08.politecnico Di Torino Drill String Composition 2011

CHAPTER 8
DRILL STRING COMPOSITION FOR

VERTICAL AND DEVIATED WELLS
08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

1
8.1. DRILL STRINGS FOR VERTICAL

WELLS

2
SPONTANEOUS DEVIATION
30"
0m
20"
Sand
13 3/8"
Sand + shale
2000 m
4000 m
9 5/8"
Shale
Limestone
d
Hy
ca
o
r
rb
on

3
Reservoir
7"
6000 m
Vertical wells are not vertical at all, because they
are subject to spontaneous deviation from the
vertical.
Deviation is the displacement of the borehole
from the planned straight path caused by the
interaction of the bit with the rock and the
physical mechanical characteristics of the drill
string.
Deviation must be surveyed and kept
to a
minimal possible extent as it can cause drilling
problems such as:
failure of the drill string due to fatigue
drill string wear
stuck drill-string caused by key-seating and/or
differential pressure
instability of the formations
etc.

4
SPONTANEOUS
DEVIATION
CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS DEVIATION

The main factors which cause the deviation of the borehole are:
Formation types
Formation dips
Presence and position of stabilizers in the bottom hole assembly
Inclination of the borehole
Borehole-drill string clearance
Actual rate of penetration (ROP)

5
SPONTANEOUS
DEVIATION
CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS DEVIATION

MECHANICAL ACTION CAUSED BY THE ROCK-BIT INTERACTION :
Theory of Formation Anisotropy

Theory of Formation Drillability
Mini-Whipstock Theory
Theory of the Drill Collar Momentum.
MECHANICAL ACTION INDUCED BY THE STRING ON THE BIT

which is connected to:
Weight on the bit
Pendulum forces
Forces connected to the rigidity and the type of drill string
stabilization.
6
Formation ANISOTROPY theory
HOMOGENEOUS FORMATIONS
In the case of
NON-HOMOGENEOUS
formations with the presence of INCLINED
lamination planes, the rock is broken
HETEROGENEOUSLY
with respect to the axis of the teeth.
7
FORMATION DRILLABILITY THEORY

8
MINIWHIPSTOCK THEORY
The action of the bit creates fractures

perpendicular to the sedimentation layer,
resulting in the formation of small wedges
which cause borehole deviation.

9
DRILL COLLAR MOMENTUM THEORY
The asymmetrical reaction opposed by

the soil when passing from a soft to a
hard formation, or viceversa, generates
a momentum at the bit which varies the
length, L1 and L2, from the DC tangency
point with the borehole and thereby
the lateral force to the bit

10
MECHANICAL EFFECTS
CONFIGURATION OF BENDING OF THE DRILL STRING AS A

FUNCTION OF THE WEIGHT ON THE BIT
EFFECT OF THE BENDING OF THE DRILLSTRING ON THE

BOREHOLE DEFLECTION.

11
MECHANICAL EFFECTS
FB = Weight on the bit

FL = Lateral component
of the pendulum force
FR = Resultant force
Theoretical scheme of the forces which affect the borehole deflection angle
The effect of weight on the Bit FB acts mainly on the lateral component of the pendulum force FL:
A)
if > 0 = the resultant FR tends to increase the deflection
B)
if = 0 the resultant FR coincides with the axis of the hole (constant inclination).
C)
if < 0 the resultant FR tends to bring the hole back to the vertical.
12
8.1. DRILL STRINGS FOR VERTICAL WELLS
To OPPOSE the natural deviation of a well, the size of the DRILL STRINGS
should be very close to that of the borehole, but this is obviously impossible. In
practice only the lower part of the drill string, called the Bottom Hole Assembly or
BHA, is kept to a maximum possible diameter, by means of an appropriate
stabilization design.
Depending on the tendency to deviate of the formations, the stabilization design

can assume quite different configurations.

