0NTR0L
NOTE:
Otherpossibleoptionsto consider:
9. If the pipe becomes free, maintain the drill string in motion to prevent
recurrenceof differentialstickine.
Procedure# 3I
Stuck depth calculation procedure
l.
pull the endofthe cablethroughthe rotarytable.
2. Pull l0 000 to 30 000 lbs pull over the stringweight to applytensionto the drill
string.
Surfacestack: make a referencemark on the drill pipe even with the top of the
rotarytable.
4. Pull l0 000 to 20 000 lbs over the Oro*, hook loadappliedin step# 2.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF TYELLCONTROL 69
7. Repeat the procedure with a different value of applied Pull to veri$ the stuck
depthcalculation.
Geolograph and/or drilling time records,can alsobe usedto help veri$r the stuck
depth calculation.A drilling break shouldhaveoccurredat or nearthe calculated
stuck depth.
fiorn:
Differential sticking occursacrossPERMEABLE ZONES ONLY.
Dn M. S. Farahat
70 CH I TECHNoLqGY oF WELL CqNTRoL
Then:
FP kick = (Mud ppg * 0.052 * TVD kick) + SIDppo + SIDppe
NOTE:
Othersourcesof formafionpressureinclude:
NOTE:
'i:it'Ii.:'':
* If the annulusfluid level is falling, pump water into the annulusin an attempt
to refill the hole.Countthe strokesof waterpumped.If the hole fills up, record
the strokes of water pumpedat fill up and continuepumpedat the requiredrate
to keepthe hole full.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONTROL 7l
- t t I ir-!'
: : t
If the hole does fill up with water, calculate the wellbore pressure at loss zone
depth.
Then:
'
WBP loss: ((waterppg * COL w) + (Mud ppg * COL m)) * 0.052
NOTE:
TVH = Trueverticalmeasurement
from kick zoneto losszone(ft).
Dr. M. S. Farahat
72 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF VELL CONTROL
NOTE:
If the densityof the Heavy Pill is 4.0 ppg or greaterthan the original mud weight.
the additionof a Gel Pill is recommended. Refer to the Heaw Pill/Gel Pill
Combination,procedure# 33.
Then:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNoLoGy oF I|,ELL C1NTR,L
12. Chase the LClWsea water slurry with the Heavy pill
and purr
MAXIMUM POSSIBLERATE.
Dr, M. S. Farahat
74 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
Pump sea water down the annulw at MAXIMUM allovable rate as the Heat\'
Pill is being pumped dot+,nthe drill string. Continue pumping tmtil the Heaw'
Pill is in place.
NOTE:
DO NOT CHASETHE FIEAVY PILL DOWN T}IE DRILL STRING
NOTE:
17. Calculate the bonom hole hydrostatic pressuregeneratedby the Healiv Pill to
determinethe successof the kill operation.
'
n Run a wireline sinker-bardown the drill sting'to determinethe depthof the
drill stringfluid level.
NOTE:
n Calculatebonomholehydrostaticpressure.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
75
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF VELL CONTROL
*
HSP= (TLD DPJluid levet) * HEAW PILL ppg 0'052
glftheHsPisequaltoorgreaterthantheestimatedformationpressureofthe
was successful'
kick zone (FP kick. step# I )' the heavy Pill operation
0IftheHsPisLEsSthantheestimatedformationpressureofthekickzone.
the Heavy Pill is not likely to control the kick zone'
IftheactualdritlstringJluidleveldepthhasnotchanged'thekiltoPerationwas
successful.
Iftheactualdri|Istr,ingfluidleveldepthisfoundatadeeperdepth,thekill
operation 'wasNOT successful'
fnoiselogcanqlsobeusedlodeterminethesttccessofthekillopera|ion.
include:
18. If the Heavy Pill was not successful'possibleoptions
A heavierpill densitY:
-;
Remove the bit jets to allow a fasterpill displacement rate: I , " : '
presenceofthe plug'
Tagthe top ofthe plug beforeleavingboftomto verifi the
Dr. M. S. Forahat
76 CHI TEcHNoLoGYoF WELLcoNTRoL
To do so,the drill stringmustbe pulledup to the losszoneor out of the the hole
to pick up cementingtools.
CAUTION:
To maintain a completeHeavy Pill column, the hole must befiled with mud
of Heavy Pill density through the drill string.
Pull the drill string slowly to prevent swabbing of any shallower permeable
zones.
21. Squeezethe loss zone and perform a leak-off test to determineihc iiacture
gradientofthe openhole (FRAC ppg).
SF: Safetyfactur(1.0ppg)
Then:
Frac ppg- Mud ppg - .SF) * TW loss/ (HP ppg - Mud ppg).
23. Run the calculatednumber of stageout standsinto the hole andstageout the
heavypill with originalmud weight.
Dr. M, S, Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL 77
NOTE:
Procedure # 33
Heavypill/gel combination
NOTE:
Dr, M. S. Farahat
80 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF VELL CONTROL
When the DP pump start stks (step # 12) have been pumped-start the DP
Pump and pump the Heavy Pill Down the drill string at Maximum
ALLOWABLE RATE.
NOTE:
Maintain the DP Pump SPM at MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE RATE and
proceedto step# 15.
Start the DP Pump and pump the Heavy Pill at MA)flMUM ALLOWABLE
RATE.
When the ANN Pump Start STKS (Step# 12) have beenpumperl.start the Ann
Pumpandpumpthe Gel Pill downthe annulus.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF VELL CONTROL 8r
Adjust the ANN Pumpspeedto the SAME SPM value asthe DP pump.
D If the annulus is not full, pump sea water. Continue pumping at maximum
allowablerateuntil theHeaw Pill is in place.
Just as the Heavy Pill reachesthe bit. reducethe ANN Pump SPmto 30% of the
qbservedDP PumPSPM:
15. Referto the Heavy Pill (procedure# 32, step# 14) for the remainingstepsof
thekill operation.
Procedure# 34
Barite plug
' ,f
::r.:
>>PRERATRTION<<
Dr. M. S. Farahat
82 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF VELL CONTROL
* Store the required volume ofbarite (wM lbs) in a suitablebulk mud supply
tank for later use. This tank must be capable of supplying the barite to the
cementingunit.
'l Fill a suitablepit with the calculatedmix watervolume (water bbls). This pit
be capableof supplying mix water to the cementingunit.
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL 83
{. Line up a secondrig pump on the kill line to pumpfluid into the annulus.
Designatethis pump asthe ANN Pump.
9. Make up a circulating headonto the drill string so that pipe pulling operations
canstartimmediatelyafterthebariteplug is in place.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
84 CH I TECHNoL0GY oF,YELL CqNTR0L
12. Follow the sea water with the Barite plug and pump AT MAXIMUM
POSSIBLERATE to maintainplug agitation.
13. After the trailing water spaceris pumped,start the Dp pump andchasethe
BaritePlug down the drill stringwith the chaserfluid (step# 6).
Just before the Barite plug reachesthe bit (200 to 500 strokes), startthe
annulus pump original mud weight into the annulus at maximum
ALLOWABLE rate.Continuepumpinguntil the bariteplug is in place.
Start pumping sea water down the annulusat maximum allowable rate when
mixing and pumping of the Bariteplug is startedandcontinuepumpinguntil
the drill stringis pulled abovethe BaritePlug.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONTROL 85
NOTE:
' !,., At this point in the operation,all of the Barite Plug is displacedinto the
annuluswith thetrailingwaterspacerstill in the drill string.
16. IMMEDIATELY pull or strip the drill string one stand above the maximum
anticipatedheightof the BaritePlug.
17. Install the kelly and pump 5 to 10 barrelsto insurethe Barite Plug has cleared
the drill string.
'"" lg. Stop the pumps and ru the drill string to the depth of maximum possibleplug
height(TagDepth).
NOTE:
If the drill string can be retumed to bottom, the Barite Plug was NOT
successful.
Possibleopfions:
Heavierplug density;
Greaterplug height;
Dr. M. S. Farahat
86 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF VELL CONTROL
20. If the top of the Barite Plug is tagged,make up the kelly and displacedthe
annuluswith original mud weight.
, If possible,bullheadthe wellbore fluids from the kick zone to the loss zone
into the fractureofthe losszone.
21. Slowly pull the drill string up to loss zoneor out of the hole if cementingtools
arerequired.
CAUTION:
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH I TECHNoL0GY oF I%ELLCoNTRqL 87
* Retum to the top of the Barite plug and circulate andconditionthe mud
svstem.
NOTE:
Procedure# 35
NOTE: 'il'
r.'.!'. ; .i . , . . " . . , - , r. . .,. :
Dr. M. S. Farahat
E8 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
TIONS<< (HeouYPill)
l.UsetheMAXII\4UMallowableHeavyPilldensityconsidering:
FracturegradientsintheLowERRportionoftheholeversus'thehydrostatic
pressureoftheHeavyPillPLUGsqueezepressureforthefracturedshoe.
material'
Saturationdensityof the availableweighting
=24.0 to26.0PPg
Hematite
- -
Availabilityof theweightingmaterial'
(not annulus)
BBLs/ft: Barrelsper foot of openHOLE
oHL=Lengthofopenholefromkickzonetolosszone(feetofmeasured
dePth).
= Excessfactorto for
account gascutting,etc' (Minimum =
washouts,
EXCESS
1.5).
* *
Then HP bbls= BBLs/fr OHL EXCESS
D l f s l c P i s s t i l l o b s e r v e d ( t h e c a s i n g a n n u l u s i s f u(OMW
l l ) , c a lbbls)'
culatethevolumeof
weight needed to pump down the arurulus
originalmud
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOL0GY oF VELL CoNTRoL 89
7. Line up a rigpump
pumps if a third rig pump or cementingpump is available.
.rig
8. Use the cementing pump and circulating mixer to blend, weigh andpump the
BaritePlug in One continuousoperation.
Dn M. S. Farahat
90 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF VELL CONTROL
{' Store the required volume of barite (wM lbs) in a suitablebuik mud supply
tank for later use. This tank must be capable of supprying the barite to the
cementing unit.
* Fill a suitable pit with the calculatedmix water volume (water BBLs). This
pit mustbe capableof supplyingmix waterto the cementingunit.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNqL0GY oF VELL coNTRoL 9l
14. calculate the pump strokes required to displacethe drill string (DS BBLs)
LESSthe Voiume of the trailing waterspacer(WS BBLs).
15. Insure the DP Pump is lined up on the drill pipe andhavea volumeof mud or
sea waterreadyto displacethe drill shing shouldthe cementpump fail. Zero the
DP Pumpstrokecounter.
16. Make up a circulating headonto the drill stringso thatpipe pulling operations
canstartimmediatelyafter the bariteplug is in place.
After completingall preparationsfor the Heavy pill andBarite plug, begin pumping
the Heary Pill in place.
17. with the DP pump(s), circulate a volume of sea waterdown the drill string
equalto 2 to 3 timesthe Hp bbls (step# 2).
CAWION:
Bit plugging may occ'r if the jets were not removed(step# 6) and
circulation is stoppedwith the LCM/sea water slurry at the bit.
18. chase the LClvl/sea water slurry with the Heavy pill and puM<p AT
MNilMUM POSSIBLE RATE.
19. Pump original mud weight or sea water down the annulusas the Heaw pill
reachesthebit.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
92 CH I TECHN0LqGY oF TVELLcoNTRoL
Pump original mud weight into the annulusat maximum ALLOWABLE rate as
'.. the Heary
Pill reachesthe bit.
Pump sea water down the annulusat MAXIMUM allowablerate asthe Heavy
Pill is being pumped down the drilr string.continuepumpingunfil the Heavy
Pill andBaritePlug is in place.
If the annulus fills up, close the annular preventer and continuepumping at
LAXIMUM allowablerateuntil the Heavypill andbariteplug is in place.
22. Follow the sea water with the Barite plug and pump AT MAXMUM
POSSIBLERATE to maintainplugagitation.
with the cementpump, follow the Barite plug with a2}to3Obanel seawarer
spacer.
23. After the trailing water spacer is pumped, start the Dp pump and chasethe
barite Plug down the drill string with the chaser fluid ( step# l3). Fump at
MAXIMUM POSSIBLERATE.
24. when the drill string strokes are pumped (DS stks, stp # l4), stop the Dp
pump.
' :
NOTE:
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH I TECHNqL0GY OF WELL CONTR0L 93
25. IMMEDIATELY pull or strip the drill string one stand above the maximu
anticipatedheightof the BaritePlug.
26. Install the kelly and pump 5 to l0 barrelsto insurethe Barite plug hascleared
the dril string and stopthe pump.
28. Return the drill string to the depttr of maximum possible plug height (Tag
depth).
NOTE:
If the drill string can be returned to bottom, the kill operationwas NOT
successful.
Possibleoptions to consider:
Greaterplug height.
Greaterplug density.
.
20. If the top the Barite Plug is tagged,ttrekill operationwas successful.The loss
zonemustnow be repaired.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
94 CH I TECHNoL0GY oF TnELLCLNTRDL
1.4.1RICK DETECTION
Two of the early warning sigas of kicks are an increasein flow rateandan
increasein pit volume. These signs are hardto detect,though,wirendrillingin
deepwaterdue to the natureof the drilling vesselandnaturalwavemotion. since
only a floating vesselis presentlycapableof drilling in deepwater(depthsgreater
than 400 ft) , the wave actionkeepsthe drilling vesselin constantmotion which
consequentlycreatesa pit level fluctuation even though the total pit volume
remains constant.(The same is true for the flow rate exiting the well.) These
problems make early kick detectiondifficult, thus complicating overall kill
operafions.
one solution used to minimize the effectof the fluctuatingpit level hasbeento
install a pit volume totalizingtool (PVT) to detectpit gainsratherthanusingthe
conventionalfloating ball tool. As canbe seenin Fig. , the conventionalfloating
ball would show an increaseeventhoughthe total pit volumeremains onstant.
The TVT however would automaticallyaddand subhact it hanges nd eport
true pit volume even though the pit level may changedrastically due to heaveof
the floatingvessel.
Flow rate increase from the well, a basic kick indicator, is misleadingin floating
operations, again due to the upwardand downwardmotion of the vessel.Although
flow rate is generallymonitoredby tools installed in the flow line leading from the
bell nipple to the shaker,a new systemhasbeendevisedto monitor flow rate at the
seafloor. This system, consistingof sophisticatedelectronicequipment,would
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNoLoGy oF VELL C,NTR0L 95
detectrelativeflow ratechangesregardless
ofvesselmotionat the surface.
1.4.2FRACTARE GRADIENTS
Several authors have examined the problem of fracture gradients and the
determinationthereof.However,until recentlytheir work hasbeenconfinedto land
operations.Charts arenow beingmadeavailablehoweverto graphicallydetermine
fracturegradientsin variouswaterdepths.Fig. 1.9illustratesthe useof thesecharts.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
96 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF VELL CONTROL
Dr, M. S. Farahat
cH I TECHNoLqGYoF VELL coNTRoL 97
*"-
!il.;./A:.:.:-:fi-
'::"J"":.
*lffil"
1J U m,*X
fiy'r-f d n-u'!rnrt
s"*.r r*..r aq.r,,r,- .r
rrrrr.,lr!lrr.
fiF./.tt
Dr. M. S. Farahat
98 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF II'ELL CONTROL
If kicks do occur in this situationit hasbeenobservedthat the mud in the riser pipe
conduit from the seafloorto the ship is quickly evacuatedandreplacedwith lower
density gas. The collapse resistance ofthe riserpipe,lessened
by pipe tensionand
bending,may thus fall below the seawaterhydrostaticpressureactingon the outer
diameterof the riser.If this occursthe riserpipe will collapse.Fig. l.12 illustrates
this problem.
since the well cannot be shut in with conventional procedures for fear of an
uncontrolledor divertedblowoutis thebestsolution.Feasibilityofthis is basedon
the premise that the kicking reservoirvolume is smallandwill depletewithin a
cH I TECHNoL0GY oF TT.ELLC,NTR,L 99
Dr. M. S. Farahat
100 cH I TECHNoLqGYoF VELL coNTRoL
Dn M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF II'ELL CONTROL t0l
1.4.7BARITE PLUGS
Barite plugs have been used over the years as a possible solution to killing
undergroundblowouts.The techniqueemployedis to attemptto seal.akicking zone
by forming a non-permeablebarite bridge abovethe zone.If successful,his ill
allow remedial proceduresto be carried out above the barite plug without the
immediateproblemof controllingthe kick.
Dr, M. S. Farahat
r02 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
'.
Sqrfer nirrnrr.tiltn'.
