EP1244866A1 - Improved method for the drilling of oil wells - Google Patents
Improved method for the drilling of oil wellsInfo
- Publication number
- EP1244866A1 EP1244866A1 EP00991655A EP00991655A EP1244866A1 EP 1244866 A1 EP1244866 A1 EP 1244866A1 EP 00991655 A EP00991655 A EP 00991655A EP 00991655 A EP00991655 A EP 00991655A EP 1244866 A1 EP1244866 A1 EP 1244866A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- drilling
- well
- oil wells
- positioning
- curvature
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 239000003129 oil well Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 7
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011499 joint compound Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241001352457 Calitys Species 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- VLCQZHSMCYCDJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N tribenuron methyl Chemical compound COC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1S(=O)(=O)NC(=O)N(C)C1=NC(C)=NC(OC)=N1 VLCQZHSMCYCDJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/04—Directional drilling
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/10—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B44/00—Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an improved method for the drilling of oil wells which allows the positioning of lining columns, operating with an almost constant clearance for the whole of the desired well depth and which substantially consists in effecting the drilling, guaranteeing the elimi- nation of any geometrical curvature and irregularities of the hole, whether it be vertical or deviated.
- lining operations of the hole are effected which comprise the positioning of appropriate casings at pre-established intervals in relation to the depth reached and characteristics of the formations penetrated.
- the clearance between casing and hole can vary from values of about 6-7 inches (15-16 cm) for the surface and/or intermediate phases, to values of almost an inch for the deeper phases (for example: 26" hole for 20" conductor pipe, 17 1/2" hole for 13 3/8", 12 1/4" hole for 9 5/8" casing, 8 1/2" hole for 7" casing) .
- the drilling method according to the present invention allows, with the same diameter of the production column, the dimensions of the upper well part (surface and intermediate columns) to be re- symbolized. This enables a significant reduction in the consumption of materials (mud, cement and steel) and consequently the production of waste products.
- This technique also avoids the necessity of producing holes with a diameter which is too large with respect to the diameter of the columns to be lowered, which generally implies the possibility of effecting holes with a smaller diameter compared to the conventional technique. All of this positively influences the advancement rate of the bit there- fore allowing the production times of the holes to be reduced, with a consequent decrease in the costs.
- the technique according to the present invention also enables a significant reduction in the operating costs, as the verticality and/or regular curvature of the well facilitates all workover and well intervention operations.
- This method comprises a drilling and pipe- laying technique which allows the positioning of the lining columns operating with an almost con- stant clearance with values of more or less 1.5 inches (3-4 cm) for the whole well depth (from the top to the bottom) , or in any case for the whole of the desired well depth.
- a reduced clearance allows, with the same number of columns and final diameter of the production casing, the dimensions of the upper part of the well to be greatly reduced.
- An object of the present invention therefore relates to an improved method for the drilling of oil wells and for the contemporaneous positioning of appropriate casings, characterized in that the clearance is kept almost constant for the whole of the desired well depth, consisting in drilling the well section of interest, maintaining a high degree of hole regularity by the use of automatic verti- cality and/or curvature control equipment.
- the method according to the following invention comprises effecting the drilling phase according to the following procedures: automatic control of the verticality and/or curvature of the well; use of bits equipped with adequate distribu- tors and roller reamers, in order to guarantee hole regularity and calibration; use of drilling mud with chemical and rheological characteristics which are such as to minimize any possible problems of hole in- stability; constant control of all the drilling parameters in order to maintain a curvature (BUR/DO) of 0.7 degrees every 30 , with a maximum slope of 1.5 degrees in the vertical sections.
- SDD Straight Hole Drilling Device
- This device contrary to the conventional systems, automatically effects a continuous correction of the verticality and is based on a retro-activated control which ensures the absolute verticality of holes, even in formations which have a strong ten- dency to cause the bit trajectory to deviate from the vertical.
- the pipe-laying procedure is effected as follows. After producing a perfectly vertical and well calibrated hole the lining columns can be lowered into the well. In order to facilitate the passage of the casing into the hole calibrated with a re-zad clearance, the following precautions should be observed:
- curvature should be planned in relation to the flexibility of the casings to be used.
- Figure 1 compares the conventional pipe-laying program with the "Lean” program.
