Coal Failure and Consequences for Coalbed Methane Wells

Palmer, Ian; Moschovidis, Z.A.; Cameron, John L.

doi:10.2523/96872-ms

Cited by 24 publications

(39 citation statements)

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“…Field applications have proved this to be true especially when tectonic fractures were present in coal. 11 Not surprisingly, with coal being such a heterogeneous material, exceptions to the guideline above do occur. A narrow corridor between Barrhead and Fort Assiniboine (just northeast of Edmonton in central Alberta) exists where differently orientated horizontal wells have successfully produced coal bed methane.…”

Section: Rock Mechanicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

State of the Art in Coalbed Methane Drilling Fluids

Baltoiu¹,

Warren²,

Natros³

2006

Proceedings of SPE/IADC Indian Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition

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TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 1.972.952.9435. AbstractThe production of methane from wet coalbeds is often associated with the production of significant amounts of water. While producing water is necessary in order to desorb the methane from the coal itself, the damage from the drilling fluids used is difficult to assess because the gas production follows weeks to months after the well is drilled. Commonly asked questions include: What are the important parameters for drilling an organic reservoir rock that is both the source and the trap for the methane? Has the drilling fluid affected the gas production? Are the cleats plugged? Does the "filtercake" have an impact on the flow of water and gas? Are stimulation techniques compatible with the drilling fluids used?This paper describes the development of a unique drilling fluid to drill coalbed methane wells, with a special emphasis on horizontal applications. The fluid design incorporates products to match the delicate surface chemistry on the coal, a matting system to provide both borehole stability and minimize fluid losses to the cleats, and a BREAKER method of removing the matting system once drilling is completed.Field results from three horizontal wells will be discussed, two of which were drilled with the new drilling fluid system. The wells have demonstrated exceptional stability in coal for lengths to 1000 m, controlled drilling rates and ease of running slotted liners. Methods for, and results of, placing the BREAKER in the horizontal wells are covered in depth.

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Section: Rock Mechanicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

State of the Art in Coalbed Methane Drilling Fluids

Baltoiu¹,

Warren²,

Natros³

2006

Proceedings of SPE/IADC Indian Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition

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“…Coals are relatively weak rocks, and hence susceptible to fail during drilling, fracturing, and production, especially when drilled as horizontal or high angle wells (Palmer et al, 2005). Mobile coal fines and/or particles are generated during drilling, completion, and production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An experimental study of coal-fines migration in Coalbed-methane production wells

Han

Ling

et al. 2015

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

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“…Borehole stability problems, such as stuck drill pipe, hole enlargement causing poor hole cleaning, and deviation control, often arise in the build sections of horizontal wells. The problem is exacerbated when drilling horizontal CBM wells in an underbalanced mode or through depleted and fractured coals Palmer et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Stability Analysis of Two Horizontal CBM Wells in the Deep Mannville Coals, Alberta Basin, Canada

Gentzis¹

2011

Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmenta

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This study describes the main technical challenges encountered while drilling the first horizontal coalbed methane well ever attempted in Canada. The well was drilled in the deep (>1,300 m), low-permeability (1-3 md) coals of the Lower Cretaceous Mannville Formation in the central Alberta Plains. The study also discusses the investigation that followed the occurrence of a few unexpected events during the drilling phase of the well, as well as the stability analysis of the horizontal borehole conducted. Suggestions are made on how to best mitigate the risk of getting the drill pipe stuck and potentially losing the hole along with drilling equipment. The findings are very instructive and should have an application in geological settings similar to those found in the Alberta Basin. Any modifications on how to drill horizontal wells in coal seams present at great depths and under high in-situ stresses must take into account the geomechanical properties of the target seam through triaxial testing, which should include obtaining the non-linear HoekBrown failure criterion and testing the coal core for very low confining stress. The lab-derived strength data may also have to be downgraded in order to predict, more realistically, the radius of the yielded zone around the wellbore and the horizontal borehole stability using geomechanical software, such as STABView ® and FLAC.

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Coal Failure and Consequences for Coalbed Methane Wells

Cited by 24 publications

References 0 publications

State of the Art in Coalbed Methane Drilling Fluids

State of the Art in Coalbed Methane Drilling Fluids

An experimental study of coal-fines migration in Coalbed-methane production wells

A Stability Analysis of Two Horizontal CBM Wells in the Deep Mannville Coals, Alberta Basin, Canada

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