Real Time Automation of Cutting Carrying Capacity Index to Predict Hole Cleaning Efficiency and Thereby Improve Well Drilling Performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed M Al-Rubaii ◽  
Dhafer Al-Shehri ◽  
Mohamed N Mahmoud ◽  
Saleh M Al-Harbi ◽  
Khaled A Al-Qahtani
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Well Drilling ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Drilling Performance ◽  
Drilling Operations

Abstract Hole cleaning efficiency is one of the major factors that affects well drilling performance. Rate of penetration (ROP) is highly dependent on hole cleaning efficiency. Hole cleaning performance can be monitored in real-time in order to make sure drilled cuttings generated are efficiently transported to surface. The objective of this paper to present a real time automated model to obtain hole cleaning efficiency and thus effectively adjust parameters as required to improve drilling performance. The process adopts a modified real time carrying capacity indicator. There are many hole cleaning models, methodologies, chemicals and correlations, but majority of these models do not simulate drilling operations sequences and are not dependent on practicality of drilling operations. The developed real time hole cleaning indicator can ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation of hole cleaning performance during drilling operations. The methodology of real time model development is by selecting offset mechanical drilling parameters and drilling fluid parameters where collected, analyzed, tested and validated to model strong hole cleaning efficiency indicator that can extremely participate and facilitate a position in drilling automations and fourth industry revolution. The automated hole cleaning model is utilizing real time sensors of drilling and validate the strongest relationships among the variables. The study, analysis, test and validation of the relationships will reveal the significant parameters that will contribute massively for model development procedures. The model can be run as well by using the real time sensors readings and their inputs to be fed into the developed automated model. The developed model of real time carrying capacity indicator profile will be shown as function of depth, drilling fluid density, flow rate of mud pump or mud pump output, and other important factors will be illustrated by details. The model has been developed and validated in the field of drilling operations to empower the drilling teams for better and understandable monitoring and evaluation of hole cleaning efficiency while performing drilling operations. The real time model can provide a vision for better control of mud additives and that will contribute to mud cost effectiveness. The automated model of hole cleaning efficiency optimized the rate of penetration (ROP) by 50% in well drilling performance as a noticeable and valuable improvement. This optimum improvement saved cost and time of rig and drilling of wells and contributed to accelerate wells’ delivery. The innovative real time model was developed to optimize drilling and operations efficiency by using the surface rig sensors and interpret the downhole measurements and that can lead innovatively to other important hole cleaning indicators and other tactics for better development of downhole measurements models that can participate for optimized drilling efficiency.

Hole-Cleaning Fibers Improve Cuttings-Carrying Capacity

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (05) ◽  
pp. 63-64
Author(s):  
Chris Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Flow Regime ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Rheological Model ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Drilling Operations

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 203147, “Investigating Hole-Cleaning Fibers’ Mechanism To Improve Cutting Carrying Capacity and Comparing Their Effectiveness With Common Polymeric Pills,” by Mohammad Saeed Karimi Rad, Mojtaba Kalhor Mohammadi, SPE, and Kourosh Tahmasbi Nowtarki, International Drilling Fluids, prepared for the 2020 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, held virtually 9–12 November. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Hole cleaning in deviated wells is more challenging than in vertical wells because of the boycott effect or the eccentricity of the drillpipe. Poor hole cleaning can result in problems such as borehole packoff or excessive equivalent circulating density. The complete paper investigates a specialized fibrous material (Fiber 1) for hole-cleaning characteristics. The primary goal is to identify significant mechanisms of hole-cleaning fibers and their merits compared with polymeric high-viscosity pills. Hole-Cleaning Indices Based on a review of the literature, most effective parameters regarding hole cleaning in different well types were investigated. These parameters can be classified into the following five categories: - Well design (e.g., hole angle, drillpipe eccentricity, well trajectory) - Drilling-fluid properties (e.g., gel strength, mud weight) - Formation properties (e.g., lithology, cutting specific gravity, cuttings size and shape) - Hydraulic optimizations (e.g., flow regime, nozzle size, number of nozzles) - Drilling practices (e.g., drillpipe rotation speed, wellbore tortuosity, bit type, rate of penetration, pump rate) In this research, rheological parameters and parameters of the Herschel-Bulkley rheological model are considered to be optimization inputs to increase hole-cleaning efficiency of commonly used pills in drilling operations. The complete paper offers a detailed discussion of both the importance of flow regime and the role of the Herschel-Bulkley rheological model in reaching a better prognosis of drilling-fluid behavior at low shear rates. The properties of the fibrous hole-cleaning agent used in the complete paper are provided in Table 1. Test Method Two series of tests were performed. The medium of the first series is drilling water, with the goal of evaluating the efficiency of Fiber 1 in fresh pills. The second series of tests was per-formed with a simple polymeric mud as a medium common in drilling operations. Formulations and rheological properties of both test series are provided in Tables 4 and 5 of the complete paper, respectively.

Development of Digital Twins for Drilling Fluids: Local Velocities for Hole Cleaning and Rheology Monitoring

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehrdad Gharib Shirangi ◽  
Roger Aragall ◽  
Reza Ettehadi ◽  
Roland May ◽  
Edward Furlong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Rheological Properties ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Digital Twins ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Cuttings Bed

Abstract In this work, we present our advances to develop and apply digital twins for drilling fluids and associated wellbore phenomena during drilling operations. A drilling fluid digital twin is a series of interconnected models that incorporate the learning from the past historical data in a wide range of operational settings to determine the fluids properties in realtime operations. From several drilling fluid functionalities and operational parameters, we describe advancements to improve hole cleaning predictions and high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) rheological properties monitoring. In the hole cleaning application, we consider the Clark and Bickham (1994) approach which requires the prediction of the local fluid velocity above the cuttings bed as a function of operating conditions. We develop accurate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to capture the effects of rotation, eccentricity and bed height on local fluid velocities above cuttings bed. We then run 55,000 CFD simulations for a wide range of operational settings to generate training data for machine learning. For rheology monitoring, thousands of lab experiment records are collected as training data for machine learning. In this case, the HPHT rheological properties are determined based on rheological measurement in the American Petroleum Institute (API) condition together with the fluid type and composition data. We compare the results of application of several machine learning algorithms to represent CFD simulations (for hole cleaning application) and lab experiments (for monitoring HPHT rheological properties). Rotating cross-validation method is applied to ensure accurate and robust results. In both cases, models from the Gradient Boosting and the Artificial Neural Network algorithms provided the highest accuracy (about 0.95 in terms of R-squared) for test datasets. With developments presented in this paper, the hole cleaning calculations can be performed more accurately in real-time, and the HPHT rheological properties of drilling fluids can be estimated at the rigsite before performing the lab experiments. These contributions advance digital transformation of drilling operations.

Evaluation of Constitutive Equation for Stress in Solids in Porous Media Composed of Bridging Agents Used in Drilling Fluids

2012 ◽  
Vol 727-728 ◽  
pp. 1878-1883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Arantes Moreira ◽  
Flávia Cristina Assis Silva ◽  
Larissa dos Santos Sousa ◽  
Fábio de Oliveira Arouca ◽  
João Jorge Ribeiro Damasceno
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Constitutive Equation ◽  
Filter Cake ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Fluid Loss ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Oil Well ◽  
Well Drilling ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
The Stability

During oil well drilling processes in reservoir-rocks, the drilling fluid invades the formation, forming a layer of particles called filter cake. The formation of a thin filter cake and low permeability helps to control the drilling operation, ensuring the stability of the well and reducing the fluid loss of the liquid phase in the interior of the rocks. The empirical determination of the constitutive equation for the stress in solids is essential to evaluate the filtration and filter cake formation in drilling operations, enabling the operation simulation. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between the porosity and stress in solids of porous media composed of bridging agents used in drilling fluids. The concentration distribution in sediments was determined using a non-destructive technique based on the measure of attenuated gamma rays. The procedure employed in this study avoids the use of compression-permeability cell for the sediment characterization.

scholarly journals An Experimental Study on the Performance of Calcium Carbonate Extracted from Eggshells as Weighting Agent in Drilling Fluid

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 3859-3862 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Iqbal ◽  
M. Zubair ◽  
F. Pirzada ◽  
F. N. Abro ◽  
M. Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Gas Well ◽  
Well Drilling ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Drilling Cost ◽  
New Methodologies ◽  
The Cost

