Drilling and Completion Technology

Featured from experts in the field are four articles that illustrate the use of advanced drilling and completion technologies in the areas of well stimulation, cementing, multi-string tiebacks and extended reach. In addition, there is World Oil's ever popular, and – like all of our content – imminently useful, Drilling, Completion and Workover Fluids listings.

External casing perforating. BP engineers describe the application of a new technique that improved well performance, and worker safety while minimizing unwanted environmental effects. The case history takes place in a West Texas well, where the perforating guns were run outside of casing and fired after tubing was run.

New cementing technology for casing tiebacks. In this case study, Shell and Halliburton authors discuss the difficulties that need to be overcome in achieving the needed level of junction integrity for intersecting strings. These include cyclic loading and temperature/pressure changes. The new slurries include retardants, encapsulated additives and ductile cements; emplacement procedures such as reverse circulation, are also described.

A new low-density proppant is introduced in this story from BJ services. The very low, specific gravity proppant alters the dynamics of hydraulic fracturing. The authors present examples from 135 Permian basin wells that resulted in significantly improved stimulation methods.

Extended reach drilling applications. K&M Technology Group gives specific examples of the use of advanced tools for reaching out farther than before, such as rotary steering, Pressure While Drilling and casing floatation with “smarter methods” and practices. A recent Gulf of Mexico well that was drilled to a record length with a basic rig package exemplifies the process.

 Exploration

Evaluating petroleum systems elements and processes in frontier offshore exploration areas using seabed geochemistry. So-called pathfinder techniques can point the way to prospects and define where to best spend money on lease sales and seismic data acquisition. Authors (some are ex-oil company) from the University of Utah detail how they work on the seabed, as well as what doesn't work.

 Petroleum Technology Digest (Production Technology)

World Oil's regular monthly feature is published in association with the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council. This month features a case study about fracture mapping in coalbed methane exploration plays. Intersecting as many fractures as possible makes all the difference in production rates.

 Drilling, Completion and Workover Fluids

Alternative weighting material provides low ECD drilling fluid with reduced sag tendencies. Authors from Shell and Baker Hughes INTEQ tell operators of a new drilling fluid that helps “expand” the pressure window between confinement and fracturing, or at least helps to manage it more easily. This fluid mitigates equivalent circulating density problems even though it has solids additives. It is also thinner than most fluids, yet avoids sag in narrow annuli and horizontal sections.

 FLUIDS LISTINGS

World Oil's exclusive annual reference comprises about 20 pages that show trade names, generic descriptions, recommended usage and suppliers of nearly 2,400 fluid systems/additives for drilling, completion and workover.