Aluminium Drillpipe in an Arctic Application—A Well-known Tool Changing the Development Strategy

Abstract

Aluminium drillpipe (ADP) is being recognized by major drilling companies as an instrument for reducing drillstring weight and consequently torque and drag. This product has been used in Russia since the 1960s. The combination of the low-capacity drilling rigs, ADP, and turbodrills provided a unique opportunity for development of remote Western Siberia deposits, using cluster directional-drilling technology. The modified aluminium alloy drillpipe known as LAIDP (light-alloy improved dependability pipe) was later introduced for ultradeep wells. This design allowed high-torque application, resulting in the achievement of a world record in drilling 12,262 m in the Kola SG-3 well in 1993. Though LAIDP was initially designed for ultradeep drilling, it has been successfully applied in deep oil and gas exploratory and development drilling, especially in horizontal boreholes, since the early 2000s. The untapped potential of LAIDP is significant. Its successful application in the Arctic and other extreme environments can use this potential and become a catalyst for industry growth.Rough weather, extremely low temperatures, ice, and lack of infrastructure have always made drilling in the Arctic extremely difficult, especially for offshore fields. One of the solutions, in this case, is reaching the target from shore or from an artificial island, using extended-reach drilling (ERD). Existing ERD technology provides wells with horizontal extensions up to 11.5 km. The record ERD well, completed in 2011 at Odoptu field, Sakhalin-1, has reached 12,345 m length. In spite of these amazing results, the industry needs longer wells. LAIDP and similar technologies could advance borehole length for an additional 5 km, as shown by analyses conducted in the past few years. Extensive laboratory tests and field trials would provide more confidence in a 15-km to 20-km well as a target in the near future. Such a possibility may be crucial for development of a number of oil and gas fields in the Arctic.Light alloy pipes would provide other benefits as well, among them, easier transportation and resistance to cold environments.Other important properties of ADP may be found useful, such as corrosion resistance to hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), nonmagnetic properties, and good flexibility.

Corrosion and Wear Behavior of PEO Coatings on D16T Aluminum Alloy with Different Concentrations of Graphene

“…Some accidents frequently occurred, such as the friction crack of the drill pipe, hydrogen embrittlement, Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC), and the overload of the hook, ascribing to the physical and chemical properties of the material. Therefore, aluminum alloys with high strength, low density, small bending stress, and good anti-corrosion to H 2 S and CO 2 is a desirable material [1,2]. Nowadays, the D16T aluminum alloy is used in oil and gas drilling, but its disadvantages of low wear-and corrosion-resistance seriously restrict its extensive application [3,4], especially the corrosion from Cl − .…”

Study the effect of SiC content on the wear behavior and mechanism of as‐extruded SiCp/Al–Cu–Mg–Zn alloy under simulating drilling operation

“…For this reason the drill pipes produced by aluminum alloy will have wide range of potential applications in the oil and gas industry. [1][2][3] However, hardness of aluminum alloy drill pipes are usually from 120 HB to 130 HB which is about 35%-60% lower than the hardness of steel drill pipes, so the aluminum alloy drill pipes often generate severe wear, which restricts the wide use of the aluminum alloy drill pipe. A survey was conducted on the D16T aluminum alloy drill pipes used in the Tarim oilfield from June 2009 to November 2011.…”

“…High‐strength aluminum alloys, which are used for production of drill pipes, have lower density, lower elastic modulus, higher specific strength, better corrosion resistance and other advantages. For this reason the drill pipes produced by aluminum alloy will have wide range of potential applications in the oil and gas industry . However, hardness of aluminum alloy drill pipes are usually from 120 HB to 130 HB which is about 35%–60% lower than the hardness of steel drill pipes, so the aluminum alloy drill pipes often generate severe wear, which restricts the wide use of the aluminum alloy drill pipe.…”