Root Cause Analysis of Loss Circulation Problem and Designing/Customizing Wellbore Strengthening Materials in One of the Middle East Oil Fields- A Case Study

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Faculty of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In the drilling industry, one of the most important parameters to improve the drilling of new wells is studying the previously-drilled wells to find major common problems and use new methods to prevent them. This article has aim to discover the root cause of loss circulation and its consequences problems right in one of the Middle East oil fields. Also, it will be discussing customizing solutions to cure or prevent such problems. Previous problems are interpreted based on lithology, hydraulic and rheological parameters. Loss circulation volume and rheological parameters (eg gel strength) were analyzed in 12 drilled wells in the specific field. Based on the results, in 5 wells, the loss problem was severe, and the cause was the creation of induced fractures due to the high volume of gel strength. Also, using the geo-mechanical models revealed that induced fracture was expected to develop approximately 36 microns through drilled formations. that the reducing gel strength is sometimes not affordable due to hole cleaning issues. Hence, it has been customized for loss prevention. Accordingly, the wellbore strengthening materials with a mean size of 36 microns were proposed to increase the fracture gradient of formations pressure to drill with high-density muds. By implementing recommended materials in two new wells with high-gel strength, fluid losses, and related problems were considerably showed a reduction. Thereafter, Nonproductive time compared with previously-drilled wells was reduced between 71 to 89%. Also, fluid loss volume dropped from 511 bbl to 75-100 bbl in each nominated well. Meaning an 80-85% reduction in fluid loss, indicating reasonable achievements.

Keywords

References

  1. Kumar A, Savari S, Whitfill D L, Jamison D E (2010) Wellbore strengthening: the less-studied properties of lost-circulation materials, In SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, OnePetro, Florence, Italy, doi.org/10.2118/133484-MS. ##
  2. Wang H, Sweatman R E, Engelman R, Deeg W F J, Whitfill D L, Soliman M Y, Towler B F (2008) Best practice in understanding and managing lost circulation challenges, Society of Petroleum Engineers, doi:10.2118/95895-PA. ##
  3. Mitchell R F, Miska S, Aadny BS (2011) Fundamentals of drilling engineering, Richardson, TX: Society of Petroleum Engineer, doi.org/10.2118/9781555632076. ##
  4. Nayberg T M, Petty B R (1987) Laboratory study of lost circulation materials for use in oil-base drilling muds, SPE 14995,1986, 03: 229–236, doi.org/10.2118/14723- PA. ##
  5. Dyke C G, Wu B, Milton-Tayler D (1995) Advances in characterizing natural-fracture permeability from mud-log data, SPE 25022, 10, 03: 160–166. doi.org/10.2118/25022-PA. ##
  6. Huang J, Griffiths D V, Wong S W (2011) Characterizing natural-fracture permeability from mud-loss data, SPE Journal, 16, 01, 111-114. doi.10.2118/139592-PA. ##
  7. Fuh GF, Dew EG, Ramsey CA, Collins K (1991) Borehole-stability analysis for the design of the first horizontal well drilled in the U.K. Southern V Fields, Society of Petroleum Engineers, doi:10.2118/20408-PA, doi.org/10.2118/20408-PA. ##
  8. Fuh G F, Morita N, Byod P A, McGoffin S J (1992) A new approach to preventing lost circulation while drilling, SPE 24599, 67th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Washington, 1992, doi.org/10.2118/20417-PA. ##
  9. Salehi S, Nygaard R (2012) Numerical modeling of induced fracture propagation: a novel approach for lost circulation materials (LCM) design in borehole strengthening applications of deep offshore drilling, Society of Petroleum Engineers, doi:10.2118/135155-MS. ##
  10. Salehi S, Nygaard R (2012) Numerical modeling of induced fracture propagation: a novel approach for lost circulation materials (LCM) design in borehole strengthening applications of deep offshore drilling, Society of Petroleum Engineers, doi:10.2118/135155-MS. ##
  11. Alberty M W, McLean M R (2004) A physical model for stress cages, SPE 90493, SPE Annual Technical Conference, Houston, doi.org/10.2118/90493-MS. ##
  12. Zhong R, Miska S, Yu M, Ozbayoglu E, Takach N (2018) Investigation of fracture reopening pressure in wellbore strengthening, Society of Petroleum Engineers, doi:10.2118/189575-MS. ##
  13. Karimi Rad M S, Kalhor Mohammadi M, Tahmasbi Nowtarki K (2019) Designing innovative wellbore strengthening materials to optimize drilling in challenging environments, Society of Petroleum Engineers, doi:10.2118/197574-MS. ##
  14. Kumar A, Savari Sh, Jamison D E (2011) Application of fiber laden pill for controlling lost circulation in natural fractures, 2011 AADE National Technical Conference and Exhibition held at the Hilton Houston North Hotel, Houston, Texas 7, DOI:10.2118/143603-MS. ##
  15. Mitchell RF, Miska S, Aadny BS (2011) Fundamentals of drilling engineering, 1 st edition, Richardson, TX: Society of Petroleum Engineer, 1-118, doi.org/10.2118/9781555632076. ##
  16. Van Oort E, Friedheim J, Pierce T, Lee J (2009) Avoiding losses in depleted and weak zones by constantly strengthening wellbores, SPE 125093, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, Louisiana, 04, 2011: 519-530. doi.org/10.2118/125093-PA. ##
  17. Verret R, Roinson B, Cowan J, Fader P, Looney M (2000) Use of micronized cellulose fibers to protect producing formations, spe International Symposium on Formation Damage Control Held in Lafayette, Louisiana, doi.org/10.2118/58794-MS. ##
  18. Yili K, Haifeng Yu, Chengyuan Xu (2015) An optimal design for millimeter-wide facture plugging zone, State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China, 28 May, 1-14. doi.org/10.1016/j.ngib.2015.02.011. ##
  19. Whitfill D (2008) Lost circulation material selection, particle size distribution and fracture modeling with fracture simulation software, Asia pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition, Jakarta, Indonesia, doi.org/10.2118/115039-MS. ##
  20. Savari S, Whitfill DL (2015) Managing losses in naturally fractured formations: sometimes nano is too small, In SPE/IADC drilling conference and exhibition. OnePetro. doi.org/10.2118/173062-MS. ##

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics