Engineered Composite Lost Circulation Solution to Successfully Cure Total Losses During Drilling Across Naturally Fractured Formations in Ghawar Gas Field, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Ahmed Siddiqi ◽  
Carlos Arturo Banos Caballero ◽  
Fabricio Moretti ◽  
Mohamed AlMahroos ◽  
Uttam Aswal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Cement Slurry ◽  
Fiber System ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Carbonate Formation ◽  
Naturally Fractured ◽  
Zonal Isolation

Abstract Lost circulation is one of the major challenges while drilling oil and gas wells across the world. It not only results in nonproductive time and additional costs, but also poses well control risk while drilling and can be detrimental to zonal isolation after the cementing operation. In Ghawar Gas field of Saudi Arabia, lost circulation across some naturally fractured formations is a key risk as it results in immediate drilling problems such as well control, formation pack-off and stuck pipe. In addition, it can lead to poor isolation of hydrocarbon-bearing zones that can result in sustained casing pressure over the life cycle of the well. A decision flowchart has been developed to combat losses across these natural fractures while drilling, but there is no single solution that has a high success rate in curing the losses and regaining returns. Multiple conventional lost circulation material pills, conventional cement plugs, diesel-oil-bentonite-cement slurries, gravel packs, and reactive pills have been tried on different wells, but the probability of curing the losses is quite low. The success with these methods has been sporadic and shown poor repeatability, so the need of an engineered approach to mitigate losses is imperative. An engineered composite lost-circulation solution was designed and pumped to regain the returns successfully after total losses across two different formations on a gas well in Ghawar field. Multiple types of lost-circulation material were tried on this well; however, all was lost to the naturally fractured carbonate formation. Therefore, a lost-circulation solution was proposed that included a fiber-based lost-circulation control (FBLC) pill, composed of a viscosifier, optimized solid package and engineered fiber system, followed by a thixotropic cement slurry. The approach was to pump these fluids in a fluid train so the FBLC pill formed a barrier at the face of the formation while the thixotropic cement slurry formed a rapid gel and quickly set after the placement to minimize the risk of losing all the fluids to the formation. Once this solution was executed, it helped to regain fluid returns successfully across one of the naturally fractured zones. Later, total losses were encountered again across a deeper loss zone that were also cured using this novel approach. The implementation of this lost-circulation system on two occasions in different formations has proven its applicability in different conditions and can be developed into a standard engineered approach for curing losses. It has greatly helped to build confidence with the client, as it contributed towards minimizing non-productive time, mitigated the risk of well control, and assisted in avoiding any remedial cementing operations that may have developed due to poor zonal isolation across certain critical flow zones.

Implementation of Factory Cementing Concept in the High-Intensity Drilling Environment of Khazzan, Sultanate of Oman

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Therond ◽  
Yaseen Najwani ◽  
Mohamed Al Alawi ◽  
Muneer Hamood Al Noumani ◽  
Yaqdhan Khalfan Al Rawahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Sultanate Of Oman ◽  
Cement Slurry ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Well Integrity ◽  
Sustained Casing Pressure ◽  
Zonal Isolation ◽  
Casing Pressure

Abstract The Khazzan and Ghazeer gas fields in the Sultanate of Oman are projected to deliver production of gas and condensate for decades to come. Over the life of the project, around 300 wells will be drilled, with a target drilling and completion time of 42 days for a vertical well. The high intensity of the well construction requires a standardized and robust approach for well cementing to deliver high-quality well integrity and zonal isolation. The wells are designed with a surface casing, an intermediate casing, a production casing or production liner, and a cemented completion. Most sections are challenging in terms of zonal isolation. The surface casing is set across a shallow-water carbonate formation, prone to lost circulation and shallow water flow. The production casing or production liner is set across fractured limestones and gas-bearing zones that can cause A- and B-Annulus sustained casing pressure if not properly isolated. The cemented completion is set across a high-temperature sandstone reservoir with depletion and the cement sheath is subjected to very high pressure and temperature variations during the fracturing treatment. A standardized cement blend is implemented for the entire field from the top section down to the reservoir. This blend works over a wide slurry density and temperature range, has expanding properties, and can sustain the high temperature of the reservoir section. For all wells, the shallow-water flow zone on the surface casing is isolated by a conventional 11.9 ppg lightweight lead slurry, capped with a reactive sodium silicate gel, and a 15.8 ppg cement slurry pumped through a system of one-inch flexible pipes inserted in the casing/conductor annulus. The long intermediate casing is cemented in one stage using a conventional lightweight slurry containing a high-performance lost circulation material to seal the carbonate microfractures. The excess cement volume is based on loss volume calculated from a lift pressure analysis. The cemented completion uses a conventional 13.7 - 14.5 ppg cement slurry; the cement is pre-stressed in situ with an expanding agent to prevent cement failure when fracturing the tight sandstone reservoir with high-pressure treatment. Zonal isolation success in a high-intensity drilling environment is assessed through key performance zonal isolation indicators. Short-term zonal isolation indicators are systematically used to evaluate cement barrier placement before proceeding with installing the next casing string. Long-term zonal isolation indicators are used to evaluate well integrity over the life of the field. A-Annulus and B-Annulus well pressures are monitored through a network of sensors transmitting data in real time. Since the standardization of cementing practices in the Khazzan field short-term job objectives met have increased from 76% to 92 % and the wells with sustained casing pressure have decreased from 22 % to 0%.

