EXAMPLE

After drilling, cementing, well head and tubing hunger installed, the well may be kept
under control using brine (completion fluid).
Given the following;
Temperature of drill floor = 80C
Temperature of well head = 950C
Reservoir temperature = 1050C
Mud density (completion fluid) = 1.18kg/l
Density of steel = 7850 kg/m3
Young’s modulus for this steel tubing = 207,000 MPa.
Expansion sleeve = 12m

a) Find the expected change in length when the whole tubing is gradually run in the
well to TVD.
1. Change in length due to temperature is given by:
∆L = L x ∆T x α
Where L = length of tubing = 5,000m
∆T = Change in temperature
α = Coefficient of linear expansivity of steel taken as 12.3 x 10-6 m/m/0C

well temperature = 95+105 = 1000c

2
∆T = 100 – 8 = 920C
∆L = 5000 x 92 x 12.3 x 10-6
= 5.658m

2. Change in length due to tubing weight is given by;

∆L = (LxF) / (A x E)
Where L = Length of tubing
F = Bouyed weight of tubing
Given by L x A x ρs x 0.5 x Kb x 9.81
Note: i) Reading on weight indicator when beginning the running of the tubing is 0
and reaching maximum when the whole length is run.
Hence average weight of tubing
= 0 + maximum reading
2
ii) Mass of tubing = Density of tubing (steel), ρs x volume of steel (length x steel cross
section area) A, given by ∏ (D2 – d2)
4

= L x A x ρs

iii) Kb = bouyance factor of steel immersed in mud density of 1.18 and from table
A25 in the DDH, = 0.85

iv) 9.81 is the acceleration due to gravity

∆L = L x L x A x ρs x Kb x 9.81 x 0.5
AxE
∆L = L2 x ρs x Kb x 9.81 x 0.5
E
0.5 x (5000)2 x 7850 x 0.85 x 9.81
2.07 x 1011
∆L = 3.953 m

Total change in length = 5.658m + 3.953m = 9.6107m

b) Choose the best specification for the tubing hanger to suit this completion among;
A) 9” 5,000 psi
B) 7” 10,000 psi
C) 5” 15,000 psi
Hydrostatic pressure with mud density of 1.18 is given by;
P=hρg
= 5000 x 1.18 x 0.0981
= 578.79
= 578.79 bar
The reservoir pressure should be expected to be at least 10 bar more than this
calculated hydrostatic pressure.
= 578.79 + 10
= 588.79 bar
In psi,
Pressure P = 588.79
0.06894745
= 8,539.69 psi

The best pressure system should be 7”, 10,000 psi tubing hanger.

c) Using the drilling data hand book, make a qualified guess of the maximum total
weight of the tubing design in tonne.

From table C53,

The heaviest 7 inch tubing is given as 46.00 Lb/ft
5000m = 16404.199

Weight = 16404.199 x 46.00

= 7700593.154 Lb
2.2
= 3500269.615kg
The weight in tonne
≈ 3500 tonne

Exercise
Use the two graphs for pressure and for temperature gradients you were provided with
and design a tubing string giving calculated sizes of;
1. Expansion sleeve
2. Tubing hanger specification
3. Maximum weight of the tubing design in tonne.

Additional information which you may require.

- Tubing steel density = 7850kg/m3
- Linear expansivity of steel tubing = 12.3 x 10-6m/m/0C
- Young’s modulus = 220,000Mpa for this steel tubing
- Any other defendable assumptions you can make to complete this design.