Implementation of Casing While Drilling Leading to Substantial Savings in West Kuwait Fields

Abstract

Drilling across Shuaiba formation in the western wells of Kuwait poses significant difficulties, including severe loss of drilling fluid, unstable shale formations, and deteriorating hole conditions, which may require sidetracking. Cavernous porosity development in Shuaiba formation leads to potential severe lost circulation during drilling through it. This project aims to develop an engineered solution to efficiently drill through these challenges and to minimize nonproductive time, ultimately reducing the overall cost of the well. The proposed solution involves utilizing a casing-while-drilling technology that features a drillable bit, engineered to conform to the field's formations. It aims to drill through fractured dolomitic limestone and sandstone formations while simultaneously setting the casing. This paper will discuss the geological aspect of Shuaiba formation at the early Cretaceous that lead of the major mud losses, and the proposed engineering solution with casing while drilling for minimizing the non-productive time when drilling into Shuaiba formation. The selection process of using casing while drilling or conventional casing was also discussed because the completion requirement at the lower part of the reservoir section.