Design, Execution, and Evaluation of a Holistic Data Acquisition Program for Utica Shale

Can, Bunyamin; Gilbert, Conny; Leal, Libny; Hirsch, Stuart; Rosenzweig, J.J.; Nathan, Huber; Rudolph, Seth; McManus, Samuel P.; Vines, John; Smith, Nathaniel; Honarpour, M.M.; Nagarajan, Narayana Rao; Xia, Daniel

doi:10.15530/urtec-2014-1923095

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 5 publications

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“…The combined production of Marcellus and Utica players located in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia is about 19 BCF per day (Ozkan and Duman, 2015). Utica shale is challenging due to its high reservoir heterogeneity, complex bedding planes, high clay content, high pressure and temperature with hydrocarbon fluids ranging between oil, condensate, and dry gas (Can et al, 2014).…”

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Hydraulics and Well Control Complications in Unconventional Shale Laterals

Elshehabi¹

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Unconventional shale resources are drilled horizontally following the geologic bed dip upward or downward to maximize reservoir contact. Despite the efforts to control formation pressures, well control emergencies arise. Wellbore communication with high pressure zones through natural or induced fractures is a major cause of blowouts in unconventional shales. The philosophy of well control is to maintain the bottomhole pressure while balancing the formation pressure; however, it is a challenging process. The objective of this study is to investigate mud hydraulics and well control complications in unconventional shale laterals. This included the impact of wellbore configuration (inclined upward or downward laterals), drilling fluid type (water or oil based mud), and drillstring configuration (drillpipe, casing, or liner). This research employed an interactive drilling and well control full-scale simulator for more than 500 hours of real-time operations. It also utilized a robust steady-state hydraulics and multiphase dynamic well control program. A hydraulics base model was developed and verified with field data from a recently drilled Marcellus Shale well in Monongalia County, WV. In inclined upward laterals, gas bubbles migrated and accumulated at the lateral end. Consequently, the choke experienced lower pressure, volume, and gas discharge rate for extended periods of time. Thus, higher circulation rates and longer operation times were essential to flush-out the dispersed and trapped gas bubbles. The deeper and over-pressurized Utica Shale presents more challenges compared to Marcellus Shale wells. Well integrity was verified by monitoring surface choke, casing shoe, and bottomhole pressures throughout the entire well control operations. This research revealed that it is crucial to identify accurate hydraulics and well control complications for unconventional shale laterals. Some examples were drilling inclined upward and downward laterals using different string and fluid configurations. This improves rig and personnel safety and diminishes the environmental risks and hazards associated with blowouts.

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confidence: 99%

Hydraulics and Well Control Complications in Unconventional Shale Laterals

Elshehabi¹

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Well Integrity and Pressure Control in Unconventional Reservoirs: A Comparative Study of Marcellus and Utica Shales

Elshehabi

Bilgesu

2016

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Challenges associated with Utica and Marcellus shale well integrity and safety necessities further study in order to have an effective and economic drilling operations. Objectives of this comparative study are to evaluate the impact of unscheduled well control events on wellbore integrity, as well as the influence of poor drilling practices that trigger well control emergencies in shale gas wells. A realistic multiphase simulator is used to evaluate well control unexpected scenarios in Utica and Marcellus shales. Changing operational parameters such as wellbore profile, well control method, drilling fluid type and circulation rate in Marcellus and Utica horizontal wells are investigated. Further, this research studied the impact of influx type, size and intensity on well integrity. Behavior of dry gas, rich condensate and black oil influxes are compared in extended lateral wells. The impact of free gas migration in inclined downward laterals drilled with water based mud is compared to the influence of gas solubility in inclined upward wells drilled using synthetic oil based mud. Preliminary results show that deeper, over-pressurized Utica shale presents more challenges compared to Marcellus shale wells. When oil based muds are used additional challenges are presented since the surface pressures and volumes are not representative of the bottom-hole conditions. Dissolved gas in oil is liberated at the bubble point pressure complicating surface kick handling procedures. Gas influx migrates and reaches surface much quicker in water based muds and inclined downward laterals. Higher the influx circulation rate, size and intensity, higher the resultant pressures and volumes and higher the risk of exceeding casing shoe fracture pressure and risking well integrity. Drilling fluid type, properties and flow characteristics are critical for well integrity. Early detection is a key factor in minimizing kick size and properly contain pressures without violating safety and environment regulations and reduces the blowout associated risks. Accordingly, well integrity is verified by monitoring surface choke, casing shoe and constant bottomhole pressures throughout the entire well control operations.

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Design, Execution, and Evaluation of a Holistic Data Acquisition Program for Utica Shale

Cited by 2 publications

References 5 publications

Hydraulics and Well Control Complications in Unconventional Shale Laterals

Hydraulics and Well Control Complications in Unconventional Shale Laterals

Well Integrity and Pressure Control in Unconventional Reservoirs: A Comparative Study of Marcellus and Utica Shales

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