- the data in said figure were obtained in the Monte Enoc 9 well ef- fected in the Field of Val D'Agri in Basilicata. It is evident how with the "Lean” solution, starting from a lower diameter of the surface and intermediate columns, a production column is obtained with the same diameter as that produced with the conven- tional solution.
- Figure 2 describes a further two examples of Lean pipe-laying, which can provide a valid alternative to the previous scheme, above all in contingency situations.
- Figure 3 schematically represents a comparison between the hole sections.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Steroid Compounds (AREA)
Abstract
Method for the drilling of oil wells and for the positioning of the appropriate casings, consisting in drilling the well section of interest and, during the drilling, in maintaining a high degree of hole regularity by the use of automatic verticality and/or curvature control equipment. This method allows the positioning of casings with an almost constant clearance with values of +/- 1.5 inches for the whole well depth (lean profile).
Description
IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE DRILLING OF OIL WELLS
The present invention relates to an improved method for the drilling of oil wells which allows the positioning of lining columns, operating with an almost constant clearance for the whole of the desired well depth and which substantially consists in effecting the drilling, guaranteeing the elimi- nation of any geometrical curvature and irregularities of the hole, whether it be vertical or deviated.
During the drilling of oil wells, lining operations of the hole (pipe-laying) are effected which comprise the positioning of appropriate casings at pre-established intervals in relation to the depth reached and characteristics of the formations penetrated.
During the pipe-laying, in order to guarantee easy descent of the lining columns into the well,
it is generally necessary to ensure that the difference between the external casing diameter and the hole diameter (clearance) is maintained at sufficiently high values. During conventional technological drilling, the clearance between casing and hole can vary from values of about 6-7 inches (15-16 cm) for the surface and/or intermediate phases, to values of almost an inch for the deeper phases (for example: 26" hole for 20" conductor pipe, 17 1/2" hole for 13 3/8", 12 1/4" hole for 9 5/8" casing, 8 1/2" hole for 7" casing) .
The necessity of adopting high clearance values is linked to the high rigidity of pipes with a larger diameter/thickness and the impossibility of drilling perfectly vertical wells and/or with a controlled curvature. In fact, the poor flexibility of pipes together with a certain degree of hole irregularity (deviations, curving and/or narrowing) can make the lowering of columns into the well difficult especially during the surface and/or intermediate phases.
The necessity, according to the conventional technologies, of producing holes with a considera- bly larger diameter with respect to that of the
casing to guarantee descent to the well bottom during the surface and intermediate phases, causes the formation of a large quantity of waste products and a long duration of the plant on the territory with consequent long times and high drilling costs.
The drilling method according to the present invention allows, with the same diameter of the production column, the dimensions of the upper well part (surface and intermediate columns) to be re- duced. This enables a significant reduction in the consumption of materials (mud, cement and steel) and consequently the production of waste products. This technique also avoids the necessity of producing holes with a diameter which is too large with respect to the diameter of the columns to be lowered, which generally implies the possibility of effecting holes with a smaller diameter compared to the conventional technique. All of this positively influences the advancement rate of the bit there- fore allowing the production times of the holes to be reduced, with a consequent decrease in the costs. The technique according to the present invention also enables a significant reduction in the operating costs, as the verticality and/or regular curvature of the well facilitates all workover and
well intervention operations.
This method comprises a drilling and pipe- laying technique which allows the positioning of the lining columns operating with an almost con- stant clearance with values of more or less 1.5 inches (3-4 cm) for the whole well depth (from the top to the bottom) , or in any case for the whole of the desired well depth. The fact that a reduced clearance is adopted, allows, with the same number of columns and final diameter of the production casing, the dimensions of the upper part of the well to be greatly reduced.
This solution is mainly suitable for applications in deep, vertical or deviated wells, also in the presence of formations with a low drilling capacity and/or difficulty in controlling the trajectory. In these cases the use of the technique according to the invention allows considerable time saving and reduction in the drilling costs. An object of the present invention therefore relates to an improved method for the drilling of oil wells and for the contemporaneous positioning of appropriate casings, characterized in that the clearance is kept almost constant for the whole of the desired well depth, consisting in drilling the
well section of interest, maintaining a high degree of hole regularity by the use of automatic verti- cality and/or curvature control equipment.