E? /.t3
Suls:r bluwuut pr!vtntd ttr(t
trt.7.t /4
ll6r. r,rtpt-ttrtE.1
{dtxr(.lull'.\ *b li!,rnut,
l-t O -t./ Z
i,
Dn M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNoLoGy oF W.ELLCqNTRoL 103
frV.t-ts
tltl
"s
- tr!u5
tr,".f 116
Dr. M, S, Farahat
104 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
750poundsofbarite
2I gallonsoffresh water
1/2pound SAPP
I/4 poundcausticsoda
NOTE:
(A) Do not pump the barite slurry into ttre drill pipe until the mix is consistentat 21
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNqL0GY oF WELL CqNTRqL 105
NOTE:
Pump the slurry out of the drill pipe but under displace,leaving about2 bbls of
slurry in the drill pipe.
1.4.8 AC CT]MUI,,/ITORSYSTEMS
Dr. M. S. Farahat
106 CHI TECHNoL0GYoF wELL coNTRoL
A precharge pressure is generally applied to the nitrogen to assurethat all the oil
can be forcedfrom the bottlewhennecessary. The precharges may rangefrom 500
psi to 3000psi with the desiredprecharged pressurebeingdependenton the service
couditions during fluid drawdown.Figure l.l8 is a draw-downcurvefor 3 different
prechargepressuresand is used to size preventerswith respect to accurnulator
pressure.An example roblem s ollowing sectionswell explainthe useof these
curves.
Dr, M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNqL^GY oF WELL
C,NTR,L t07
c
z
ol
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a
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at l.l
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91
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
30
ACCUMULATORDR,AWDOWNCURVES
29
LEGEND-
- 3000 Psl ACC_UMULATOQ
WtrH toOO PSI PR.CHARGE
28 -----' ?ooo Psl ACCUTTTULATOR
WttH tooo PSI PRE.CHARG
-- tsoo Pst ACCUMULA|ORWITH 75O Pst PRE-CHARGE
27
?4
?3
lrt
a
2t
lt,
s20
t4
!, t9
e
3t8
l-
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st7
:
dt6
\, tNt.t.
s
t5
,4
t3
,z
II
10 60 80 loo
GALLONS OF FLUID WITHORAWN
Figure /^ tg
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TEcHNoLoGY oF IqELL ChNTRhL
109
Example I:
Example1: (Continued)
Part l: VolumetricRequirement
ELEMENT GALS. TO OPEN GALS. TO CLOSE
Spherical(1) 18.87 25.r0
Rams(2) 6.40 6.72
Valves(4) t.t2 l.t2
26.39 32.94
Dn M. S. Farahal
ll0 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
5 9 . 3 3x 2 : 1 1 8 . 6 6 G a l l o n s
Part 2: PressureRequirement
Using the drawdown curves shown in Figure 12, several options are available.
Someof theseoptionsareasfollows:
Where:
Example 2:
Calculatethe hydrostaticpressures
for eachof the following systems.
(a) 10,000 feetof 12.0 ppg,mud
Dn M, S. Farahat
CH I TECHN0L^GY oF nELL coNTRoL
lIl
(a) HydrostaticPressure:.052
x 12.0ppgx 10,000feet: 6,240psi
(c) HydrostaticPressure
= .052 x 15.0ppgx 15,000feet: t 1,700psi
'
Mud Gradient =.052 x Mud lVeight,
Eq. 1.2
Where
q] Mud Gradientis in psi/foot,
(2).052psilfoot/ppgis a constant.
and
(3) Mud Weightis in poundsper gallon.
The hydrostaticpressurewould be
written as:
Example 3:
Solation:
Dn M. S. Farahat
t12 CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
(1) UsingEq.l.2,
= .052x15.0ppg
: .780psi/ft . i!
(2) UsingEq.1.3,
: .780psi/footx 15,000feet
: 1 1 , 7 0p0s i
The drilling fluid density is controlledby varying the concentrationof high specific
gravity solids within the fluid. The fluid densityis increased
by addingthesesolids
while the donsityisdecreasedby eitherremovingthe solidsor addinga low density
fluid to dilute the concentrationof the solids. Table 1.7 lists someofthemore
commonmaterialsusedto increasefluid densitv.
Barite is the most commonly used density control material in the industry.Its
relatively high specific gravity and inert propertiesmakeit idealfor usagein the
mud system.Poorquality confrolin someof theseminesmay yield a productthatis
mixed with hydratableclays,andwhenintroducedinto the mud system,will cause
increased mud viscosityproperties.
Galena, lead sulfide, will occasionally be used for density control in special
applications. It is specific gravity of 6.8 will generatemud weights that will attain
high hydrostaticpressures overrelativelyshortcolumnsof fluid. the usageofgalena
muds has been confined to specialwell control applicationsthough due to the
inherent problem of suspensionof the high specific gravity solids in the mud
system.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGY OF II'ELL CONTROL 113
Where
(1)Pounds/Banelis the numberof poundsof bariterequiredto increase
the densitv
of onebarrelof mud.
A well is being drilled with 13.0poundsper gallonmud. The hole volume g50
is
barrel sand the surfacepit volumeis 350barrels.How many sacks
of bariteshould
be maintained on the drilling location?(Assumethat onesackcontains
r00 pounds
of barite.)
Solution:
( l ) U s i n gE q l . 4 ,
W1: 15.0ppg
W2:Wl - t.0ppg
W2: 16.0ppg
Pounds/Barrel= (1490(16.0 _ IS.0)/ (j5.4 - 16.0)
:76.8 pounds/ bamel
(2) (850+ 350) Banels * 76.8pounds/barrel
:92t60 poundsofBarite
(3) 92160pounds/ (100pound/ sack): 921.6Sacks
Dr. M, S. Farahat
tt4 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONTROL
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Dn M, S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF I"ELL CONTROL
115
1.4.10WSCOSITV
Dn M. S. Farahat
lr6 CH I TECHNDL0GY oF InELL C0NTRDL
rABLE 1,8
C
PLASTI YEILD
1{I. s0Ll0s POINT
#/cal. % VOLUHE vlscoslTY
| 0 . 0 -| 2 . 0 | 3 . 0 - l7 . 5 x-5.5
I0.0 x-8.0
l0.5 l 2 , 0 -1 4 . 0 r5 . 0 - 1 9 , 5
13.5-15.5 t 7 . 0 - 2 1. 5 x-l1.0
I1.0 x-12.5
It.5 l5,o-17.0 t9.o-23.5
|7.0-l9.0 2l .o-25.O 4 , 5- r4 . 0
I2.O 6,5-15-o
20.0-22.O 23.0-28.0
22.O-24 ,O 25.o-3o,5 8.0-r5,5
It.> 24.0-25.0 2 7. 5 - 3 3 . o 9.5-17.5
,0.o-35.0 I o . 5 -| 8 . 0
tA.0 25.9-27.5 I t.5-19,0
14.5 77.O-29.O 32.0-38,0
t 4 . 5 - 4 1. o l2.o-19.0
|5.0 28.5-)o.5 13.0-19.5
I5.5 lo.0-32.0 I7.0-l|ll.0
4 0 .o - r { 7 . 5 | 3 , 5- 2 0 . 0
|5 . 0 3l,5-33.0 14.0-20.0
12.5-t\.o 4 2 , 5 - 5.10
Io.>
45.0-55.5 1 4 .0- 20 . 0
|7.0 34.0-35.5
17.5 t5.0-)6.5 4 9 . 5- 6 0 ; 0 t4.5-20,0
|4,5-20.0
l 8.0 3 6 . 0- 37 . 5 51.0-56.0
rABLEI ,9
Qucbrrcho Exrr:ct ... IIlCO-Qu?brlc ho. Quebtacho........ ItC Qleblacho.. J i l Thinher lor fresh {'!tcr and li c
(90-t0) QuelrrachJ ntuils.
Quebracho Ittco-QBT ........ T a n n e x. . . . . . . . . . , . Q X - Q u e b r a c h o .T. a n c o . . . . . . . . - - . Thrnnc.r lor fresh later and lime
Compound rrruds.
Causlicired -........... rllCO-T:r .....-... H!{lrotan ..... ... Alk5rrn llil-:\rTrn..... l-2 rrtio causl ic - Quebrrc ho lor
Quebrrcho thinning lou pH fresh lrlater |rr!ds-
H e m l a r c tE r t i a c t . . . . , . lllCO- Fln ......... RaItlo ......,..... R-rttlo R - r J l l 6 , . . . . . . . . . Thinnli for lresh u':ler muds and
in ftrrds containinF salt (10.000 ro
r 5.000 pFm).
C.lciom lllCO-Crl- Lignox ......,-.. ,icirbrc.Ji -. --- -. KenrbreaJi-..-. Thinncr tor SCR and litne rnuds.
Llcnosulfonate
Nodrf ied L\tco $c-t0 -...-. Q- Broitn -.-. sllcrstnc ...--... t:nt-CaL-.---.. D.ispersint :nd ll!id logs cont!-r,l
Lt!nosult.rn.lc rtldili!e lor $atrr tlasi nruds.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CHI TECHNoL0GYoF VELL coNTRoL tr7
1.4.11FLUID LOSS
The two instrumentsused to measurethe fluid lossarethe ApI waterloss cell and
the High Temperature-HighPressure(HTHP) cell. The ApI cell uses 100 psi,
differential pressureand atrnospherictemperaturefor filtration while the HTHP cell
usesmore realistic downholeconditionsof 500 psi and250 - 350 F. Tablel.l0
comparesthe API andHTHP valuesof certainmudsandshowsthat the ApI water
lo,ssin not alwaysa goodmeasurement of acfualconditions.
1. 4.12SALINITY
The salinity of the mud system is dependentupon the number of salt ions in
solution. The salinity may be a mezrsure of the chlorideions or a measureof total
salt. control of the salts in the mud systemcanbe achievedonly by chemically
treating all other mud solids particles or by dilution of the salt concentrations.
Although salinity changes have often beenproposedto detectabnormalpressures,
they arepoor indications and are quite unreliablein many instances.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
llE CH I TECHNoLqGY oF WELL CqNTRoL
--,---,
TABLE ==J;='=f==
ComParlson=,
or rpi;;axtFp;;i;;
loss valule |tom acluallield muds'
HTHPWaterLoss
N0. 0eplh walff (ccl30min
00 Loss at 300degF & 500)
(ccl30nin) Psi
'I 10.180 3.2 r2.0
2 o aal 3.2 10.0
1 10.798 3.2 9.8
1 9.550 3.2 15.0
t rr.270 2.5 12n
6 9690 3.0 12.0
16.127 69 12.0
8 17.859 6.0 12.0
9 13.872 3.0 r2o
l0 8.0m 27.0 24.2
tduls 'tret no' 9'| lo
tir. ln G..at lio: 1{, tlt ^P| Yrh,.s r!.t 32 ccll) |lin rl$t! lh' lflflP
l5.0arl:! lnn
lron 25 to 6 lE/tr ti'
i &-ii iS. tt mlP tJ'o r.r! t20 lrrL il, ^PI tn.l b53's 't{ed
l5 t0 ts in.raslt9 a tirt l|t tflltP vdu' tG loalr lh" lh' AE tn'r los'
G8a
TABLE l, tl
S o d i u i nC a r b t x l l - ' . . . . I u c o - c r l c . . . . . .C c l l c r . . . . . . - . . . :\l:rr,,-Cllc ,. lltlnhile Cllc F,rr fluid lrss conltol and baril.
m.lhtl C('l lulose R.!:..: la r R(FUlar Rer'\ll er Rri.:uli r srrspensi,,oin satcr hasc nruds.
S.rd'uhrC.rbortl- ..... t : \ t c o - c l : c- . . . . . . C e l l e x , . . . . . . . , - . ' . 1 ; r ' : c - ' - C l ' 1 C . . llrlwhilc Cltlc F.'r tltrtdltss contr.,llnd tis( usilr
rnr.thtl Ccllulose Hr.\'i s- Hr-Vis. Hr.vls. H t - \'rs. brrild||r.;in lou snlids nru.ls.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TEcHNoLoGY oF VELL CDNTRhL I19
1.4.13 GASCOANTING
(BackGroundand Connection)
1.,,4.
I 4 SPECIAL OPERATIONS
1.4.14.1STRIPPINGAND SNABBING
when a kick occurs during a trip or whenthe pipe is out of the hole,well
conkol
operations become more difficult because it is impossibleto circurate
mud
throughout the entire well. In this event,the initial procedureto implement
is to get
the pipe backto bottom(with thepreventersclosedto preventadditional
in fluid. If
the pipe mustbe forcedinto the well asa resultof a lack of sufficientpipe
weightto
overcome well pressures, the procedureis termedsnuhbing.If enoughpipe is in the
hole to allow the pipe to slackoffby itself, the procedureis calledstripping.
The
kill procedureto be employed in this type of situationis to get the pip"
to bottom
and circulate original mud at that point.
The volumetric method is one way to run the pipe in the hole in a controlled
m4nner. The methodis basedon allowingan equalvolumeof mud to leavethewell
as that volume of drill pipe enterinj the well. The major problem with this
procedureis that only relatively small volumesare involved in the procedureand,in
most cases,more mud will be allowedto escapefrom the well than is necessary.
When this occurs, additionalkick fluids will enterthe well andcausethe Dressures
Dr. M. S. Farahat
120 CH I TECHNDL0GY oF InELL CqNTRqL
1.4.14.3PRESSARE
METHOD
when the influx bubble is enteredby the drill string, an abnormalvolume increase
will be notedin the tanksdueto a chokepressureunderbalance asa resultof influx
verticalheightincrease.At this time, the influx canbe circulatedfrom the well.
occasionally the drill pipe will becomeplugged duringa well killing operation.
when this occursthe plug mustbe removedor an alternatecirculationpathmustbe
created by perforatingthe deepestunpluggedinterval of pipe. The perforating
techniqueis usually employed becauseit will generallynot be possibleto remove
theplug within a reasonableamountof time.
If a hole is developed in the drill pipe while killing a kick, stepsmustbe takento
circumvent the problem and allow for the continued implementation of the
conventionalkill procedures.If actionsarenot immediatelyexecutedit will not be
possibleto circulatekill mud to thebit. Also, it is conceivablethata washoutcould
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH I TECHN}LDGY oF VELL CqNTR,L t2l
1.1.14.7 UNDERGROAND
BLOWOIJTS
Dr. M. S. Farahat
t22 CH I TECHNoL0GY oF WELL CoNTRoL
' Indicators:
2. Fluctuatingcasingpressures
asa resultof the fractureattemptingto heal.
PossibleRemedies:
'
1. Barite Pills may be usedto form a bridgeat the hole-bottom.
2. Heavy slugsof mud may be spottedat the hole bottomin orderto generatelarge
hydrostaticpressures
andkill thekick.
ZoneDetectionTechniques
:
Dr, M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNoLoGy oF WELL CONTROL 123
2. Radioactive tracers have been used in cased holes with some success.A
radioactive material is pumped down the well and a radiation tool is usedto
trace its path.
1.5Jield Practicefor well Control Problem and Their Solutions, and ll/orksheet
Solution:
PPOBLEM:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
124 CH I TECHNqLqGY oF VELL C0NTR0L
PROBLEM:
Solution:
PROBLEM:
A. Calculateandplot casingbackpressure
curve,pit level
2. GasKick PackPressureCurve(continued)
(l) l0 001gain
(2) 20 bbl gain
(3) 50 bbl gain
PROBLEM:
(l) 16.0ppg
(2) 17.0ppg
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOFIYELLCONTROL 125
(3) 18.0ppg
PROBLEM:
C. Write up observations:
Effectrequiredback pressurecurves.
PROBLEM: '
PROBLEM:
PROBLEM:
PROBLEM:
PROBLEM:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
t26 CH I TECHN0L0GY oF WELL CqNTRDL
1 .:
..
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL 127
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
t28 CE I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL
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CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL t29
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130 CH I TECHN,L^GY oF VELL C,NTR,L
l.sl. spncLalwELLcoNTRoL
pnoircrus
a. l0 bbl. gain
b. 20 bbl.gain
c. 30 bbl. gain
a. 16.0ppgFormation
b. 18.0ppgFormation
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF WELL CONTROL 131
pressuresfor a 20 bbl kick takenat 15,000ft. with 15.0ppg mud from a 16.0
ppg formation pressurewith 15,000 ft. of 4 ll2in, 16.6#/ft. drill pipe in an 8
l/2in bole using 16.0 ppgmud to kill thewell with.Theinflux fluid is 9.0-ppg
saltwater.
