Navigating the Depleted Fracture Gradient During Operations: From Concept to Drilling, Open Hole FIT Management & Cementing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard O'Reilly ◽  
Alvin W. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Operational Experience ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Remedial Work ◽  
Fracture Gradient

Abstract Depleted Fracture Gradients have been a challenge for the oil and gas industry during drilling and cementing operations for over 30 years. Yet, year after year, problems related to lost circulation, borehole instability (low mud weight due a low fracture gradient), and losses during cementing operations leading to NPT and remedial work continue to rank as some of the top NPT events that companies face. This paper will demonstrate how the geomechanical modeling, well execution and remedial strengthening operations should be implemented to provide for a successful outcome. The use of a Fracture Gradient (FG) framework will be discussed, and the use of a negotiated fracture gradient will highlight how the fracture gradient can be changed during operations. This paper will also show actual examples from Deepwater operations that have successfully executed a detailed borehole strengthening program. Through our offset studies and operational experience, we will provide a format for navigating complex depleted drilling issues and show an example on recovering from low fracture gradients. This paper will demonstrate (1) how our framework facilitated multi-disciplinary collaborative discussion among our subsurface and well engineering communities; (2) how the impacts of drilling fluids and operational procedures can change this lost circulation threshold; and (3) how our negotiated FG approach has successfully delivered wells drilled in narrow margins.

ENVIRONMENTAL DRILLING SOLUTIONS ON THE POLYMERIC BASIS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Flik ◽  
◽  
Y.E. Kolodyazhnaya
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Fluid Systems ◽  
Water Based

The article assesses the environmental safety of drilling fluids that are currently widely used in the oil and gas industry. It shows active development of water-based drilling fluid systems using xanthan biopolymer.

Wellhead Movement Analysis and Surface Casing Integrity in Pre-Salt Wells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Sawada Cutrim ◽  
Charlton Okama De Souza ◽  
Bruno Sergio Pimentel De Souza
Keyword(s):  
Structural Model ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Movement Analysis ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Safety Factors ◽  
Foundation Design ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Axial Movement ◽  
Salt Dissolution

Abstract As a general practice in the oil and gas industry, the well foundation, composed by the conductor and the surface casing, is designed with a strict tolerance regarding cement shortfall on the surface casing. However, in a pre-salt scenario, in order to reduce the costs of well construction, the surface casing shoe generally reaches the top of salt. In this case, it is quite hard to make the cement job reach the mudline due to problems like salt dissolution (generating high calipers) and presence of many geological faults in the post-salt zone (which can work as a lost circulation area). Besides that, an evaluation of the wellhead movement is necessary so that the structural restrictions of subsea equipment connected to the wellhead are not violated. This work had the goal of presenting a coupled structural model to analyze the foundation of a subsea well with a partially cemented surface casing, where the safety factors of surface casing are evaluated in the whole well life cycle along with the wellhead movement due to the loads related to each step of this cycle. A sensitivity analysis on the top of cement (measured from the casing shoe) is made, varying it from 300 m to 800 m. The results showed wellhead movement consistent with what is observed in the field, once no axial movement has been reported. Additionally, it was highlighted that the foundation design depends on the operations during the well construction and its future purpose, production or injection, because the thermal loads associated with operations have different impacts.

Chemical Exposure Scenarios for the Use and Handling of Drilling Fluids in the Oil and Gas Industry

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsty Walker ◽  
Chantal Smulders ◽  
Trond Schei ◽  
Aud Nistov ◽  
Reagan Wallace James
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Gas Industry

scholarly journals Rheological evaluation of local clay samples in central region Ghana for oil well drilling fluid formulation

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Foster Gomado ◽  
Forson Kobina ◽  
Augustus Owusu Boadi ◽  
Yussif Moro Awelisah
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Local Clay ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Local Content ◽  
Oil And Gas Operations ◽  
Drilling Muds ◽  
Local Materials

