Mitigating Application-Specific Challenges Through a Total System Approach

Stavland, Marianne; Wolter, Henrik; Evans, John G.

doi:10.2118/99122-ms

Cited by 13 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The models play an important role in product optimization and BHA design engineering. The downhole measurement capability has been proven invaluable in numerous drilling applications, both via real-time monitoring and post-job analysis 8 . Visualization of the resulting digital data sets from both modeling and measurement efforts are also of great value for training purposes as it provides the ability to observe the motion of the drillstring downhole.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visualization of BHA Dynamics Improves Understanding of Downhole Drilling Conditions, Speeds Up Learning Curve

Jogi

Macpherson

Neubert

et al. 2006

Proceedings of IADC/SPE Drilling Conference

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 1.972.952.9435. AbstractThe drilling industry demographics predict a significant loss of expertise in the upcoming years as a high percentage of drilling personnel will reach retirement age. At the same time, drilling activity is predicted to grow driven by high oil prices based on strong demand. As rig rates go up, failures in downhole drilling equipment as a result of downhole conditions will become even more costly, resulting in an increased demand for experienced personnel. There is, therefore, a widening experience gap that needs to be addressed as fast as possible.Over the past few years, the service industry has developed sophisticated downhole 1,2,3 and surface data acquisition systems that can record critical drilling parameters at a level of detail and accuracy not available before. In particular, on the downhole side it is now possible to store significantly more data at a fraction of the cost compared to earlier years. However, while more data are now available, the analysis is still done in the traditional manner via logs or special signal processing systems requiring a high level of expertise. As a result, large amount of data are acquired today, but only few experts are available to do a detailed analysis so that a lot of the data are never looked at.Visualization tools can be a solution to this dilemma. They can provide a much faster learning curve about downhole conditions while drilling. Computer animations facilitate replaying data recorded downhole at a high rate, displaying the motion of a downhole tool inside the borehole. Combining downhole data with BHA modeling software allows the user to review the mechanical loading of the BHA in the section just drilled, and to focus attention on special events or sections as necessary.The paper reviews dynamics data sources and formats available today and present several example displays and animations that show how visualization can aid the process of analyzing large amount of data. In addition to the visualization of recorded data, the paper also presents real-time visualization-while-drilling that is intended to enhance the drilling crew's understanding of the downhole conditions. The paper finishes with a short discussion of the benefits of using animations and visualization tools in training programs and education seminars.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visualization of BHA Dynamics Improves Understanding of Downhole Drilling Conditions, Speeds Up Learning Curve

Jogi

Macpherson

Neubert

et al. 2006

Proceedings of IADC/SPE Drilling Conference

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Achieving Shoe-to-Shoe Drilling Performance in Hole-Opening Application With Rotary-Steerable Systems

Heisig

Hood

Okewunmi

et al. 2007

SPE/IADC Drilling Conference

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Detailed analysis of downhole weight-on-bit, torque, bending moment and vibration signals measured between bit and hole opener have provided clear insight into the dynamic response of hole opening BHAs in interbedded formations. Based on transmitted real-time information from an advanced downhole multi-sensor data acquisition and processing system, application-specific drilling procedures and guidelines have been developed to avoid or to identify and overcome critical dynamic situations downhole. Applying the new procedures, several hole sections in the GOM were drilled for the first time in one run from casing shoe to casing shoe. Here previous attempts had resulted in failures of the drilling equipment or even in twist-offs. The paper starts with a list of observations made with the downhole multi-sensor tool placed between bit and hole opening device. Log examples with downhole and surface drilling data demonstrate the dynamic response of hole opening BHAs. For the first time, the paper presents downhole measurements showing the changes in weight on bit versus weight on reamer when drilling interbedded formations. Again, log examples are used to document the effect of the drilling procedures that were applied to successfully resolve critical downhole situations. The paper concludes with a summary of the lessons learned in planning and executing hole opening applications with shoe to shoe performance. Introduction Driven by a variety of technical and economic reasons, more and more drilling programs include hole enlargement operations while drilling. In deepwater applications, the ability to enlarge the hole below the last casing shoe allows for tighter tolerance intermediate casings to be run. Figure 1 shows a typically deepwater casing and drilling program, where the intermediate casing strings are instrumental to reach the reservoir with an economically viable production string size. In other applications, hole opening or underreaming techniques are applied to address ECD limitations or to deal with swelling shale or salt formations. Earlier, hole enlargement operations were carried out by first drilling a pilot hole through the interval of interest and then opening it up with a second pass. Today, several enlargement options while drilling are available to eliminate the second pass: Bicenter PDC bits, eccentric reaming-whiledrilling (RWD) or concentric reaming devices1–10. In particular references 3, 9 and 10 discuss at some length the benefits and limitations of the three options for various applications with respect to dynamic stability, reliability, steerability and hole quality. Over the past years, the concentric reaming devices have gained significant market share, in particular in rotary steerable (RSS) applications. Concentric reamers include expandable arms, ribs or blocks, which are mechanically or hydraulically activated, after passing e.g. the last casing shoe8,9. All examples except one presented in this paper feature concentric reaming devices. In general, drilling with a reaming device in the bottom hole assembly (BHA) with the associated lack of stabilization in the BHA in the enlarged borehole above the reamer significantly increases the risk of the drilling operation. In particular, dangerous backward whirl situations with high lateral vibrations can develop and result in failures of BHA components, and subsequently in costly trips or even more costly fishing operations. Several deepwater projects in the GOM suffered significant cost overruns as a result of vibration problems during hole enlargement operations while drilling. In some cases in the GOM and other areas, operators decided to go back to a second run for the hole enlargement operation.

