Cementing Operation in Underbalanced Casing Drilling: A Successful Case History in an Unconventional Shale Reservoir in Argentina

Abstract

In the Unconventional Loma Campana Oil Field, located in Neuquen, Argentina, the primary target is the Vaca Muerta shale, and the secondary target is the Quintuco carbonate. Both formations are naturally fractured and present high formation pressures and a narrow mud weight operating window. Those conditions generate operational issues (influx or fluid losses) and are the primary reason for the use of the Under Balanced Drilling (UBD) technology through problematic zones.When using conventional BHA for UBD operations, after reaching TD, it is necessary to kill the well, by increasing mud weight, in order to pull out of hole and run the casing. This heavier mud exerts high ECD during the cement job causing partial or total loses of returns. In other cases, when the formation pressures are too high to be controlled with the mud weight, it is necessary to unload the well until reservoir pressure decreases to the manageable level. This operation has high impact on both time and cost of the well.By the use of the casing drilling technology and with the knowledge of the operating window it is possible to perform managed pressure cementing (MPC). This is done by exerting back pressure needed to adjust the ECD within the operating window detected in the region of interest for each stage of the operation. With this technique there is no need to kill the well. The main goal, to reach the desired height of cement, is achieved by minimizing fluid losses and controlling influxes.This paper contains information that will help develop cementing fluid design, pump schedule, and required back pressure in each stage of cementing job.

Development of Work-based Vestibule Training E-module For Accident Prevention at Malaysian Oil and Gas Drilling Industries: A Proposed Framework

“…Similarly, In October 2014 during Malaysia's Sapura Kencana offshore rig operation, a technician and a mechanic, were inspecting a safety boat on the rig before the boat suddenly fell into the sea due to lack of safety measures, both workers died from head injuries reported by Malaysian news agency (Brenner, Brett & James, 2015). According to the online statistical information provided by department of safety and health, 68 fatalities and 74 permanent disabilities have been reported in year 2016 at manufacturing and petroleum industries in Malaysia (Medina & Krasuk, 2015).…”

“…Due to the rapid change in environment, technology and complex drilling approaches drillers and safety engineers have to face new challenges every day regarding health and safety. For this reason, there is a need to identify potential hazards with their effective controlling measures based on hierarchy of controls for reducing workplace risk and hazards at onshore and offshore oil and gas industries in an effective manner (Medina & Krasuk, 2015).…”

“…Based on the detailed literature review from over last ten years different online modules have been developed for oil and gas related vestibule trainings worldwide [ (Medina & Krasuk, 2015). But there is no such E-module available in the industries with mutually integrated onshore and offshore oil and gas drilling operations based on effective hazard controls and mitigating measures .…”