Advanced Drilling Simulation Proves Managed-Pressure Drilling (MPD) Economical in Gasfield Developments in Western Canada

Hareland, Geir; Uribe, Ivan Vinicio Olea; Shirkavand, Farid; Teichrob, R.R.; Kustamsi, Andang

doi:10.2118/114797-ms

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

An Innovative Approach for Pore Pressure Prediction and Drilling Optimization in an Abnormally Subpressured Basin

Contreras

Hareland

Aguilera

2012

SPE Drilling &Amp; Completion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary Thus far, an indirect generalized method to predict pore pressure under subpressured conditions has not been reported in the literature. In this work, an innovative procedure is presented for estimation of pore pressure and optimization of wells drilled in the abnormally subpressured Deep Basin of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). The procedure starts with detailed evaluation of five wells drilled in a township that covers the study area. Pore pressure was calculated from sonic logs and the modified D exponent by the use of Eaton's method (Eaton 1975), which proved to be the most effective approach for abnormally subpressured conditions over a variety of methods tested (Contreras et al. 2011). The optimization procedure was carried out by use of the apparent-rock-strength log (ARSL), which is an effective indicator of formation drillability and is very sensitive to the pore pressure. Next, optimization of individual sections in each well was carried out to determine the optimum types of bits and operational parameters for the lowest cost of drilling. An artificial-intelligence function was implemented to set up the optimum combination of parameters in such a way that the rate of penetration (ROP) (m/h) was increased after a number of simulation runs while controlling the bit wear. Special attention was focused on tight gas reservoirs for selection of the most suitable parameters that increase the quality of drill cuttings. It was concluded that the roller-cone bit IADC 547 (with at least 0.73 hp in the bit per square inch) provides the best-quality cuttings for the Nikanassin Group. This is of paramount importance for increasing accuracy in the quantitative determination of permeability and porosity from cuttings particularly in those tight gas reservoirs where the amount of cores is very limited. It is concluded that wells in the Deep Basin of the WCSB can be drilled efficiently with seven bit runs while maintaining the cuttings quality, bit-wear level, and well stability at a significantly high average ROP of 13 m/h. Another conclusion is that the normal trend methods from sonic logs are the most effective approach when dealing with an abnormally subpressured basin.

show abstract

An Innovative Approach for Pore Pressure Prediction and Drilling Optimization in an Abnormally Subpressured Basin

Contreras

Hareland

Aguilera

2012

SPE Drilling &Amp; Completion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Performance Drilling with Managed Pressure Drilling in the Permian Basin: A Case Study in the Wolfcamp Formation

Cody,

Sadat,

Gill

et al. 2024

Day 2 Wed, March 06, 2024

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The use of Managed Pressure Drilling has widespread applications in the Permian Basin. In this basin, typically MPD is used in a more traditional and somewhat limited fashion. However, using MPD as a performance drilling technique is a relatively unexplored application and early results have yielded significant rate of penetration (ROP) increases and days shaved off wells. While MPD has been used in this area for more traditional methods such as Early Kick Loss Detection and controlling inflows of over-pressured disposal zones, using MPD for performance drilling is a novel application in the area. Performance drilling is the act of reducing the typical, conventional mud weights, and supplementing the decrease in hydrostatic pressure with applied surface back pressure. This reduction in mud weight allows for cost savings in multiple areas, increases in ROP and an overall reduction in well construction costs. CrownQuest wanted to implement MPD, for performance drilling, on deeper basin Wolfcamp wells (Wolfcamp D), where higher mud weights (12.5-13 ppg) were commonly being run. The well was planned for a 2.5 pounds per gallon (ppg) reduction in mud weight, compared to conventional. These wells drilled with reduced mud weights were compared with previously drilled Wolfcamp D wells in the same area. The results showed a 23.8% increase in average ROP throughout the production hole section and an average of 5.85 days saved, with the implementation of MPD for performance drilling. Enabling a lighter mud system also seen a reduction in average lateral mud costs of 25% related to building and maintaining the mud, as seepage losses were reduced and fewer weighting and supplementary materials were required for maintaining the active system. Lower mud weights reduce the ECD at the bit and reduce solids in the mud, which allowed for further changes and improvements to the drilling program. After MPD was implemented, these changes enabled the operator to complete a pace-setter, one-run build and lateral section with a intermediate drill out time to rig release (RR) of 5.3 days. Using MPD for performance drilling can save days per well, reduce costs, and improve overall ESG and well economics. Wolfcamp wells that require heavier mud weights, and are considered more difficult to drill, than upper Wolfcamp formations can become more economical by implementing these performance drilling methods. These techniques to drill deeper Wolfcamp targets more economically could prove invaluable as prime acreage and shallower Wolfcamp targets are drilled and depleted.

show abstract

Advanced Drilling Simulation Proves Managed-Pressure Drilling (MPD) Economical in Gasfield Developments in Western Canada

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

An Innovative Approach for Pore Pressure Prediction and Drilling Optimization in an Abnormally Subpressured Basin

An Innovative Approach for Pore Pressure Prediction and Drilling Optimization in an Abnormally Subpressured Basin

Performance Drilling with Managed Pressure Drilling in the Permian Basin: A Case Study in the Wolfcamp Formation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About