Reverse circulation air drilling can reduce well bore damage

Journal Article · Mon Mar 22 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:6558198

Graham, R L; Foster, J M; Amick, P C; Shaw, J S ^[1]

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1. Reuben L.Graham Inc., Charleston, WV (United States)

Reverse circulation air drilling coupled with an air dryer at the surface helped eliminate formation damage in several gas wells. During reverse circulation drilling, the air flows down the annulus and up the drill pipe. The following were the three primary objectives of damage-free drilling (DFD): Reducing damage so the initial open flows would more accurately reflect natural permeability. Reducing damage for diagnostic tools (temperature logs, noise logs, mud [gas composition] logs, and borehole television) to better detect liquid and gas entry points. Improving sampling by returning larger cuttings with shorter and more precise lag times. The secondary objectives were to reduce drilling costs through the following: Lowering required circulating air volumes when cuttings are reversed up the drillstring. Reducing water influx from shallow water zones because of annular back pressure during circulation. Improving penetration rates for larger holes. This describes tests while drilling; the borehole television used in investigating air-drilled well bores; permeability tests; cuttings sample; drilling parameters; and operations and results from two field tests.

• OSTI ID: 6558198
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Vol. 91:12; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
WELL DRILLING
AIR FLOW
BOREHOLES
COST
DRYERS
FIELD TESTS
FORMATION DAMAGE
MITIGATION
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PERMEABILITY
SAMPLING
TELEVISION
WATER INFLUX
CAVITIES
DRILLING
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
TESTING
WELLS
030300* - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing