Challenging Conventional Fluid Practices for Coiled Tubing Drilling

Abstract

Abstract The Buda formation in Texas presents extreme challenges to prevent formation damage during drilling operations. After using many fluid selection variations, several operators have determined that under-balanced drilling with native crude is the most optimum method. The initial startup project for coiled tubing drilling (CTD) operations in this formation has been completed, with more activity to come. However, as the preferred recirculation of the native crude drilling fluid presents two major challenges. First, the formation is up to 2% sour, and the native crude is relatively volatile with a low flash point and high vapor pressure. Recirculation of sour crude will lead to double-sided exposure of the coiled tubing, which historically has resulted in extremely short fatigue life. The use of active fluid property testing, in addition to scavengers and inhibitors with defined mitigation plans, reduces the risk to an acceptable level. Significant laboratory testing of the fluid properties as the material degrades with time, temperature, and mixing have been completed. Additional mitigation actions are utilized in conjunction with the laboratory results to further reduce the volatility properties. Internal technical and operational reviews, along with additional sourced subject matter expertise, have challenged existing safety, operational, and technical limits. Operational procedures have been continuously monitored and adjusted to compensate for the adverse dynamic wellbore conditions encountered during the campaign. The discussions within this paper detail the background challenges, laboratory testing, operational/HSE planning and mitigation practices to allow operations to commence. Additionally, the paper covers operational results as the wells are drilled. These results may provide a basis for future operations utilizing extreme fluid conditions in other applications within the industry due to the economic benefits from native crude.