Drilling mud density is an important factor in drilling operations. The cost of the drilling mud used for oil and gas well drilling can be 10%-15% of the total drilling cost, and the deeper the well, the more the needed drilling mud. This research aims to prepare a mud that provides performance similar to the conventional mud and to lower down the dependency of primitive CaCO3 technology by exploring it from trash/polluted and naturally occurring materials. For that purpose, a mud was prepared by replacing primeval CaCO3 with the CaCO3 derived from eggshells, as eggshells contain CaCO3 in high amounts which range from 70% to 95%. The success of this project will provide an affordable solution and an alternative way to explore new methodologies for obtaining CaCO3. According to the 2017 Report of Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) 18,000 Million table eggs are consumed per year in Pakistan. The obtained results of this research are quite satisfactory. CaCO3 obtained from eggshells is used in high amounts, 275–410g to achieve density ranges from 9.5 to 11.0 pounds per gallon whereas, pure the needed quantity of pure CaCO3 is 150g to obtain the density of 10.5 pounds per gallon. Apart from this, it is also observed that eggshell based CaCO3 samples are more efficient in rheological properties compared to the market samples of CaCO3 t. The pH of pure CaCO3 sample of 10.5 pounds per gallon density is almost the same with the sample of eggshell CaCO3 of 10.5 pounds per gallon density.

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.

Comprehensive experimental investigation of hole cleaning performance in horizontal wells including the effects of drillstring eccentricity, pipe rotation and cuttings size

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ahmed K. Abbas ◽  
Mortadha T. Alsaba ◽  
Mohammed F. Al Dushaishi
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drill Pipe ◽  
Real Field ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Cleaning Performance ◽  
Pipe Rotation

Abstract Extended reach (ERD) wells with a horizontal and highly deviated section are widely applied in the oil and gas industry because they provide higher drainage area than vertical wells; and hence, increase the productivity or injectivity of the well. Among many issues encountered in a complex well trajectory, poor hole cleaning is the most common problem, which occurs mainly in the deviated and horizontal section of oil and gas wells. There are significant parameters that have a serious impact on hole cleaning performance in high-angle and horizontal sections. These include flow rate, rheology and density of the drilling fluid, drillstring eccentricity, pipe rotation, and cuttings size. It has been recognized that the action of most of these parameters to transport drilled cuttings is constantly a point of controversy among oilfield engineers. In the present study, extensive experiments were conducted in an advanced purpose-built flow rig to identify the main parameters affecting on circulate the cuttings out of the test section in a horizontal position. The flow-loop simulator has been designed to allow easy variation of operational parameters in terms of flow rate, mud density, drillstring eccentricity, pipe rotation, and cuttings size. In addition, the study covers the impacts of laminar, transition, and turbulent flow regimes. The goal of such variation in the operational conditions is to simulate real field situations. The results have shown that drill string rotation and flow rate were the operational parameters with the highest positive influence on the cuttings transports process. In contrast, drill pipe eccentricity has a negative influence on cuttings removal efficiency. The cuttings transportation performance is further improved by pipe rotation at different levels of eccentricity, especially at fully eccentric annuli. It was also shown that larger cuttings appeared to be easier to remove in a horizontal annulus than smaller ones. The experimental results would provide a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between drilling operation parameters and hole cleaning efficiency in ERD operations. This will help the drilling teams to realize what action is better to take for efficient cutting transportation.

Integrated Underreamer Technology with Real-Time Communication Helped Eliminate Rathole in Exploratory Operation Offshore Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Chidiogo Ozioko ◽  
Humphrey Osita ◽  
Udochukwu Ohia
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Telemetry System ◽  
Operational Risks ◽  
Drilling Performance ◽  
Drilling Tools ◽  
Measurement While Drilling ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Logging While Drilling ◽  
Fast Activation

