Drilling Operations in HP/HT Environment

Abstract

The development of oil and gas assets is becoming more complex with reserves being found in more challenging environments. Wells are being drilled to greater depths and in areas where the temperature gradient is higher, requiring downhole equipment to withstand temperatures in excess of 302°F (150°C) and pressures in excess of 30,000 psi. Directional wells require measurement while drilling (MWD) and a suitable drive system, such as a positive displacement mud motor or rotary steerable system (RSS), which can operate reliably in these challenging environments. High-pressure environmental challenges are successfully addressed using seals to isolate the inner equipment from the wellbore fluid, protecting it from variations in material properties and geometrical dimensions. High-temperature environments present a greater challenge due to the design and manufacturing constraints associated with electronic components. Conventional electronic components are generally rated to 158°F, 185°F and 257°F (70°C, 85°C and 125°C), respectively, which is far below the rating required to build a high-temperature MWD and RSS. As a result, new techniques were required in the design and manufacturing of MWD and RSS tools for high-temperature wells. This paper describes the development of high-temperature drilling equipment that can be used in environments up to 350°F (175°C) operating temperature and at pressures of 30,000 psi.The authors utilize case histories to demonstrate how the system provides a performance change in the challenging environment.

NovelN,N‐dimethylacrylamidecopolymer containing multiple rigid comonomers as a filtrate reducer inwater‐baseddrilling fluids and mechanism study

“…This will lead to a rapid increase in the demand for the development of deep and ultra‐deep wells drilling technology, especially of drilling fluid technology 3–5 . In the petroleum industry, ultra‐deep wells refer to wells with a depth greater than 6000 m, where extremely complicated formations are often encountered during drilling operations, such as ultra‐high temperature (205–260°C), high pressure (>69 MPa), and salt‐gypsum section, which can pose great challenges to the high‐temperature‐resistance, salinity‐tolerance, and solids loading capacity of the drilling fluid technology 6–8 …”

“…[3][4][5] In the petroleum industry, ultra-deep wells refer to wells with a depth greater than 6000 m, where extremely complicated formations are often encountered during drilling operations, such as ultra-high temperature (205-260 C), high pressure (>69 MPa), and salt-gypsum section, which can pose great challenges to the high-temperature-resistance, salinity-tolerance, and solids loading capacity of the drilling fluid technology. [6][7][8] As a multi-functional fluid, drilling fluid serves a significant role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of drilling operations. 9,10 Its main functions include carrying and suspending the cuttings, stabilizing the wellbore, balancing formation pressure, cooling and lubricating the drilling tools, and transmitting fluid power.…”

Data acquisition and processing circuit for high-temperature logging up to 200°C

“…Complex digital integrated circuit devices are still being under-development. In addition, components produced using SOI and SiC processes are often expensive, and cost is also an important consideration for engineering applications (Ahmad et al , 2014; Hassan et al , 2018; DeBruijn et al , 2008; Gooneratne et al , 2017; Kappert et al , 2015; Owens et al , 2014; Tan et al , 2013; Udrea et al , 2012; Watson and Castro, 2015; Young et al , 2013). System-in-package (SiP) technologies offer better options than SOI and SiC for high-temperature logging tools.…”