Use of a Life Cycle Drilling Simulation System on a Challenging HPHT Drilling Operation in the Norwegian Sea

Scott, Laurie; Wessel, Just Sverre; Nabavi, Josef; Rommetveit, Rolv

doi:10.2118/178207-ms

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 9 publications

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“…The approach proposed by this work is to perform and analyse the wellbore system temperature using physics virtual simulator for realistic drilling scenarios. This approach has been followed by different authors for training purposes and for drilling cost optimization (Scott et al, 2016;Tang et al, 2016;Höhn et al, 2019). In this section, a mathematical model that describes the thermal behaviour of the wellbore during drilling operation is illustrated.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of drilling and wellbore geometry parameters on wellbore temperature profile: Implications for geothermal production

Abdelhafiz

Oppelt

Mahmoud

et al. 2023

Adv. Geo-Energy Res.

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Prediction of the wellbore fluids and formation temperatures is crucial during drilling operation, especially for high temperature wells, such as geothermal applications. This work presents the applications of an improved comprehensive drilling simulator for predicting the wellbore system temperature during the drilling process. A fully transient numerical model of the wellbore temperature is developed for drilling and geothermal production applications. The model describes the dynamic behaviour of the thermal state of the wellbore during circulation and static conditions. The developed model is implemented with the commercial virtual drilling simulator through an application programming interface. This implementation allows the coupling of the thermal model with other physical models, which leads to more advanced and realistic simulations. The model has been previously validated through a direct comparison with field data from geothermal well located in the Hanover area in Germany. The results showed a good agreement between the predicted outlet fluid temperature and the measured one. Furthermore, an analysis of the effect of various parameters on the wellbore system temperature is performed. This analysis showed the impact of these parameters on the wellbore temperature profile including the critical areas such as the casing setting point and bottom hole assembly. This information may lead to enhancing the wellbore stability by monitoring the thermal stresses, especially in high-temperature wells. Moreover, predicting the drill bit temperature can result in increasing the lifetime of the bit by adjusting the operating conditions to keep the bit temperature within the specified range. Based on these results, the enhanced drilling simulator with the transient temperature model showed to be a suitable tool for effective well planning.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of drilling and wellbore geometry parameters on wellbore temperature profile: Implications for geothermal production

Abdelhafiz

Oppelt

Mahmoud

et al. 2023

Adv. Geo-Energy Res.

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Advanced Drilling Simulation and Engineering Center Provide Support for Challenging Drilling Operations in the South China Sea

Tang¹,

Wei²,

Rommetveit

et al. 2016

Day 2 Tue, August 23, 2016

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An Advanced Drilling Simulation and Engineering Center has been established in Tianjin in China. This center has been set up with simulation systems for the whole life cycle of well construction; from planning to training to operation / Real Time and to Post-analysis. A comprehensive integrated downhole and topside training simulator enables training the crews on a true representation of the real well to be drilled. This behaves like a "Drilling Flight Simulator", and expected problems downhole can be trained on. Furthermore, the center incorporates an advanced planning system with dynamic models for drilling, cementing, displacements and other well related hydraulics as well as multi-phase flows during well control. Also a state-of-the-art drill string and torque & drag model is included. A Real-Time simulation and decision support module provides support during drilling. The drilling simulation is driven by real time data from the ongoing operation itself, and includes a 3D visualization of the downhole drilling in a "virtual well". Automatic look-ahead simulations of ECD and temperatures was performed with the calibrated models on the fly as support for decisions. A unique feature of the Simulation Applications is that the modelling basis and simulation models are the same for planning, for training, for Real Time and for Post-analysis. These are advanced transient state-of-the-art models which have been verified versus numerous well types (HPHT, DW, MPD etc). In preparation, an advanced training session was performed using a dynamic downhole training simulator linked to a topside rig simulator, for training of the drilling teams. Prior to operation data transfer was established so that during the operation simulations was performed in real time using the ongoing operational parameters as input. This paper will first present the Advanced Drilling Simulation and Engineering Center, then elaborate on the use of this in the planning phase, the training phase and the operational phase in well cases in the South China Sea. Experiences from this will be presented, and learnings for future operations will be discussed. Applications of unique technologies contributed to safer and more cost-effective drilling.

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Successful Use of Sophisticated Flow Modelling in the Planning and Operational Phase of Drilling, Liner Running and Cementing Operations: All in Managed Pressure Mode

Barr

Skjerve

Haaland

et al. 2016

Day 3 Wed, September 28, 2016

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The managed pressure drilling (MPD) technique was chosen to drill a well on the Gullfaks A platform as a risk mitigating factor. In addition, the MPD technique gives accurate flow measurement, provides the potential to handle pressure variations quickly, and determines the drilling window. This paper presents the successful implementation of a sophisticated hydraulic model during planning and execution of a MPD operation in Gullfaks Well A-10B. MPD service was delivered by a major service company with equipment coupled to a third-party real-time advanced transient hydraulic model. This model was used to calculate upstream choke pressure during MPD. It was also used in the planning stage to ensure operation was feasible within the pressure window with the selected fluids and drilling parameters. The system was run in automatic mode. Initially, only one section was planned for drilling in MPD mode. However, because of the losses observed and bottomhole pressure (BHP) flexibility provided by the MPD system, it was decided to drill the next section in addition to running and cementing the liner. When the well was completed, three sections were drilled and two liners were run and cemented using MPD. The use of an automatic MPD system with a sophisticated hydraulic model helped ensure the well delivery was achieved according to plan without any major issues. The losses that occurred were detected and reduced significantly only by reducing the bottomhole target pressure. Dynamic drawdown tests in addition to a dynamic formation integrity test (FIT) confirmed the drilling window before drilling the second section. During the planning of cement job, a close working relationship between all parties was established in order to find the best possible solution for the well and achieve a delivery of a successful well. The planning tool used is a sophisticated hydraulic model that calculates a constant dynamic well pressure during the simulation of the cement job. The simulations were verified during the cementing job, with a good cement job as the result. Both liners were run and cemented with full returns and rotation. This paper presents the challenges involved during this well project, how these challenges were handled by thorough planning, and finally the operational phase itself with focus on the MPD system, including the advanced flow model.

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Use of a Life Cycle Drilling Simulation System on a Challenging HPHT Drilling Operation in the Norwegian Sea

Cited by 6 publications

References 9 publications

Effect of drilling and wellbore geometry parameters on wellbore temperature profile: Implications for geothermal production

Effect of drilling and wellbore geometry parameters on wellbore temperature profile: Implications for geothermal production

Advanced Drilling Simulation and Engineering Center Provide Support for Challenging Drilling Operations in the South China Sea

Successful Use of Sophisticated Flow Modelling in the Planning and Operational Phase of Drilling, Liner Running and Cementing Operations: All in Managed Pressure Mode

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