Achieving Cementing Improvement in Horizontal Tight Gas Field Development

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pungki Ariyanto ◽  
Mohamed.A.. A. Najwani ◽  
Yaseen Najwani ◽  
Hani Al Lawati ◽  
Jochen Pfeiffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tight Gas ◽  
Cement Slurry ◽  
Tight Sandstone ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Full Field ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Horizontal Drain ◽  
Tight Reservoir ◽  
Design For All ◽  
Zonal Isolation

Abstract This paper outlines how a drilling team is meeting the challenge of cementing a production liner in deep horizontal drain sections in a tight sandstone reservoir. It is intended to show how the application of existing technologies and processes is leading to performance gain and improvements in cementing quality. The full field development plan of the tight reservoir gas project in the Sultanate of Oman is based on drilling around 300 wells targeting gas producing horizons at measured depths of around 6,000m MD with 1,000m horizontal sections. Effective cement placement for zonal isolation is critical across the production liner in order to contain fracture propagation in the correct zone. The first few attempts to cement the production liner in these wells had to overcome many challenges before finally achieving the well objectives. By looking at the complete system, rather than just the design of the cement slurry, the following criteria areas were identified: –Slurry design–Mud removal and cement slurry placement–Liner hanger and float equipment Improvements have been made in each of these areas, and the result has been delivery of a succesfully optimised liner cementing design for all future horizontal wells.

Successful Application of a Reinforced Composite Mat Pill Technology for Lost Circulation Control in the Norwegian Continental Shelf

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose A. Barreiro ◽  
John S. Knowles ◽  
Carl R. Johnson ◽  
Iain D. Gordon ◽  
Lene K. Gjerde
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Cement Slurry ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Reinforced Composite ◽  
Zonal Isolation ◽  
Norwegian Continental Shelf

Abstract An operator in the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) required sufficient zonal isolation around a casing shoe to accommodate subsequent targeted injection operations. Located in the Ivar Aasen field, and classified as critical, the well had a 9 ⅝-in. casing shoe set in the depleted Skagerrak 2 reservoir. The lost circulation risk was high during cementing because the Hugin formation, located above the reservoir, contained 40 m [~ 131.2 ft] of highly porous and permeable sandstone. During previous operations in the field, lost circulation was observed before and during the casing running and cementing operations. After unsuccessful attempts to cure the losses with various lost circulation materials, a new solution was proposed to target the specific lost circulation problem by combining two types of reinforced composite mat pill (RCMP) technology. Specifically, the first type of RCMP technology was engineered for use in the viscous preflush spacer, and the second was applied to the cement slurry itself. Working in synergy, the RCMP systems mitigated the risk of incomplete zonal isolation. With no losses observed upon reaching total depth (TD) for the 12 ¼-in. hole, the 9 ⅝-in. casing was run with a reamer shoe and 15 rigid centralizers. Between 2700 and 2728 m [~ 8,858 and 8,950 ft] measured depth (MD), the rig observed constant drag of 30 to 40 MT whilst working the casing down, and circulation was completely lost before partial returns were eventually observed. The rig continued to work the string down to the planned landing depth at 3897 m [~ 12,785 ft] MD. Precementing circulation ensued with staged pump rates increasing at 100-L/min [~ 0.6-bbl/min] intervals up to 1400 L/min [~ 8.8 bbl/min], which induced losses at a rate of 6.5 m3/hour [~ 40 bbl/hour]). Subsequently, the flow rate was reduced to 1300 L/min [~ 8.1 bbl/min], and the annular volume was circulated 2.6 times with full returns. Attempts to reduce equivalent circulating density (ECD) ahead of the cementing operation were implemented at 1300 L/min [~ 8.1 bbl/min] using a low-density, low-rheology oil-based drilling fluid pill. However, a significant loss rate of 18.0 m3/hour [~113 bbl/hour] was observed. The flow rate was reduced to 950 L/min [~ 6.0 bbl/min], and partial circulation was recovered. After the spacer and cement had reached the annulus, full returns were immediately observed and continued until the top plug was successfully bumped. Acoustic logging determined that the operation had achieved the primary job objective of establishing the required length of hydraulically isolating cement in the annulus. Lost circulation is a costly problem that can be difficult to solve, even with the wide variety of technologies available (Vidick, B., Yearwood, J. A., and Perthuis, H. 1988. How To Solve Lost Circulation Problems. SPE-17811-MS). This case study demonstrates a successful solution. The operator will be able to incorporate lessons learned and best practices into future operations, and these lessons and practices will be useful to other operators with similar circumstances.