show abstract

Achieving Superior Application Engineering: Proven Holistic Approach Disseminated to a Wider Community Key to Success

Redshaw

Scotchman

Laing

et al. 2007

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Delivery of performance through reduced well time while maintaining optimum wellbore quality requires a thorough understanding of the drilling environment, recognizing geological and drilling process hazards. Studying each component of the drilling system and environment in isolation prevents identifying the root cause of or fully understanding the problem, leading to less than optimal solutions and failure to deliver performance. To overcome performance barriers, we must first have an in-depth understanding of the root cause by taking a holistic approach to the analysis of the drilling environment. This organization developed a successful process within a dedicated drilling optimization group that enabled a structured approach to understanding the complete drilling environment. This successful process, founded on the continuous improvement cycle—plan, execute, analyze, and capture— delivered practices and technology recommendations to realize performance gains and significant well-time reduction. Taking lessons learned from one well and implementing these on subsequent wells delivered further performance improvements. The original drilling optimization group comprised a small team of highly disciplined engineers focused on detailed application analysis to minimize barriers to drilling performance improvement. This group's work was the foundation of drilling knowledge tools within the organization; this work led to the development of industry-leading methodologies for data analysis and best drilling practices. The performance advantages realized by the team using this process lead the organization to recognize that its wider drilling community would benefit from the use of this process to deliver consistent performance gains. The authors will describe the process and how it has been applied to the wider drilling community to meet the needs of individual engineering disciplines and groups. The challenge to distribute the holistic approach and continuous improvement philosophy from a core group to the wider organization involved raising competency standards and the provision of dedicated knowledge transfer tools, creating an enabling environment to allow proactive performance management of specific applications. Finally, the authors will present several case studies that document success with the process. Introduction The pace of new technology introduction within the oil and gas industry is ever increasing. The catalyst is the rapid expansion of China and India and the general move east and the continuous demand on reaching pays once thought to be marginal or too technically difficult to produce. Often with the development of these technologies comes increased complexity when interpreting and understanding the application. This environment requires a better trained, highly skilled workforce that is in short supply and has been for some time. Those who have some seniority in a particular discipline, typically, now are in managerial positions and may not be available for technical support. Those that are left have become very focused on their area of expertise and, as a result, a systems approach for optimization whether it is on the drilling side or production side has become almost extinct.

show abstract

Mitigating Application-Specific Challenges Through a Total System Approach

Cited by 13 publications

References 7 publications

Visualization of BHA Dynamics Improves Understanding of Downhole Drilling Conditions, Speeds Up Learning Curve

Visualization of BHA Dynamics Improves Understanding of Downhole Drilling Conditions, Speeds Up Learning Curve

Achieving Shoe-to-Shoe Drilling Performance in Hole-Opening Application With Rotary-Steerable Systems

Achieving Superior Application Engineering: Proven Holistic Approach Disseminated to a Wider Community Key to Success

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About