Creative Engineering Solutions Accelerating Delivery Across Onshore Horizontal Oil Producers Wells by 20% in the Middle East

Abstract

Abstract A study of detailed engineering solutions development and the analysis are described in this paper to optimize drilling and flat time operations across onshore Horizontal Oil Producers in the Middle East. This approach discusses detailed engineering analysis conducted to enhance rate of penetration (ROP) and flat time operation. ROP of each section was increased by optimizing bit selection based on bit records and lithology analysis. Then, a road map was constructed based on dynamic analysis involving shocks and vibration, stick and slip and actual mechanical specific energy output at the bit. Flat time was minimized thru the implementation of creative initiatives including setting casing on bottom to decrease WOC time. Additionally, BHA components across vertical sections were standardized to minimize handling time. Finally, excessive time to picking up and lay down additional 5-in. pipes historically used to drill curved section and run liner was eliminated thru utilization of 4-in. DP across curved and lateral sections. During the drilling campaign of over 30 wells, all engineering solutions described in this paper were successfully implemented and resulted in 20% optimization of overall well delivery time across onshore Horizontal Oil Producers in the Middle East. Conductor casing was set on bottom eliminating time to wait on cement (WOC), BHA configurations of drill collars, HWDPs, reamers and jar where standardized resulting in 25% optimization in flat time associated with BHA and pips handling at top vertical sections. Additionally, 5-in. pipes were eliminated through proper utilization of 5-in. HWDP to drill top holes and 4-in. pipe to drill curved and horizontal sections saving over 2 days of well time. Drilling performance was improved by over 20% after the implementation and follow up on road maps. This study provides practical and creative solutions that can be easily replicated elsewhere to optimize well construction time. Also, this paper discusses novel solutions associated with buckling and TnD analysis for casing on bottom and drilling curved sections with 4-in DP.