In particular, the method according to the following invention comprises effecting the drilling phase according to the following procedures: automatic control of the verticality and/or curvature of the well; use of bits equipped with adequate distribu- tors and roller reamers, in order to guarantee hole regularity and calibration; use of drilling mud with chemical and rheological characteristics which are such as to minimize any possible problems of hole in- stability; constant control of all the drilling parameters in order to maintain a curvature (BUR/DO) of 0.7 degrees every 30 , with a maximum slope of 1.5 degrees in the vertical sections. For the automatic control of the well verticality, the use of the device called "Straight Hole Drilling Device (SDD)", a drilling instrument produced by the Applicant in collaboration with Baker Hughes, has proved to be particularly advantageous. This device, contrary to the conventional systems,
automatically effects a continuous correction of the verticality and is based on a retro-activated control which ensures the absolute verticality of holes, even in formations which have a strong ten- dency to cause the bit trajectory to deviate from the vertical.
The use of a device called Autotrak, a drilling instrument produced by the Applicant, again in collaboration with Baker Hughes, has proved to be advantageous for the automatic control of the curvature. This device effects a continuous correction of the curvature which guarantees an optimum geometry in the deviated sections.
A preview of both apparatuses produced in col- laboration with Baker was provided in the paper SPE 50379 of November 1998.
Various alternatives are available on the market both for the automatic verticality control and curvature control, such as: - RDS of Cameo;
AGS of Cambridge Automation
Well Director of Well Done
As an illustrative but non-limiting example of the method according to the present invention, the pipe-laying procedure is effected as follows.
After producing a perfectly vertical and well calibrated hole the lining columns can be lowered into the well. In order to facilitate the passage of the casing into the hole calibrated with a re- duced clearance, the following precautions should be observed:
• Use threaded connections of the flush or near- flush type. The integral connection called "A-
SFC" (Agip Semi Flush Connection) described in patent application 5934 filed on 19/02/1999 by the same Applicant, can be advantageously used. This connection has a limited clearance (external diameter 2.5% higher than the external pipe diameter) and is characterized by a significant improvement in the compression and torque strength/efficiency, with respect to existing connections of the same category. The joint is also equipped with a double metal to metal seal which makes it suitable for appli- cations in deep wells and/or in the presence of high pressures.
• Check the perfect rectilinearity of the pipes. The tolerances admitted by the API regulation in terms of residual manufacturing deforma- tions are not acceptable in effecting the Lean
technique. The rectilinearity must therefore be accurately checked before beginning the piping operations.
• Limit the use of centralizers (if necessary use an Integral Blade Centralizer) .
During the pipe laying, limit the descent rate of the column to avoid forcing and the creation of dangerous ramming linked to the reduced ring dimensions.
• Use cementation shoes of the centralized type (Stabilizer Shoe) equipped with an auto fill- up device.
• During the cementation special malts with a high fluidity and mechanical resistance are used.
In the case of possible deviated sections, in addition to the following precautions, curvature should be planned in relation to the flexibility of the casings to be used. Operating as described above, it was possible to lower a casing with an external diameter slightly less than that of the hole (about 1.5 inches) into the well, creating a narrower pipe- laying profile (Lean) , with the advantages de- scribed above and without jeopardizing the diameter
of the production column.
Figure 1 compares the conventional pipe-laying program with the "Lean" program. The data in said figure were obtained in the Monte Enoc 9 well ef- fected in the Field of Val D'Agri in Basilicata. It is evident how with the "Lean" solution, starting from a lower diameter of the surface and intermediate columns, a production column is obtained with the same diameter as that produced with the conven- tional solution.
Figure 2 describes a further two examples of Lean pipe-laying, which can provide a valid alternative to the previous scheme, above all in contingency situations. Figure 3 schematically represents a comparison between the hole sections.
Claims
1. A method for the drilling of oil wells and positioning of the appropriate casings, consisting in drilling the well section of interest and, during the drilling, in maintaining a high degree of hole regularity by the use of automatic verticality and/or curvature control equipment .
2. The method for the drilling of oil wells and positioning of the appropriate casings according to the previous claim, characterized in that the drilling phase is carried out observing the following precautions:
• automatic control of the verticality and/or curvature of the well
• use of bits equipped with adequate distributors and roller reamers
• use of drilling mud with chemical and rheological characteristics which are such as to minimize any possible well instability problems
• constant control of all the drilling parameters .
