Extended-reach drilling may double wells/platform

Journal Article · Mon May 05 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5784228

Research on extended-reach drilling may greatly increase the number of wells (and area of coverage) from offshore platforms. Already, one operator is using preliminary research data to plan an 80-well platform. Several operators plan extended-reach drilling for large-field development. And one operator wants to plug depleted wells on an existing platform and use the slot to drill to a distant pay. The major faults with extended-reach drilling are similar to, but more severe than, problems with conventional directional drilling. Research has determined that the major problems, in decreasing order of severity, are: 1. Difficulty in getting tools to bottom; 2. Excessive torque and drag; 3. Differential pressure sticking; 4. Poor hole cleaning; 5. Increased casing wear; 6. Inadequate borehole stability; 7. Potential keyseating; 8. Difficulty in applying bit weight; 9. Decreased survey accuracy. These finding form part of an industry project to quantify problems and propose solutions for drilling high-angle and extended-reach wells. Phase 1 of the project, conducted by Maurer Engineering Inc., Houston, also has generated a 100-well data base for five major drilling areas, developed a torque and drag computer program for high-angle wells, and matched some problems with probable solutions. The 18-month first phase was planned to determine the limitations of high-angle drilling. The second phase is to define and develop extended-reach drilling and completion technology needed to produce deepwater and hostile-environment oil and gas reservoirs.

• OSTI ID: 5784228
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Vol. 84:18
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
42 ENGINEERING
NATURAL GAS WELLS
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
OFFSHORE DRILLING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
OIL WELLS
BOREHOLES
CLEANING
DATA BASE MANAGEMENT
DRAG
DRILL BITS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
PLANNING
PLUGGING
PROGRAMMING
STABILITY
TORQUE
WEAR
WEIGHT
WELL CASINGS
WELL COMPLETION
CAVITIES
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MANAGEMENT
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing
423000 - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-)