Modeling System Improves Salt Drilling Technique with Concentric Reamer/RSS, Deepwater GoM

Abstract

Development of subsalt pay zones in deepwater GoM typically includes drilling long intervals of halite formation. Despite the relatively low UCS, salt drilling presents a unique challenge due to its plastic nature and tendency to creep. These factors coupled with complex deepwater casing programs necessitate the use of hole enlargement while drilling techniques. The difficulties of HEWD in salt is further magnified in deviated wellbores where maintaining the directional wellplan becomes a key performance objective.Using a 4D modeling program has resulted in improved HEWD ROP and directional control in salt on several deepwater GoM projects. The software allows engineers to model various RSS BHAs, optimize the bit/reamer cutting structure and prepare operating parameter recommendations tailored for the directional plan.Well A A Mississippi Canyon j-shaped well called for maintaining tangent at 44degrees through a 100% salt 14.5 x16.5 interval. Using a new reamer cutting structure design with a selected PDC allowed the operator to drill 7852ft at an ROP of 54.7ft/hr. The directional objective in the 12.25x14.75 interval of the same MC well was to hold tangent at 44 degrees before dropping to 15degrees. A new cutting structure design with a selected PDC was employed on the RSS/BHA. The 6022ft interval was drilled in one-run with an average ROP of 80ft/hr. Well BMaximum ROP was the primary objective in an 8877ft, 14.75x16.5 section of a s-shaped well which included building and holding at 35 degrees before dropping back to vertical in 100% salt. Bit and reamer recommendations and drilling parameter recommendations to maximize ROP were developed by calibrating the data from the offset well, Well A. The new cutting structure and pre-job planning resulted in a total run ROP of 97.5 ft/hr with an average on-bottom ROP of 129.1 ft/hr, an 80% improvement compared to offset.

Improving the drilling performance of hole enlargement via optimized operation

“…It can guide the operator to choose the suitable drilling tools and operation parameters. [19][20][21][22] This method is also very useful for a horizontal run or directional run. [23][24][25][26] All works mentioned earlier made great contributions to the application of hole-enlargement technology.…”