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8.1. DRILL STRINGS FOR VERTICAL WELLS
STABILIZATION OF THE DRILL STRING

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8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS
Typical Rotary Drill String

Drill Pipes
Heavy Wate (intermediate stiffness pipes)
X-over
Drill Collars
Jar (Shock tool to be activated while drill string is stuck)
Drill Collars
Stabilizer (for hole reaming)
Drill Collar
Shock absorber (vibrations dampener)
Stabilizer
Drill Collar (Short Drill Collar)
Near bit
Drilling bit
15
Drill Collars
Heavy, thick-walled steel pipes placed between the drill pipes and
the bit to apply weight upon the bit (11 DCs weigh up to 445 kgf/m).
In some cases spiral collars to avoid sticking problems or square
collars can be used.
Average length is usually around 9.5 m.
Threaded connections (male at one end and female at the other)
enable that multiple collars can be screwed together along with
other down hole tools to compose the bottom hole assembly (BHA).
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Connections
OD
inch
ID
inch
Weight
Kg/m
NC 35-47
4 3/4
2 1/4
69.7
NC 50-67
6 3/4
2 13/16
149.4
NC 56-80
2 13/16
222.7
7 5/8
Reg.
9 1/2
322.9
DRILL
COLLARS

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Stabilizers
Short piece of pipe (1-1.5 m) with steel spiral blades of

the same diameter of the bit or slightly smaller.
In this way it is possible to keep the hole vertical.
The stabilizers are installed between the drill collars.

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INTEGRAL
BLADE SPIRAL
STABILIZER
Integral Bladed Stabilisers are manufactured from AISI 4145H modified steel. All Stabilisers
are bored, drifted and fully heat treated to meet or exceed the mechanical property requirements
of NS-1. A through-wall hardness range of 285341 HB and a charpy V notch impact strength of
42 joules at 20C are guaranteed one inch below the surface. Stabilisers are available in both
open design and tight design, near bit or string, and can be supplied in alloy or non-magnetic
steel.
API Connection
All API connections comply with dimensional requirements specified in API Spec 7 and API RP 7G.
Premium connections are available on request.
Hard-facing
The type of hard-facing to be applied on drilling equipment has to be carefully chosen taking into
account drilling parameters and formation.
Hard-facing Types
HF 1000 (crushed carbide)
HF 2000 (crushed carbide and tungsten traps)
HF 3000 (T.C.I. spray matrix spray powder and tungsten insert)
HF 4000 (buttons)
HF 5000 (technodur)
Options Available
Integral blade
Welded blade
Alloy steel
Non-magnetic steel
WELDED BLADE
STABILIZER
Integral Blade Nortrac
Non-Mag (Monel) Stabilizer
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Drilling Jar
A mechanical device used down
hole to deliver an impact load to
another down hole component,
when this component is stuck.
There are two primary types:
hydraulic jars
mechanical jars
Jars can be designed to strike
up, down or both.

20

Heavy Weight Drill Pipes
A type of drill pipes whose walls are thicker and tool-joints
are longer than conventional drill pipes. HWDP are stronger
and have higher tensile strength than conventional drill pipes,
so they are placed near the top of a long drill string for
additional support.
A 5 HW weighs more than 70 kg/m. The average length of a
single pipe is 9.5 m.

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Drill Pipes

22

Drill Pipes
Drill
pipes
Drill
collars
Tool
joints
Tubular steel pipes, having an outside diameter from 2 3/8 to 6 5/8 with
weights from 10 to 40 kg/m, fitted with special threaded ends called tool
joints.
The drill pipes connect the rig surface equipment with the bottom hole
assembly and the bit, both to pump drilling fluid to the bit and to be able
to raise, lower and rotate the bottom hole assembly and the bit.
The average length for a single pipe is 9.5 m.
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MWD
DRILL
STABILIZER
JAR
COLLAR

24
HEAVY
DRILL
WEIGHT
PIPE
Drilling
Roller
Reamer

25

Hole Openers are versatile tools
used for hole enlargements, up to
46-in. diameter. These tools are
manufactured to withstand drilling in
areas where heavy boulders and
cobbles are encountered.
Hole Openers