BBLS annulus
5. Barrelsof kill weight mud that has passedthroughbitinto
(Total barrelspumpedminusdrill pipe volume)
PSI 9. Add No. 4 to No. 7 to getthetotal pressureof the mud columnin the
annulusbelow the gasbubble.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
132 CH I TECHNoLoGy oF II.ELL C'NTRDL
15.Feetof GasColumn
Dr, M. S. Farahat
CH I TECHNOLOGYOF IYELL CONTROL 133
At Pumpingconditions
At Shutin Conditions
Plvl
trz = xz2T2
ZITI P2
PSI 17. Multiply No. 16 (length of mud column above gas bubble) by
gradient of thatmud (15 ppg - .780psi/ft.)to get hydrostaticpressure
ofNo. 16.
PSI 18.Add Na. 17, No.10 andNO.9.
Dr. M. S, Farahat
134 CH I TECHNOLOGY OF WELL CONTROL
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CH II oFFSHoRE DRILLING TECHN0L0GY 137
CnaprEn II
OTnSHoRE DRILLING
TncnxoLocy
2.1 Introduction and scopefor offshore oil and gas drilling technology
Exploration is now going or off the coast ofalmost all countries,and over forty
countries now have production facilities in place or undergoingconstruction.
loduy, offshore production accountsfor about 20o/ooftheworld oil production.
Qnly -ten years ago, less than 3o/oof theworld oil productionwasobtainedfrom
offshore installations.With offshoreoil reservesconservatively
estimatedat some
160,000 million barrels, and some 490 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves,this
exploration, still at the frontierof man s knowledgeandcapabilities,andlessthan a
generationold, will clearly revolutionizethe relationshipsofpeople andnations
aroundthe world in the next decade.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
138 CH II OFFSHORE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY
2.1.1DRILLING
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH II OFFSHOREDRILLING TECHNOLOGY 139
Semi-submersibles 75
jackup units
Self-elevating, 50
Drillships 36
Dr. M. S. Farahat
140 CH II 0FFSHqRE DRILLING TECHNoLoGy
2.1.2PLATFORMS
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II OFFSHOREDRILLING TECHNOLOGY l4l
2. H SABSEATECHNOLOGY
As wells are located at greater depths, the possibility of locating some of the
production process equipment on the seabedbecomesincreasingly attractive. The
design of equipment for subseause placesa high priority en reliability and easeof
replacement Valves, gas separation, ater reatment nd ther omplex nits nd
processes required to produce oil and gas all must be specifically designed.
Maintenance, commonly conductedby divers at normal depths,must be conducted
using highly sophisticatedequipment for deep-watersystems.
Dr, M. S. Farahat
142 CH II OFFSHOREDRILLING TECHNOLOGY
Dr. M. S. Faralut
CH II oFFSH0RE DRILLING TEcHNoLoGY 143
Disconnecting the 30-in. [76-cm] casing at the mud line welihead after its
installation was anothermajor problem.Snap-typecasingconnectorswereinitially
used for this purpose.Theseconnectorsrequirea seriesofbolts on the peripheryof
the connectorto be tightenedsequentiallyby diversto effectrelease.This operation
can be performed y ivers only during a 30-minuteintervalof slacktide, which
occurs every 6 hours. Frequently,this operation as mproperly erformed ecause
of the complete lack of visibility andtime constraints.Thus failuresresultedn t
least a 6-hour waiting interval until the next slack tide
Dr, M. S. Farahat
t44 CH II oFFSHqRE DRILLING TECHNoLoGy
releasing it initially required about 12 hours of rig time. The marine spreadrate was
about $55,000 per day, which resulted in a cost of $ 27,500 each time these
operationswere performed.
The plot in Figure 2.1, Deepwater Drilling and production capabitity,presents the
history of this development.The first offshore wells were drilled in the late I 940s.
The first wells were drilled front bottom foundedrigs that subsequentlyhave been
extended to water depths of about 350 ft. depending on soils and weather
conditions. Floating drilling rigs, moored in place, were first used in the early
1950s. Drilling capabilityhad movedto 600 ft by 1965.with the awardof leasesin
the Santa Barbarachannel in 1968,drilling experience uickly oved o
,5000-ft
water depth by 1970. The increaseddemandfor oil led to a greaterinterestin deep
water areas in the early 1970s, and exploratory drilling operationshad moved to
2,500 ft of water offshore Australia by l975.Interestin deepwaterhasprogres-
sively continued with drilling water depth moving to 3,400 ft offshore urinam n
1976, about4,400 ft offshoreAfrica in 1978,and about4,900 ft offshorecanadain
1979.
The dashed lines in Figure 3.1 indicate my assessment of the progress f echnical
development. The basis for projecting the drilling capabilify is that currently
available rigs are equipped to drill to 6,000-ft water depths. one drillship is
reportedly being designed to drill in 9,000-ft water depths.In the National Science
Deep Sea Drilling Program, the Clomar Challenger has drilled in
Dr. M. S. Faralnt
CH II OFFSHOREDRILLING TECHNOLOGY 145
As shown,drilling capabilityconsistingofdesigncapabilityandtestedprotorype
equipmenthas precededdemonstratedcapability by only a shorttime. Interestin
explorationdrilling has pushed technologyin this area,anddrilling capabilityhas
been used commercially almost urssoon as the oil company managementis
convincedthat the technologyis safe.Productionsystemavailabilityhasbeenbased
on prototype testing of diverless,deepwater,seafloor well systems, asdetailed
engineeringandequipmentdevelopmenthavebeenextendingthosesystems.
2.2Drilling andproduction
2.2.1 Floating System
The term deepwaterusedheremeanswaterdepthsof 600ft andmore.Thus,only
floatingdrillingcapabilitywill be analyzed.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
146 CH II 0FFSHoRE DRILLING TECHNuLDGY
:t
6! 6t 6' i -7t17t9!r!!!5
YEARS
2' ' l
Fitur DeepWater Drilling and ProductionCaPability'
BASE
\'*aa|.r,.^o
ANoc^slNG
Dr. M. S, Farahat
148 CH II OFFSHqRE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II 0FFSH0RE DNLLING TECHNoLoGy 149
l0-
,0-
a0-
50-
z
lo-
20-
l-r
It
Il
___l
L__J
tl
tl
tl
O OF E E T I O O OF E T I'OO FEET IOOO FEET
ro To TO TO
t000 FET l50OFEEI r O O OF E E T 5 0 0 0t E E T
t+4-
Dr. M. S. Faralrut
150 CH II OFFSHoRE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY
Wells are drilled from the platform deck through conductors that penetratethe
seafloor. The well conductorsaredesignedto absorbthe swaymotionsof the tower
withoutdamage.
I
Tests of *ris system,developedprimarily by Exiron,were conductedin the Gulf of
Mexico from l975"to 1978.A l/5-scaledesignof a 1,500-ftwaterdepthwastested.
Costs of this offshore test were sharedby a numberof companies.Resultsof the
testsprovedthe designandverifiedthe designprocedures. Designshavebeenmade
for several locationsincludingoneunit for usein 1,150-ftwaterdepthin theNorth
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II OFFSHORE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY 151
Sea. Exxon announced plans in 1981to install the first commercial unit in about
a
1,000-ft water depth in the Lena Field in the Mississippicanyon Block 2g0
in the
Gulf of Mexico during 1983.
The slender guyed tower being supportedon the seaflooris more sensitive
to deck
load than conventional platforms, but is less sensitive han latforms upported
y
buoyancy. It can be used in water depths from about 600 ft to about 2,000
ft,
depending on weather criteria. In deeperwater depths,rhe structurewould have
to
be much larger to withstand environmental forces or avoid dynamic
motion.
diminishing economic advantages.
Design of the well completion and its tie-back as well as the flowline connections
for use with the buoyancy tower have received much less attention than such
designs for other types of platforms. Thus, additional developmentwork is needed
before a buoyant tower can be usedas a production-processingplatform.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
152 CH II oFFSHoRE DuILLING TECHN)L7GY
2-5
Figur: . CuyedTower ProductionSystem.
DRILLINGDECK
PRODUCTION
WELL CONDUCTORS
LATTICESTRUCTURE
,U'
JOINT
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II qFFSHqRE DRILLING TECHN,LDGY 153
The buoyant tower is much more sensitive to deck load, but, being in tension,it
does not have the technical water depth limit of a guyed tower. preliminary designs
have been done for water depthsto 3000 ft. one study indicated that a deck load of
5,400 tons may be the economic limit for a water -depth of 1,350 ft. For deeper
depths,the allowabledeck load will decrease.
Sonar has been used for years to land guidlineless blowout preventerstackson
deepwater wellheads in areaswith poor underwatervisibility. For this reason,it was
the jack rig legs and the wellhead. Horizontal and vertical sonarrig legs and the
wellhead. Horizontal and vertical sonar heads wereplacedonthejackupriglegs
(see Fig. 2.7). The sonar signals were routed to a display consolein the control
room of the rig for the tow mastersuse in directing the rig move. sector-scanning
sonar provides an approximate real-time scaled shadowpicture of the seafloor in
either plan or side views. The distanceand azimuth of the wellhead from the known
position of the sonar head,mounted on the leg of the jackup rig, can be determined
by taking physical measurementdirectly off the plan view on the cRT screenwith a
Dr, M. S. Farahat
154 CH II oFFSH0RE DRILLING TECTIN0LqGY
The horizontal sonar head, which produces the plan view, will also show the old
footprints quite clearly. The vertical sonar head is used to verifo the wellhead
identity ifit located on a highly irregular seafloor.
In practice,the radio positioning systemwas usedto position the rig within 150 ft of
the wellhead location, and the sonarand short baselineacousticsystemswere used
as final positioning devices.The final position was ensuredby lowering an sIT low-
lightJevel subsea TV camera on the drillstring suspendedfrom the cantilevered
derrick to observethe wellhead suspendedfrom location
The SIT camerais an invaluable tool for operationsin deepor siltladen water. This
device collects ambient light from the surroundingenvironmentand magnifies it
many thousands times. It is therefore able to see clearly in virtually complete
darkness. As a result, little or no illumination is required. The resultant glare
associatedwith back-scattering of light fiom particles suspendedin the water is
eliminated or reduced.SIT camerascan often seeclearly where divers and standard
subseaTV systemsare virtually blind.
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH II oFFSHDRE DMLLING TECHN1LTGY
155
2.2.5.1Final RigMove
A graphictechniquewasdevelopedto determine
the requiredsteps(seeFig. 2.9) to
move the rig onto its final location.A scale
drawingwasdevelopedshowingthe
existing wellhead, the requiredheadingofthe
rig, andthe final positionofthe bow
leg all relativeto the existingrig location.Final positioning
shouldrequireno more
thanthreesteps.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
156 CH II qFFSHoRE DRILLING TECHNoLoGy
VEFTICAL ANO
HOFI2ONT
SONAR HEa o s
REFLECfOF
Dn M, S. Faralrut
CH II OFFSHORE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY 157
The rig is rotated about the bow leg through the smallestangle until either the port
or starboard leg lies on the circle. The rig is then rotatedabout the leg lying on the
circle until the bow leg lies at its final position. The last step requiresthe rig to be
rotated about the bow leg until it is in its proper headingand location. The rig is
then preloadedarid the derrick is skidded out over the wellhead.
To ensure that the derrick is centeredover the Wellhead an SIT camerais lowered
on drillpipe to observe the wellhead location relative to the rotary table. This
operation must be performed at slack tide to ensure that the drillpipe is truly
vertical.
large, open J-slots that loosely engage the template lifting dogs so that it can e
easily releasedfrom the rig floor after the template is landed.
Dr. M. S. Faralnt
158 CH II OFFSHqRE DRILLING TECHNLL0GY
template when the wellhead is engaged. A north seeking gyro compass and
inclinometer module is mounted in the top of the CGI module. This allowed
accurate orientation of the templatejust before it landed on the wellhead. A special
mechanical device located on the inside of the template center slot provided
antirotation once the template was set on the wellhead.
once the template was installed, the cGI module was retrieved by hauling in the
SIT cameraumbilical.
Another module was landed in a center slot of the templateto provide indirect
lighting during night operations. This module suspendedthree 150 w underwater
floodlights beneaththe template to facilitate slot identification when the casing was
stabbed at night. An umbilical provided electricalpower and a meansof retrieving
the module. This inexpensivesystemwas left on the oceanfloor during the running
of all the 30 in. casing and savedmany hours of rig time during night operatrons.
All the 30 in casing strings were driven in a single operation to reduce costs
normally associatedwith handling large pipe and rnobilization of equipment.
2.2.4.5 ConductorCasingInstallation
stabbing the casing into the templatewell slots was simplified by providing giant
entry cones on the well slots similar to thoseused guidelinelesssubseapermanent
guide bases. These entry cones provided enough target areafor the casing to be
stabbedunder any current conditions.
Dr. M. S. Faralnt
CH II OFFSHORE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY r59
Dr. M. S. Faralnt
160 CH II oFFSH)RE DRILLING TEcHNoLoGY
The camera was run to the end of the casingjust before the casing was
stabbed
through the template.Then the camerawas usedto cirect skidding of the
derrick in
order to stab the casing through the proper well slot. Numbers were painted
on the
inside of the template entry conesto designateeachwell slot. In addition.
arrows
were painted alongsidethe numbersto indicate compassdirection.
2.2.5.5Diverlessreleasablecasingconnectcrs
when conductor casing is installed from a jackup rig with mudline suspension
systems, the conductor must be disconnected everal eet bove he mudline.
Disconnection can be achieved by cutting the casing (which requires about 4 to
6
hours of rig time) or divers can releasethe conventionalconnector(while, may take
I to 6 hours,dependingon tidal conditionsand water depth).
Figs 2.12 through 2.14 show a remotely releasable,derivable connector that was
designed to avoid the handling problem and to minimize lost rig time. This new
connector is released by raising the,conductorseveralinches and rotating several
degreestorque. The connectorpin (see Fig. 2.12) consistsof a thick body that
incorporatesfour locking dogs and appropriatesealing surfaces.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II OFFSHOREDKILLING TECHNOLOGY r6l
z tt -^"i"9,
I ffl srb"""
""r".
30 INCH CASING
CONNEC'OF PIN
30 tNcHc^slrrc
irl
-r.il
Dr. M. S. Farahat
t62
6 R A S S S H E A R8 0 L T
RTAI|'IERTAA
S T E E LA O L T
Dr. M. S, Farahat
CH II OFFSHqRE DRILLING TECHNqL0GY 163
The box is placed over the pin that engagesthe locking dogsin the Z slots.The
retaining tabs are then boltedin place.A steelbolt securesthe lower endof the tab
and,a brassshearstud securesthe top end,
2.2.6FloatingPlatfurms
Tension leg platform (TLP) is the generic term for floating, drilling, and/or
production facilities that are anchoredto the seafloor by meansof highly tensioned,
vertically aligned mooring legs (Figure 2.15). The floating platforms are typically
steel structures configured much like a semisubmersible drilling rig. Vertical
columns support the production ecks afely bove he plash one nd xtend
down to large underwater hull sections.Considerablebuoyancy is required in the
hull to adequately support the production equipment, in-process fluids, and the
servicefacilities as well as to preload the risers and tension legs adequately.
Dr. M. S. Faralrut
164 CH II OFFSHDREDRLLLING TECHNOLOGY
2-tt
Tension Leg Plrtform Production System.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II oFFSH0RE DRILLING TECHNoL0GY 165
Deep oil rech,nology (Dor) was oneof thepioneersin developmentof the TLp.
Dors platform configuration was triangular with wire rope tension members
extendingdown in threeclustersto gravity anchorsfrom eachcomercolumn.This
systemwould utilize a centrally ocated, ultiwell, subseadrilling templatewith
either mudline suspensiontie-hackto the platformtreesor a subseacompletion.A
l/3 scaleprototypeof this unit was installedoff california in the early 1970s.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
t66 CH II qFFSH0RE DRILLING TECHNoLoGy
Dr, M, S. Farahat
C:H1I OFI.-SHOR,EDRILLING TECHNOLOGY 167
z
o20
:
z
t9t0
YEARS
. A N O J H E R ! . T R E E S' E R E
E U I L T A N D R E A D YF O R I N S T A L L A T I O X
AS OF JULY I9tO.
2l
|^l0
g
z
a l6
=
E l2
rr
=
z
r tt70
YEARS
otL COMPANIESINVOLVEDSUBSEA
(CUMULATIVE)
2- t6
Figu.e SubseaWells Installed and Companies Involved.
Dr. M, S. Farahat
168 CH II oFFSHqRE DRILLING TECHNqL0GY
Cameron FMC/OCT
Lockheed McEvoy
National Regan
Vetco WKM
Seafloor wells had been installed by 1982 only up to 600-ft water depths.However,
they have been designedand installed using diverlessmethods,that makestheir use
possible in water depths up to severalthousandfeet.
