This paper describes a new approach to evaluating the effectiveness of the rotary steerable system (RSS) steering mechanism on wellbore tortuosity in horizontal wells. Wellbore tortuosity in drilling applications is defined as any unwanted deviation from the planned well trajectory. As reservoir objectives become more complex and exact, operators increasingly perceive the wellbore tortuosity as a serious concern in the process of drilling, completing, and producing wells. More than 700 wells were reviewed and analyzed in this study. Strict criteria were set during the classification process; the studied wells have a common geology and trajectory, and they use a very similar bottomhole assembly (BHA) design. The inclination values from the wireline tool are used to illustrate the attainable benefits in terms of wellbore quality and measure wellbore tortuosity. In addition, the wireline inclination data are compared with the actual measurement-while-drilling (MWD) survey to highlight the existence of the micro-dogleg severity (DLS) that cannot be measured by standard surveys. Due to the theoretical differences in the steering mechanism between the various types of RSS, it has been claimed that utilizing one steering mechanism over another can produce a less-tortuous wellbore. These steering mechanisms have previously been classified as either push-the-bit or point-the-bit mechanisms. The relative merits of a push-the-bit steering mechanism vs. a point-the-bit steering mechanism is an over-simplification; neither mechanism can deliver the premium wellbore quality the industry demands from RSS. The present study introduces the continuous proportional steering method (CPSM), and demonstrates how this mechanism can provide superior wellbore quality by reducing wellbore tortuosity. In addition, a superior inclination hold performance is observed in horizontal sections drilled with the CPSM. Curve intervals are more continuous and smoothly drilled through the planned directional changes. The research becomes a useful reference to analyze the performance and efficiency of RSS steering mechanisms across drilling and workover operations. Directional drilling service companies are encouraged and challenged to improve the efficiency and accuracy of RSS mechanisms, improving the hole quality and reducing micro-doglegs.
In the present paper, directional drilling job failures were carefully analyzed for the period 2014 and 2015 in wells drilled in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The focus of the study was to evaluate the performance and efficiency of the Positive Displacement Motors (PDM) and Rotary Steerable Systems (RSS) during drilling operations. The data was collected from Saudi Aramco database and limited to wells that used PDM and RSS as a directional drilling system. A total of 7772 runs were reviewed and the information was classified according to tool size, number of runs, operating time, lost time, number of failures and hole size. A detailed and comprehensive study was conducted individually for each run that a PDM and RSS was used, reviewing daily drilling reports and analyzing the performance and efficiency of the PDM and RSS in drilling operations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Focusing on PDM failures, it was observed that 45.41% of the problems occurred before 50 hours of operating time. In the case of RSS, the study revealed that 49.59% of the failures occurred before 50 hours of operating time. The causes of the failures were a combination of different factors such as vibration, temperature, type of drilling fluids used and reservoir properties such as H2S and CO2 content. The PDM average operating time remained almost the same (77 hours to 78 hours from 2014 to 2015), moreover the efficiency improved from 95.37% to 96.94% (1.64% improvement). The RSS average operating time dropped from 103 hours to 97 hours from 2014 to 2015, a reduction of 5.83%. The efficiency improved from 88.78% to 90.83% (2.30% improvement). The study concluded that the reduction of the operating time can lead to a higher efficiency on the PDM and RSS and this can be achieved by replacing these tools on every trip and performing preventive maintenance after each run. Also, improving the drilling parameters and durability of the directional drilling system will improve their performance and efficiency. The research became a useful reference to analyze the performance and efficiency of PDM and RSS Systems across Saudi Arabia's drilling operations. Directional Drilling Service Companies are encouraged and challenged to improve the performance, efficiency, and durability of their drilling tools.
This paper describes a new approach to evaluating the effectiveness of the rotary steerable system (RSS) steering mechanism on wellbore tortuosity in horizontal wells. Wellbore tortuosity in drilling applications is defined as any unwanted deviation from the planned well trajectory. As reservoir objectives become more complex and exact, operators increasingly perceive the wellbore tortuosity as a serious concern in the process of drilling, completing, and producing wells. Strict criteria were set during the classification process; the studied wells have a common geology and trajectory, and they use a very similar bottomhole assembly (BHA) design. The inclination values from the wireline tool are used to illustrate the attainable benefits in terms of wellbore quality and measure wellbore tortuosity. In addition, the wireline inclination data are compared with the actual measurement- while-drilling (MWD) survey to highlight the existence of the micro-dogleg severity (DLS) that cannot be measured by standard surveys. Due to the theoretical differences in the steering mechanism between the various types of RSS, it has been claimed that utilizing one steering mechanism over another can produce a less-tortuous wellbore. These steering mechanisms have previously been classified as either push-the-bit or point-the-bit mechanisms. The relative merits of a push-the-bit steering mechanism vs. a point-the-bit steering mechanism is an over- simplification; neither mechanism can deliver the premium wellbore quality the industry demands from RSS. The present study introduces the continuous proportional steering method (CPSM), and demonstrates how this mechanism can provide superior wellbore quality by reducing wellbore tortuosity. In addition, a superior inclination hold performance is observed in horizontal sections drilled with the CPSM. Curve intervals are more continuous and smoothly drilled through the planned directional changes. The research becomes a useful reference to analyze the performance and efficiency of RSS steering mechanisms across drilling and workover operations. Directional drilling service companies are encouraged and challenged to improve the efficiency and accuracy of RSS mechanisms, improving the hole quality and reducing micro-doglegs.
This paper describes a new approach to evaluating the effectiveness of the rotary steerable system (RSS) steering mechanism on wellbore tortuosity in horizontal wells. Wellbore tortuosity in drilling applications is defined as any unwanted deviation from the planned well trajectory. As reservoir objectives become more complex and exact, operators increasingly perceive the wellbore tortuosity as a serious concern in the process of drilling, completing, and producing wells. Strict criteria were set during the classification process; the studied wells have a common geology and trajectory, and they use a very similar bottomhole assembly (BHA) design. The inclination values from the wireline tool are used to illustrate the attainable benefits in terms of wellbore quality and measure wellbore tortuosity. In addition, the wireline inclination data are compared with the actual measurement-while-drilling (MWD) survey to highlight the existence of the micro-dogleg severity (DLS) that cannot be measured by standard surveys. Due to the theoretical differences in the steering mechanism between the various types of RSS, it has been claimed that utilizing one steering mechanism over another can produce a less-tortuous wellbore. These steering mechanisms have previously been classified as either push-the-bit or point-the-bit mechanisms. The relative merits of a push-the-bit steering mechanism vs. a point-the-bit steering mechanism is an over-simplification; neither mechanism can deliver the premium wellbore quality the industry demands from RSS. The present study introduces the continuous proportional steering method (CPSM), and demonstrates how this mechanism can provide superior wellbore quality by reducing wellbore tortuosity. In addition, a superior inclination hold performance is observed in horizontal sections drilled with the CPSM. Curve intervals are more continuous and smoothly drilled through the planned directional changes. The research becomes a useful reference to analyze the performance and efficiency of RSS steering mechanisms across drilling and workover operations. Directional drilling service companies are encouraged and challenged to improve the efficiency and accuracy of RSS mechanisms, improving the hole quality and reducing micro-doglegs.
Following the success of the first installed intelligent completion system in Saudi Arabia in 2004, over 260 Intelligent Completion systems have been installed in a majority of Maximum Reservoir Contact (MRC) Multilateral (ML) wells. These intelligent completion systems have been successfully installed in openhole, expandable liners, expandable sand screen, Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) wells and also integrated with Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP). This technology has led enhanced oil recovery while reducing water production to surface. Water handling cost at surface is reduced by producing less water to surface and also shutting off downhole water production completely. This paper covers some of the case histories of over ten (10) years of design, planning, installation, testing and optimization of intelligent completion systems in Multilateral (ML) Maximum Reservoir Contact (MRC) wells within Saudi Arabia. Production optimization practices and enhancement of production life in carbonate multilateral wells in the world's largest oilfield are also documented. Case histories highlighting how water production was remotely choked back, shut-off and production optimized from identified lateral without any intervention in the well are reviewed. Advantages of intelligent completion technology for multilateral wells and the review of the downhole choke customization process that included design flow area after modelling well data for different flow rates and differential pressures are detailed. This is in addition to the integration of the surface control system to the production supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system which provided real-time downhole pressure and temperature data and remote control of downhole flow control valves during the life cycle of the well. This paper also discusses a closed-loop approach which led to efficient real time production optimization. Performance review of how intelligent completion systems provide selective lateral control, delay water breakthrough, control water production, shut off wet lateral, reduce opex, optimize production, enhance recovery and reduce safety risks thereby minimizing future interventions are documented.
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