Integrating Horizontal Wellbores When Building a Geological Model of an Offshore Field

With the advent of the equipment for full well logging suite in the horizontal wells, it became possible to evaluate the reservoir's quantitative parameters. However, the original curves are mainly used for this purpose, which leads to significant errors, in particular due to the significant influence of nearby reservoirs on the tools readings in the penetrated deposits. There is a need to discuss the current issues of interpretation in directional, horizontal and multi-lateral wells with the experts. 3DP module in the downhole software platform* allows to evaluate the overall influence of geometric effects, as well as to adjust logging curves for the influence of several reservoirs on the logging tools responses, which are not still taken into account by conventional methods when processing. The modeled density image is especially useful for confirming the model geometry, updating the local dip angle, and identifying areas, where additional features, such as thin layers, are to be added. The accounting for density and neutron porosity for layers in the petrophysical analysis increases the efficiency of calculating clay volume and porosity, which affects the saturation. The authors also proposed a methodology for assessing share of sand component based on RHOB image. Further accounting of NTG, for the correct assessment of the reservoir properties in a heterogeneous reservoir, followed by the data accounting in the geological model. The results obtained in the course of the work allowed to apply the spatial interpretation of horizontal well in geological modeling, as well as to improve the interpretation algorithm.

Cementing Irregular Horizontal Wellbores

In this work, we study the effect of borehole irregularities during primary cementing of a horizontal section of well. We use a simplified 2D gap-averaged model to compute the displacement of a drilling mud by a spacer within an elliptical annulus that represents an oval irregularity. We also present a series of 3D numerical simulations using a Volume of Fluid method to capture the interface between the fluids. The 3D model allows us to study the effects of more local irregularities such as wall roughness that can be imported from a caliper log. The dynamics of the displacement of two fluids in a horizontal uniform circular annulus is governed by buoyancy, eccentricity and the rheology of the fluids. A positive density difference combined with a slow mean pumping speed promotes slumping of the second fluid towards the bottom of the annulus. Nevertheless, high eccentricity values (e = 1-standoff) are common due to the weight of the casing pulling downwards, opposing the buoyancy force. Finally, the rheology of the fluids is relevant to determine the presence of un-displaced layers of mud, e.g. at the walls. The same competition described above holds true in the elliptical annulus. Results from the 2D gap-averaged model suggest that the elliptical shape incorporates an additional way of altering the velocity field around it. The effect is more evident when orienting the largest radius of the elliptical annulus at different angles. Results from 3D simulations show that the interface follows irregularities and the local roughness can improve the displacement by inducing secondary flows. However, enlargements result in poor displacement.

Viscosity and Density Sweeps in Directional Wells

As explorations advance and drilling techniques become more innovative, complex and challenging trajectories arise. In consequence, cuttings transport has continued to be a subject of interest because, if the drilled cuttings cannot be removed from the wellbore, drilling cannot proceed for long. Therefore, efficient cleaning of highly inclined and horizontal wellbores is still among the most important problems to solve, because these types of wells require specialized fluid formulations and/or specific hole cleaning techniques. There are numerous studies and methods that focus in cuttings transportation in highly inclined and horizontal wells. One of them is the use of viscosity and density sweeps. Sweep pills have been used in the drilling industry as a tool to improve hole cleaning. This report presents the analysis of the performance of different sweeps pills working independently and in tandem in polymeric, oil and synthetic based systems and the comparison between them. The main objective of this project is to provide experimental evidence on which types of fluids perform better under certain conditions by studying the effect of viscosity and density in the bed erosion process in highly inclined and horizontal wells. In order to achieve that, several fluid formulations were tested at different inclination angles (90, 75, 60 degrees) in the Small Indoor Flow Loop property of The University of Tulsa’s Drilling Research Projects. The results of the tests are presented in terms of volume of drilled cuttings removed from the test section and measured differential pressures. All the tests were conducted under atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. Moreover, a 2-Layer model is used for estimating the erosion performance of sweeps for design purposes, and the model estimations are compared with experimental results. From the experiments, it was identified that polymeric, oil and synthetic based muds with similar density and rheological properties eroded and transported the drilled cuttings similarly under similar test conditions. Furthermore, pumping the sweep pills in tandem demonstrated higher cuttings transport efficiency when compared with the sweep pills applied independently.

Analysis of the Collapse Gradient of Deep Water Horizontal Wellbore and the Effects of Mud Chemical Activity and Variation in Water Depth

Wellbore collapse is an instability-event that occurs at low mud density and leads to unfavorable economic project, reaching billions of US dollars. Thus, it is important to accurately determine its value, especially in deepwater horizontal wellbores. The main reasons for nontrivial problems with such wellbores are evident: the shale encountered are anisotropic in nature and possess planes of weakness; they react with water-based mud, generate osmotic stresses, swell, and fall unto the wellbore bottom, thereby increasing the non-productive time. To this end, salts are added to reduce the collapse tendency, but it is not currently known what amount of salt addition maintains stability, and does not lead to wellbore fracture; in deepwater, the current trend in global warming means there is a future concern to the industry. As the climate temperature increases, more ice melts from the polar region, the seawater expands and the sea level rises. How to incorporate the corresponding effect on collapse gradient is scarcely known. This study captures the major concerns stated above into wellbore stability analysis. Following the classical approach for geomechanical analysis, Mogi-Coulomb criterion was combined with a constitutive stress equation comprising contributions from mechanical and osmotic potentials of mud and shale. A sophisticated industry model was used to consider the deepwater effect. The results show significant reduction in collapse gradient as the water depth increases, also, larger difference between the mud and shale chemical activities represents higher complexities in the wellbore. In addition, the reduction in the chemical activities of mud limited to 37.5% of the initial value can be practically safe.