Wellbore Cleanness Under Total Losses in Horizontal Wells: The Field Study

Ruzhnikov, Alexey; Echevarria, Edgar

doi:10.2118/207952-ms

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…Increasing the development of unconventional petroleum and natural gas can effectively ramp up the extraction of petroleum and natural gas to ease the energy crisis [1]. The horizontal wellbore approach is often employed in unconventional petroleum and natural gas development [2][3][4][5]. The contact area between the wellbore and the petroleum and natural gas reservoir is larger for horizontal wells than for vertical wells, which can effectively increase the recovery rate for petroleum and natural gas production [6][7][8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Simulation of Hole Cleaning of a Horizontal Wellbore Model with Breakout Enlargement Section

et al. 2023

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Horizontal wells are more likely than vertical wells to have enlarged wellbore sections due to borehole instability. However, there is scarce research on borehole cleaning of horizontal wells with enlarged wellbore sections. In this paper, we establish a horizontal wellbore model with a breakout enlargement section using field borehole diameter data. We used the three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method and the Realizable k-ε turbulence model with the Euler–Euler approach to simulate the effects of the drilling fluid circulation return speed and the spinning speed of the drill pipe on the cutting movement of conventional horizontal wells and horizontal wells with a breakout enlargement section. The simulation results demonstrate that increasing the drilling fluid circulation return speed and the spinning speed of the drill pipe does not significantly improve the hole cleaning impact for horizontal wells with a breakout enlargement section. We analyzed the effects of the enlargement ratio, ellipticity, and principal axis orientation on the borehole cleaning effect of horizontal wells with a breakout enlargement section. The results show that the cleaning impact is better when the enlargement ratio is lower; moreover, the ellipticity is larger and the principal axis orientation is perpendicular to the gravity direction. This paper fills a gap in the existing theory of hole cleaning in horizontal wells and provides a theoretical basis for improving the hole cleaning effect in actual drilling processes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Simulation of Hole Cleaning of a Horizontal Wellbore Model with Breakout Enlargement Section

et al. 2023

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Case Study: Innovative Applications of Friction Reduction Tools to Solve Drilling Problems in Tough Environment Multilateral Wells

Silva,

Hammad,

Khurshid

et al. 2024

Day 3 Thu, May 09, 2024

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In an onshore field, horizontal wells are drilled in a complex geological environment. Starting from the fact the surface formations are very unstable, a casing design strategy has been put in place to isolate the easily collapsible formations away from Aquifers and highly water-sensitive shales. In addition to the formation characteristics, multiple loss zones are present not only in the top holes but also in the reservoir section. The fluid column hydrostatic support while drilling is lost, which ends up in exhaustive non-productive time stuck pipe situations. The objective of the study is to systematically propose and describe the engineering strategy, which resulted in a safe and flawless recovery from stuck pipe scenarios taking advantage of friction reduction tools. This study evaluates the experiences while implementing innovative applications of friction reduction tools to solve drilling problems in these tough environments in multilateral wells – the "out of the box" mindset. After a project evaluation using statistical methods, the main problems identified for this application are summarized into how to increase the probability of freeing stuck pipes in top sections with innovative tools. The detailed strategy and implementation have been divided into sections to tackle the main problem and the different engineering analysis, risk evaluation, prevention, and mitigation measures. After engineering analysis was performed, the continuous vibration friction reducer tools were installed at the surface in one of the wells with a severe stuck pipe event that lasted over 2 days with zero progress. After 17 hours of the instillation of the continuous vibration friction reducer tools working together carefully with the planned pills strategy stuck pipe was released in record time compared with other events in the area resulting in the avoidance of cutting string and sidetracking the wellbore, saving the cost of the drill string, operational time following the fishing economics. The paper provides proper technical steps and details to be replicated in similar situations, such as case studies where the stuck pipe needs an unconventional way of treatment.

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Holistic Approach Recipe for a Successful Deployment of ICD Lower Completion Achieving 31% Time Optimization for LSTK Projects in a Middle East Field

Almuallim¹,

Agarwal²,

Ruzhnikov³

et al. 2023

Day 1 Wed, March 01, 2023

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Considering the nature of lumpsum turnkey contracts in the Middle East, multiple performance optimization initiatives have been engineered to accelerate well delivery without compromising well acceptance and compliance criteria. One of the most critical operations in these wells is the successful and efficient running of Inflow Control Device (ICD) as part of the lower completion across ±5, 000 feet of 6⅛-in. open hole lateral. Historically, this operation was associated with severe non-productive events and in worst case scenario, abandonment of entire section and eventual sidetrack. This study discusses detailed engineering analysis to enhance open preparation without a need to perform wiper trip with drilling BHA by creatively optimizing the design of cleanout and reaming bottom hole assemblies (BHAs) and the strategy of logging operation. Historically, dedicated trips were separately performed for borehole logging, open hole conditioning and cased hole cleanout. These trips were combined into a single BHA through application of fit-for-purpose technologies and optimization of operational sequence to minimize completion phase operational time. Moreover, risk of differential sticking while running completion string across highly permeable horizontal lateral was reduced by utilization of optimum completion fluids and efficient centralization program. Finally, an integrated model of real-time monitoring that interlinks trajectory, open hole, and BHA data and produces a sophisticated and accurate simulation of wellbore conditions based on previous logging and tripping data allowing for in-time intervention even prior to running completion string into wellbore. During the completion campaign of over 30 wells, all engineering, operational and monitoring solutions have been implemented and successfully allowed for 31%-time reduction in completion related operation. The creative drilling BHA design enabled elimination of mechanical wellbore risks associated with wellbore tortuosity and under-gauge and washed-out hole and thereby eradicating the need for wiper trip during drilling phase which was conducted to confirm hole conations prior to preforming Wire Line Tough Logging Condition (TLC) operation. This decreased well construction time by more than ±12-24 hours as the drilling BHA was directly pulled out hole to surface after reaching target well depth. Combined BHA strategy and optimization of operational sequence enabled wellbore cleanout, logging, and simulation to be conducted on single BHA run instead of three runs (TLC-logging run, reaming/ dummy BHA run, cleanout BHA run) which reduced overall well construction time by over ±48 hours. The three BHA runs were not historically possible to be combined due to tools and technology limitation as will be discussed in the following manuscript. Finally, proper selection of optimum drilling fluids, and bridging strategy integrated with enhanced centralization program and real-time monitoring system of open hole have successfully ensured the deployment success of ICD lower completion in all wells where the approach was implemented. The manuscript shifts the focus away from fragmented engineering solutions into more integrated and multidisciplinary solutions that maximize the optimization's impact on the entire construction process rather than individual operation. The impact of this project has been acknowledged regionally and established a benchmark on the way of conducting lumpsum turnkey business.

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Wellbore Cleanness Under Total Losses in Horizontal Wells: The Field Study

Cited by 3 publications

References 4 publications

Numerical Simulation of Hole Cleaning of a Horizontal Wellbore Model with Breakout Enlargement Section

Numerical Simulation of Hole Cleaning of a Horizontal Wellbore Model with Breakout Enlargement Section

Case Study: Innovative Applications of Friction Reduction Tools to Solve Drilling Problems in Tough Environment Multilateral Wells

Holistic Approach Recipe for a Successful Deployment of ICD Lower Completion Achieving 31% Time Optimization for LSTK Projects in a Middle East Field

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