Achieving Improved Drilling Performance with Hole Cleaning Technology in Horizontal Shale Gas Wells in Sichuan Basin of China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guodong Ji ◽  
Haige Wang ◽  
Hongchun Huang ◽  
Meng Cui ◽  
Feixue Yulong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Sichuan Basin ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Operating Parameters ◽  
Optimal Operating ◽  
Horizontal Section ◽  
Drill Cuttings ◽  
Well Completion ◽  
Cuttings Bed

Abstract The horizontal section length of shale gas horizontal wells in Sichuan Basin in the south-west of China generally exceeds 2000m. Cuttings are apt to accumulate and form cuttings beds along such long and curve horizontal sections due to low cuttings carrying capacity, which often results in excessive torque and drag or even stuck pipes during drilling process. According to the statistics dada inthe period of Jan. - Oct. 2019, more than 25 stuck pipe incidents and 15 rotary steering tools loss in borehole were reported due to inefficient cuttings transportation in the long horizontal wells in Sichuan Basin. This paper studies the cuttings transportation and cuttings bed formation in horizontal wells. A prediction model for the distribution of cuttings bed was established. A monitoring and analysis software for the cuttings bed and cuttings cleaner with V-shaped spiral blades that is used to agitate the cuttings bed wasdeveloped. The software calculates the distribution and thickness of the cuttings bed according to the well trajectory, wellbore structure, drilling fluid characteristics, etc., and provides the optimal operating parameters for the removal of the cuttings bed by the rotating and reciprocating drill string. Then, the drill cuttings remover in the drill string moves to the predicted position of the drill cuttings, scrapes the drill cuttings and creates a swirling flow during the pipe rotation. The combined application of software and makeup remover can effectively solve the issue of borehole cleaning in long horizontal wells. One of the field applications was carried out in the well Ning 209H12, a shale gas horizontal well in Sichuan Basin. The well experienced excessive torque and drag issue during the tripping of drill string of long horizontal section. Thesoftware ran based on oil well data, and it determines the placement and thickness of cuttings beds in the well and calculates the optimal operating parameters for a flow rate of about 32L/s and a speed of 100rpm to remove them. By rotatingand reciprocating the drill string with recommended operating parameters along the cuttings bed interval, the removers helped cleaning the cuttings bed efficiently and significant amount of cuttings was observed at vibration screen. After cleaning the cuttings bed interval, the trip smoothly ran to the bottom without any excessive torque and drag, and then continues to drill in cooperation with the removers to the total depth. During the well completion, there was no problem with the operation of electrical logging and production casing. This cuttings removal technology has been used in other shale gas formations and tight gas formations where horizontal wells are widely used.

scholarly journals Optimization of the key geological target parameters of shale-gas horizontal wells in the Changning Block, Sichuan Basin

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 571-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongzhi Yang ◽  
Xiaotao Zhang ◽  
Man Chen ◽  
Jianfa Wu ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Sichuan Basin ◽  
Horizontal Wells

scholarly journals Fracturing technologies of deep shale gas horizontal wells in the Weirong Block, southern Sichuan Basin

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-70
Author(s):  
Xuejun Cao ◽  
Minggui Wang ◽  
Jie Kang ◽  
Shaohong Wang ◽  
Ying Liang
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Sichuan Basin ◽  
Horizontal Wells

scholarly journals Development Evaluation and Optimization of Deep Shale Gas Reservoir with Horizontal Wells Based on Production Data

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Wuguang Li ◽  
Hong Yue ◽  
Yongpeng Sun ◽  
Yu Guo ◽  
Tianpeng Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Production System ◽  
Target Position ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Well Performance ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Horizontal Section ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir

The implementation of horizontal wells is a key to economic development of the deep shale gas reservoir. In order to optimize the key parameters for drilling, stimulation, and the production system, the development effect of a horizontal well in deep shale gas formations was investigated from various aspects in this study. The drilling, fracturing, and production performances of this well were analyzed combining with the geological characteristics. The main technical problems and key factors that restrict the gas well performance and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) were clarified. Through the integrated study of geology and engineering, the optimization strategies for increasing gas production and EUR are provided. The Z2 area, where the Z2-H1 well is located, has good reservoir physical properties, which bring a high drilling efficiency. However, there are still some problems during its development, such as poor fracture extension both horizontally and vertically, limited stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), rapid production declining, large water production, and serious liquid accumulation. In this study, a comprehensive approach was proposed that can improve single-well production and EUR by optimizing the target position, horizontal section length, pathway, spacing, new drilling and fracturing technology, and production system.

Completion Study Aims To Extend Life of Electrical Submersible Pumps

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 54-55
Author(s):  
Chris Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Horizontal Section ◽  
Well Completion ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Rock Typing ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Electrical Submersible Pumps ◽  
Petroleum Development

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper IPTC 20130, “Practical Approach for Solid Production Prediction and Completion Strategy Decisions in Horizontal Wells: A Case Study From a Cretaceous Carbonate Reservoir, North Oman,” by Mohammed Al-Aamri, Sandeep Mahajan, SPE, and Nair Sujith, Petroleum Development Oman, et al., prepared for the 2020 International Petroleum Technology Conference, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 13–15 January. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2020 International Petroleum Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission. The carbonate reservoir fields in Oman discussed in the complete paper are produced by several horizontal wells from long openhole sections. The wells are completed by barefoot (openhole) completion with electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) located in the wells’ buildup section. The field has experienced significant ESP failures, so a study aimed to provide input for well-completion-strategy design and operational parameters, which could minimize solids production and lower intervention/operating expenditure (OPEX). Based on the study results, recommendations were provided for a drawdown-management strategy, which potentially will benefit from increasing ESP run life and reducing field OPEX. Field Background Problem Statement and Motivation Petrophysical rock typing for the studied reservoir is detailed in the complete paper. The primary understanding of the root cause of these ESP failures was argillaceous rock typing along the horizontal section. The decision was made to recomplete the wells by isolating equipment from such rock typing. As a result, ESP run lives improved, but failures continued. Several wells featured an isolation process from the first day, for example, but run life did not improve. The field team subsequently analyzed a sample of fines taken from the ESP, and their mineralogy was examined. The main finding was that almost 50% of the sample included calcite mineral content with some quartz (Fig. 1). However, the question remained as to which part of the reservoir the sample belonged. All rock types potentially consist of such calcite minerals because of the marine-deposition environment. Hence, investigating and characterizing the possible root causes of the ESP failures, as well as providing effective completion mitigations for upcoming wells, was critical. The key objectives of the study were to understand the mechanisms and causes of the observed solids from a geomechanical standpoint and to provide recommendations to minimize the risk of near-wellbore failure.

