Current methodologies for drill planning, widely implemented by Oil Companiesto optimize the definition of technical and economic options for the drillingprocess, are based on a scrupulous analysis of the production requirements, thetechnical risks, and the geological uncertainties. Planning and designingdrilling projects begin by considering the problems observed in correlationwells drilled in the same field, in order to obtain a successful mechanicalmodel. Once the drilling process begins, an evaluation of the continuing operationsallows drilling engineers to control and adjust the differences that may arisebetween the drilling plan and the actual conditions observed while drilling. These identified variations are related to uncertainties in the criticaloperational parameters, such as pore pressure and fracture pressure gradients, salt intrusions, and changes in the planned lithology column, such as, shaledomes, and gas shows. Dealing with these variations is imperative, as they candetermine either the success or the failure of the well. This Paper proposes a Real-Time Drilling Engineering Methodology that allowsoperations staff to drill ahead in depth and time by anticipating geological, mechanical and operational conditions, thus allowing preemptive actions. ThisMethodology allows forecasting the adequate drilling parameters by visualizingthe current conditions of the well. These include the analysis of theinteraction between the drill string and the fluid with the formation, thenormalization of mud densities in the areas of interest, and the analysis ofgeopressures from logging-while-drilling data. Other parameters that need to beconsidered might include the variation of casing and hydraulics designs, andthe optimization of the well path from Real-Time Trajectory and Log Data. This Real-Time analysis leads to immediate engineering recommendations that caneliminate and avoid ongoing and potentially undesirable situations whiledrilling, such as stuck pipes, gasifications, and runoffs, thereby allowing apreemptive response to the variations that may occur between the proposeddrilling plan and the actual drilling conditions. By applying this Methodologyin several oilfields in Southern Mexico, an observed 20% increase of thetechnical efficiency of the drilling process has been reported, resulting inover 80% of the wells operating under normal conditions, with a reduction inthe average cost of the well for the operator.
Various types of scaling are common causes of flow reduction associated with oil and gas production. Halite scaling is the most severe and often needs chemical treatments and physical intervention to put a well back in production. Producing wells with halite deposition often become uneconomic due to the severity of scaling and the short term between physical interventions. This paper describes a physical, nonchemical, and environmental friendly method of controlling salt scale deposits to reduce nonproductive time required for maintenance on clogged production tubular. The proposed method proved cost efficient in allowing the production to flow without interruptions. By injecting a modulated electric signal on the tubular, the discussed method enhanced production by avoiding daily workover production interventions. It was observed that this new method eliminated the need for daily interventions on the producing well and needed only a regular weekly visit to assess its working parameters. Based on the results from dozens of cases in Latin America, this method is proven to be efficient on controlling halite scale deposition. This method has been previously used on controlling carbonates and sulfates scales, but this is the first time worldwide it has been used to control halite scale on a producing well. This paper will present the results from Mexico, where this environmentally friendly method proved very effective in controlling halite scale on wells where chemical and water injection had not provided a satisfactory solution. Prior to this treatment, production was severely impaired by tubular clogging with scale, and worsened by the amount of time spent on workover. The paper will present how this new method solved these issues with minimum impact to the client's installation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.