2.2.8SemisubmersibleProductionSvstem
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II oFFSH,RE DRILLING TEcHNoLoGY
169
T R E E C A PCO N T R O LP O D
CONNECTOR
FLOWLINE GUIOEBASE
2-i7
Figurc . Came.onPlainJaneTreeNo. TFL
SIlUITLE TAI{
2-t8
Figure SemisubmelsibleproductionSystem.
Dr. M, S. Faralnt
170 CH II OFFSHOREDRILLING TECHNOLOGY
The production riser will carry fluids betweenthe seafloor mainfold and the
semisubmersiblevessel. All seafloor equipmentis controlled from the surface.
Processand injection facilitieswill be locatedon the deckof the semisubmersible.
Separatedoil wilt be flowed down the riser througha seafloorpipeline.The pipeline
could go to shore or to a single point mooring for a shuttletankerfor periodic
transportto market. Producedgaswould be usedfor fuel andput into a pipelineto
shore, reinjectedunderground,or glared. Producedwater would be cleanedand
discharged
overboard.
Hamilton Brothers used the system to developthe Argyll Field in the North Sea,
which wasthe first commercialuseof the'systemfor an entirefield. Productionwas
startedin 1975,andthe systemhasoperatedsatisfactorilysincethat time.
2.2.9OneAtmosphere
System
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II oFFSHqRE DRILLING TECHN1L^GY
17l
Dr. M. S. Farahat
t72 CH II OFFSHOREDRTLLING TECHNOLOGY
R O C E S SF A C I L I T I E S
2-t3
Figure PetrobaeEnchovaFieldDevelopment.
VESSEL
STOBAdEPAOOUCTION
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH II qFFSHDRE DRILLING
TEcHNoLoGY
173
2.2.10SubseaAtmosphericSystem
(SAS)
The productionsystemshownin
Figure2.2lis a hybridsystemdeveloped
o'' The wells are drilled through by Mobir
a basetemplateandcompletedwith
subseatrees. Thesetreesareconnected specialwet
to manifoldsandremotecontrors
a large chamber,which is installed housedin
on the I
lower
manifold
section
of thechamo".,r
rr:; ;;T:T:"ff;il::Hil:T
breathableair is maintainedat
one atmospherein the upper
control and entry
section' Men are transportedto
the chamberin a tetheredbell or
submarineto do
maintenanceon the maniford and
controls. Thewells canbe maintained
servicing from inside the chamber by TEL
or by verticalreentrymethods
drilling rig. from a floating
Dn M. S. Farahat
174 CH II OFFSHqREDRILLING TECIINOLOGY
SURFACE
SUPPORT
vssEL
IIAN TRA!{SFER
VEHt CLE
PRODUCTION
SI93A9E
PRODUCTION RISER
WELL
TEMPLATE
i
2t
rrgor"Z slsY,oductionsystem'
2.22
F8ure - SubsaPrcductionSystem(SPS).
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II oFFSHoRE DRILLING TECHN,L^GY 175
Dn M. S. Farahat
176 CH II OFFSHOREDMLLING TECHNOLOGY
2.23
Fiqure SPSMaintenanceManlPulator'
'r I t
,
center'
*'nifold center oil Production
"'1\or^or,n
Dr. M. S, Faraltat
CH II oFFSHDRE DMLLING
TECHN,L^GY r77
anchors' ThesebargesareIimited
by theirmooringsystemto watcr depthsof
l'000 ft' Thepipe tensionersare about
capableof handling 2'-inchpipe in water
depthsof
l'500 ft and smaller size pipe
in deeperwater. The castoro Sei is also
semisubmersible a
lay barge. It is equippedto stay
on stationby spreadmooringor
dynamic positioning. The castoro
sei recentlylaid three20-inchpipesacross
Mediterranean the
Seamwaterdepthsup to 2,0.00ft. The
vesserreportedlymaintaineda
rate ofabout 5,000feetper day in
alr waterdepths.calculationsreportedry
thatthis vesselis capableof operating indicate
in w4terlepths of g,000ft.
Dr.M.s.Fiffit
178 CH II OFFSHOKEDRILLING TECHNOLOGY
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II OFFSHOREDRILLING TECHNOLOGY 179
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Dn M. S. Farahat
180 CH II OFFSHORE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY
Tow techniques have been used for many lines installed in shallow water. A near-
bottom tow for the installation of satellitewell flowline bundleswas completedin
1980 in the Murchison Field in the North Sea.A near-surfacetow systemdesigned
for deep water was testedby installation of a 2,000 ft satellitewell flowline bundle
in the Gulf of Mexico during 1980.A 2,000-ft sectionof 30-inch pipe was towed
across the Norwegian Trench to prove the feasibility of the method. Thus, although
this method has not yet been used in deepwater, it is feasibleand design inethods
havebeen demonstrated.
Laying pipe from a drilling rig is slow. The pipe must be connectedby mechanical
connectors or welding while hung vertically in the derrick. (Screwedconnectorsfor
large-diameter lines have not been accepted for pipelines.) Pipe must also be
brought to the rig in relatively small quantities because of the limited onboard
storage capabitity. A small stinger must be addedto the rig to control the shapeof
the pipe when it leaves the rig during rig movements. This method has been
considered in several instances and the design work has been done, but no
significant lines hadbeen installed from a drilling rig up to 1982.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II OFFSHORE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY
l8l
Dr. M. S. Farahat
182 CH II OFFSHORE DRILLING TECHNOLOGY
extensive research has been done to develop systems for deeper water. Such
resealch has included sophisticated computer analysis and model testing.
Preliminary designshave been made for Single Anchor Leg Mooring (SALM) type
systems for water depths to 6,000 ft for tankersas large as 250,000dwt and for
North Sea weather conditions. Exxon has installed a prototype of their deep-water
SALM in the Hondo Field in the SantaBarbaraChannel.Basedon the experience
with shallow water systemsand the developmentwork that hasbeen done on deeper
water systems,coupled with the fact that a tanker storageand loading systemcould
be located in shallow water away from the field, it can be assumedthat technology
for tanker mooring is available for deepwaterproduction systems.
2.2.14MannedMaintenanceSystems
Dr. M. S. Farahat
cHII oFFSH2RE DRILLING TECHNoLoGy
183
gPFEAO MOORING
BOW TURRET
ARRANGEMENT MO O RI N G CALM SYSTEM C A L M R I Gt O A R M
SYSTEM (SBS)
ARTICULATED
TOWER SALM SYSTEM SALS SYSTEM U F I M O O R I N GS Y S T E V
pigrr,Z47Nt ^ tivesingtepoinaMootirgsystems.
a) JIM
'.."
c) ARMS3000
2-29
Figure MannedMaintenanceSystems.
2.2.15SafetyAnd ReliabilitY r
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH II OFFSH}RE DRILLING TECHNoLoGy 185
These developments are and complete, for there are still many areas where
improvementsin equipmentare needed.However, most of the future work for
deepwaterdrilling and production systems will be aimedat improvingefficiency
andreducingcostsratherthandevelopinga basiccapability.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
186 Cn III Dnnunc pnoDNoSIS& aNDERBALANCED
CHIpTER III
D Tr,UNG PRoGNoSISAND
INTRODUCTION TO DRILLING
UNDERBALANCE
1,- -.tr ,-:_.'
By using examples and pictures, this sectionwill explainhow to drill a well. The
examplewell will be drilled to a total depthof 9,200ft.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH III DMLLING PR0DN0SIS & UNDERBAI.IINCED I87
Dr. M. S. Farahat
r88 Cn III DRTLLINGpRoolosts & qNDERBALANCED
COXSUITAXTS TRAILEN
XUO PI'TP3
'.4
F;;;l 1,.."",
"mL
H
,f;t
l**|
t-t
@N5IJ(TA'{TE
l"^''"1
& t_J
. qAEiW^lS'
q't w6soE
BESERVE PII
3'
Figrr". 4lori.ontal*ett locationtayoutfora singleseparator
tank.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CUIII DrutuNe pnootvosts& qNDERBALANCED 189
1. Rig up rig.
2. Hammer l6-in, conductorpipe to 120hits per ft.
3. Cut conductorand nipple up flow lines to pits.
4. Spudin.
5. Drill + 3,000 ft with 143/4-in,bit, run survey every 500 ft.
6. Run + 3,000 ft with r0314-in. 40.5 lb per ft K-55 casingwith guide shoe,float
collar, six centralizers,and one cement basket.Install three centralizersevery
other collar' Install cement basket in conductorwith two centralizersaboveon
collar or lock ring.
7. Cementwith2,200 sacks(sk) ClassH cementwithzo6 CaCl.
8. WOC (wait on cement).
9. If no cementrefurns,one-inchthe hole.
10. Cut casing.Weld on l0-in. 1500seriescasinghead.
11. Testcasingheadto 1,000psi for l5 minutes.
12. Nipple up BOPs, annularpreventer,chokemanifold, and superchoke.
13. TestBoPs 5,000psi, annularpreventer2,500psi, chokemanifold5,000psi.
14. Make up the bottom hole assembly,and 9
15. Trip in hole andtag cement,test 1,500psi.
16. Drill out float collar,testcasing,1,500psi.
17. Drill out guide shoe and lO-ft formation,test to l3.5EMW(equivalentmud
weight).
18. Drill with 97l8-in, bit until it wearsout. Surveyevery 500 ft.
19. Trip out of hole and pick tip stabilizers.
20. Drill + 9,200ft.
21. Onedegreedeviation per 1,000ft not to exceed7
22. condition hole and run logs, ISF-cNL-FDC-Dipmeter,andRFT tool. and core
guns40 shots.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
190 C n III II R; 1..,
;"i ti 6 litt{)i};\?,:}$ il: :; i"t't; :l i :,!:, +i.. 1ii i' ij :}
Carrizosand.
l7.Trip out of the hole (TOH) andpick up stabilizersandnew bit.
18.Drill to + 6,700ft.
19.Condition hole, short trip through Carizo sand,and circulatebottomsup. Build
up viscosifyto 60 to 90. Your mud engineercangive adviceon this question.
20.Pullout of the hole (POE)to run logs.
21.Runelectricitylogs.
22.Pickup Monel collar and TIH to bottom, circulatebottomsup,shorttripback
throughthe Carrizo sand,then TIE to total depth(TD) and circulatebottomsup.
23.Make up multishot gyro, and drop in drill pipe.
24.TOE to run casing, lay down 4
gyro tool.
25.Make suremultishot worked-beforerunning casing.
26.Run 7-in. 23 lb/ft K-55 usedcasingwith guide shoe,float collar, stagecollar, fwo
cement baskets, and ten centralizers.Run six centralizersevery otherjoint at the
bottom. Place stage collar (DV) tool per rules for protectingwater sands.Place
cementbaskets100 ft in and 100 ft below the topofthesurfacecasingwith
centralizers,using lock rings.
27.Cemerftfirst stage with Class H cement with 2o/oCaCl,dropbombandopen
second stage, circulate for about 4 hours, then cementsecondstagewith light
cement with returns to surface. Recordamountof returnsto surfaceon cement
record.
28.WOCl2 hours.
29.Nippledown HOPs andcut casing.
30.InstallH section.
3l.Nipple up stackand addrotatinghead:addgatevalve from rotatingheadto shale
shaker.Mustbe 1,500-lb test.
32.Nipp1e up choke and lines to PWD equipment.Hook up gasbusterand flow line
to separatortanks. (Most of this should have beendoneduring drilling of the
verticalhole.)
33.Rig up frac tankswith lO-lb brinehookedup to mud pumps.
34.Rigup PWD tanksto acceptoil.
35.Rig up frac tanksto acceptcleanoil for sale.
Dn M. S. Farahat
792 CH III DR]LLING PRzDNqSIS & UNDERBALANCED
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH III DRILLING PRoDNoSIs& (JNDERBALANIED 193
looks like a small oil refinery. A consultantmust checkthe prevailing winds to set
the location so that the flare line is downwind in caseof H2S gas.Also makesure
all roads out are not in harm s way if the rig shouldblow up. All thesefactorsneed
to be taken into considerationby a competentconsultantor engineer.Settingup a
horizontallocationis seriousbusiness.
The bit program is designedto show you what bits havebeensuccessfulin the area
you are going to drill, the rate of penetration,the RPM andwoB (weight on bit),the
hourson the bit, and the gradethe bit cameout of the hole.
The cement program will tell you what combinationof cementto use on location
andwhereto placethe centralizers.
Figures 3.3 and 3.4 show the rigs rvith casingin the ground.The deeperyou drill,
the smallerthe hole becomes.The prognosiswill tell when the pipe is to be run and
at what depth.
Most oil and natural gas wells are drilled using rotary techniques,
in which a drill
bit disaggregatesrock at the base of the well. A drilling fluid is pumped
to the
bottom of the hole and then back up to the surface.The fluid is pumped
down the
well inside the dnllstring and it returnsto the surface,in the annulus
befweenthe
drillstring and the boreholewar. As it flows over the hole bottom, the
drilline fluid
entrainsthe rock cuttingsandremovesthem to the surface.
The composition and propertiesof the drilling fluid are often chosen
to ensurethat
the fluid pressure in the boreholeexceedsthe pore fluid pressurein the
formations
penetrated by the wellbore, at all depths where the formation
is open to the
borehole.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CHIII Dnnune pnoonosrc & uNDERBALANzED 195
Dr. M. S. Farahat
196 CN III DRILLING PRoDNosIS& UTIDERBALAN1ED
Lost circulation occurs when drilling fluid enters an open formation downhole,
rather than reiuming to the surface.It is possiblefor drilling fluid to be lost by flow
into a very permeable zone. More frequently, lost circulation involves flow into
natural fractures that intersect the wellbore or into fracturesinduced by excessive
drilling fluid pressure.Lost circulation can be very costly, during conventional
drilling. The lost fluid has to be replaced, and the losses have to be
mitigated, risually by adding lost circulation material tothemud(toplugoff the
path by which the fluid is entering the formation), beforedrilling can safelybe
This is not to say that lost circulation cannotoccurwhen drilling with lightened
fluids. It is possibleto lose circulationwheneverthe wellborepressureexceedsthe
formation pore pressure.Using a lightened fluid does not, by itself, guarantee
underbalancedconditions, This is clearly illustratedby a well, drilled with mist, in
the GrandCanyon National Park The pore pressuregradientwas almostzeroand
air circulationcould only be achievedfor lessthan one-halfof the drilline time.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH III DRILLING PRoDNoSIs& TJNDERBALANCED 197
In any case, there are many examplesof wells drilled underbalancedwith higher
productivity than adjacentwells drilled conventionally.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
r98 Cu III DRTLLINGpRootosts & UNDERBAT,/tNcED
When a well is drilled underbalanced,formation fluids flow into the wellbore from
any permeable formation in the openhole section. Penetratingany hydrocarbon-
bearing formation with adequatedrive andpermeabilitywill result in an increased
hydrocarbon cut in the drilling fluid retuming to the surface.With adequatemud
logging and drilling records, underbalanced drilling can indicate potentially
productive zones, as the well is drilled. Conversely,during conventionaldrilling,
the overbalancepressureprevents formation inflows; hydrocarbon-bearingzones
haveto be identified from cuttings,core analysis,logging or DSTs.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH III DMLLING PRaDNaSIS& UNDERBAI./INoED 199
On the other hand, formation fluids are produced while drilling underbalanced.
Particularly with opensurfacesystems,thesehaveto be handledcarefully,to avoid
environmentalcontamination.However, with closed surface systems.there is n
in .a.'wav.that .--.-....-
reserve pit and both cuttings and produce fluids are contained.
minimize the potentialfor environmentalcontamination.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
200 CHIII DrutuNe pnoDNosls& u tDERBAr./wcED
Dr. M. S. Farahat
pRonnosts & ANDERBALANCED
CH III DRTLLTNG 201
SURFACEPIPE{o? c.ll.d
alaLc. carlng, uau.lly
Thrgugh thla plp., oll o. gaa
run t om 3OO' to 4@(yl
can ba pum9ad out o.tha wallwlll
ff.c tlow to tha aurtac..
Dr. M. S. Farahat
202 CH III DRILLING PRonNosTs & UNDERBALANCED
680I' IMTEfIEDIATEOF
LONGSTRII|CI {h chir r.r.
|.rrt c.5.|!tr horin,
lrlrlnr4 Lrl*ll b.
'
Btoole Llne
?<
Figurg :- r Slmplifled air drilling flow system.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
pRonnosts & aNDERBAT,,/woED
Cu III DRTLLTNG 203
Another option is to use natural gas as the drilling fluid. This can be less costly than
using nitrogen, when drilling in a producing gas field or close to a naturalgas
pipeline The pipeline pressuremay be large enough that compressorsare not
needed.Pressureboosters will normally be required.API an NFPA (NationalFire
ProtectionAgency guidelinesmust be followed.
