Predrill Geomechanical Evaluation Helps in Successful Drilling in High Depletion Wells in a Mature Field, Offshore Sarawak, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Hafiz Abdul Latip ◽  
Avirup Chatterjee ◽  
Amitava Ghosh ◽  
Priveen Raj Santha Moorthy
Keyword(s):  
Stress Path ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Wellbore Instability ◽  
Pressure Depletion ◽  
Loss Event ◽  
Mature Field ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Fracture Gradient

Abstract Hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs in a mature field, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia, contains multiple reservoir cycles interbedded with weak shale and coal formations. Years of production from these reservoirs caused significant pressure depletion, as well as reduced fracture gradient and a narrower drilling mud weight window. An improperly weighted mud may induce wellbore instability in weaker, but normally pressured, formations or mud losses in the heavily depleted reservoirs. Globally, mud losses are considered the most expensive well control operation incidents. Earlier drilling campaigns in ths field encountered numerous wellbore instability incidents; hence, a study was conducted to develop an understanding of the drilling issues and assess the stability of the heavily depleted reservoirs. Collaboration between the drilling and geomechanics teams facilitated better understanding of the stability challenges and helped in mitigating risk related to wellbore instability. A field scale geomechanical model was developed and validated using data from exploration and development wells from different phases of drilling in the study area. The stress path factor (SPF), which determines the reduction in fracture gradient with pore pressure depletion is crucial for defining drilling mud windows, is difficult to constrain in the absence of measured formation fracturing data in virgin and depleted reservoirs. A mud loss event in the depleted zone from a recent drilled well and regional information were used to estimate the range of SPF in the study area. Recorded bottom hole pressures from pressure while drilling (PWD) data suggested that the maximum equivalent circulating density (ECD) recorded was close or within the depleted section. The loss event was associated with reduced fracture gradient due to depletion from its pre-depleted range. This paper describes how geomechanical evaluation with effective well drilling practices and fit for purpose-drilling fluids have helped drilling through depleted reservoirs with ECD management. At the end, it shows a comparison of the predrill wellbore stability mud weight estimates with the actual mud weights used to successfully drill and complete the planned wells.

Geomechanical Modeling and Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) Management- An Integrated Approach for Successfully Drilling and Managing Losses in Highly Depleted Sands

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Chatterjee
Keyword(s):  
Planning Process ◽  
Stress Path ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Pressure Depletion ◽  
Loss Event ◽  
Multiple Reservoir ◽  
Fracture Gradient

A mature field in offshore Sarawak, Malaysia, contains multiple reservoir cycles interbedded with weak shale and coals. Production from these reservoirs caused significant pressure depletion, as well as reduced fracture gradient and a narrower drilling mud weight window. An integrated approach among the multi-disciplinary team was required in the well planning process to maintain the planned drilling and completion costs. An improperly weighted mud may induce wellbore instability in weaker, but normally pressured, formations or mud losses in the heavily depleted reservoirs. Globally, mud losses are considered the most expensive well control operation. Hence, successful drilling and managing losses through depleted sands requires a comprehensive geomechanical modeling and wellbore stability analysis. A field scale geomechanical model was developed and validated using data from exploration and development wells from different phases of drilling in the study area. The stress path factor (SPF), which determines the reduction in fracture gradient with pore pressure depletion is crucial for defining drilling mud windows, is difficult to constrain in the absence of measured formation fracturing data in virgin and depleted reservoirs. A mud loss event in the depleted zone from a recent drilled well and regional information were used to estimate the range of SPF in the study area. Recorded bottom hole pressures from pressure while drilling (PWD) data suggested that the maximum equivalent circulating density (ECD) recorded was close or within the depleted section. The loss event was associated with reduced fracture gradient due to depletion from its pre-depleted range. This paper describes how geomechanical evaluation with effective well drilling practices and fit for purpose-drilling fluids have helped drilling through depleted reservoirs with ECD management. At the end, it shows a comparison of the predrill wellbore stability mud weight estimates with the actual mud weights used to successfully drill and complete the planned wells.

