A Novel Approach to Borehole Quality Measurement in Unconventional Drilling

Abstract

Abstract Borehole quality is a crucial aspect of wellbore construction, impacting drilling and completion execution and long-term well reliability in terms of zonal isolation and casing integrity. However, developing key performance indicators and requirements for borehole quality has proven difficult since there are few direct measurements of borehole characteristics other than surveys. This paper explores the use of ultra-high frequency acoustic borehole image logs and caliper measurements to develop methods to quantify effects during drilling operations, such as micro-tortuosity, salt creep, and other observed characteristics, which could prove useful in defining wellbore quality in the drilling phase. The role of the repeatable process of drilling a stand with different bottom hole assembly (BHA) designs as motorized rotary steerable systems (RSS) and conventional steerable systems (CSS) will be mapped to borehole quality impact with downhole measurements. Drilling operations and methods will be linked with the resulting borehole measurements and the relationship in terms of correlation and causality examined. This case study documents the application of the processes and tools for vertical and lateral intervals of horizontal wells in the different basins of North America. Results of different states of drilling operations such as sliding, rotating, and reaming, drilling dysfunctions, BHA changes, drilling practices, and rock characteristics will be presented. The paper's conclusions use this approach to determine the needs and methods of wellbore quality measurement and requirements for drilling and completions and potential life of well implications. This paper builds on the drilling mechanics process and downhole measurements to determine usable borehole quality key performance indicators that can be applied as additional wellbore quality management methods.