Innovative Approach to Drilling Across Highly Fractured Formation in the Biggest Deep Gas Field in the Middle East

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efe Mulumba Ovwigho
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Current Drive ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Carbonate Formation ◽  
Open Hole

Abstract On a Deep Gas Field in the Middle East, it is required to drill across a highly fractured and faulted carbonate formation. In most wells drilled across the flank of this field, it is impossible to cure the encountered losses with conventional or engineered solutions. Average time to cure losses is 20 days. With the current drive for cost optimization, it has become necessary to eliminate the NPT associated with curing the losses. A thorough risk assessment was conducted for wells drilled on the flank of this field, it was established that the risk of encountering total losses was very high. Seismic studies were performed and it was observed it would be impossible to eliminate total losses as fractures were propagated in all directions. It was proposed to run a sacrificial open hole bridge plug above the loss zone and sidetrack the well instead of performing extensive remedial operations. The proposed solution would help eliminate the well control and HSE risks associated with drilling blindly ahead with the reservoir formation exposed. Applied the proposed solution on the next well that was drilled on the flank of the field, encountered total losses, spotted eight LCM pills, unable to cure the losses, ran sacrificial open hole bridge plug and sidetracked the well. The entire process was completed in 30 hours. Sidetracked the well in adjacent direction to the initial planned well trajectory based on further seismic data analysis and no losses was encountered. Recovered full mud column to surface thus ensuring the restoration of all well barrier elements. This solution has since been adopted as best practice for wells drilled on the flank of the field where there is high probability of encountering total losses. The average time saving per well due to this optimized solution is 450 hours for wells where total losses are encountered. This engineered solution has made drilling wells on the flank of the field in a timely manner possible and at optimized costs. This has resulted in: –The elimination of Non-Productive Time,–Quick delivery of the well to production,–Reduced HSE risk,–Reduced well control risk as loss zone is quickly isolated before drilling ahead. This paper will explain why running sacrificial open hole bridge plugs and sidetracking the well is a more effective solution compared to extended remedial operations when total losses are encountered while drilling across highly fractured / faulted formation. It will discuss the extensive risk assessment conducted, the mitigation and prevention measures that were put in place in order to ensure successful implementation on trial well.

Application of Wellbore Strengthening Techniques in Carbonate Formation Solves Lost Circulation Challenges During Liner Running and Cementing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muneer Al Noumani ◽  
Younis Al Masoudi ◽  
Mohammed Al Mamari ◽  
Yaqdhan Al Rawahi ◽  
Mohammed Al Yaarubi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Well Performance ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
The North ◽  
Carbonate Formation ◽  
Zonal Isolation ◽  
Isolation Requirements ◽  
Wellbore Strengthening