Charts prescribing minimum air flow rates for adequate hole cleaning were
developedby Angel, 1957. These charts are still widely usedin the designof air
drilling operations. The circulation rates they suggest correspond to an annular
velocity that would be equivalent to 3,000ft/mm at atmosphericpressure.Angel
argued that this was the minimum velocity for effective cuttings transport.
Predicting circulatingpressures.and appropriate.flowrates for gaseousdrilling.
fluids is not, however,trivial. For thetimebeing,it is sufficientto notethat several
and that higher gas flow rates are often requirethan wouldbepredictedbythe
charts.Today,mostdrilling servicecompanies hawpredictivesimulators.
Dn M. S. Farahat
204 Cn III DRTLLTNopRoovosts & UNDERBALANoED
Mixing of gaseous and liquid phases is way to achieve any desired drilling fluid
density, fiom pure gas to pure liquid. These mixtures of gas and liquid are
sometimescollectively referred to as lightened drilling fluids. Lighteneddrilling
fluids can classified as mist, foam or aeratedliquid accordingto the structureand
relative volumes of the gaseousand liquid phasesTheir structureand properties
depend critically on the relative volume fractioi,so gas and liquid at the prevailing
conditions of pressure and temperature. Different lightened drilling fluid densities
areshownin Table 3.1
Description Density,ppg
. Gas 0.01 0.1
Mist 0.1 0.3
0.3 3.s4
Foam
3.5 6.95with backpressure
GasifiedLiquid 4.0 6.95
Liquid 6.95 19.0
Dr. M. S. Farahat ,
Cn III & UNDERBALANCED
DNLLING PROONOSTS 205
Dr. M. S. Farahat
206 Cn III Druttrye pnoolosts & uuDERBArrtNcED
The drilling rigs mud pumps are usedto pump the liquid phaseto the standpipeand
from there into the drillsking. Compressors,suitablefor the gasin use,arenormally
arranged to inject the gasinto the flowing mud at or closeto the standpipe,aerating
the drilling fluid before it is pumped down the drillstring. The aeratedliquid
returning from the weli is passedthrougha gas-liquid separationsystem.The gasis
then directed to a flare pit, while the liquid flows through a conventionalsolids
removal system. Additional gas separationmeasuresmay be necessarybeforethe
liquid can be pumpeddownholeagain(if at, all). Sorneform of oil-mud separation
system may be required if liquid hydrocarbons are produced. Figure 3.6
schematicallyillustratesthe main eiementsof an aeratedmud drilling system.
It is possible to create an aerateddrilling fluid downhole rather than at the
s
tubularthat penetratesthe wellheadandleadsinto thewellborejust abovethelast
casing shoe. By circulating a gas,which may be air, nitrogenor natural gas,down
the parasite string and into the wellbore, the density of the fluid retuming up the
annulus is reduced (abovethe injection point) and the wellbore pressuredecreases
correspondingly. The same effect can be achieved during re-entry drilling of
previously gas-lifted wells if the drilling assembly can be run downholewithout
pulling the gas lift tubing and production casing sting. This requires a small
diameter, drilled hole. This is probably only practical when drilling with coiled
tubing. It is also possible to aerate the returning drilling fluid by injecting gas
outside an uncementedcasing string, or by using a dual wall drill pipe, wherethe
drilling liquid is pumped down the central conduit of the pipe and the gas down the
outer conduit.
Mist drilling is often used after a significant water influx is encounteredwhile dry
air drilling. Normally air is used in mist drilling. Other than cost, tlere is, no
fundamental reason why other gases, such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide or natural
gas, shouldnot be usedin lighteneddrilling fluids, If the liquid phaseis flamrnable,
i.e., crude oil or diesel, nitrogen may bepreferredoverair, forreasonsof safety.
Also, using air in lightened drilling fluids can createconditions downhole that are
ideal for corrosion of the drillsting and any exposed casing. Finally, gas can
dissolve in liquid; some more than others;for examplecarbondioxide in aqueous
liquids, or naturalgasin crudeoil.
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH III DMLLING PRoDNosIS & aNDERBAI./IN1ED 207
o
th
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
208 CHIII DRILLING PR2DN2SIS& aNDERBALANoED
Because gasesare much more compressiblethan liquids, the liquid volume fraction
in a lightened drilling fluid will vary asthe drilling fluid is circulatedaroundthe
well. As pressureincreases,the liquid volume fraction and drilling fluid densitywill
also increase.This situationis further complicatedby formationfluids flowing into
the well. For example,when a water inflow occurri,the drilling fluid may be a mist
on its way down the drillstring but changeto a foam when it entersthe annulusand
picks up the additional water from the inflow. Calculafingcirculaiingpressuresis
critical.
3.2.4.SurfaceSystems
Dr. M. S. Farahat ,.
CH III DRILLING PRoolt,osls & UNDERBAL/INCED 209
The complexity of the surface systemis influencedby the choice of drilling fluid
and the natureand quantity of formationfluids producedwhile drilling. In the case
of dry air drilling, with naturalgasas the only potentialinflow and no potentialfor
hydrogen sulfide, it is often sufficient to have the blooie line dischargeflared over
an open, earlhen pit in which the cuttingscollect.At the other extreme,a closerl,
multi-phase separator,used with a nitrified water drilling fluid, has to handle
cuttings, produced oil, producedgas,circulatingwater,andnitrogen.Such systems
allow oil to be collected for storage,gasto be flared,andwater to be re-cvcledto
the rig pumps.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
2t0 CH III DRJLLING PRoDN0SIS & UNDERBALANCED
Along with their benefits, there are technical and economic limitations of
drilling. Carden,1993,reported that,intheUnitedStates,wellbore
underbalance
instability and water inflow were the two main masons terminating air drilling
operations. Other technical factors restricting underbalanced drilling include
do*nhole hres, directional drilllng difficulties, and excessive hydrocarbon
production. Various limitations on underbalanced
drilling outlinedbelow.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH III DRTLLTNopRonlosts & INDERBAT,/INoED 2tl
3.2.5.2ll/aterInflows
Dr. M. S. Farahat
2t2 CHIII DnIIuue pnoonosls & aNDERBAI,ANCED
3.2.5.3Downhole Fires
Dr, M. S. Farahat
CH III DRILLING PRoDNosIS& UMERBAL/INCED 213
3.2.5.5 ExcessiveHydrocarbonProduction
Dr. M. S. Farahat
214 CH III DRILLING PRoDN^SIS & UNDERBALANqED
Becausethe formation fluids are not preventedfrom flowing into the wellboreby
the drilling fluid, asthey arein conventionaldrilling, differentwell controlpractices
and procedures arerequired.Undermostcircumstances, suitablesurfaceequipment
call contain and control produced fluids while drilling underbalanced. High
hydrocarbonproductionrates and highpressuresaredesirablefromthepoint-of--
view of the long-term profitability or ther','ell.Theycan,however,prevent,or at
least complicate,some underbalanced drilling operations.
Thesurfaceequipment
should he able to safely handle themaximumateof production.it shouldalsobe
able to containthemaximumprobablesurfacepressure, which couldbe substantial.
If excessiveproduction ratesareencountered, theremaybe little alternativebut to
kill the well andswitchto overbalanced
drillins.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CE III DrutuNG pnoDNosrs& qNDERBALANzED 215
Finally, this section introduced the different techniquesthat can be used to generate
underbalancedconditionswhile drilling. The benefitsof drilling underbalancedcan
be considerable, in terms of reduced drilling cost and increasedproductivity.
However, underbalanceddrilling is not suitable for all wells. It requiresspecial
equipment and procedures,not usedin conventionaldrilling operations.A number
of technical and economic factors limit the applicationof underbalanceddrilling.
Sometimes,the limitations seemto be very daunting.Ho*"u"t, it *ill oft"r, tum out
that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
2t6 CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS IYELI^'
CnaprBRfV
Dnrr,r,rNclNn CovrpLETIoNor G,q.sWnl,l,s rN
EcyprraN MptrrpnnaNnaN CoNCESsToN
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4.1Introduction
That is due to the deep marine deposition model, and the associatedturbodite
sequences.Moreover the area was subjected to tectonicactivitiesin the Pliocene
age, which created a lot of faults and folds. Thoseactedas subsurfacepermeable
planes which overchargedsomenormalpressurizedinterval from deeperformation,
and overstressedsomeothers.This createda very complicatedsubsurfacepressure
gradientsregimein this interval (Fig. a.3).
;
In the other side the deltic model in Baltim areadevelopeda smooth pore pressure
developmentwith in the sameintervalbut the deepmarineinviroment in the lower
part of Mioccne (Todonian) created an ubrupt Increase of pore gradient which
could be consideredthe main sourceof drilling problemsin Baltim concession(Fig.
4.4).
Dn M. S. Farahat
CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETIONOF GAS WELI^g
217
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
218 CH IVDRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
Third a new casing profile for Baltim wells was necessaryto reducedrilling costs
and to avoid suddengaskicks in the lower part of 8 l/2 inhole. The main concepts
of that new profile are l) Reductionof 20in surfacecasing2) Replacing17 l/2in
hole with l6in hole 3) Setting of 7in liner at bottom of Abu Madi massivesand
(main target) and drilling well to total depthwith 6 in hole if necessary
In addition drilling of directional wells increasedin the area due to drilling from
templates to improve drilling and production plaits unproperseabed conditions
(very deep or very soft seabed) andpresenceofshallow gases.Thereforefinding a
mean to minimize & reduce sliding intervals (Down Hole Motors time) was
necessary to cut down drilling costs. The Catenary Directional Technique was
applied in well Baltim East fA4Dirto reducedrilling costsand good approacheswere
achievedas will shown in CatenaryApplication section.
Finally for softer operation, easierhandling of 30in conductor pipes , more flixible
decision either for driving conductor pipes or drilling 36in hole , and to improve
cementing of Conductor Pipes the use of 30in XL Connections and Hydraulic
Hammer were necessary in orderto reducedrilling costsAlso the use of Posiclose
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS
IYELLS 2Ig
- nt: OverpressureSources
l. Pressureseal
2. Compaction
3. Tectonic
4. Diagenetic
5. Temperature
6. Fluid migration
7. Fluid density
Dr. M. S, Farahat
220 CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETIONOF GASWELLS
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELIS
221
4.2.2.1Compaction
4.2.2.2Tectonics
In Temsahareq thecompactionandtectoniceffectsinteractedtogetherand
created
a very complicatedand unexpectedpressureregimeswithin the pliocene
&
Mioceneintervals.-
Dr. M. S. Farahat
222 CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS IYELLS
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH IVDRILLING & COMPLETIONOF GAS
II'ELI.S 223
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Dn M. S. Farahat
224 CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
In Baltim area the subsurface pressure regime is common for all wells drilled in
this concessiondue to the Deltic environmentduring the Plioceneage. But in the
most lower part of Miocene(Qwasim& Sidi Salim Fm.) an abruptand tremendous
increase in pore pressureis experienceddueto the compaction& tectoniceffectsof
the- deepmarine environment during the Tortonian stage.Which required real-time
overpressuredetection tool (PP/PC), and new settingdepthforproductionstring
(new casingprofile) (Fig. a.q.
4.3 1995Elforts
The improvements & modifications of casing profile and design in the Temsah
concession, was mainly carriedout in the Plioceneinterval.This modificationswas
carried out It, order to match the unexpected & abrupt increasein pore pressure
against the fracture gradient at the zurfacecasing shoe.Which reducethe Allowable
Choke Margin to the minimum limits required to drill the intermediateinterval
safely down to the top of major overpressureinterval.
Dr. M. S, Fqrahat
CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETIONOF GAS WELLS 225
Dr. M. S. Farahat
226 CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
Eventually due to the very complicated pore pressure gradient regime in the
Pliocene interval it was decided to prepare a contingencyplan with any drilling
programme in this concession.In the Contingencyprogamme an 11 3l4inliner is
designed to be set between the two intermediatesstring 13 3i8in & 9 5i8in (Fig.
4.3).
l
In the conventional design the 20in shoe was set @ top Kafr Et Sheikh shale,to
obtain a sufficient Fracture Gradient of +/- 1.6 s.g EMW. That value permits
drilling the. first intermediate,hole(17 ll2in) safely as deepaspossiblein the major
overpressuredevelopment interval. Settingof l3 3/8in casing(lst intermediate)at
that depth gives a Fracture Gradient more than 1.9 s.g.,which can handlea mud
weight of around I .85 s.g., Suchheigh mud weight shouldbe sufficient to crossthe
Evaporite of Rosetta Fm In Rosetta Fm. a pore gradientof more than 1.8 s.g. is
expected, due to the presencepossibilitiesof overstressed
shaleintervals(Fig.a.3).
The Common Pressure Gradients ProJile of the area was driven from the
correlation between drilling models (Dexp. & Sigma), drilling events (Kicks,
Losses, Tight Hole etc..) , and confirmedwith LOT, SonicREF logs & DST data
@ig.a.6).
uncommonpressureregimewas appeared
in Temsah
# 5 well whichexhibitan
uncommon increase in pressure within bottom Kafr El Sheik!, and Rosetta
evaporitesdue to overstressedformation (tectoniceffects).
Recently the seismic interpretation showed a new pressure regime in the area
which will be mentioned in this chapter as Contingenq, pressurc Gradients Profilc
That regime had beenprovedby a Kick, was taken@ 2240m while drilling a well
in the area , and showeda suddenincreasein the pore pressuregradientfrom l.44
to 1.67 s.g. , within mid of Kafr El SheikhFm. (Fig.4.7)
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CITIVDRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELI.S
227
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Dn M. S. Farahat
228 CE IV DRILLING & COMPLETIONOF GAS WELLS
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH IV DRILLING & COMPLEAON OF GAS WELLS
229
The contingency Plan attachedto the Drilling programme after the normal_16
Operation Seqaence section.
4.4.1 Conditions
lVhile drilling 16
If the drilling models (Sigma, Dexp & pp/FG) andDrilling Events(mud gases
&
fight hole problems) show a continuousdrasticincreasesof the pore Gradients
to
exceed l'45 s.g' EMW before reaching 2400w, whichrequiredaminimummud
weight of 1.5 s.g.to control the formationpressure(Minimum overbalanceallowed
is 05 s.g. EMW) the Contingencyprogrammewill be applied(Fig. a.S).
The well remsah North west # l was drilled asper normal prograrnme:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
230 CH IVDRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS IYELLS
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH IVDRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
231
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Dn M. S. Faralnt
234 CH IV DNLLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
4,6.1CatenaryDirectionalApplication '
Catenary curve is the natural shape that cable, chain or other lines ofuniform
weight assumewhen suspendedbetweentwo points'
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CE IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
235
Dr. M. S. Farahat I
I
238 CH IVDRILLING & COMPLETIONOF GAS IYELLS
4.7.1Evaluation
The Catenary profile has resulted in a great improvement in the overall cost of the
well as shown in the next fizures:
A total interval of 3706m was drilled in a total of 400 hours.An interval of 453m
was steeied with m;tor (slide drilling) in 77 hours l3%oof the total drilling time
(total motor time 102 lT s25%oof the total drilling time).
Comparing with the averageof the offset wells which used conventional profile:
A 400Gm well to be kicked off @250 m , and drilled directionallyto a maximum
angleof45 averagelyrequired:
Eventually from this two figures the motor & sliding time was reducedby 50% as
well the sliding interval was reducedby 50% againstthe conventionalmodel, which
reflecteda betterhole condition.
4.7.2Comments
Dn M. S. Farahat
CE IV DRILLING & COMPLETIONOF GAS TYELI^'
239
Dr. M. S. Farahat
240 CH IYDRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
ry A.tt
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS IYELLS 24I
Dr, M. S. Farahat
242 CH IV DR]LLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
are:
4.8.1.2Evaluation
Pore pressure and fracture gradient are the two natural limits which exert the
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS IYELI^S
243
greatestinfluenceon drilling costsandsafety.Traditionalpore
pressuremethodsare
limited to one lithologytype(shale)andreryon empiricalpetrophysical
or drillins
datavs. depthtrendline (Fig. 4.12).
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
".1
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Dr. M. S. Faraltat
CH IV DRILLING & CoMPLETI,I\T oF GAs
II/ELLy 245
Data quality
Gamma:
Resistivitlt:
4.9.3 Evaluation
Dr. M. S, Farahat
248 CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS WELLS
System(SecondGeneration)
4.11PosictoserM
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH IV DRILLING & COMPLETION
OF GAS IYELLS
249
4.12 I99S Drilting performance
Dn M. S. Farahat
250 CH IVDRILLING & COMPLETION OF GAS VELLS
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING IIORIZONTAL ,YELLS
251
Cnaprrn V
Tncrnror,ocyFoRDnrr,r,rmc
.q.Ivo
ConTpLETING
HORIZONTAL, EXTENDED- REACH WELLS
Dr. M. S. Farahat
252 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELI^'
I
-gt
I
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D'1111u51r31s6
rl^ is lhe well spacingptantor the I hutinverticattest
.rerlsthat showsthoirrelationship basedon 115.1tcenters.
