No abstract

This paper presents a novel torque and drag analysis approach and demonstrates its robustness when used with a versatile computer program. Torque and Drag analysis remains an important evaluation process for assessing drilling feasibility of directional wells, minimizing the occurrence of catastrophic drill string failures and avoiding premature termination of the drilling operation before reaching planned target depth. From a draft well plan, the drilling engineering analysis is initiated with the development of a representative analytical model using selected entries in a Torque and Drag computer program. Several parameters and instances of evaluation are needed to capture the physical behavior of modeled systems and to produce technically sound results. The availability of computational tools have not necessarily improved the drilling engineering process or enhance the quality of recommendations without a methodical approach and application of results. To minimize the iterative steps required to reach an interpretable result, the analytical process as presented in this paper is accelerated with a directed starch and a convergence to the determinant drilling variables. The novel approach narrows - the design search domain and tests sensitivities of well-plan characteristics, simulates drilling conditions and applicable drillstring - to the dominant operating factors that determine the boundaries of application. A record extended reach well (MD/TVD ratio of 2.9) with a lateral displacement of approximately 6,000 ft. was drilled in the GOM using this approach to select tubulars and their position in the well with respect to well trajectory objectives, bottom-hole assembly (BHA) performance and target reach. P. 243