A Case Study on the Successful Application of Solids Lubricants in Directional and Horizontal Drilling Operations to Reduce Torque and Drag and Improve ROP in One of the Carbonate Oil Reservoirs

Abstract

Abstract Current advancements for the development of oil and gas reservoirs require drilling directional and horizontal wells. Besides the technology for drilling directional and horizontal intervals, drilling fluids play an important role to reach the target. Conventionally, liquid lubricants including mineral and vegetable types have been used to reduce the torque and drag during directional drilling. As the result, high torque and drag was observed during drilling in rotation and sliding mode. This limits required sliding from plan and decrease ROP with the possibility of stuck pipe. This paper reviews the application and the use of different types of solids lubricants in drilling fluids during drilling directional and horizontal intervals as an operational experience. Drilling fluids rheological properties were monitored and the effects of applying these solids lubricants was the reduction of torque and drag values. In addition, lubricity factor of the filter cake has been measured during drilling by using a lubricity meter to be kept in the proper range by changing the type and concentration of solids lubricants in the drilling fluids. All the data including torque, drag, lubricity factor, solids lubricants concentrations and ROP have been recorded versus depth to benchmark drilling performance. Finally, application of different types of solids lubricants have been approved and showed ROP improvement especially during sliding mode in hard carbonate rocks in the reservoir. No stuck pipe has been recorded during the drilling of horizontal sections. In addition, liners were run successfully without any problem to the target.