Abstract For many years, the oil and gas industry has deployed techniques which enhance formation strength via the successful propping and plugging of induced fractures. Induced fracture sizes have been successfully treated using this method up to the 600 – 1,100-micron range. Static wellbore strengthening techniques are commonly deployed to cover 1,000 micron and all fracture size risks underneath. The deployment of wellbore strengthening techniques has historically been confined to permeable formations. In most cases, wellbore strengthening has been deployed to operationally challenging sand fracture gradients or, where boundaries are pushed, lower ranges of permeability, such as silts. The subject of wellbore strengthening in shales or carbonates to this day, remains a challenge for the industry, with very few documented success stories or evidence of sustained ability to enhance fracture gradient across a drilling campaign. This paper covers the history of lost circulation events which have been reported in the Khazzan/Ghazeer field in the carbonate Habshan formation. It also describes the design changes which were introduced to strengthen the rock and enable circulation/returns, during liner cementation. The design work built on experience applying wellbore strengthening techniques in carbonates in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. This work is also summarized in this paper. The Habshan carbonate formation in Oman presents a lost circulation challenge through an ‘induced’ fracture risk. Since the beginning of the drilling campaign in the Khazzan/Ghazeer field, the Habshan formation has repeatedly experienced induced mud losses during well activities such as liner running, mud conditioning with liner on bottom and cementing, when the formation is exposed to higher pressures, less so during drilling. The Habshan challenge in Oman has led to regular, significant lost circulation events during cement placement, adding operational cost and more importantly, presenting difficulties around meeting zonal isolation objectives. Through previous field experience in Norway, a set of criteria was developed to qualify a standard pill approach to carbonate strengthening. The currently deployed strategy is designed to address both the risk of induced fracture by propping and plugging (wellbore strengthening) and provide some ability to seal natural fractures which are often encountered with carbonates, or similarly flawed rocks. The strategy deployed aims to cover these two risks with a blanket approach to lost circulation risk in carbonates. The success of this approach is demonstrated using well performance data from a total of 43 wells drilled before and after the introduction of the wellbore strengthening strategy. As it was initially assumed that wellbore strengthening could not be applied to carbonate formations, other techniques had been tried to prevent lost circulation. Those techniques provided mixed results. Since the implementation of wellbore strengthening significant improvements in achieving zonal isolation requirements and reducing fluid losses have been documented.

scholarly journals Drilling Fluid and Cement Slurry Design for Naturally Fractured Reservoirs

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 767
Author(s):  
Nediljka Gaurina-Međimurec ◽  
Borivoje Pašić ◽  
Petar Mijić ◽  
Igor Medved
Keyword(s):  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Cement Slurry ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Managed Pressure Drilling ◽  
The World ◽  
Naturally Fractured ◽  
Induced Fractures ◽  
Bottomhole Pressure

For years, drilling engineers have been faced with the challenge of drilling wells through naturally fractured reservoirs that are present around the world. During drilling, the pressure at the bottomhole of a well is frequently intentionally higher than formation pressure, which can result in the loss of mud in surrounding rocks. During well cementing, the bottomhole pressure is even higher than it is during drilling, because the cement slurry density is higher than the density of the mud. Therefore, if natural or induced fractures in the surrounding rocks are not plugged during drilling, the cement slurry can be lost to them, reducing their permeability which is undesirable in the case of a pay zone. To prevent the loss of circulation and the related consequences, it is necessary to apply good drilling and cementing practices and to use adequate methods and carefully selected materials for plugging the loss zones. The aim of this article is to give an overview of the preventive and corrective methods that can be applied in drilling and cementing through fractured zones as well as improvements in drilling and cementing technology to avoid lost circulation issues (e.g., aerated drilling fluid, casing while drilling, managed pressure drilling, expandable tubulars, lightweight cement slurries, etc.).

A Study of Downhole Drillable Pulsing Cementing Device with Low Frequency Self-Excited Hydraulic Oscillation and its Field Application

2012 ◽  
Vol 450-451 ◽  
pp. 1536-1539
Author(s):  
Cui Ping Nie ◽  
Deng Sheng Ye
Keyword(s):  
Setting Time ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Displacement Efficiency ◽  
Cement Slurry ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Gas Well ◽  
Hydraulic Oscillation ◽  
Injection Technology

Abstract: Usually we pay more attention on how to improve gas well cementing quality in engineering design and field operations, and there are so many studies on cement agents but few researches on cement slurry injection technology. The field practice proved that conventional cementing technology can not ensure the cementing quality especially in gas well and some abnormal pressure wells. Most of the study is concentrated on cement agents and some cementing aspects such as wellbore condition, casing centralization etc. All the factors analysis on cementing quality has pointed out that a combination of good agents and suitable measurements can improve cementing quality effectively. The essential factor in cementing is to enhance the displacement efficiency, but normal hole condition and casing centralization are the fundamental for cementing only. Pulsing cementing is the technology that it can improve the displacement efficiency especially in reservoir well interval, also it can shorten the period from initial to ultimate setting time for cement slurry or improve thickening characteristics, and then to inhibit the potential gas or water channeling. Based on systematically research, aiming at improving in 7″ liner cementing, where there are multi gas reservoirs in long interval in SiChuan special gas field, well was completed with upper 7″ liner and down lower 5″ liner, poor cementing bonding before this time. So we stressed on the study of a downhole low frequency self-excited hydraulic oscillation pulsing cementing drillable device and its application, its successful field utilization proved that it is an innovative tool, and it can improve cementing quality obviously.