The Influence of SiO2 and TiO2 Nanoparticles on the Properties of Water-Based Mud

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petar Mijić ◽  
Nediljka Gaurina-Međimurec ◽  
Borivoje Pašić
Keyword(s):  
Filter Cake ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Shale Formations ◽  
Wellbore Instability ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Fluid Properties

About 75% of all formations drilled worldwide are shale formations and 90% of all wellbore instability problems occur in shale formations. This increases the overall cost of drilling. Therefore, drilling through shale formations, which have nanosized pores with nanodarcy permeability still need better solutions since the additives used in the conventional drilling fluids are too large to plug them. One of the solutions to drilling problems can be adjusting drilling fluid properties by adding nanoparticles. Drilling mud with nanoparticles can physically plug nanosized pores in shale formations and thus reduce the shale permeability, which results in reducing the pressure transmission and improving wellbore stability. Furthermore, the drilling fluid with nanoparticles, creates a very thin, low permeability filter cake resulting in the reduction of the filtrate penetration into the shale. This thin filter cake implies high potential for reducing the differential pressure sticking. In addition, borehole problems such as too high drag and torque can be reduced by adding nanoparticles to drilling fluids. This paper presents the results of laboratory examination of the influence of commercially available nanoparticles of SiO2 (dry SiO2 and water-based dispersion of 30 wt% of silica), and TiO2 (water-based dispersion of 40 wt% of titania) in concentrations of 0.5 wt% and 1 wt% on the properties of water-based fluids. Special emphasis is put on the determination of lubricating properties of the water-based drilling fluids. Nanoparticles added to the base mud without any lubricant do not improve its lubricity performance, regardless of their concentrations and type. However, by adding 0.5 wt% SiO2-disp to the base mud with lubricant, its lubricity coefficient is reduced by 4.6%, and by adding 1 wt% TiO2-disp to the base mud with lubricant, its lubricity coefficient is reduced by 14.3%.

scholarly journals Oil-Based Drilling Fluid Plugging Method for Strengthening Wellbore Stability of Shale Gas

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Pengcheng Wu ◽  
Chengxu Zhong ◽  
Zhengtao Li ◽  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
Zhiyuan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Fluid System ◽  
Horizontal Drilling ◽  
Wellbore Instability ◽  
Filtration Loss ◽  
Treatment Agent ◽  
Stability Method

Finding out the reasons for wellbore instability in the Longmaxi Formation and Wufeng Formation and putting forward drilling fluid technical countermeasures to strengthen and stabilize the wellbore are very crucial to horizontal drilling. Based on X-ray diffraction, electron microscope scanning, linear swelling experiment, and hot-rolling dispersion experiment, the physicochemical mechanism of wellbore instability in complex strata was revealed, and thus, the coordinated wellbore stability method can be put forward, which is “strengthening plugging of micropores, inhibiting filtrate invasion, and retarding pressure transmission.” Using a sand bed filtration tester, high-temperature and high-pressure plugging simulation experimental device, and microporous membrane and other experimental devices, the oil-based drilling fluid treatment agent was researched and selected, and a set of an enhanced plugging drilling fluid system suitable for shale gas horizontal well was constructed. Its temperature resistance is 135°C and it has preferable contamination resistibility (10% NaCl, 1% CaCl2, and 8% poor clay). The bearing capacity of a 400 μm fracture is 5 MPa, and the filtration loss of 0.22 μm and 0.45 μm microporous membranes is zero. Compared with previous field drilling fluids, the constructed oil-based drilling fluid system has a greatly improved plugging ability and excellent performance in other aspects.