26

The lowermost portion of the drill string, consisting of (starting from the
bottom):
bit,
bit sub,
stabilizers,
bumpers,
shock absorber,
drill collars,
heavy weight drill pipes,
jarring devices ("jars")
cross-over for various thread forms
constitutes the Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA)
The BHA provides the weight on bit (WOB) necessary to break the rock,
must survive a hostile mechanical environment and allows the control of
the trajectory (direction and inclination) of the well.
Often the BHA includes a mud motor, some directional drilling and
measuring equipment, measurements-while-drilling tools, loggingwhile-drilling tools and other specialized devices.

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8.2. DRILL STRINGS FOR

DEVIATED WELLS

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8.2. DIRECTIONAL DRILLING: WHEN

Directional drilling is used in a number of operational situations, the most recurrent of
which are listed below.
Multi-well drilling from a single location.
location This solution is applied both offshore and
onshore. In the former case, where it has been systematically used for very many years,
the main reason for applying such a solution is the need to minimize a fields drilling and
exploitation costs. This is due to the fact that, from a single platform (A), it is possible to
drill a great number of wells (even more than thirty), whereas, if the vertical well option
had been chosen, it would be necessary to drill them one by one with dedicated rigs and
then connect each of them to the same production platform.
In the case of onshore wells, besides the need to reduce the drilling and production
costs of the field, the main reason for using a single cluster is the need to reduce the
environmental impact of the operations, especially when working in areas such as parks,
natural reserves and habitats of certain protected animal and plant species. Onshore
directional drilling has been adopted more recently than offshore directional drilling. In
particular it spread after the introduction of horizontal drilling due to the undeniable
advantages that it also brings in terms of increased well productivity.

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Inaccessible places.
places Resorting to the drilling of deviated and horizontal wells is
unavoidable when the target is located in mountains regions or below or rivers (C), or in
any circumstance where it is difficult or costly to set up the drilling rig directly over the
vertical of the target.
Drilling in salt domes or in particular geological formations.
formations In order to reach a
target located below formations difficult to drill (e.g., salt domes, extensive faults), it is
sometimes preferable to start drilling the well laterally with respect to the structure and
then deviate around the cap of the salt dome (E), or perpendicularly to the fault plane to
minimize the natural tendency of the hole to deflect (B) which could cause great
problems in maintaining the inclination and the direction.
Sidetracking.
Sidetracking When a section of hole becomes unworkable due to pipe sticking or
failure, or when the target is changed once the drilling has already started, a new hole is
drilled starting from the maximum depth where the well proves to be free (D) to later take
up drilling again in a direction which is compatible with the newly planned well path.
Relief wells.
wells These directional wells are drilled to intercept a formation from which a well
is blowing out with the main purpose to kill it (Fig.).
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Directional Drilling
Early Applications
(California, 1930s)

31
Applications of directional wells

32
Drilling a relief well (right) to kill a blowout in progress (visible on the left,
on fire) at EBOCHA FIELD, Delta State, Nigeria .
33

34
8.2. DRILL STRINGS FOR DEVIATED WELLS
Factors Affecting Bit Trajectory

Gauge and placement of
stabilizers
Diameter and length of drill
collars
Weight on bit
Rotary speed
Bit type
Formation anisotropy and
dip angle of the bedding
planes
Formation hardness
MUD Flow rate
Rate of penetration
Hole Gauge
Side Force
at Bit
Side Force
at Stabilizer
Resultant
Force at Bit

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Hole Axis
Bit Tilt Angle
Formation
Anisotropy
Directional Control Principles
1. The Fulcrum Principle

2. The Stabilization Principle
3. The Pendulum Principle

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The Fulcrum Principle

Is used to build angle (i.e. increase of
borehole inclination)
Build-up rate will be increased by the
following:
An increase in the distance from the NB
stabilizer to the first ST stabilizer
Reduction of drill collar diameter
Increase in WOB
Reduction in rotary speed
Reduction in the MUD flow rate (in soft
formations)
Weight
Component of Force
On High Side
Force

37
Full Gauge
Near-bit
Stabilizer
BHAs for building inclination

SS
SS
UG
NB

38

The Stabilization Principle
(3-point stabilization)
Is used to hold (maintain) angle and direction.