Failure Analysis of the Tripping Operation and its Impact on Well Control

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majeed Abimbola ◽  
Faisal Khan ◽  
Vikram Garaniya ◽  
Stephen Butt
Keyword(s):  
Human Error ◽  
Integrated Control ◽  
Fault Tree ◽  
Fault Tree Analysis ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
The Cost

As the cost of drilling and completion of offshore well is soaring, efforts are required for better well planning. Safety is to be given the highest priority over all other aspects of well planning. Among different element of drilling, well control is one of the most critical components for the safety of the operation, employees and the environment. Primary well control is ensured by keeping the hydrostatic pressure of the mud above the pore pressure across an open hole section. A loss of well control implies an influx of formation fluid into the wellbore which can culminate to a blowout if uncontrollable. Among the factors that contribute to a blowout are: stuck pipe, casing failure, swabbing, cementing, equipment failure and drilling into other well. Swabbing often occurs during tripping out of an open hole. In this study, investigations of the effects of tripping operation on primary well control are conducted. Failure scenarios of tripping operations in conventional overbalanced drilling and managed pressure drilling are studied using fault tree analysis. These scenarios are subsequently mapped into Bayesian Networks to overcome fault tree modelling limitations such s dependability assessment and common cause failure. The analysis of the BN models identified RCD failure, BHP reduction due to insufficient mud density and lost circulation, DAPC integrated control system, DAPC choke manifold, DAPC back pressure pump, and human error as critical elements in the loss of well control through tripping out operation.

Managed-Pressure Cementing in HPHT Well with Very Narrow Operating Pressure Window

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Salinas Sanchez ◽  
Mario Noguez Lugo ◽  
Oscar Zamora Torres ◽  
Cuauhtemoc Cruz Castillo ◽  
Moises Muñoz Rivera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Stopping Time ◽  
Operating Pressure ◽  
Cement Slurry ◽  
Working Pressure ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Fiber Technology ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Reverse Circulation

Abstract A 7-in. liner was successfully cemented in the south east region of Mexico at 7530 m MD despite significant pressure and temperature challenges. The entire 1,370-m, 8.5" open hole section needed cement coverage and isolation to test several intervals. The challenge of the ultranarrow working pressure window was overcome by using managed pressure cementing (MPC) along with lost circulation solutions for the cement slurry and spacer. Due to the narrow pressure window (0.05 g/cc density gradient), mud losses could not be avoided during the cementing job. To limit and manage losses, an MPC placement technique was proposed, in conjunction with using lost circulation fiber technology in the cement slurry and spacer. After addressing the losses and narrow working pressure window, the next main challenge was the extremely high temperature (Bottom hole static temperature of 171°C). Extensive lab testing provided the fluid solution: HT formulations for cement slurry and spacer to maintain stability and rheology for placement and management of equivalent circulating density and set cement properties for long-term zonal isolation. After the liner was run to bottom, the mud density was homogenized from 1.40 g/cc to 1.30 g/cc (pore pressure: 1.38 g/cc). During this process, 32.5 m3 of mud was lost to the formation. During the previous circulation, the backpressure required to maintain the equivalent circulation density (ECD) above pore pressure, which was calculated and validated resulting in 1,100 psi annulus surface pressure (close to the limit of the equipment capacity) during the stopping time. The cementing job was pumped flawlessly with only 10 m3 of mud loss at the end of the job. During reverse circulation, contaminated spacer at surface indicated no cementing fluid had been lost to the formation and adequate open-hole coverage. The liner was successfully pressure tested to 4,500 psi, and cement logs showed that the cement had covered the open hole completely. MPC is not a conventional cementing technique. After the successful result on this job and subsequent operations, this technique is now being adopted to optimize cementing in even deeper wells in Mexico, where losses during cementing operations in the past had modified or limited the whole well construction and designed completion, and production of the well.

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