Coiled tubing drilling (CTD) is an economical method of re-entering existing cased wells in mature fields to exploit bypassed reserves because of its versatility in accommodating a variety of candidates and its technological edge in drilling more efficiently. In re-entry drilling, kicking off with the right bearing attenuates the single biggest issue when drilling long laterals---weight transfer problems. Correct re-entry wellbore placement from vertically cased wells has traditionally required many single-function trips. The magnetic interference from the steel casing makes the acquired magnetic tool face measurements from traditional instruments inaccurate. Verification of the kickoff direction is usually performed with a wireline multi-axis gyro instrument. This process can be time-consuming and still requires additional correctional runs or directional changes prior to beginning drilling in the desired direction toward the target. Hence, the entire process of intervention, from setting a whipstock in the right orientation to drilling in the least tortuous direction from these vertically cased wells, requires a more efficient approach if CTD is to be a viable option in marginal projects. This paper assesses the limitations in the current methods of kicking off and details an innovative approach to improve re-entry wellbore quality through the use of an integrated coiled tubing gyro measurement-while-drilling (MWD) instrument. Introduction The majority of re-entry candidates are existing wells in mature fields, a significant percentage of which are onshore and vertical. These wells are re-entered either to extract reserves from compartmentalized, thin zones or to recover bypassed hydrocarbons. In vertical wells, magnetic tool face measurement from the conventional directional tool is used for orienting the bit in the direction of desired kickoff. The challenge, however, is to be able to kick off in the right bearing from vertically cased wells where magnetic interference from steel casing results in inaccurate magnetic tool face measurements acquired from traditional MWD instruments. Because the drilling is done in a blind condition, there is an increased risk of kicking off in an undesired bearing. Traditionally, the kick-off assembly for the build section consists of a downhole drilling motor with its initial adjustable kick off (AKO) set to give a reasonable amount of curvature to land the well horizontally in the target payzone. In most cases where the initial kick-off direction is not accurate due to unreliable magnetic tool face reading caused by proximity to the cased vertical well, direction correctional changes have to be made to the deviated well in the desired target direction. However, such directional adjustments can lead to increased friction loss because of the undesired localized doglegs in the wellbore. Wellbore directional nonconformity has a significant effect on the single biggest issue when drilling laterals: smooth weight transfer to the bit. Failure to adequately correct direction increases the risk of reducing overall potential payzone footage. Wellpath corrections required to compensate for the initial deviation initiate further problems in landing the well horizontally in the desired payzone because a significant component of the BHA's build-up rate capacity is consumed in just making turn adjustments. Therefore, the potential risk for creating a wellbore with impassable localized doglegs for completions is significantly increased. Since the kick-off assembly has a higher AKO setting on the motor in the build section than in the lateral section, directional adjustments in the build section are undesired as localized doglegs can compromise wellbore stability.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.