The response of this type of BHA is determined
by the following factors:
1. Hole size.
2. Distance between the near-bit and lower
string stabilizers.
3. Stiffness of the collar directly above the
near-bit.
4. Gauge of the stabilizers.
5. Formation effects.
6. Drilling parameters.

39
BHAs for maintaining inclination
SS
SS
UG
NB

40
The Pendulum Principle

Is used to reduce (drop-off) the inclination
angle
The response of this type of BHA is
determined by the following factors:
The use of an under-gauge near-bit (semidrop BHA, for low drop-off rate) or no nearbit (pendulum BHA, for sharp drop-off rate)
Type of bit
Hole Size
WOB
Drilling Parameters
Force

41
Bi
Fo t Si
rc de
e
BHAs for dropping inclination
SS
SS

42

The most commonly used tool to put a
deviation in place was, for many decades, the
whipstock (Fig.). Basically, this is a tool
having a wedge-like shape about 6 metres long
which has, on top, a collar inside which a drill
bit is inserted. This drill bit has a smaller
diameter than that of the hole in which the
deviation will be carried out, for example a 6
bit will be used in a 8 e 1/2 hole. Above the
drill bit, a stabilizer and then a pipe are
screwed. At first, the drill bit-string system is
joined to the whipstock by means of a
shearable pin to permit its descent into the
well. Once the system has arrived to the
bottom of the tool is oriented in the direction
where the well will have to proceed. Once the
correct direction of the whipstock face has been
established, the whipstock is inserted into the
ground by means of a suitable weight, which
also causes the stop pin to be sheared. In this
way, the drill pipes are free to rotate while the
whipstock stays still at the bottom.
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JETTING
Holes in soft formations are

usually deviated by using a bit
which has all but one of the
nozzles
closed
off,
or
substantially reduced in size.
One 3/4" or 5/8" nozzle (Large
Jet) and two 1/4" nozzles are
popular sizes frequently used.

44
JETTING
Cheap
Soft Formations
ROP 80 ft/hr
At least 500 ft/sec velocity
through large jet

45
JETTING
Establishing a deviation by means of the jet bit: A, initial stage of the

jetting with an increase in the deviation angle; B, penetration of the bit in
rotary mode; C, further increase in the deviation angle by jetting.
46
DOWNHOLE MOTORS
(Positive Displacement Motors, PDM)
Bent Sub & Motor
Kick Off Sub (KOS)

& Motor
Bent Sub
1/2 - 3/100ft (30m)
Double Kick Off (DKO)

& Motor
6/100ft (30m)
Large BOS
Large BOS
No Surface Rotation
No Surface Rotation
1/2 - 3/100ft (30m)
Smaller BOS
No Surface Rotation
Double Kick-Off
Sub
Kick-Off Sub
BOS = Bit offset
BOS
BOS

47
BOS
DOWNHOLE MOTORS
VERTITRAK
Downhole - Surface Communication
Drill String Mud Column
Stand Pipe
Pressure
Sensor
Mud Pulser
Electronics
Remote Drillers
Display
Downhole
Closed Loop
Assembly
Surface
Assembly
0.14
deg.
Surface Control Unit

Plan
Actual Zoom
Proposed Location
Downhole Motor
Current Location
TFO
DLS
Correction
Hydraulic
Steering Assy
Drill Bit

48
Drilling
Parameters
DOWNHOLE MOTORS
VERTITRAK
Basic Steering Concept
Rotating shaft
Movable piston
Non-rotating sleeve