The history of UGS Strachocina investment as an example of success achieved by cooperation between a western company and Polish oil and gas companies

Nafta-Gaz ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (11) ◽  
pp. 760-764
Author(s):  
Bogdan Filar ◽  
◽  
Mariusz Miziołek ◽  
Mieczysław Kawecki ◽  
Marek Piaskowy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Gas Storage ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Horizontal Section ◽  
Well Completion ◽  
Working Volume ◽  
Drilling Technology ◽  
Fluid Losses

In 2006 Oil and Gas Institute, Underground Gas Storage Department was given the task of designing the UGS Strachocina working volume, production and injection rates enlargement. Gas storage Strachocina is located in the south eastern part of Poland, near Sanok. The UGS Department ran some analysis before that date, which gave us the answer that the old vertical well technology would not be enough to achieve investment success. We knew that we needed to use horizontal well technology in which we had no experience at all. At that time there were only a few horizontal wells drilled in Poland. We decided to start cooperation with the company Baker Hughes, and asked them to help us to design the drilling technology and well completions. We knew that we needed to drill 8 horizontal wells in difficult reservoir conditions. Based on Baker Hughes’ recommendations, the EXALO Polish drilling company’s experience and the Institute’s knowledge of storage reservoir geology, the trajectories of 8 new wells were designed. Working with Baker Hughes, we designed the well completion based on expandable filters, the second time this type of completion technology had been used in the world at that time. During drilling, we were prepared for drilling fluid losses because of the extensive Strachocina reservoir’s natural fracture system. The investment was in doubt during the drilling of the first two horizontal wells because of huge drilling fluid losses and the inability of drilling the horizontal section length as designed. We lost 4000 cubic metres of drilling fluid in a one single well. During the drilling of the 2nd well, we asked Baker Hughes to help us to improve the drilling technology. Our partners from Baker Hughes prepared the solution in 3 weeks, and so we were able to use this new technology on the 3rd well drilled. It turned out that we could drill a longer horizontal section with less drilling fluid loss. The paper will show the idea of the project, the team building process, the project problems solved by the team, decisions made during the UGS Strachocina investment and the results. It will show how combining “western” technology and experience with “eastern” knowledge created a success story for all partners.

Implementation of HPHT RSS for Performance Improvement in Deep Shale Gas Drilling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juntao Yan ◽  
Yongqiang Fu ◽  
Chengfeng Guo ◽  
Jeremy A Greenwood ◽  
Lingjun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Sichuan Basin ◽  
Horizontal Well ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Optimization Process ◽  
Surface Cooling ◽  
Well Placement ◽  
Bottom Hole ◽  
Thermal Mitigation

Abstract Sichuan shale gas development will move to reservoirs deeper than 3,500m TVD in the future after a production milestone breakthrough of 10 billion m3 per year from Southern Sichuan basin was achieved. 80% of Sichuan shale gas total resources will come from deep reserves compared to reservoirs at a shallower depth. Improvements in drilling efficiency are the key success factor of deep shale gas development to enhance production and cost control with the increasing activity. Due to complex engineering and geological conditions, drilling deep shale gas horizontal wells in the Southern Sichuan basin is more challenging than traditional shallower wells. The High Pressure and High Temperature (HPHT) harsh drilling environment has caused the frequent failure of the standard Rotary Steerable System (RSS), Measurement While Drilling (MWD), and Logging While Drilling (LWD) tools during recent drilling operations. The surface cooling system, combined with thermal mitigation practices, positively impacted the increasing trend of bottom hole circulating temperature (BHCT) and extended equipment life in short horizontal sections. However, thermal mitigation reduced in effectiveness with the increase in the length of the horizontal section as frictional heating increased. BHCT reached above 150degC while drilling and exceeded the operating limits of standard tools. The challenge of managing the circulating temperatures resulted in approximately 50% of the total runs in 2020 being tripped before the run objectives were met, creating non-production time (NPT) and significantly decreasing drilling efficiency. To overcome this challenge and reduce NPT, two options were evaluated. A high-temperature Motor bottom hole assembly (BHA) brought risks of poor well trajectory control, resulting in well placement issues during geosteering, and lower potential reservoir exposure. For the first time in China Shale gas, an HPHT RSS with near-bit gamma-ray imaging was selected to maximize drilling efficiency and reservoir exposure. In addition to the tool selection, an HT optimization process was created that included horizontal well BHCT modeling and prediction and deep shale gas RSS drilling best practices. The near-bit gamma imaging quality was enhanced to improve steering. These changes delivered record runs in deep shale gas long horizontal wells and significantly decreased NPT. Reducing the reliance on surface cooling systems also increased overall operating efficiency. This paper reviews the choice of equipment, implementation of HPHT RSS, and development of HT optimization process that improved the drilling efficiency, reduced well time and enhanced long horizontal well placement in this complex drilling environment.

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