Wellbore Shielding Technique Increases Operative Window, Avoiding Formation Instability and Losses, Minimizing NPT, and Optimizing Drilling Operations in the Unconventional Plays

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaston Lopez ◽  
Gonzalo Vidal ◽  
Claus Hedegaard ◽  
Reinaldo Maldonado
Keyword(s):  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Wellbore Instability ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Drilling Performance ◽  
Drilling Parameters ◽  
Vaca Muerta ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Fracture Gradient ◽  
Vaca Muerta Formation

Abstract Losses, wellbore instability, and influxes during drillings operations in unconventional fields result from continuous reactivity to the drilling fluid causing instability in the microfractured limestone of the Quintuco Formation in Argentina. This volatile situation becomes more critical when drilling operations are navigating horizontally through the Vaca Muerta Formation, a bituminous marlstone with a higher density than the Quintuco Formation. Controlling drilling fluids invasion between the communicating microfractures and connecting pores helps to minimize seepage losses, total losses, wellbore fluid influxes, and instabilities, reducing the non-productive time (NPT) caused by these problems during drilling operations. The use of conventional sealants – like calcium carbonate, graphite, asphalt, and other bridging materials – does not guarantee problem-free drilling operations. Also, lost circulation material (LCM) is restricted because the MWD-LWD tools clearances are very narrow in these slim holes. The challenge is to generate a strong and resistant seal separating the drilling fluid and the formation. Using an ultra-low-invasion technology will increase the operative fracture gradient window, avoid fluid invasion to the formation, minimize losses, and stop the cycle of fluid invasion and instability, allowing operations to maintain the designed drilling parameters and objectives safely. The ultra-low-invasion wellbore shielding technology has been applied in various fields, resulting in significantly improved drilling efficiencies compared to offset wells. The operator has benefited from the minimization of drilling fluids costs and optimization in drilling operations, including reducing the volume of oil-based drilling fluids used per well, fewer casing sections, and fewer requirements for cementing intervals to solve lost circulation problems. This paper will discuss the design of the ultra-low-invasion technology in an oil-based drilling fluid, the strategy for determining the technical limits for application, the evaluation of the operative window with an increase in the fracture gradient, the optimized drilling performance, and reduction in costs, including the elimination of NPT caused by wellbore instability.

Rheological Study of Nanosilica Based Drilling Fluid

2014 ◽  
Vol 575 ◽  
pp. 128-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Hashimah Alias ◽  
Nuurhani Farhanah Mohd Tahir ◽  
T.A.T. Mohd ◽  
N.A. Ghazali ◽  
E. Yahya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xanthan Gum ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Gel Strength ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Well Completion ◽  
Strength Tests ◽  
Water Based ◽  
The Stability

In drilling and well completion operations, drilling fluid is a crucial element as it is employed for the purposes of several functions. The main functions of drilling fluid are to control formation pressure, maintain the wellbore stability, transport the cuttings up to surface to clean the borehole bottom as well as to lubricate and cool the drill bit. Moreover, it is used to minimize the drilling damage to reservoir and suspend cuttings when the pumping is stop, hence it will not falling back down the borehole. The purpose of this study is to formulate new drilling mud formulation modified with nanosilica. Six samples of water based mud (WBM) were prepared using three types of polymers, (Xanthan Gum, Hydro Zan Plus and Hydro Star HT), starch and nanosilica. Basic rheological tests such as density, viscosity and pH were carried out. The density test was carried out using mud balance meanwhile the pH test was using pH meter. Theplasticviscosity, yield point and gel strength tests were carried out using viscometer. Besides that, physical observation was also performed for as the stability test. The results concluded that water based mud incorporated with polymer Hydro Zan Plus and nanosilica can be a potential candidate to be commercialized as a smart nanodrilling fluid.

