OPTIMIZATION OF DRILLING OPERATIONS [PHASE 1]

Objective

The object of this project is to develop new methods allowing to improve the immediate drilling procedures, in view of a bettrer control of drilling operations through new measurements while drilling (MWD) methods and subsequent reduction of its costs.
The project is divided in 4 phases :
1. Phenomenological studies : bibliographical study on each item,
2. Physical modelling : design of a test bench for down scale modelling of bottom hole assembly,
3. Numerical modelling in three dimensional manner of the directional behaviour of the bottom hole assembly,
4. Methodology for test programmes and data acquisition systems.
PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDIES
The major part of the work consisted in bibliographical studies relative to above mentioned aspects. These studies allowed to specify the aspects which were to be the object of a more thorough study, namely :
- the importance of friction in the behaviour of drill strings
- the utilisation of MWD tools to limit wedging against the walls and the detection of abnormal pressure areas
- the mechanical aspect of the tool progress at the cutting front, particurlarly modelling of the relation between the weight on the bit and its torque so to obtain characterization of the bit or of the rock and information on the state of wear of the bit while drilling
- the importance of hydraulic phenomena linked to :
- the flowrate and the mud pressure
- the characteristics of the drilled rock versus filtration
- the geometry of the drilling tool.
NUMERICAL MODELLING
The composition of drill strings and the choice of parameters during directional drilling are generally based on acquired know-how. The purpose is to create computing aids to measure the distorsions and the contact force of the drill strings. Studies thus consisted in choosing mathematical modelling methods for the drill strings and coding them to enable computer calculation. These models predict the behaviour of the inclination and the azimuth of drill strings.
PHYSICAL MODELLING
The purpose was to prepare bench tests so to complete the in-well tests scheduled during the next test phase. The studies covered both the detailed design and engineering of a drill string simulation bench at reduced scale and the possibilityof modelling drilling turbines compatible with the simulation algorithms of the drill strings. It appears necessary to measure the linear weight and the inertia of turbine. Negociations were carried out with various suppliers of turbines for the adaptation of their benches and experimentation procedures have been set-up.
TEST METHODOLOGY
The purpose was to design the appropriate methodology for each set of measurements in well and studies allowed to specify :
- the tests programme
- the nature of parameters to be measured
- the frequency of recordings
- the equipment
- choice of wells
- choice of data acquisition methods.
Two preliminary sets have been run to adapt methodology to operational realities : quality of the measurements, stresses on normal drilling. These tests were run on wells L4A4 in Holland then on HAA4423 and TM25 in Indonesia. During these tests the data acquisition method has been adapted to suit the field conditions. Data analysis software packages have also been elaborated.
The main trend of the project is to exploit and integrate, in real time, the information linked to the major physical phenomena which intervene in the optimization of drilling procedures. These phenomena concern mainly the following three aspects :
1. Directional behaviour of drill strings
2. Resistance of walls through friction analysis
3. Behaviour of drill bits while cutting formation.
The present project consists in preparing, not only the in-well experiments to be run during drilling operations, but also tests on the appropriate test bench.

Programme(s)

ENG-HYDROCARB 1C - Programme (EEC) of Community projects in the hydrocarbons sector, 1973-1985

Topic(s)

1.2 - DRILLING

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Coordinator

GERTH

EU contribution

No data

Address

232 AV. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
92500 Rueil Malmaison
France

Total cost