Accretion is a common phenomenon that affects drilling operations in the Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt. The main reservoir, where most horizontal sections are drilled, is the Oficina Formation. Accretion negatively impairs operational efficiency, thus generating stuck pipe incidents, problems while tripping due to high torque and drag values related to friction factors, and the unrecommended backreaming operations. In addition, accretion causes excessive fluid surface losses linked to plugged shakers screens. This document shows the laboratory tests and successful field results obtained from the combination of specialized surfactant and lubricant agents working in synergy to reduce the accretion effect. The laboratory test demonstrated the synergy between the lubricant and surfactant in different tests, such as lubricity, accretion, and permeability damage testing. In the field, positive results were achieved in nine horizontal wells, thus increasing operative efficiency by reducing stuck pipe incidents, backreaming operations, and unplanned trips. This impact over flat times was also accompanied by a fluid waste reduction that improved the shakers’ screen usage and reduced the amount of oil coating the cuttings, which facilitated the treatment process and minimized environmental impact.

The current manuscript describes the engineering approach on how demanding wells in a very challenging field have been delivered more efficiently and consistently than the norm with an increase on the footage per day KPI by more than 75%. The subject field is one of the most challenging fields in the area with issues such as: top hole's losses with risk of cellar collapse; severe wellbore instability across 16-in. hole section with nearly 40% of offset wells facing stuck pipes; reactive shales across 12-1/4-in. hole section requiring enhanced drilling fluid design; losses across 8½-in. curve section, increasing the risk of not achieving zonal isolation after the 7-in. liner cementing job. A holistic approach was developed to tackle the field specific challenges including deployment of fit-for-purpose technologies, improvement in drilling practices and a better management of the risks. The wells delivered after the Implementation of this approach were drilled faster by up to 19 days when comparing with the previous drilling campaign, achieving ROP records in all the sections with significant improvement: 77% in 16-in.; 20% in 12-1/4-in.; 50% in 8-1/2-in.; and 60% in 6-1/8-in. The results can be taken as lesson learned when facing such challenges and be implemented in similar wells in Middle East and worldwide alike.