The superb rheological features of bentonites makes them an excellent candidate in drilling operations. Its capacity of bentonite to swell and extend to a few times its unique volume gives it the gelling and viscosity controlling quality. The execution of clay or specifical bentonite as a great consistency controlling operator in drilling fluids largely depends on the great extent of its rheological conduct. Ghana as of late found oil and it has tossed a test to research to explore the utilization of local materials in the oil and gas operations. A rheological study was conducted on local clay samples from Ajumako, Saltpond and Winneba in the Central district of Ghana as a viscosifier in drilling muds. This will help to improve the local content of Ghana's oil and gas industry. Drilling muds were prepared from the samples in addition to a control mud using imported non-treated bentonite. The local clay samples were subjected rheological test where the flow behavior of the muds was determined by measuring the gel strength, plastic viscosity, and the yield point. The experimental values were compared to the API standards. It was revealed that the local clay had some potential features of bentonite and could be utilized as controlling operators in drilling fluids provided the clays are beneficiated to enhance their rheological properties. This novel tend to improve the local content in oil and gas industry in Ghana through the deployment of the local materials in oil and gas operations in the nation.

Evolution of Completion Techniques in the Lower Shaunavon Tight Oil Play in Southwestern Saskatchewan

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Schlosser ◽  
M.. Johe ◽  
T.. Humphreys ◽  
C.. Lundberg ◽  
J. L. McNichol
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Point Energy ◽  
Horizontal Drilling ◽  
Oil Reserves ◽  
Coiled Tubing ◽  
Open Hole

Abstract The Oil and Gas industry has explored and developed the Lower Shaunavon formation through vertical drilling and completion technology. In 2006, previously uneconomic oil reserves in the Lower Shaunavon were unlocked through horizontal drilling and completions technologies. This success is similar to the developments seen in many other formations within the Williston Basin and Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin including Crescent Point Energy's Viewfield Bakken play in southeast Saskatchewan. In the Lower Shaunavon play, the horizontal multistage completion era began in 2006, with horizontal divisions of four to six completion stages per well that utilized ball-drop sleeves and open-hole packers. By 2010, the stage count capabilities of ball-drop systems had increased and liners with nine to 16 stages per well were being run. With an acquisition in 2009, Crescent Point Energy began operating in the Lower Shaunavon area. The acquisition was part of the company's strategy to acquire large oil-in-place resource plays. Recognizing the importance that technology brings to these plays, Crescent Point Energy has continuously developed and implemented new technology. In 2009, realizing the success of coiled tubing fractured cemented liners in the southeast Saskatchewan Viewfield Bakken play, Crescent Point Energy trialed their first cemented liners in the Lower Shaunavon formation. At the same time, technology progressed with advancements in completion strategies that were focused on fracture fluids, fracture stages, tool development, pump rates, hydraulic horsepower, environmental impact, water management, and production. In 2013, another step change in technology saw the implementation of coiled tubing activated fracture sleeves in cemented liner completions. Based on field trials and well results in Q4 2013, Crescent Point Energy committed to a full cemented liner program in the Lower Shaunavon. This paper presents the evolution of Crescent Point Energy's Lower Shaunavon resource play of southwest Saskatchewan. The benefits of current completion techniques are: reductions in water use, increased production, competitive well costs, and retained wellbore functionality for potential re-fracture and waterflooding programs.

scholarly journals Determination of Safe Mud Weight Window in Rumaila Oilfield, Southern Iraq

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (2F) ◽  
pp. 48-61
Author(s):  
Walaa Khyrie ◽  
Ayad Alrazzaq
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Failure Criteria ◽  
Well Test ◽  
Geomechanical Model ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Wellbore Instability ◽  
North West ◽  
Well Design ◽  
Open Hole

The oil and gas industry, wellbore instability plays an important role in financial losses and stops the operations while the drilling which leads to extra time known as non-productive time. In this work, a comprehensive study was carried out to realize the nature of the instability problems of the wellbore in Rumaila oilfield to improve the well design. The study goal is to develop a geomechanical model in one dimension by utilizing Schlumberger Techlog (Version 2015) software. Open hole wireline measurements were needed to develop the model. The model calibrating and validating with core laboratory tests (triaxial test), well test (Mini-frac test), repeated formation test. Mohr-Coulomb, Mogi-Coulomb, and Modified Lade are the three failure criteria which utilized to analyze the borehole breakouts and to determine the minimum mud weight needed for a stable wellbore wall. For more accuracy of the geomechanical model, the predicted profile of the borehole instability is compared with the actual failure of the borehole that is recorded by caliper log. The results of the analysis showed that the Mogi-Coulomb criteria are closer to the true well failure compared with the other two criteria and considered as the better criteria in predicting the rock failure in the Rumaila oilfield. The wellbore instability analysis revealed that the vertical and low deviated wells (less than 40º) is safer and more stable. While, the horizontal and directional wells should be drilled longitudinally to the direction of the minimum horizontal stresses at a range between 140º–150º North West-South East and the mud weight recommended is increased to 10.5 ppg to avoid most of instabilities problems. The results contribute in development plan of the wells nearby the studied area and decreasing NPT and cost.