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITMI000007 | 2000-01-05 | ||
| IT2000MI000007A IT1316157B1 (en) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-01-05 | IMPROVED METHOD FOR DRILLING PETROLEUM WELLS |
| PCT/EP2000/013370 WO2001053655A1 (en) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-12-28 | Improved method for the drilling of oil wells |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP1244866A1 true EP1244866A1 (en) | 2002-10-02 |
Family
ID=11443623
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP00991655A Withdrawn EP1244866A1 (en) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-12-28 | Improved method for the drilling of oil wells |
Country Status (13)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20020189864A1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1244866A1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1420958A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3367601A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR0016888A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2396282A1 (en) |
| EA (1) | EA200200605A1 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1316157B1 (en) |
| MA (1) | MA25880A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA02006734A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO20023169L (en) |
| OA (1) | OA12135A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001053655A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7661476B2 (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2010-02-16 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Gravel packing methods |
| US7857078B2 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2010-12-28 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Cutting tools and methods of making the same |
| ITMI20131733A1 (en) * | 2013-10-17 | 2015-04-18 | Eni Spa | PROCEDURE FOR REALIZING A WELL TO EXPLOIT A FIELD UNDER A MARINE OR OCEANIC BOTTOM |
| CN111852336B (en) * | 2020-08-27 | 2021-10-29 | 安徽建筑大学 | Drilling tool for horizontal directional drilling and reaming |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4077657A (en) * | 1976-03-22 | 1978-03-07 | Smith, International, Inc. | Adjustable bent sub |
| GB9204910D0 (en) * | 1992-03-05 | 1992-04-22 | Ledge 101 Ltd | Downhole tool |
| GB9605801D0 (en) * | 1996-03-20 | 1996-05-22 | Head Philip | A casing and method of installing the casing in a well and apparatus therefore |
| OA11527A (en) * | 1997-12-31 | 2004-02-04 | Shell Int Research | Method for drilling and completing a hydrocarbon production well. |
| CA2350143C (en) * | 1998-11-10 | 2006-05-23 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Self-controlled directional drilling systems and methods |
| US6290001B1 (en) * | 2000-05-18 | 2001-09-18 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Method and composition for sweep of cuttings beds in a deviated borehole |
-
2000
- 2000-01-05 IT IT2000MI000007A patent/IT1316157B1/en active
- 2000-12-28 EP EP00991655A patent/EP1244866A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-12-28 EA EA200200605A patent/EA200200605A1/en unknown
- 2000-12-28 US US10/168,526 patent/US20020189864A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-12-28 WO PCT/EP2000/013370 patent/WO2001053655A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-12-28 MX MXPA02006734A patent/MXPA02006734A/en unknown
- 2000-12-28 OA OA1200200205A patent/OA12135A/en unknown
- 2000-12-28 CN CN00818206.XA patent/CN1420958A/en active Pending
- 2000-12-28 CA CA002396282A patent/CA2396282A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-12-28 BR BR0016888-2A patent/BR0016888A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-12-28 AU AU33676/01A patent/AU3367601A/en not_active Abandoned
-
2002
- 2002-06-28 NO NO20023169A patent/NO20023169L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-07-01 MA MA26717A patent/MA25880A1/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| See references of WO0153655A1 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20020189864A1 (en) | 2002-12-19 |
| OA12135A (en) | 2006-05-05 |
| NO20023169L (en) | 2002-07-02 |
| BR0016888A (en) | 2002-10-08 |
| CA2396282A1 (en) | 2001-07-26 |
| MA25880A1 (en) | 2003-10-01 |
| EA200200605A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 |
| MXPA02006734A (en) | 2002-10-23 |
| ITMI20000007A1 (en) | 2001-07-05 |
| NO20023169D0 (en) | 2002-06-28 |
| CN1420958A (en) | 2003-05-28 |
| AU3367601A (en) | 2001-07-31 |
| ITMI20000007A0 (en) | 2000-01-05 |
| IT1316157B1 (en) | 2003-04-03 |
| WO2001053655A1 (en) | 2001-07-26 |
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