2.640
2,670
2,700
2,7&
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2,790
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
cH v DRILLTNGAND COMPLETINGHORTZONTALWELLS 253
Inic{ionnell
Crhulin1) Productionwell
I Thuljn2
Ta.gelw6ll
i
l--- Assumedside lrack
landing point
Dr. M. S. Farahat
254 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETINGHORIZONTAL IYELLS
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELI^S 255
Following the first suryey, some difficulties aroseduring insertionof the drilling
tool. Evidently the hole has been somewhat squeezedbelow the Kop as each
survey took 14 to 16 hours to complete(includingtripping-outthedrillingtool,
tripping-in the survey tool, andpulling out the surveytool andreplacingthe drilling
tool). Becauseof the Swelling formation,the hole routinely overhauledby reaming,
sing the roller hit directly connectedto the drive pipes.After he econd urvey he
precautionof rearmingthe hole was alsotakenbeforegoing on with drilling.
since RoD was low during lie first portion of the well cuttingsexaminationgavea
good indication ofthe penetratedstrata.
The first component of the lateral section also presentedthe opportunity of making
trial azimuth correct ions. composition of the downhole assembly used in
attemptingthesecorrectionswas as follows:
productiontrendsamongU.S.wells
SPURREDBY ECONOMIC considerations.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELI.S
Azimuth correction began at 2 853 ft and gurdedto the left (North) and slightly
upward.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS )<1
assembly-
consistingof:
t 6-in,roller bit
* Nonrotatingstabilizer
* Drivepipes.
In this situation (and due to the repeatedpull up and push down maneuversplus the
low mechanical strength of the coal), the hole diameterhad increasedwherethe
azimuth was changed,causingmore gasand coal inrush.As drilling reacheda depth
of 2,891ft, the downholetools finally werenearthe point of total blockage.
At this point it was hard to pull the string from the hole and upon doing so, it was
fount that the nonrotatingstabilizerwas severelydamaged.Sincestabilizationof the
lateral hole was not possibleespeciallywit hi the startingcondition of a washedout
and enlarged section, it was decided to use a very simple bottomholeassembly
consisting of a bit connected directly to the drive pipes. This resultedin
abandonment of the azimuth correction attempt hut allowed the trajectory
establishedby the curvedportion of the hole to be followed hr directionalstability.
In order to drill the last well sectionactuallyinsidethe coal seam,a dragbit was
substituted for the rock bit as it was more appropriate for in-seam (frilling
operations.Furthermore,the much densitywas increasedto 12.6ppg.
Drilling was resumedandbottom found at 2,873 ft. This and the fifth surveymade
at 2,879 ft indicated that the previoushole had collapsedtotally in this section.A
sixth surveywas madeit a thdlled depthif 2,902 ft.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
2s8 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
{' Natural vertical fractures often can be penetrated through planned well
orientationto maximizepermeabilityandenhanceproduction(Fig. 5.g).
* Invasion of unwantedreservoirfluids dueto coningmay be conholled Fig.
5.9).
{' Four horizontalwells with multiple extensionsmight be drilled to adequately
drain i given reservoir where 20 might be neededwith conventional.vertical
methods.
't' Secondary and tertiary recovery projects may
enjoy the benefits of rinear
injection,ratherthan radial.
* Recovering60% to 80% of hydrocarbonsinplaceinareservoircanbethe
norm, ratherthan the exception,if horizontaltechniquesareused.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH VDMLLING AND COMPLETING EORIZONTAL WELLS
259
Dr. M. S. Farahat
260 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELLS
!':
the bottom of the hole may be 4,000 ft away from the vertical portion of the well.
Due to this additional cost alone, careful selection of horizontal candidatesis
recommended.And there are equipment costs related to horizontaldrilling, too,
including power swivels, specialized drilling fluids, downhole motors, special
stringsof drill pipe, and measurement-while-drilling(MWD) equipment.
Dr. M. S. Faraltat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL
WELI^, 261
on what the individual operator is trying to accomplish.
In general,it is believed
that most operators will use the techniquechiefly for production
enhancement-to
recover the most hydrocarbon production at the smallest
cost. parametersthat
should be considered, therefore, inclufe: depth, pay
thickness, eservoir drive
mechanism, porosity, absolute permeability, formation pressure,
character of
reservoir rock, original saturations,oil and gas characteristics
specific ravit5r, our
points, etc.) reservoir temperatures, vertical restrictions
within the reservoir,
Iocationof leaselines, required spacing,productionhistory,
hydrocarbonsoriginally
in place,hydrocarbonsremaining,casing.andhole sizes,
anticipatedcompletionand
productiontechniques,economicsand market.
i,
Dr. M. S. Farohat
262 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELLS
- <- r-
Flg. - -lJsing a propr rservoirmodsl, horizontalwells ideally can be orientsd throuoh ths
maximum number ol natural kactures in order to improve produciion.Veriical wells u-sually
cannot penetrata comparativenumberol tracturesin a given producingzone.
Watsr
l-. 'd
4 -
Flg.1'JHodzontal compltionshave proventheir abilityto reducegas and watorconing,which
is a commonproblemwith perlorationsin a verlicalwell bor. Coningnol only reducesoil pro-
duction,but also increasesproductioncosts.
*
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125ll ll
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Short Sadlun Lon9
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HOKIZONTAL IYELLS 263
Live examples where this method might come into play include the shallow
Bartlesville reservoirs of southeasternKansas that lie between300 and 1,200ft.
Heavy, low viscosity oil regions in Kansas Missouri, Texasand califomia also
apply.
-Bdcause-thereare
somevery useful applicationsfor short-radiushorizontal drilling,
the methodcontinuesto be improved.Tools arebeing developedthat hopefully will
decrease the time, effort and expensenow required to drill the short-radius
horizontal hole. When the techniquesare simplified,useof this methodwill result
in a commonly acceptedwell stimulationpractice.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELLS
To drill the horizontal portion of time well, an angle-hold assemblyis used that
generally consists of a bit; a high-speed,low-torque, steerabledownholemotor
equipped with a bottomholeor conical stabilizer;a nonmagneticdrill collar and an
MWD tool. Drill pipe is slowly rotatedby meansof a power swivel or top drive.
The power swivel is used in this portion of the well to assurethat rotation and
circulationcan be usedat all times.
conventional drill strings are not suitable for drilling any of the non-vertical
portions of a horizontal hole. High build rate sectionsdo not readily acceptdrill
collars. Drill collars must remain in the vertical sectionof the well, with drill pipe
run above and below the collars.If a trip is required, pipe is addedbelow the drill
collars.
Drill string designwill vary from one portion of the holeto thenext.While he
vertical port ion of the well maybe drilledwith conventional
design,all portions
Dn M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELLS
26s
thereafter are subjected to varying forces, loads and stressesand
require varying
types of compressiveservice pipe. Carefuldesignof the drill string
for horizontal
holesis a mustin the medium-range category.
:
In drilling long radiusof curvaturewells, casingmay be setat the end of the
curve
and tools similar to those used in mediurn-radiusholes are used to drill
the
horizontalportion of the well. r
:
Given theseconsiderations,
theselectionof appropriate
horizontalwell candidatein
an appropriatecategory (short-,medium-or long-radiusofcurvature)hen ssures
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
5.2.5.2Supemision
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETINGHORIZONTAL
WELI^S 269
increaserapidly in the near
Dn M. S. Farahat
270 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
Surlac
hole
Surlac
casln9
lnl6rmodiat
hol
Tubir
Cemenl lop
Tubingp6cker
Uneahangr
lnlormediat6 Fladiusol
casmg Rat hol Productbn linor
ll dhd
Zono ol Intorgst
Drill vrtical holo Dd[ do.vlatodhole O.itl extendsd roachto Equip & complote nell
optimum dislanc as tqu|ro
and/or tosl lomation to 90 dgt8 &
Intrscltatgel
jl";xm::**rv*'Jiilt'ir'fi
t- .t.l I ---
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:f*1il-giiffiH:1[,i,:*ft*$3itff
snouroDoPraln's 'e;
Phase4. complotion' iliA$;ii;d;r;neri;"i 6rder.Actuatdrillingbe-
ILa o
[ii5ilfl''H:iJT3io"l?il133Jlf,
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f=-1
ComPletlon
AngleHold &
Rlg Srloclton hortrontal hol'a
Raqulremcnt!
Substruclurhigtlt Hol6 diametet
Logging Hole length
BOP @n hole
Kill manilold Drill string design
Plps cntralizer MWD
St$ack capability Slottodliner Downholemolors
ri.noort Coss & cmnt
31ffip. pr'".u-
llexibility Farlorating
Hols stability
M; ii de;isn & Tsting
Hydraulics
Mud mi:ing ability Steerability
ftfud daning quipment Mud tYP' Rheology
ttil pip on hand Frictkn ' orag
Trp drtr6 Well corilrol
Bit slec{roo
Porronnel
Com(nunicatilE
II
I AngtFBul6 e devllt.d holo
lr.rtlcal Holc Targotdspth
ll{ or dd w[ Kick{fi Pdnt
Hol sizes Obntation admdn
Osplh Arlb|Jild
_ dov{ihole
Caslt dsist i,lWD- sun ying
Cg|nnling motoa
lkld VP - BheologY (til| liring deCan
**#r;*i*:t
l{yd.Eulc6 Bit soloclbn
Surt/yrtg Hvdrauli:s
ofl shg dldgn U'uotvpe - nheotogy
Sab$zllio.t Frtc{bn - drag
B[ laaacib.t OPnholg
inrlg a rr{n(brY Cas & cmnt
LoSSitrS
ffio,un*,o**
&
Whiostock Padt
Dr, M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLET.INGHORIZONTAL WELLS 271
Therefore, let us limit this analysis to wells drilled from the surface that penefrte
the reservoirat an angleof at least80
production, we shall assume that it is long enough to createparallel flow (see Fig.
5.13).More preciselywe shall considertwo overall categoriesof horizontal wells.
'!
Dn M. S. Farahat
272 CE VDRILLING AT{D COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELLS
Thin reservoirs in which the oil or gas column is lessthan 50 ft thick. If there is a
bottom aquiferor a gascap,the situation s ven ore favorable.The bestexamples
are the development of heavy oii sandsin Canadaand thin gas sandsin the North
Sea.
Tight formations where multiple fracturing (4 to 6 or even more per well) along a
horizontal section of the well is possible. he uccessfuloperationsconductedby
Maersk on Dan field in the North Sea is probably the best example. chalky
formations in the North Sea or in the U.S. (Austin chalk), or tight gasreservoirs
provide a huge number of candidatesfor such operations.This application is
probablythe most promisingone with u.s. operatorsexpressinghigh interestin it.
The great majority of the existing horizontal wells were drilled for oil and very few
horizontal wells are producing gas. The rational behind this choice is more
economical than technical. In fact the production improvement provided by
horizontal wells is higher for gasthan for oil Thanks to a lower rate per openedfoot
of formation, turbulence, which is typical of gas production, is practically nil in
horizontal wells. In the near future many operationswill be conductedin gas fields
and especially in marginal offshore gas developments.
Dn M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
,\l
-a
Parallel llow
,r/
\l
| !
Radial llow
Horl2cnlrl well
-----\\
/,-
Parallelplus radiallh
Parallel flow
Seclion views
'--pror
Fl1- a sectionview, flow to a vertical well apparsparalll
,vnlellowto a horizontalwellcombinesDaralleland radialllow.From
a plan view,parallelllow occurs in the ho.izontalwell.
Verl|callvlractu.edlorrhation
Dr. M. S. Farahat
274 CH VDRILLING AND COMPLETING EORIZONTAL IYELI-S
5.3.3llell geometry
Dn M. S. Farahat
CH VDRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
275
The solution to obtaining this control lies in the availability of specific tools,
or
specific sensorsused in conjunction with the MWD tool, This will be reviewed
later. For future developmentgood accurAcyis compulsory.Thatmeansthat
we
should be ableto follow within +/- 3 ft eithera geologicalmarker(top or bottom
of
thereservoir)or certainposition.
i
5.3.3.1Radius of curvature is not as critical, Its selectiongenerally esults rom
severalconsiderations:
i
Drilling long to medium radii horizontalrwells in smaller diameterswill not
necessarilyreduce costs.Small diameterwellsaremoredifficult to controlandto
complete,which cangenerateadditionalcosii andjeopardize thepotentialsavings.
For some low costonshoreoperations,
drilledverticallyat diameterslessthangl/2
Dn M. S. Faryhat
a to CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
5.3.4Drilling operations
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH VDRTLLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS )'71
L- { r5 -
Ftg.',.-bneorthemosr
difricurr oI.T11:,1glil9l""f:f
asp,e,cts
;,,'Xih;;ifi";;';ttii'iittrinor awavrrom3 nearbvwateror
iiservbir
gas-oilcontact.
l'--:- - tt
ag,:ffi :',",#i"?33i13::flT'""i''"':";
ltl':?::1',5"*B'f
"1J'f,l"s
Dr. M. S. Farahat
278 CH VDRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
5.3.4.2 Deviated drilting from the kick-off endsat a point near the target where the
high angle approach phase will start.Roughly speakingthis phasecorrespondsto
drilling from vertical to about70 , To drill this phasea choicehasbeenmadeduring
planning betweena two stepbuild-up sectionor a continuousbuild-up section.This
trajectory has been optimized to minimize drag forces,torque,cleaningand well
stability problems.It should allow an easycompletionof the well. During this phase
the driller hasto stay on trajectorywithin given tolerances.He thereforeneedsgood
control of inclination and azimuth and a well adapted bottomhole assembly
Depending on his experience,he will use a more or less versatile bottomhole
assemblyto avoid trips. Steerableturbinesor mud motors,remotecontrolledbent
subs and remote controlled stabilizers are valuable tools for this phase.But with
good field experience,this phasecan be doneusingmore economicaltools.
The two main problemsthat can occur during this phaseare inability to build angle
or the neces'sityto correct azimuth.Inability to build anglecan haveseveralcauses,
the two most prevalentbeing:
.!.
It generallyresultsfrom poor well designor from improperdrilling fluids.
t -This will occur primarily in areaswhere
deviated drilling is not a currentpractice.The possibility of this difficulty must
be addressedduring the planning phase. when experiencein the areais poor,
build-up rates must be kept low, lessthan 50 per r00 ft. If this kind of problem
arises it is then possibleto usehigherbuild-up rates(crackertype BHA) to get
back on trajectory.There are good bottomholeassemblysimulatorsavailableon
the market,which during the planningof the well, can help avoid big mistakes,
Quality drilling fluid is essentialduring this phase,not only for well cleaning,but
for ensuring its stability especially in shaley formations. Mud characteristics
(rheology, density, etc.) must be adaptednot only to the formationsdrilled but also
to the angleunderwhich they are drilled. Someshales,easily drilled vertically will
turn into a nightmareat 70 inclination.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CE VDRILLINGAND COMPLETING
HORIZONTAL IYELLS
279
Dn M. S. Farahat
282 CH V DMLLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
Currently during drilling, fit is detectedthat the bit has drilled out of the reservoir,
it
means that the distancebetweenthe bit and sensorhasbeenlost and would
haveto
be re-drilled after making a course correction.Fig. 5.19 showsthatincaseof
a
continuous change of relative dip (angle between bit and reservoir top) great
a
drilled lengthcan be lost.
If the reservoirtop is sufficiently flat, then the problem consistsin staying at a given
depth above the, water/oil contact or below the gas-oil contact.In such a case
the
distance between the sensor and the bit is not as critical. It is the distance
he
hogging tool sees out into the formation to detectthe contactthat is critical.
The
minimum rangeappearsto be severaltensof feet,30 ft being a reasonablevalue.
Drilling the drain inside the reservoir is the first problem,the secondin
order of
importance is keeping the hole in good shape,cleanand stable.cleaning the
well
obviously is'a must, not only to reduce drag and torque,but to avoid
formation
damage.cuttings transport in an inclined well is complex. In horizontal wells,
the
difficulty arises from the fact that mud parametersthat would be optimum
horizon_
tally art not applicableto inclined sections,Thus it is necessaryto compromise.