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DOWNHOLE MOTORS
AUTOTRAK (DEVIATED WELLS)
AutoTrak Features
Rotary Closed Loop Drilling System
can change well trajectory while rotating
expandable ribs create a lateral force on the bit and form
a controlled closed-loop with MWD
DOWNHOLE MOTORS
AUTOTRAK RCLS (Rotary Closed Loop System)
Flex Sub with

Sonde Electronics
Formation Evaluation Sub
Non Rotating Sleeve

Top Stabilizer
Alternator / Hydraulic Sub

Expandable Stabilizer Pad
51
DOWNHOLE MOTORS
Standard Steerable Drilling System and Autotrak Comparison
Standard steerable
Autotrak

52
8.3. DIRECTIONAL WELLS CONFIGURATIONS

There are three basic configurations for a directional well:
type 1: slant hole profile
type 2: S-shaped hole profile
type 3: J-shaped profile

53

SLANT-HOLE CONFIGURATION
In this type of hole configuration, the K.O.P.
is placed at low depths; after the maximum
angle of inclination has been reached during
the build-up phase, the angle is maintained
constant until the objective is reached.
This is the classic configuration of a
directional well in which the objective
consists of a single target or when an
extended displacement is requested.

54

S-SHAPED HOLE CONFIGURATION
Also in this case, the K.O.P. is placed at low
depths. After the maximum planned
inclination has been attained, it is maintained
until the largest part of the displacement has
been realized.
This configuration is used in structure where
different targets are present and when there
is the necessity to hit the target vertically, but
with a certain displacement from the surface
location of the well.
The K.O.P. is placed near the surface
because trips are short and the build-up is
much easily carried out in soft formations.

55
J-SHAPE HOLE CONFIGURATION

This solution is preferred in special
situations as, for instance, when drilling
close to faults or salt domes or in presence
of particular geological requirements.
In this case the K.O.P is placed deep in
the well and much closer to the objective.
Once the maximum inclination has been
obtained, the inclination angle is kept
constant till the target.

56
8.4.SELECTION OF THE GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS
Once the exact location of the well is known as well as the target to reach (in
terms of geographic or grid coordinates and depth) different well profiles can be
drawn for reaching the targets trough various combination of:
kick-off point (KOP)
build-up rate (BUR)
maximum planned inclination angle
drop-off rate (DOR)

57

Generally speaking the values the maximum inclination angle, BUR and DROP can
preferably assume range as follows:
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS ON INCLINATION ANGLE
ANGLE
GRADE OF
DIFFICULTY
COMMENTS
0-15
To be avoided
Difficulty in controlling the direction; tendency to have

holes with frequent variations in inclination. The problems
can be overcome if steerable systems are used.
15-30
Good
Good ROP; good control of direction, no particular hole

problems.
30
Optimal
30-50
Good
Progressive decrease in ROP with increase in inclination

angles.
50-60
Acceptable
Low ROP; risks of pipe sticking.
60 and
more
Requires the use of

proper techniques
Pipe sticking problems, high torque and drag, low ROP.

58
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS ON BUILD-UP RATE

ANGLE
GRADE OF
DIFFICULTY
COMMENTS
0-1,5/30 m
Not recommended
Difficulty in controlling the direction; build-up section too

long; to be used in case of very hard formations
1,5-3,0/30 m
Optimal
3,5-5,0/30 m
Risky
Problems on the pipe due to fatigue; eventual difficulties

in running casings.
> 5,0o and more
To be avoided (in
normal deviated
wells)
Risk of pipes failure.

59
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS ON DROP-OFF RATE

ANGLE
GRADE OF
DIFFICULTY
0-1,5/30 m
Not recommended
1,5-2,5/30 m
Optimal
More than 2,5
To be avoided
COMMENTS
Difficulty in controlling the direction; drop-off section too
long.
High torque; abnormal wear of the drill string; risks of

key-seating.