Modification of Nanoclay Systems: An Approach to Stabilizing Drilling Fluids

2013 ◽  
Vol 829 ◽  
pp. 818-824
Author(s):  
Sahar Kafashi ◽  
Ramin Taghdimi ◽  
Gholamreza Karimi
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Properties ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Flow Properties ◽  
Water Soluble Polymer ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Oil Company

This study was aimed to investigate the rheological properties and the possibility of nano(Na, Ca )- bentonites nanoproducts to meet the required drilling mud properties. Sepiolite (Sp) and the mixture of 2% nanoNaB with 1% Sp were collected and prepared from Irans oil Company (NIOC). The nanoclay performance evaluation involved the experimental tests of the rheological properties, filtration and gel strength. According to the results obtained from flow properties tests for the mixture, it was indicated that the mixture was not adequate to be a suitable drilling fluid. The main objective was to make stable dispersions with nanobentonite and sepiolite by using a water soluble polymer as stabilizer. The changes in the rheological properties of bentonite were investigated at various concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to discover the stability of the dispersions. The standard API tests were applied for drilling fluid to determine the properties of dispersions.

scholarly journals Optimization of Deviated and Horizontal Wells Trajectories and Profiles in Rumaila Oilfield

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-53
Author(s):  
Hussein Saeed Almalikee ◽  
Fahad M. Al-Najm
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Wellbore Instability ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Planning And Design ◽  
Horizontal Wellbore ◽  
Wellbore Failure

Directional and horizontal wellbore profiles and optimization of trajectory to minimizeborehole problems are considered the most important part in well planning and design. Thisstudy introduces four types of directional and horizontal wells trajectory plans for Rumailaoilfield by selecting the suitable kick off point (KOP), build section, drop section andhorizontal profile. In addition to the optimized inclination and orientation which wasselected based on Rumaila oilfield geomechanics and wellbore stability analysis so that theoptimum trajectory could be drilled with minimum wellbore instability problems. The fourrecommended types of deviated wellbore trajectories include: Type I (also called Build andHold Trajectory or L shape) which target shallow to medium reservoirs with lowinclination (20o) and less than 500m step out, Type II (S shape) that can be used topenetrate far off reservoir vertically, Type III (also called Deep Kick off wells or J shape)these wells are similar to the L shape profile except the kickoff point is at a deeper depth,and design to reach far-off targets (>500m step out) with more than 30o inclination, andfinally Type IV (horizontal) that penetrates the reservoir horizontally at 90o. The study alsorecommended the suitable drilling mud density that can control wellbore failure for the fourtypes of wellbore trajectory.

Coupled Thermal-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical Modeling for Time-Dependent Anisotropic Wellbore Stability Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyou Xue ◽  
Kenji Furui
Keyword(s):  
Stability Analysis ◽  
Chemical Potential ◽  
Bedding Plane ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Shale Formations ◽  
Wellbore Instability ◽  
Bedding Planes ◽  
Stress Changes

<p>Wellbore instability is one of the most serious drilling problems increasing well cost in well construction processes. It is widely known that many wellbore instability problems are reported in shale formations where water sensitive clay mineral exist. The problems become further complicated when the shale exhibits variation in strength properties along and across bedding planes. In this study, a coupled thermal-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) model was developed for time-dependent anisotropic wellbore stability analysis considering chemical interactions between swelling shale and drilling fluids, thermal effects, and poro-elastoplastic stress-strain behaviors.</p><p>The THMC simulator developed in this work assumes that the shale formation behaves as an ion exchange membrane where swelling depends on chemical potential of drilling fluids invading from the wellbore to the pore spaces. The time-dependent chemical potential changes of water within the shale are evaluated using an analytical diffusion equation resulting in the evolution of swelling strain around the wellbore. On the other hand, the thermal and pressure diffusion equations are evaluated numerically by finite differences. The stress changes associated with thermal, hydro, and chemical effects are coupled to the 3D poroelastoplastic finite element model. The effects of bedding planes are also taken into account in the FEM model through the crack tensor method in which the normal and tangential stiffnesses of the bedding planes have stress dependency. The failure of the formation rock is judged based on the critical plastic strain limit.</p><p>The numerical analysis results indicate that the rock strength anisotropy induced by the existence of bedding planes is the most important factor influencing the stability of the wellbore among various THMC process parameters investigated in this work. The numerical results also reveal that an established theory to orient the wellbore in the direction of the minimum principal stress is not always a favorable option when the effect of the anisotropy of in-situ stresses and the distribution angle of bedding planes cancel out each other. Depending on both the distribution angle of bedding plane and ratio of the vertical to the horizontal stress, the trend of minimum mud pressure showed a great variation as predicted by the yield and failure criterion implemented in the model. Furthermore, the analysis results reveal that the distribution and evolution of plastic strains caused by the THMC processes have the time dependency, which can be controlled by the temperature and salinity of the drilling fluids.</p><p>The numerical wellbore stability analysis model considering shale swelling and bedding plane effects provides an effective tool for designing optimum well trajectories and determining safe mud weight windows for drilling complex shale formations. The time-dependent margins of safe mud weight window of drilling can be fine-tuned when the interaction among various parameters is fully considered as the THMC processes.</p>

