Efficient Drilling Technology of Horizontal Wells in the Duverney Block in Canada

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Abstract Recent years, both exploration and development have made considerable progress in the Duverney block shale gas in Canada. However, technical problems exposed in horizontal drilling engineering need to be optimized: 1) Loss is common in shallow formations; 2) High downhole friction torque, low ROP and drilling cuttings accumulation in long horizontal well section; 3) Borehole instability leads to hanger or packer failure; 4) Drill bits and PDM have short servicing life and low efficiency. Optimization comes from three aspects: (1) Based on previous drilling experience and latest formation condition and development requirement, we design a new well profile for the block taking into drilling safety and further development account;(2) Optimize strong inhibitive, easy-maintenance and high cutting-carrying capacity OBM to ensure the safety requirements in the ultra-long open hole section; (3) BHA and parameters optimization. Optimize drill bit with high-abrasiveness and axial efficiency according to logging data, drillability and UCS. Upgrade conventional PDM into high-performance PDM with even-wall thickness. By means of simulation and calculation, drilling parameters suitable for Duverney block has been optimized. Based on the optimization above, a stable and efficient well profile has been improved solving hanger failure on-site efficiently and complete with composite casing design (4-1/2 inch plus 5 inch) in reservoir section; a 90/10 oil-water ratio OBM has been optimized and applied onsite; Combined with high performance PDC bit and even-wall PDM as well as optimized drilling parameters, higher ROP and longer horizontal section have been achieved. The optimization has made successful field application results:(1) Completion depth has been deepened gradually, from 18,080 ft in 2013 to 23,208 ft at present, with an increase of 28.3%;(2) Horizontal section length has been increasing dramatically, from 6,190 ft in 2013 to 10,301 ft at present, with an increase of 66.4%;(3) The average drilling cycle has been shortened, from 51 days in 2013 to 26 days at present, with a decrease of 48.8%;(4) The average ROP has increased steadily, from 71.2ft/h in 2013 to 82.12ft/h at present, with an increase of 15.3%; (5) Drilling costs per meter have been significantly reduced, from 442.4 CAD/ft in 2013 to 228.3 CAD/ft at present. Combining the optimization and matching design above, it has effectively solved the difficulties of the Duverney block drilling engineering and achieved good field application effects: well depth and horizontal section length in the block have been deepened year by year, the drilling cycle and cost have been decreased year by year, as well as the economic effect has been significant. In all, the research achievements provide a practical and effective reference for horizontal wells in other region especially for the unconventional gas.