60
8.5. HORIZONTAL WELLS

61
8.5.1. INTRODUCTION
Horizontal wells have become in the last decade a widespread and quite common
technique all over the world, because they lead to a wide range of benefits, such
as:
increased rate of return from the reservoir;
improved recoverable reserves;
reduced development investments;
greater profitability in marginal field development.
The main scope of horizontal drilling is, clearly, to enhance hydrocarbons
productivity and recovery by exposing longer sections of the reservoir to drainage
with respect to vertical wells, in such a way to obtain more rapid and consistent
economical benefits.

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8.5.2. WHERE TO DRILL A HORIZONTAL WELL

Horizontal drilling has typical applications in formations as:
fractured carbonates;
sandstones.
Anyhow, this practice can not be indiscriminately applied, but, on the contrary, it
requires selected environments and gives the best results when applied to
accurately screened scenarios.
In general horizontal drilling finds its application in:
naturally fractured reservoirs;
discontinuous reservoirs;
water and gas coning prone reservoirs;
tight sands and carbonates;
heavy oil pools;
shallow or thin beds;
enhanced oil recovery projects.

63

Since the drilling of horizontal wells is more complex and expensive than
comparable vertical or standard deviated wells, the main reason to drill a horizontal
hole is to produce more and at better reservoir conditions.
For achieving this goal, all the significant characteristics of the reservoir must be
known and all variables (both on surface and downhole) accurately evaluated in
order to make the most accurate economic analysis.
Reservoir, Geology and Production Engineers are the most concerned in this
phase of the project. Screening of the most suitable reservoir is essential in order
to obtain a satisfactory outcome; the following parameters have to be assessed:
reservoir characteristics;
reservoir potential;
actual and expected production rates;
production decline curve;
driving mechanisms;
chances of gas/water coning problems;
thickness, areal extent and geological heterogeneities of the reservoir.

64

Once given an answer to these questions, the next phase foresees the
involvement of the Drilling and Completion Engineers, whose task is to define:
hole geometry;
drillstring design;
anticipated hole drilling problems (circulation losses, pipe sticking, hole
cleaning, torque and drag, etc.);
casing design;
mud and cementing programmes;
hydraulic programme;
bit selection;
deviation and orientation equipment selection;
completion, stimulation and work-over requirements;
drilling and completion costs.

65

Summarizing, good candidates for horizontal drilling are reservoirs with:
gas or water coning tendencies;
low permeability;
low virgin formation pressure;
natural vertical fractures;
thin or tight reservoirs;
viscous oil reservoirs;
faulted/discontinued zones.
Poor candidates may be identified with the following characteristics:
lease constraints;
low productivity or depleted reservoirs;
severe drilling and completion problems;
thin and multilayered reservoirs;
thick pays with low vertical permeability;
marginally economical fields.

66
10.2.4.1. HORIZONTAL WELLS: ADVANTAGES

We have already outlined the main motivations we have to drill a horizontal
well. Now, we deepen some of these motivations with relevant advantages
which merit a particular analysis:
1. increased productivity because of a longer section of hole exposed
2. increased productivity through the connection of vertical or subvertical
fractures
3. avoidance of problems by means of gas and water coning control
4. many other applications such as: drilling around topographical restrictions,
production of gas from coal seams, minimization of environmental impact, EOR
project enhancement, etc.

67
10.2.4.1. HORIZONTAL WELLS: ADVANTAGES

ENIVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SURFACE LOCATIONS AND FACILITIES
WHILE DEVELOPING A FIELD WITH VERTICAL WELLS

68
10.2.4.2. HORIZONTAL WELLS: DISADVANTAGES

The main disadvantages of horizontal wells are generally linked to drilling and
completion difficulties, such as:
Running equipment in and out of hole: drill string, casing, cables
Preventing/remedying differential sticking
Excessive torque
Cleaning the hole and preventing cuttings from settling along the hole
bottom
Controlling weight on bit to achieve and maintain directional control
Cementing casing or liner