Abstract This paper describes the successful deployment of integrated underreamer technology with real-time communication through mud-pulse telemetry system, to drill and eliminate rathole in 17 1/2-in × 20-in successfully in one run and helped set casing as close as possible to the depth of suspected pressure ramp on an exploratory well offshore Nigeria. This technology uses the same communication system (actuator bypass) as Measurement While Drilling tools (MWD), Logging While Drilling tools (LWD) and Rotary Steerable System (RSS). Integrated underreamers broadly used in the drilling operations support optimized casing and completion programs and helps reduce operational risks such as wellbore instability. The ball drop and hydraulically activated reamer technologies available today comes with limitations and HSE risks. The distinctive functionalities of the integrated underreamer technology described here, such as unlimited and fast activation and deactivation via downlinking and real time downhole feedback, reduce uncertainties and operational costs in the complex and challenging deep offshore drilling operations. The real-time communication through mud-pulse telemetry system enabled the placement of integrated underreamer 6 meters from the bit thereby reducing rathole length to approximately 9 meters compared to 80 meters for conventional underreamer application. The integrated underreamer is compatible with existing RSS and provide unlimited activation cycles. The integrated underreamer offers flexibility in placement in the bottom hole assembly (BHA) and it can be used as a near bit reamer, or as main reamer or as both. In this case, the integrated near bit underreamer eliminated the need for a dedicated rathole removal run. It also offered a feedback confirmation of the cutter blades activation status and provided hole opening log thereby reducing the operational uncertainties for the under reaming, saving rig time up to 16 hours for shoulder test. The underreamer was successfully deployed to drill and ream the challenging 14 ¾" × 17 ½" and ream 17 ½" × 20" section offshore Nigeria. Both sections were drilled and reamed to section Total Depth (TD) in one run with all directional reuirements and Measuring While Drilling (MWD)/Logging While Drilling (LWD) met saving client approximately 4 days of rig spread cost. The reamer appeared to provide an in-gauge borehole allowing for successful running and cementing of liners without any issues, demonstrating superior borehole quality. The new Technology proved to be a reliable and flexible hole enlargement while drilling solution that help to improve drilling performance, reduce operational risks and save cost.

Innovative Approach of Drilling Risk Identification and Mitigation Using Drilling Automation Services: Case Studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashabikash Roy Chowdhury ◽  
Matthew Forshaw ◽  
Narender Atwal ◽  
Matthias Gatzen ◽  
Salman Habib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Real Time ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Vertical Section ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Risk Identification ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Horizontal Section ◽  
Hole Cleaning

Abstract In the increasingly complex and cost sensitive drilling environment of today, data gathered using downhole and surface real-time sensor systems must work in unison with physics-based models to facilitate early indication of drilling hazards, allowing timely action and mitigation. Identification of opportunities for reduction of invisible lost time (ILT) is similarly critical. Many similar systems gather and analyze either surface or downhole data on a standalone basis but lack the integrated approach towards using the data in a holistic decision-making manner. These systems can either paint an incomplete picture of prevailing drilling conditions or fail to ensure system messages result in parameter changes at rigsite. This often results in a hit or miss approach in identification and mitigation of drilling problems. The automated software system architecture is described, detailing the physics-based models which are deployed in real-time consuming surface and downhole sensor data and outputting continuous, operationally relevant simulation results. Measured data from either surface, for torque & drag, or downhole for ECD & ESD is then automatically compared both for deviation of actual-to-plan, and for infringement of boundary conditions such as formation pressure regime. The system is also equipped to model off-bottom induced pressures; swab & surge, and dynamically advise on safe, but optimum tripping velocities for the operation at hand. This has dual benefits; both the avoidance of costly NPT associated with swab & surge, as well as being able to visually highlight running speed ILT. All processing applications are coupled with highly intuitive user interfaces. Three successful deployments all onshore in the Middle East are detailed. First a horizontal section where real-time model vs. actual automatic comparison of torque & drag samples, validated with PWD data allowed early identification of poor hole cleaning. Secondly, a vertical section where again the model vs. actual algorithmic automatically identified inadequate hole cleaning in a case where conventional human monitoring did not. Finally, a case is exhibited where real-time modelling of swab and surge, as well as intuitive visualization of the trip speeds within those boundary conditions led to a significant increase in average tripping speeds when compared to offset wells, reducing AFE for the operator. Common for all three deployments was an integrated well services approach, with a single service company providing the majority of services for well construction, as well as an overarching remote operations team who were primary users of the software solutions deployed.

A Real-Time Indicator for the Evaluation of Hole Cleaning Efficiency

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Alawami ◽  
Mohammed Bassam ◽  
Salem Gharbi ◽  
Mohammed Al Rubaii
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning
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