A Novel Approach to Borehole-Breathing Investigation in Naturally Fractured Formations

Baldino, Silvio; Miska, Stefan; Ozbayoglu, Evren

doi:10.2118/189661-pa

Cited by 13 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

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“…Majidi et al reported that there is a deformation happening somewhere between inlet and outlet caused by force distribution from fluid pressure. The physics behind fracture ballooning is related to mechanical deformation of the fracture resulting from fluid pressure and the surrounding stress field, causing the fracture to reshape its aperture by either opening or closing [56][57][58]. Simulations are used to investigate the fracture wall deformation and the corresponding pressure response.…”

Section: Fracture Ballooning Effectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Lost-Circulation into Fractured Formation in Rock Drilling Operations

Albattat¹,

Hoteit²

2021

Drilling Technology

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Loss of circulation while drilling is a challenging problem that may interrupt drilling operations, reduce efficiency, and increases cost. When a drilled borehole intercepts conductive faults or fractures, lost circulation manifests as a partial or total escape of drilling, workover, or cementing fluids into the surrounding rock formations. Studying drilling fluid loss into a fractured system has been investigated using laboratory experiments, analytical modeling, and numerical simulations. Analytical modeling of fluid flow is a tool that can be quickly deployed to assess lost circulation and perform diagnostics, including leakage rate decline and fracture conductivity. In this chapter, various analytical methods developed to model the flow of non-Newtonian drilling fluid in a fractured medium are discussed. The solution methods are applicable for yield-power-law, including shear-thinning, shear-thickening, and Bingham plastic fluids. Numerical solutions of the Cauchy equation are used to verify the analytical solutions. Type-curves are also described using dimensionless groups. The solution methods are used to estimate the range of fracture conductivity and time-dependent fluid loss rate, and the ultimate total volume of lost fluid. The applicability of the proposed models is demonstrated for several field cases encountering lost circulations.

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Section: Fracture Ballooning Effectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Lost-Circulation into Fractured Formation in Rock Drilling Operations

Albattat¹,

Hoteit²

2021

Drilling Technology

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Statistical analysis of past kicks and blowouts occurred in a Middle Eastern oilfield

Ashena

Bahreini²,

Lotfi³

2023

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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In 2017, blowouts and then explosions occurred in a Middle Eastern oilfield. A root cause of the incident is lack of study and investigation of the past kicks and blowouts data. Therefore, as a pioneer work in the region, data gathering and analysis of past kicks and blowouts were made in the studied oilfield to learn lessons and find gaps. Out of the 149 drilled wells, a total of 117 kicks and three (3) blowouts occurred. In this work, a list of drilling parameters to be considered in data gathering and analysis were suggested as a guideline for future works elsewhere. The statistical analysis not only showed all the three exploration wells kicked which is not a surprise, but it also showed that 39 out of 146 (26.71%) also experienced kicks during reservoir drilling. The large number of kicks in development wells proved that possibility of kick occurrence in development wells is not low. In exploration wells, the predominant kick causes were gas-cut mud and insufficient mud weight which indicates the necessity of using pressure while drilling in addition to drilling rate control systems in exploration wells. However, in development wells, lost circulation was the predominant kick cause indicating the necessity of using low-weight drilling fluids and managed pressure drilling systems. The direct role of human error exists at least in 60% of kicks occurred in this field, which shows the great importance of improved drilling personnel training. Although only 3.45% kicks in development wells occurred due to improper hole fill-up during tripping, this cause should not only be deemed trivial, but it should also be taken seriously as being the cause of the blowout. The 2.56% possibility of kick conversion to blowouts and 67% risk of blowout conversion to explosion emphasize the necessity of maintaining primary well control and using efficient and early kick detection systems. Bullhead was the more commonly used method than standard well control methods; as this kill method may not always be safe, its application should be revised.

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