69
10.2.4.3. HORIZONTAL WELLS: SUMMARY

In summary, this is the situation regarding horizontal wells:
Horizontal wells may produce at 3-5 times the rate of vertical wells in
same area ( as much as 20 times higher in special cases).
the
Horizontal wells typically cost 1.5-3 times as much as vertical wells

the same area.
in
Horizontal wells are often very attractive in formations with extensive

vertical fractures.
The use of horizontal wells has been growing worldwide.
Horizontal wells have increased recoverable reserves.
In the U.S. one rig in ten is drilling horizontal wells (1994) (1998)
Today, in Italy, one rig in fifteen is drilling horizontal wells (2001)

70
10.2.5. TYPES OF HORIZONTAL WELLS

Horizontal wells can be drilled according to various configurations in
relation to the build-up rate with which the final deviation angle is
reached; they can be grouped into the following main categories:
long radius wells
medium radius wells
short radius wells
ultra-short radius wells
The term radius is referred to the Build-Up Rate (B.U.R.) with which the
hole is turned from vertical to 90 or more.
Of the four types of horizontal well, only the first three are of interest for
the Oil Industry.
71

The basic characteristics distinguishing these three categories are as follows:
LONG RADIUS
- R.O.C.: 200 - 900 m (600 - 2700 ft) (R.O.C. = [180/( x B.U.R.)])
- B.U.R.: 2 - 8/30 m
- Lateral Length: 600 - 1600 m (2000 - 5000 ft)
MEDIUM RADIUS
- R.O.C.: 80 - 200 m (300 - 600 ft)
- B.U.R.: 8 - 20/30 m (up to 50-60/30 m)
SHORT RADIUS
- R.O.C.: 6 - 45 m (20 - 150 ft)
- B.U.R.: 40 - 300/30 m (1,5 - 10 /m)
Each type of well allows different length of horizontal section and has advantages as
well as disadvantages.
72
Horizontal Well Classification

73
10.2.5.1. LONG RADIUS HORIZONTAL WELLS

74
10.2.5.1. LONG RADIUS HORIZONTAL WELLS

The long radius approach allows to drill very long horizontal sections (around
2000 m and up to 8000 m) with standard rotary equipment and hole sizes. The
build-up angle ranges from 3 to 8/30 m (100 ft) and, depending on reach,
requires the build-up to be performed in two or three sections. Such wells
generally have an initial build-up after the kick-off point (KOP) to 40-50 deviation,
followed by a long ramp displacement section and may ultimately build to
horizontal in the reservoir.
The horizontal section can be cased as well as can be cored and logged. Full
completion and production options are also permitted.
On the other hand, it determines the longest well path because of the low B.U.R.
and the consequent long build-up section. For this reason, this option is not
recommended in case of shallow and thin reservoirs, is not practical for re-entries
and has a reduced vertical accuracy. Furthermore, the long profile negatively
influences the cost/meter of the well. It may not be applicable in case of lease
constraints.
This hole configuration allows for more freedom in defining the proper trajectory
the well has to follow and for adopting any correction in its path.
75
10.2.5.2. MEDIUM RADIUS HORIZONTAL WELLS

76

The medium radius option is, in a certain way, a compromise between the long and
short radius methods and combines both advantages and disadvantages of each. In
general, it allows for a better definition of the target and an easier directional control.
This technique employs standard drilling equipment if the BUR is low, while modified
conventional drilling equipment is recommended if the BUR is high. With the medium
radius wells, build-up rates ranging from 8 to 20/30 m (100 ft) are generally
obtained, although build-up rates as high as 50/30 m are theoretically possible. The
length of the horizontal section can be more than 1000-2000 m (3000-6000 ft) and of
the same diameter as the long radius wells.
Also the horizontal section can be cased, cemented, cored and logged. Depending
on the radius of curvature, some types of completion and production options are
possible.
Great limitations occur as the B.U.R. increases, particularly when it exceeds 20/30
m. In these situations, torque and drag may become a very relevant drilling problem.
With high B.U.R. special drilling equipment may be required, thus determining a
strong increase in drilling costs.