Hole stability is also made more complex due to the isotropic distribution
of
stressesin a horizontal section,paradoxically,soft to very soft formationsare
less
complex from this point of view sincethe distributionof stressesis more uniform (it
Overbalancedmud should never
be used to stabilizethe hole in horizontalwells. Just imaginehow hard it would
be
to pull I ,000 ft of bottomhole assemblyrestinghorizontally on the bottom of
the
hole in overbalanced mud. well cleaning models, able to simulate cuttings
transportationin complex well profiles, will be amongthe basic tools for future ell
designers.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLET:ING HORIZONTAL WELLS
283
:,
:
5.4 High-Angle and Horizontal Weil Completions
284 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
Since January 1987, seven additional horizontal or high angle wells havebeen
drilled amitl completed with cementedliners, These last seven wells are not
included in this article, other than to referencethe longerlitter lengthsthat recently
havebeencementedand perforated.
Dr. M. S. Faralnt
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL 'YELI.S 285
:t'.,*s,""",m:*';tl'":"ii:ltlilliJL?.f i!i,[i{:i",f
i1""""1ff
ol
bvthedeveropment
if'f;H'ff:iiii5Htli'ri"lii"ir"o'iiiti';iuiJre
sensorslocatedin the bil ltsell'
a
:5
2!
2Svpica wetls
andhorizontal
rr.-1' retlborprofilslromhigh-angle
.t.illedin PIUdhooBaY.
Dr. M, S. Faralrat
288 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HOMZONTAL
IYELI.S
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CE V DRILLING AND COMPLETINGHORIZONTAL IYELI^9 289
5.4.5Rotation / Reciprocafion
Reciprocation
of liners whitecementing
hasbeenpracticed
by Standard
Alaskaat
PrudhoeBay since 1976,Theoriginalreasonfor thiswasto obtainimprovedmud
removal and cementintegrity.Liner reciprocation
andgoodcementingpracticesin
conventionallydrilled directional wells have all but eliminatedliner and lap
squeezes.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
290 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELLS
tlg.,_--
_11iS!-3plg comptetionchosentorprudhoeBayinctudes
---'- a
c,|2-rn.comgntedtinerand a cement-filld
tormationoafkei.
-.&)
Flg. -9116o11or cementing of 7-in. linsr
.r includes placino a
9l9sjul!9 polym.ar ptugjusrbietow
rheintenoeo s'hos-oi
fi;'iYrnl
unar. I ne ttner isolalesa gas cap.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
29r
5.4.6TorqueLimitations
Dr. M. S. Farahat
292 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELLS
Using thesetechniques,100o/o
successwas achievedin rotating/reciprocatinginers
during cementing on four non-conventionalwells. Threewere rotatedusing a top
drive. on well F-23, the string was rotated usinga 40-ft cementingkelly with a
rotating cementing head in place of the swivel. To preventjump-out of the kelly
bushingon the upstroke,lock down pins wereused,
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL
WELLS 293
Setling nut
Packotlbughing
dt
294 CH VDRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELLS
5.4.8Evaluution
Dr. M. S. Farahat
IYELI^S 295
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETINGHONZONTAL
Cement-filledformationpackershavebeensetsuccessfullywithoutproblemsonall
fourattemptedjobs'Threeofthesejobsweredonewithsimultaneousrotationand
reciprocation.
Cementevaluationlogswererunpnortocompletiononfiveofthesevennon-
pipe-conveyedon four wells' On well
conventional wells, Logging tools were drill
tubing equippedwith electric line' The
G-29, tools were run on I l/4-in, coiled
for running roduction ogs n
coiled tubing technique was later usedsuccessfully
wells IX-2, B-30' G-29 andG-23'
Cementqualityismostreliablydeterminedbylong-termproductionhistoryThe
andproductionlogging data for the
following summarizesbond log intemretation
sevenwells as of APril 1988'
B-3o.Wellcementedwithseverelostcirculation,Linerreciprocated'butnot
rotated,Bondlogindicatespoorcementualitybovelostcirculationzone,good
cementacrosslowerl50ftofliner.ProductiontestsindicateelevatedGoR,which
beganaltersixmonthsofproduction,isreservoir-relatedatherhanhannel-
related.
Y.2l-Bondlogindicatesexcellentlinercementquality.Wellisadowndipproducer
withnoindicationofcharrnelingafter20monthsproduction.
G-27-Nobondlogrunduetoinabilitytorundrillpipe-conveyedtoolsinside5l/2-
in,linerattimewellwascemented.AfterlTmonthsofproduction,thereisno
indication of channeling
Dr. M. S. Farahat
296 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELI.S
It is recommendedthefollowing:
o Simultaneous rotationL,/reciprocation
of liners is feasible in 90 wellbores.
Recently,well E-28 was completedwith 3,131 ft of 5l/2-in,cementedliner,of
which 1,300ft was inclinedbetweeni;90"and97."
o cement evaluation logs for horizontal and high-angle well liners can be drill
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH VDRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
297
pipe-conveyed,
or run on coiledtubingequippedwith electricline.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
298 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
5.5.2lYeakformations
^: 'r:i '
.; ,.' \..,i : :
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH YDMLLING AND COMPLETING HOMZONTAL IYELI-| 299
o.5 50 O.82
1.0 .90
50 0.76 .85
2.0 50 0.69 .80
3.0 0.65
0.5 .78
0.6'l .74
1.0 25 o.5l
2.O .66
25 o.43 .5s
3.0 25 0.38 .53
0.5 10 o.34
t.0 .49
10 o-?3 .s9
2.O t0 o.20 .fit
3.0 't0
0.17 .2A
.t.3
TAELE .- -Productlyltl| Indlcet ratlor
of horlzontel end vertlcal wollbolos
Reservoirradius (r., r.t = 933 ft
furmation thickness(h) = 50 ft
Drilld hole diametr(rJ = 0.33 ft
Homoggneousfo.mation
Single Phas llow
Completlon lntervsl Produc vlty ratlo.
length hodzontat/ver cal
(nl (JtJ,l
1@ 1.5
20o 2.1
400 3.4
800 - 4.7
1,000 5.7
Dn M. S. Farahat
300 CH VDRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
obvious means of trying to prevent this problem are to use a slotted liner, wire
wrapped screen,prepackedscreenor gravelpack to stabilizethe hole. However, all
of thesemethods resent roblemswhich may resultin suchimpairedproductivities
that it may not he economically,favorableto drill a horizontalhole.
Before a significant amount of sand works its way into the screen, a weakly
consolidated formation will probably collapse around the screen, filling the
screen/drilledhole annulus. Screen openings may then becomedoggedwith sand
and mud cake, as the annulus fills with materialthat has lower permeability than
core measurements would indicate. There is no way to determine how much
restriction to flow this will cause, but Table 5.4 lists the possibleeffect of a sand
filled annulscomparedto an undamagedopenhole.
Note that if permeabilityof sandthat fills the annulusis at least 50% of
native formation permeability,restrictionto flow may not be significant. However,
if screen openings are severely dogged with sandand mud, the combinationof a
cloggedscreenand low permeabilitymaterial in the annuluscan be very serious.
If the combinationof screenplugging and low permeabilitysandin the annulushas
an effective permeability of only 10% of the native formation,this could reducethe
production rate of the well to half of its undamagedproductivity (Table 5.4).
However, if formation damage from drilling fluids, completionfluids, etc., is arso
present near the wellbore, productivity restrictionwill be evenmore severe(Table
5.5).
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING IIORIZONTAL TI/ELLS
301
i;i,flH;T:5lji.ji,=lT,'1,
Dcrsen radjus (.J = O.2OBtt
,r'
$"ft1illi;;i1i-#t:;'f
Ettective permeabllltv
ot sand/mud fllt ln
screen/drllled hole Wellproduc vtty reflo
compa.ed|o r.ndamaged
annulug
(mdl
.100 (oJa")
75 .98
OE
50
25 .90
t0
.53
$f,+Hi'"".1;;;f,i13i,i1i""",,'n"J,?,""1t",
lfi :[lyJ';:,fi "nnut
:"""#ndu u"
"n"Jili,ml]bd=iil
Reservoirlhickness(h) = 50 tr
unled hote radius (tu) = 0.33
li
Dcroen radius (d = 0-208 lt
;:'Jffi g3;'oo'o
i trJf."?:i,Y
uomptetionzone length =
SOOft
rromogeneouslormalion
orngte phass flow
Dr. M. S. Farahat
302 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL IYELLS
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CII V DRILLING AND COMPLETINGHORIZONTAL WELI.S 303
screen, from becoming plugged on its way in the hole, andthe coatingmay be
removedby acid, oil or solventwhen the well is readyto be put on production.
One solution is to obtain core samplesfrom the entire horizontal ole nd easurc
particle size distributionsof samples rom ach oot f he ore o etermine ravel
size that will stop sandinvasion.But this is impractical,so the alternativeis to use a
smaller gravel size that will positively stop sand invasion, yet have adequate
permeabilityto maintainacceptablefluid production.
Better results with prepackedscreensare more likely when gravel sizeshaving only
10,000 md permeabilityareused.Final permeabilityof this smallergravel, after the
well is producing, will probablybe higherthan if either20140or 40160U.S.Mesh
gravel were used.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
304 CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
5-.6
TABLE '-Ettact of preprcked 3creen
on ho rontal well ploductlvlttl
Assumpllons:Formationdamage Invaslon= 0.5 ft
Permsabilityof Invadedzone = 50 md
Ressrvohthickness(h) = 50 ft
Drilld hole radius (rJ = 0.33 tt
Scren outside radius (r!) = 0.25 ft
Scrsn insido radlus (r) = 0.14 ft
Formationpermability(K.) = 100 md
Rsssrvoir radius (r.) = 933 ft
Completlonzone lngth = 500 ll
Homogsneouslormation
Single phase llow
Gnvcl plck
E lrctlv! Etlcc-llv. Prop.ckedlcrcon wnh prsplck
parmclbll|ty p..m..blllty producilonmlo producllon rata
p..p!c|.d acraan/hola ,rllo aatlo
acaaan, annulut;
(t'|d) (md) (OFJO!hd.6.r.d Opcn Holol
80,000 100 0.91 0.95
40,o00 100 o.sr 0.95
'tod)o 100 0.91 0.95
1,O0O tq) 0.90 0.94
100 ' 5 t00
0 0.82 0,82
8{r,ooo 0.86 0.95
,O,0o0 50 0.86 0.9s
t 0,ooo 50 0.86 0.95
t,000 50 0.85 0.94
100 0.58 0.82
80,000 to 0.62 0.9s
,10,000 t0 0.62 0.95
Q,o@ t0 0.62 0.95
.t0
,' 1,00Q 0.62 0.94
t00 t0 0.58 0.82
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CII V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL 'YELI.S 305
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELLS
o Gravel will tend to fall out of the fluid in the horizontalwellbore annulusbefore
it is completelypacked
Because of these problems, the only formations feasible to gravel pack are
friable
sandstonesnot expectedto producemuch sanduntil after the well has producedfor
awhile, and semi-competentsandsthat will not collapsebeforegravel is packedin
place. Such' formations are relatively strong, but producesomesandcontinually
with the gas or oil, and begin producing larger quantities of sand as reservoir
pressuredeclinesand/oras water productionbegins.
overall, chances of successfully transporting and packing gravel over the entire
screen length In a long horizontal hole are not very good. However, an attempt
shouldbe madeto frll as much of the annuluswith gravelaspossible.
Dr. M, S. Farahat
CH V DRILLING AND COMPLETING HORIZONTAL WELIS 307
Any screen used shouldhavea very limited numberof holes/ft in the pipe baseof
the screen and restrictedlateralflow channelsto preventbypassingoffluid as it is
being acidizedor flushedwith solvent. This will facilitateremoval of the temporary
screen coating and help with future remedialwork. This designmay be referredto
as a SelectiveIsolation Screen,andmustbe speciallyfabricatedfor well conditions.
The screenshould be orientedin the hole with openingsinthepipebaseofthe
screentoward the top of the wellboreto makethe easiestfluid flow path from this
direction.
It is recommendedthe following:
Dn M. S. Farahat
308, CHVDRILLINGANDCOMPLETINGHORIZONTALWELLS
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TABING 309
CnaprnnVI
Appl,rcATIoN OF COILD
TunrNc
Dr. M. S. Farahat
310 CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TABING
F t c u R E6 ' l
A U I C K R A D I A LS Y S T E M
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TABING 311
Dr. M. S. Farahat
3r2 CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TUBING
6.1.4 Completions
Several completion options are available for the radial drain holesdependi*gpu --t.,
client requirements:open hole, electrolyticallyperforatedcoiled tubing,n"iibif
permeable casing(FlexibleSandBanier),andhorizontalgravelpacking.
Dn M. S. Farahat
CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TABING 313
Gravel slurry is deposited in the opposite direction from the first lift, i.e.,
progressively from the existing wellbore toward the end of the boreholeand within
the annulusof the boreholeand coiled tubing drillstring. When the well is placedon
production. The result is a maximum gravelpack as shownin Figure 6.4. Because
of the ultra-short radius turn (12 in. (31 in)1,the producedoil can flow by gravity
directly to a conventionalpump.
The first applicationof 3 l/2 inch continuouscoiled tubing for well completionsin
the Middle East. Because of the uniquenessof the operations, a detailedstepby
stepprogramthat increasedin complexity over the trial period was developed.
1. Trail objectives:
Thefollowingtrial objectiveswereidentified:
1. Rig up andrun 3ll2 inchOD coiledtubingcompletions.
a) Establish costs and times for runningCT completionoperationsto quantiff the
benefitto operator.
b) Identifu any flow improvementsresultingfrom lower turbulencein nonjointed
pipe.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
314 CH. VI APPLICATION OF COILD TUBING
u'
u'JfJPN,-'K'FfPJ
Mot ion Conttol
Radial Tube
Hioh Prossure
Reiovabl sea I
Anchor I no
cas Ing
---,-Unde r ramod
Rad la I Tubo
ipstocr
s embI Y Radial Bor Hole
FfcuRE 6,3
RADIUSFADIAL
ULTRASHORT
COMPLETED
SYSTEMWITHGRAVITYDRAINAGE
,tou^, 6' A
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TUBING 31s
2. SuccessFactors
Dr. M. S. Farahot
316 CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TUBING
lltell performance:
Tubing life:
1. Determinereductionin workoverfrequencies.
Serviceabilitv
l. Determine wireline accessibility for installation and change out of gas lift
valves.
As noted, several of the evaluation points will require several years before an
accuratecomparative determination can be made. At this time, the mechanical
operation regarding the 3 inch coiledtub-ingoperationhasbeencompletedfor
eight wells. Only the successof the mechanicaloperationin the total context of the
trial objectivescan be provided at this time.
.
Dn M. S. Farahat
CH. VI APPLICATION OF COILD TT]BING
3t7
The wall thicknessselectedwas0.r gg inch for thegas
lift cr wasorderedasflash
free, i' e' , the internalweld seamhadbeenremovedduringmanufacture,
asit was
felt that this would minimizepotentialfor wireline
serviceproblemsduringthelife
of the string' Prior to shipping each spoor had
beendrifted,pressuretested,and
nitrogenpurged. The spools were deliveredto
the well locationby truck,anda
crane was usedto amountthemin a hydraulicspooling
device.once theprotective
packagingwas removed,they were ready to
be run throughthe injectorinto the
well.
In testing,theseconnectorsproved suitableforuse
with tensileloadsin excessof
100000lbs andpressures in excessof5000psi.Thesripconnectors werealsotested
to ensurethat they could withstandthe anticipate
startup torquedeliveredby an
ESP (1400 ft;lbf). The torque resistance ofthe connectorwasfoundto be greater
thanthatof theCT; i. e.,in excessof 12000ft.lbf.
Dr. M. S. Faralnt
318 CH. M APPLICATION OF COILD TABING
internal crimp connectorsconsistedof two male endswith a3l/2 - inch upset in the
middle of the tool. when pulling a cr completion,after a completioncomponentis
removed from the cr string, the intemal crimp connector is inserted into the
opposing ends of the cr, and the exterior of the cr is crimp onto the male endsof
the connector. An air-over hydraulic crimp device is used to contract a setof
circular dies that crush the CT onto the connectortube,effectinga sealaroundan
o-ring . Tensile load is supportby friction the CT and the connector.The interval
cciled tubing crimp connector is shown in Figure 6.6. In testing,the connectors
proved suitablefor loads in excessof 100 000 lbf withtheresultantconnection
having a slightly reducedOD when comparedto that of the original CT.
relied on O-ring seals. Consequently, they were not used in any of the T
complefions.However,if suitable,they shouldbe consideredfor future applications
as from an economic stand point, it must be noted that the unit cost of these
connections is one-thirdthat ofthe slip type. The externalcrimp connectoris shoen
in Fizure6.7.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TABING 319
Figure 6' S
3 1/2 Inch SIip Type Tubing Connector
64
Tubing
Fitting
Dr. M. S. Farahat
320 CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TUBING
6,2.3UniqueEquipment
Dr. M. S, Farahat
CH. VI APPLICATION OF COILD TABING
321
6-2.3.4 Mouse Hole. A l2-inch round hole was cut in the front part
or the lower
work floor to allow the hung of various tools, componentsand complefion
assembliesup throughthe hole and into the work area.
