Low-head drilling avoids differential sticking and reduces formation damage

Journal Article · Mon Sep 08 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Oil and Gas Journal

OSTI ID:527591

Kass, M; Senger, J C ^[1]; Sach, M ^[2]

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1. BEB Erdgas and Erdoel GmbH, Nienhagen (Germany)
2. Nowsco Well Service GmbH, Vechta (Germany)

Differential sticking and formation damage were avoided in Germany`s Uelsen gas field by drilling with low-head drilling (LHD) fluids. Uelsen is operated by BEB Erdgas and Erdoel GmbH in Germany and is being converted into an underground gas storage (UGS) facility. It is located northwest of Nordhorn near the Netherlands border. Four storage wells were drilled and completed using the LHD technique in the depleted Bunter sandstone reservoir. A gradient of 0.6 bar/10 m was achieved using an aerated mud system. This was the first time this type of system was used in Germany. The paper describes low-head drilling, the mud systems, LHD management, fit-for-purpose procedures, drilling costs, operational experience, completion criteria, and future applications.

• OSTI ID: 527591
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal, Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal Journal Issue: 36 Vol. 95; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
DRILLING FLUIDS
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
FORMATION DAMAGE
MITIGATION
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
STORAGE FACILITIES
WELL COMPLETION
WELL DRILLING