77

The medium radius wells can be used to drill in formations whose thickness exceeds
the vertical length of the build-up section plus the length of the interval below the
casing shoe required to start the kick-off.
The most difficult part of the operation is to obtain the planned orientation of the
build-up assembly. The build-up motor assembly is long 10 m (30) about, which
means that the steering tool is located around 12 m (40) above the bit; if there is not
enough space between the casing shoe and the kick-off point, the tool can not be
oriented with magnetic sensors, because of the vicinity of the casing, and,
consequently, gyros or other orienting techniques (high side of the hole) have to be
adopted. The build-up interval development can be monitored by using MWD (which
also allows the recording of a Gamma Ray log) or steering tools.
The horizontal section of the hole can be 300-2000 m long and can be drilled in
rotary mode or by using a steerable motor. If the horizontal portion of the hole must
be kept within a thin interval, a steerable motor and a focused Gamma Ray will be
probably required; if there is enough space, laterally and horizontally, conventional
rotary techniques can be used.

78
10.2.5.3. SHORT RADIUS HORIZONTAL WELLS OR DRAINHOLES

79
10.2.5.3. SHORT RADIUS HORIZONTAL WELLS OR DRAINHOLES

The main advantage of the short radius wells is the ability to precisely control
the depth of the horizontal hole. They have rates of build-up between 30 and
300/30 m (100 ft) and the total vertical height of this configuration ranges from 6
to 10 m and has an accuracy of only 0,6 m. The length of the lateral (horizontal)
section is limited and varies between 60 to 300 m (200-900 ft). Multiple
drainholes are often drilled from the same vertical hole with this technique.
The practicable hole sizes vary between 4 and 6, sometimes 8 , and does
not allow any type of completion, but the open hole. Logging and coring
operations are difficult and risky; the cores length is very short (1 m per run),
while logging requires the use of coiled tubings in combination with dedicated
logging tools. Special drilling equipment is also necessary, which determines a
further increase in costs.
If the drainhole has to be placed below a casing shoe or is drilled outside a
milled window, the kick-off point has to be placed at least 10 m below the casing
shoe or away from the window in order to avoid any magnetic interference of the
casing string steel on the orienting devices to be used.

80

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08.politecnico Di Torino Drill String Composition 2011

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CHAPTER 8

DRILL STRING COMPOSITION FOR

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. DRILL STRINGS FOR VERTICAL

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS DEVIATION

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS DEVIATION

Theory of Formation Anisotropy

MECHANICAL ACTION INDUCED BY THE STRING ON THE BIT

FORMATION DRILLABILITY THEORY

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

The action of the bit creates fractures

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

DRILL COLLAR MOMENTUM THEORY

The asymmetrical reaction opposed by

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

CONFIGURATION OF BENDING OF THE DRILL STRING AS A

EFFECT OF THE BENDING OF THE DRILLSTRING ON THE

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

FB = Weight on the bit

8.1. DRILL STRINGS FOR VERTICAL WELLS

Depending on the tendency to deviate of the formations, the stabilization design

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. DRILL STRINGS FOR VERTICAL WELLS

STABILIZATION OF THE DRILL STRING

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

Typical Rotary Drill String

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

Short piece of pipe (1-1.5 m) with steel spiral blades of

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.1. VERTICAL WELLS: DRILL STRINGS COMPONENTS

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.2. DRILL STRINGS FOR

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.2. DIRECTIONAL DRILLING: WHEN

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.2. DIRECTIONAL DRILLING: WHEN

8.2. DIRECTIONAL DRILLING: WHEN

08. DRILL STRING COMPOSITION

8.2. DIRECTIONAL DRILLING: WHEN

Applications of directional wells

8.2. DIRECTIONAL DRILLING: WHEN