Numerical Investigation of the Influence of the Drill String Vibration Cyclic Loads on the Time Dependent Wellbore Stability Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaud Regis Kamgue Lenwoue ◽  
Jingen Deng ◽  
Yongcun Feng ◽  
Naomie Beolle Songwe Selabi
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Load ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Cyclic Loads ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Collapse Pressure ◽  
Wellbore Instability ◽  
String Vibration ◽  
Fracture Pressure

Abstract Wellbore instability is one of the most important causes of Non-Productive Time causing billions of dollars of losses every year in the petroleum industry. During the drilling operations, the drilling mud is generally utilized to maintain the wellbore stability. However, the drilling mud is subjected to fluctuations caused by several processes such as the drill string vibration cyclic loads which can result into wellbore instability. In this paper, a nonlinear finite element software ABAQUS is utilized as the numerical simulator to evaluate the time dependent pore pressure and stress distribution around the wellbore after integration of drill string vibration cyclic loads. A MATLAB program is then developed to investigate the wellbore stability by computation of the time dependent wellbore collapse pressure and fracture pressure. The numerical results showed that the safe mud window which was initially constant became narrower with the time after integration of vibration cyclic load. The collapse pressure without vibration cyclic load increased by 14.33 % at the final simulation time while the fracture pressure decreased by 13.80 %. Interestingly, the safe mud windows widened with the increase of the normalized wellbore radius as the wellbore fracture pressure increased and the collapse pressure decreased. This study provides an insight into the coupling of the wellbore stability and the continuous cyclic loads generated by drill string vibrations which is an aspect that has been rarely discussed in the literature.

Scientific and technological aspects and prospects for application of cryogenic drilling technology

2020 ◽  
pp. 54-62
Author(s):  
A. B. Tulubaev ◽  
E. V. Panikarovskii
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Western Siberia ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Chemical Reagent ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Foreign Experience ◽  
Permafrost Rocks ◽  
The North ◽  
Drilling Technology

In the article, we analyze types of drilling mud, which are used to drilling intervals of permafrost rocks; the importance of wellbore stability is noted. Wedescribethemain technologies, which have been being applied in the north of Western Siberia; these technologies are aimed at minimizing the loss wellbore stability due to violation of the temperature conditions in the well. We also analyze hydrocarbon systems, taking into account foreign experience, which is based on prospecting and exploratory drilling of ice deposits in Greenland and Antarctica. The article draws your attention to using synthetic fluids, monoesters and chladones. The difficulties of the existing technology and the disadvantages of the hydrocarbon systems are highlighted. We propose to apply a new cryogenic drilling technology, which consists in the use of synthetic fluorine-containing agents as flushing fluid at low temperatures. The text gives valuable information on composition of the proposed flushing fluid and the prospects of using the technology to prevent complications. Much attention is given to issue of manufacturing the main chemical reagent with the reduction of the generalized production chain of its production from the starting material, it is fluorspar.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document