6.2.3.8 3 l/2-inch Stabbing Snake. Becauseof the natureof the 3,4-inchOD coiled
tubing, i.e. rigidity. residual bead, weight, andunwieldness.a suitablemethod
of
Dn M. S. Farahat
322 CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TVBING
Dr. M. S. Farahat. .
CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TUBING
5/8 inchGuyWiresAnchoredto
Pre-SetConcreteBlocks
2 RearGuysto
Counteract
ReelPull
Minimum Minimum
30 feetfrom 40 feetfrom
Wellhead Wellhead
Figure 4'g
Injector Rig Up
Dr. M. S. Farahat
324 CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TUBING
6.3Efficiently log and Perforate 600(High Angle wells) with coiled Tubing
In greater than 600 angle boreholes 400 to 600 wells with poor borehole
hole conditions, special hardware systemsarc required to guide (pu-p) the logging
Dn M. S, Farahat
CH. WAPPLICATIONOF COILD TABING
325
tool assenrblyto the bottomandto log
the zoneofinterest.
coiled tubing-conveyedwirerinelogging
and perforatingservicesfor exteremry
high-angleand particularryhorizontar
wellboresrecentlyhavebeendeveloped
Atlas for both open and casedhole by
conditions.Althoughnewto theindustry,
method has arreadyproven successful this
in west Germany,France,Alaska
offshoreCalifornia. and
Dr. M. S. Famhat
CH. VI APPLICATION OF COILD TABING
.
6.3.4Coiledtubing history
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. W APPLICATION OF COILD TUBING 329
At this time, additional applications of coiled tubing wireline methods are already
planned. Because coiled - tubing- conveyed wireline services provide a major
technological and cost-effective advancein the petroleum industry s quest fur
reliable methods of formation evaluation, completionandworkover operationsin
and horizontalboreholes,they promiseto be a survivor.
"*tJnd"d-t"u"h
Dn M. S. Farahat
330 CH. WI FATURE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGWT
Cnq.prnnVII
Furunn oF HoRTzoNTAL
Dnrr.,r.,nqc
rNEcypr
second generation type wells are executedwith the useof pre-well log modeling,
steering while drilling using a combination of geometric and geological
information, and a team or assetmanagementapproach.This techniquehashad
marked successesaround the world and in generalhasimprovedproductionby
many times that of offset conventionalwells. Thesetechniqueshave introduced
their own questions, such as: How do we interpret the logs in terms of Rt and
porosity after thejob" let aloneat the wellsite during drilling?. what do we do when
the actual log does not match the modeled log as drilling progresses?
when the
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. VII FATARE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
331
The measurementsat the bit now include gamma ray and resistivity in
the new
Resistivity-at-the-Bit tool as well as the inclination which insures(he bit going
is
the direction that you meanit to be going. The azimuthalmeasurements
allow one
to dirtct the bit in a more desirable direction and thus preventing
the bit from
gradually leaving the reservoir objective (Figure 2).
However, when
crossing a fault either unexpectedor expected,these measurements provide
can
details about the structureso as to steerthe well towardsthe optimal position
once
again (Mccann et al., 1994; Lovell et al., 1995; Rosthal et al., 1995).
These
azimuthal measurements include density to see changes in porosity
and/or
lithology and either resistivity or densitycan be usedto assessthe actual
dip while
drilling towards the objective reservoir and also while trying to stay within
the
reservoir layer to maximize production.For smallerdiameteror slim holes
the new
ARC-S brings new possibilities for knowing what is being drilled in real time.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
334 CH. VII FUTURE OF EORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
Utilization and interpretation of LWD datais aidedby the comparisonof the real
data with models. Typically two types of model might be used:First, a medium
scale, depthmodel of the formation,e.g. a depthrhap constructedfrom 3-D seismic
data with a sampling at the reservoir depth of 50x50 in, and calibrated to the
measured depth of the offset well penetraticins;and second, a fine scale,
petrophysicalmodel of the formationpropertiesmeasuredby the LWD sensors,e.g.
'However,
resistivity and natural gamma-ray radioactivity. the data from the first
type of model are too coarselysampledto provide decision-support,while the data
from the first type of model are essentially2-D projectionsofl-Ddatathatare
madeunder an assumptionof layer cakegeology,that may not be valid.
Dr. M. S. Farahat t
CH. WI FUTURE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
335
Dr. M. S. Farahat
336 CH. WI FATARE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
drainage), and will start having a water cut problem after the firstl2J million
barrel areproduced.Total revenuefor the betterdrilled drainholeis 5220million. or
$70 million more than the first case.
Reducing the geometric targettoleranceis not enoughin most cases.As more and
more horizontal wells are drilled it is becoming apparentthat many of them are
actually more complicated than originally mapped, all of them containedfaults
invisible to even 3-D seismic, somehad thicknessvariationsor porosity changes,
actual pinch outs and internal tight areashavealso beenencounteredall ofwhich
contributeto the final result.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. WI FATARE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGY?T
337
Area after area could be cited but the reality of reservoir development is that old
fields, even water flood fields in Egypt and elsewhere,containbypassedoil. The
only uncertainty is what quantity of oil, where it is locatedand how to do it. Thus,
geologists should immediatelyrecognizethat the problem is an exploration effort to
find the oil within the reservoirwhen the floodsaredone.Ifawaterfloodwere
carefully monitored it would be easierto findcompartments,orifa3-Dseismic
survey was run before the water flood was completedit would also be easierfor a
later 4-D survey to define the bypassedoil. The reality is eachcaseneedsto be
examined individually but we need to year this new explorationgameas we go
along. Reasonsfor bypassedoil comesdown to somelack of fluid communication
and include a variety of stratigraphiccomplexities,channels,in addition to faulting.
The recognition that oil is often left behind after a field has been developedis not
new and it has beenpart of many companiesformal programbefore abandoninga
field to look for areas of oil not yet produced (Harhnanandpaynter, 1979).In
addition to blpassed oil within old reservoirsthereare oil accumulationsaround,
below and sometimesabovethe producingzone.They may not have beeneconomic
or even possible using old techniquesbut they are also waiting to be discovered
and/or developed.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
338 CH. WI FATARE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
Faults are present in nearly every petroleum reservoir and their presencegenerally
results in either earlier water production or compartinentalization of the reservoir.
If
a few faults are clearly defined in seismic mapping then one can conclude that, in
fact, there are many more present that cannot be detected as their distribution
generally follows a power law (Belfield, 1996;castaing et al., in press)although
more careful studies need to be done to more thoroughlydefine the controlling
Dn M. S. Farohat
CE. WI FUTARE OF HORIZONTALDRILLING IN EGYPT 339
From the examination of 3-D seismic data, 3-D borehole imageryin horizontal
wells and relatedto pressureandproductiondataNurmi et d (1995) concludedthat
nearly all reservoirs in Arabia were faulted,althoughthe earlier2-D seismicand
vertical wells did not reveal it. Depending on the type of fault and reservoir
characterthe result was either openpermeablefaultscausingthe early productionof
either early water or gas within an oil reservoiror the creafionof compartments
with blpassed oil. The early productionof unwantedgasandwater whetherfrom
faults or not results in oil being bypassed.In both cases,strategically placed
horizontalwells can be usedto producethe otherwisebypassedoil.
The studies in Venezuela were an out growth of the experiencesin the North Sea
(Bryant and Livera, 1991) where some of thebeststudiedreservoirsweremuch
later found to contain large reservesofunproduced oil because offaultingnot
recognized earlier (Speers and Dromgoole, 1992).The nature of the faulting in the
three major producing regions of Egypt (Gulf of Suez,Nile Delta region,andthe
Western Desert) although different are still tikd to produce reseryoir
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. WI FLTTUREOF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
Dr. M. S. Faruhat
CH. WI FUTTJRE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
341
expertiseand experience.
From the experience around the world (Fig. 7.5 and 7.6) it is clearthat there are a
host of opportunities in Egypt for horizontalwells and eventuallyevenextended
reach wells. The team approachtakenby Gupco is certainlythe path to follow as it
has been the most successfulfor us and for otherselsewhere.To short circuit the
long learning curve ofusing horizontaldrilling companiesin Egypt can benefit by
others mistakes, such as not using geologists to participatein guiding horizontal
wells into their objectiveas well as originally picking the objectiveandplanningthe
trajectory. our experiencealso made clear to us that using the most appropnate
technology to geosteer the well into the reservoir and using the appropriate
technology to keep it with the selectedreservoir position is cost effective.New
applications will continueto rise for this peholeum industrytechniquenew ro most,
although irs us in solving groundwater problemswas usedthousandsof yearsago
in Iran, Jordan,Oman, the Emiratesand Egypt.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
342 CH. WI FUTARE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
!hard
GOC
+10'
:-_-_:-+-
== Ito'
-s--'i
oil/water contact owc
Sandstone
'- '
1
coc
S+, owc
-r7
figuri("Geosteering is valuable in both placing tire horizontal drainhole in the
reservoir and just as important, in keeping the drainhole on objective within the
reservoir as well. In some casesit may be to parallel the top of the reservoir, as in
figure 1 or as in this case to tread a small taiget tolerance so as to maximize the
producing life o! the well making geosteering cost effective. LWD imagery for
steering would also provide indications of any perrreability anisotropy present.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. MI FI]TIIRE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
343
producing
Horizontal
drainhole
Fault Fault
Fault Compartments C o n t a l n l n gB y - p a s s e d
Olt
14 LWD
Figure' Geosteering ,o"J in this
horizontal well reveals reservoir
rl}:"ely cutting-thjwe[- 3ragary
Thei J"ur"i"ili.]lrrts resultin eirherby-passed
Ssre
ou or early wa6erproduction Reservoircompartrene
profiling atong rlre tprizonta,t p;;;;fi;""d
;*;;;y-;ffiL
draini oie. near the originar reservoir
pressureswhile associatedby2"s"ed oil
.or,firu,J-Uy- n,ua sampting.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
344 - rH. VIT FTJTI]RE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. WI FUTURE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING
IN EGYPT
345
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CH. WI FUTURE OF HORIZONTALDRILLING IN EGYPT
N
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Dr, M. S. Farahat
CH. WI FUTURE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING
IN EGYPT
347
Dr. M. S. Farahat
348 CH. WI FATURE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
The first horizontal well drilled by GUPCOin the GOS was July 62-69 STl. This
well was a 1200ft 87 deg lateralsectionparallelinga fault penetratingthe attic oil
trapped against The fault. The key challenge in this well was zonal isolation
between the various sands exposedby the lateralsection(Figure7.7).In orderto
improve the isolation along the lateral section, a 5 in liner wasplannedfor the 8
l12
the lateraland a rotating liner hangerwas usedto improvethe cementdisplacement.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. VII FUTARE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
349
After reaching total depth, the 5 riner and rotating sidki and
drilling a6_1/2in
horizontal wellbore at liner hanger wererun into prace.Thejob appeared
to have
goneasplanned,rotatingthe liner throughout the job. Upon
tripping out after the
cement job, the liner hanger-finningtoor had not releasedfrom the
liner hangerand
the 5 ft liner was unintentionallypulled out of the hole.A review
thejob and liner
hanger design revealed a liner hanger running toor shortcoming.
The slick joint
Special and free traver to determineif the liner hangerrunning tool
was free from
the {iner hanger short, 3 ft. It was Impossible to determine if
the liner hanger
running tool was free with the short light weight 5 liner. The liner
hangerrunning
tool since was modified, extending theslickjoint tor2ftandafterre-drillingthe
lateral sectiona secondtime the 5 in liner was successfullycemented
againrotating
throughout the cementjob.
Again torque and drag modelingwas usedto evaluatehole cleaning Back reaming
trips were madeto ensurea cuttingsbed was not being depositedon the low
sideof
the hole. The oil basemud systemprovedeffectivein transportingthe cuttings
and
providing a useablewellbore.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
350 CH. WI FATURE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
A 3000 ft lateralsectionin the Nubia formafion*1, the obiectiveof this well. The
targets were located just below the platform, ,o u -"di,r* radiuscurvaturewell
path was selected,GUPCO s first 13.5deg/100ft build rate.GS 365 is similarto
Sidki with one major difference, the Nubia at GS 365 is not depleted, so the
resultingcasingprogramyieldeda8ll2 inch lateralsection.
Drilling to the plannedbuild-upsectionwasplaguedwith problems,however
none of which of were associatedwith the fact that the well wasa horizontalwell.
During the 13.5 deg/100 ft build- up, severalmotor failures slowed progress.
Special medium radius motors were brought in for this job, was too however
conventionalsteerable motorswereusedto completethebuild sectionwithout any
significant problem.The lateralsectionwas drilled with slow speedmotorsandTri-
cone bits, every time a PDC bit wasutilized on a motor the motor would fail. The
temperature at GS365 is similar to Sidki, 290 deg F, causing rotor/stator
;
interferencefit problems. i
Approximately 2056 ft of the planned3000-ft'lateralsecfionrvasdrilled, when
a self-inducedkick was taken. Low/High viscosity sweepshad beenusedvery
effectively to maintaina cleanwellbore.An 9.0 PPGoil basemud wasbeingused,
drilling nearthe balancepoint of the reservoirpress[re(8.8 PPGEMW). Dieselwas
being used as a low viscositysweepfollowedby a viscosifiedsweep.A loiltrigh
viscosity sweep was pumped while drilling, however before the sweep was
circulated to the surface, a tip was initiated. Without the added benefit ofthe
equivalent circulating density, the light weight of the diesel pill resulted an
underbalancecondition, thus the kick. During the kill operation the drill string
becamestuckin the lateralsection.
BADRIA. 16
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Figur" 7-8
Dr. M. S. Farohat
352 CE. WI FUTURE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
It was necessaryto tie the 5 in drill pipe backto a 7in scabliner, so an assembly
was designedto allow the 7in scabto be tied backto the 5 in drill pipe, a 7in ECP
inflated and a 7 in scabliner installed(Figure.7.10).Oncethe uniquecompletion
was in plate, a motor and mill wasusedon coiledtubing to cleanout the cement
remaining inside the drill pipe. Acid was spotted acrossthe acid soluble plug
openingthe 5
Dn M. S. Farahat
cH. mr FaTAREOFHORTZONTALDRILLINGINEcypT _
353
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GS 365 A4 ST2
ACTUAL COMPLETION
EXT.CSG.PACKER@ 8929'
EXT.CSG.PACKER@ 9,036'
s s/8"@ss17'
5" HWDPX DP
@ r0,070" 46.5o
HORTZONTAL6 TD @12,184',
10,647'(10,128'wDl
Dr. M, S. Farahat
3s6 CH. VII FATURE OF HOR]ZONTAL DRII.I,TNG IN P,GVPT
rf
COiIPOSTTE
DRILUNGCURVES
SIDKIHORIZONTAL
WELI.S
;IDKIB-7: TWOKEYEVENTS
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. MI FUTURE OF HOMZONT)L D'MLLING IN EGYPT
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Dn M. S. Farahat
358 CE. VII FUTARE OF HOMZONTAL
DRILLING IN EGYPT
AGE THICK.
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Dr. M. S. Fard.hat
CH, WI FUTAREOF HORIZONTALDRILLINGIN EGYPT 359
Dr. M. S. Farahat
360 CH. WI FUTAKE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
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CE. WI FI]TARE OF HORIZONTALDRILLING IN
EG,YPT 361
Dr, M. S. Farahat
CH. WI FATURE OF HOMZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
Basedin the experiencegained from drilling pilot hole the folllowing pointsshould
be consideredin the forthcomingwells in future.
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. VII FATURE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING
IN EGYPT
363
'ELLretnl-g
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
364 CH. WI FATARE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
7.3.4ConpplaionSystem
Over the past few years Petrobel has devoted significant resourcesto the
developmentof equipment and techniquesfor drilling andcompletinghorizontal
wells, the following series of compositecase histories was gleandedfrom the
combinedexperiencesof companiesthat drilled and completedhorizontalwells.
f:
Dr. M. S. Farahat
CH. WI FATURE OF EONIZONTAL DRILLING IN EGYPT
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Dr. M. S. Farahat
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368 REFERENCES
RnnTnNNCES
Dr. M. S. Farahat
REFERENCES 369
12. Sherwin, T. et al.: "Case Study from Oman for Coiled Tubing Deployed
Completion Techniques" paperwas presentedat the I 3tl'PetroleumConference
organized
by EGPC,Proc.Vol. I, Cairo Oct.2l _24 . 1996.
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Dr. M. S Farahat