New Drilling Optimization Technologies Make Drilling More Efficient

Abstract

Drilling optimization is designed to reduce drilling trouble time and optimize drilling practices through the use of critical data interpretation based on a variety of downhole and surface sensors and specialized applications. A recent study for drilling in shallow water shelf in the Gulf of Mexico shows that trouble time accounts for 25% of rig time. In dollar terms, it is about U.S. $1.5 MM per well. Thus, a small reduction of trouble time could result in tremendous cost saving for the industry. In general, a comprehensive drilling optimization should include solutions for: drillstring integrity (such as bit/BHA vibrations), hydraulic management (such as ECD and hole cleaning), and wellbore integrity (such as PP/FG and wellbore collapse modeling). Over the past years, new technologies have made significant progress in making drilling more efficient, particularly in improving real-time decision making. The process starts with real-time modeling, then proceeds to the integration of the real-time modeling and data, and passes finally to the real-time operation centers. A case study on vibration prevention is presented to illustrate the evolution of new technologies and their impacts to the drilling industry. Why Drilling Optimization?Drilling costs are a critical factor in determining the financial returns from an oil and gas investment. Their critical nature is particularly true when operating costs are high and when drilling problems may be likely to occur. Drilling optimization is the key to reduce Non-Productive-Time (NPT) such as stuck pipe, MWD/BHA failures, lost circulation, hole cleaning, and wellbore stability, etc. NPT accounts for approximately 20% of all rig time and can be much higher in difficult fields. A recent NPT study 1 on drilling in shallow water shelf in the Gulf of Mexico shows that NPT accounts for 25% of rig time. In dollar terms, NPT is about $1.5 MM per well. Thus, a small reduction of NPT could result in major cost saving for the E&P industry.In addition to cost reduction, drilling optimization is also a key factor in improving drilling efficiency and safety and in protecting the environment. In some challenging drilling environments (for example, when pore pressure and fracture gradient are close), the wells cannot be drilled without drilling optimization.For such reasons, therefore, over the last two decades, the E&P industry has adopted many new technologies to enhance drilling optimization. Notable are the use of computer-based instrumentation and data acquisition systems, integrated rig site systems and networks, and Measurement-While-Drilling and Logging-While Drilling (MWD/LWD) 2-4 .

Drilling Optimization by Using Advanced Drilling Techniques in Buzurgan Oil Field

“…Because of these, the drilling is optimized to reduce cost and NPT, in addition improving drilling performance and safety. Optimization of drilling is a method that relies on optimized well design, computer software, unconventional drilling techniques and experienced personnel [2].…”