Effect of MWCNT and MWCNT Functionalized -OH and -COOH Nanoparticles in Laboratory Water Based Drilling Fluid

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Awais Ashfaq Alvi ◽  
Mesfin Belayneh ◽  
Arild Saasen ◽  
Kjell Kåre Fjelde ◽  
Bernt S. Aadnøy
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Xanthan Gum ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube ◽  
The Coefficient Of Friction ◽  
Filtrate Loss

In recent years, the application of nanomaterial has been attracting the oil and gas industry. Nanomaterials research results show an improving performance of cement, drilling fluid and enhanced oil recovery. In this paper, the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and MWCNT functionalized with ligands–OH and - COOH nanoparticles on laboratory drilling fluids formulated from bentonite, KCL, Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and xanthan gum (XG) was studied. The formulations and tests were performed at room temperature. The results show that addition of 0.0095wt.% of MWCNT, MWCNT-OH and MWCNT-COOH nanoparticles in CMC/bentonite system decreases the filtrate-loss by 8.6 %, 7.1 % and 17.9 % respectively. These particles also decreased the coefficient of friction by 34 %, 37 % and 33 % respectively. In xanthan gum drilling fluid, 0.019wt%. MWCNT reduced the friction coefficient by 38 %.

scholarly journals A comprehensive review of nanoparticles applications in the oil and gas industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1389-1399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mortadha T. Alsaba ◽  
Mohammed F. Al Dushaishi ◽  
Ahmed K. Abbas
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Huge Amount ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Well Stimulation ◽  
Biomedical Electronics

AbstractWith the increased attention toward nanotechnology and their innovative use for different industries including but not limited to food, biomedical, electronics, materials, etc, the application of nanotechnology or nanoparticles in the oil and gas industry is a subject undergoing intense study by major oil companies, which is reflected through the huge amount of funds invested on the research and development, with respect to the nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has been recently investigated extensively for different applications in the oil and gas industry such as drilling fluids and enhanced oil recovery in addition to other applications including cementing and well stimulation. In this paper, comprehensive literature was conducted to review the different applications of nanotechnology in the oil and gas industry. A summary of all nanoparticles used along with a detailed analysis of their performance in improving the targeted parameters is comprehensively presented. The main objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive summary of the different successful applications of nanotechnology and its associated challenges, which could be very helpful for future researches and applications.

A 20 Years Systemic Study of Drilling Practices in a Geothermal Venture Reveals Insightful Findings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah AlMuhaideb ◽  
Sam Noynaert
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Gas Drilling ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Geothermal Drilling ◽  
Drilling Time

Abstract Geothermal drilling has increased in the recent years with the renewable energy initiatives. Geothermal plants provide more than 6% of California's electricity. A large sum from the development budget is consumed by the drilling. This paper systematically analyzes and reviews the drilling activities and operations in a geothermal venture in Hawaii for more than 20 years to enhance the drilling operations and save costs. The paper starts by studying the geology of the area, which is located in an active volcanic region. Then, an extensive data collection was performed that went back to more than 20 years. The data was preprocessed and cleaned to be used in the analysis. The well designs were analyzed and the distribution of the drilling time was determined. After that, the performance of the geothermal drilling was benchmarked with the oil and gas drilling and the geothermal drilling in different parts around the world. The geology of the area is challenging with basaltic formation and tectonic movements. Volcanic eruptions that leads to closing wells were encountered in the recent years. As for the drilling, six challenges were identified and deeply analyzed. These challenges include: lost circulation, stuck pipe, cementing, low rate of penetration (ROP), logistics issues, and safety concerns. Each of these challenges was intensely investigated and solutions were proposed. The benchmarking with the oil and gas industry and other geothermal drilling operations shows that the geothermal drilling operations can be enhanced significantly. This improvement in the drilling in the geothermal venture will result in huge cost savings. A set of recommendations to improve the performance is presented as new organizational and workflow changes, analysis and elimination of nonproductive time (NPT), and novel engineering redesigns.

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