VARIABLE DIAMETER DRILLING STABILIZER FOR NORTH SEA WELLS

Ziel

The purpose of the project is to test a variable diameter stabilizer (12 1/4" and 8 1/2"), with a remote control system designed for the high mud flow rates in deflected or horizontal wells in the North Sea, in order to improve the monitoring of drilling paths, and to reduce drilling time by reducing the number of drill pipe operations.
A series of 12 stabilizers shall be built with a modified actuator system to enable remote control from the surface at flow rates less than those of drilling fluids.
These tools shall be tested on wells to control their performance, for adjusting and to draft the operating manuals required for their operation by specially trained personnel.
New technology stabilizers are now suitable for industrial manufacturing. All tools will be equipped with the new actuator LFA 3 G which simplifies the operating procedures for actuating, the three position tools.
The specific features of the VARISTAB make this three positions tool the most performing variable stabilizer available on the market to be used either in pure rotary drilling mode or with down-hole motors.
The development includes five different phases :
PHASE 1 : CONSTRUCTION
A series of twelve variable diameter stabilizers, eight for nominal 12 1/4" drilling phases and four for the 8 1/2" phases, shall be produced in SMFI factories, in accordance with SMFI manufacturing data. These stabilizers shall be fitted with a modified actuator system, as described above, to provide for remote control from the surface and flow rates less than those of drilling fluids.
PHASE 2 : ASSEMBLY AND ACCEPTANCE TESTING IN THE FACTORY
During this phase, the tools shall be assembled in the factory and qualified on a hydraulic test bench which simulates real drilling fluid flow rates, for mechanical running-in and to check their operation at rated values for the drilling fluid flow rate concerned.
PHASE 3 : TESTING ON WELLS
On-site drilling tests on variable diameter stabilizers shall be carried out in order to verify tool procedures and operating conditions and the real-time path monitoring capability of the equipment.
PHASE 4 : PREPARATION OF OPERATING MANUALS
Operating procedures actuating the stabilizer to change the diameter in the well, on-site maintenance and the positioning of the stabilizer in the drill string shall be established during this phase, partially in parallel with the previous phase, to optimize real time directional monitoring of drilling operations.
PHASE 5 : DISSEMINATION RESULTS
This phase includes all information and training approaches to oil companies and service companies in order to make known the results and to extend them by activities leading to the integration of the system into automated drilling systems :
- taking part in technical exhibitions;
- professional conferences and symposiums;
- articles in specialized magazines.
During this phase, demonstration models are built to inform and convince potential customers of the advantages of using VARISTAB variable diameter stabilizers for real times drilling path control.

Programm/Programme

ENG-THERMIE 1 - Programme (EEC) for the promotion of energy technology in Europe (THERMIE), 1990-1994

Thema/Themen

5.2 - DRILLING

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Koordinator

SMF INTERNATIONAL

EU-Beitrag

Keine Daten

Adresse

RUE DES FRERES LUMIERE 7 B.P. 45
58202 Losne-Sur-Loire
Frankreich

Gesamtkosten