Abstract
Abstract Palo Azul field in Ecuador has always presented challenges for drilling high-inclination wells. The main issue is the natural tendency of the Napo formation to drop inclination even when using fulcrum or push-the-bit bottom hole assemblies (BHAs) designed to build inclination. Napo formation is composed of many intercalations of sandstone, limestone and unstable shale. With the introduction of a Point-the-Bit rotary steerable system (RSS), a successful drilling campaign was developed. The capacity of this RSS to build inclination in 8 ½-in-hole sections independently of the type of formation drilled was the technical solution to build inclination while drilling through the formation that historically causes a drop in inclination. However, short trips to the 9⅝-in casing shoe and trips to surface have been very difficult, with several problems such as packing off, tight hole and back-reaming. Several times the 7-in-liner did not reach the bottom of the hole, requiring an extra trip to condition the well for a new attempt to run the liner. The use of a hole opener to enlarge the hole from 8-½ to 9-½ inches while drilling with a point-the-bit RSS was the best technical solution to finish the hole section in a single run, avoiding extra trips to surface and ensuring a clean 7-in-liner run. The point-the-bit RSS and hole-opener run performed in this study was the first successfully run in a high-inclination well (51° to 68°) in Ecuador, generating an average dogleg severity of 5°/100 ft. This technical solution is allowing the operator to plan more high-inclination or horizontal wells to optimize Palo Azul field production. The synergy between the Directional Drilling Company and the hole opener provider to simulate and execute the run described above with an integrated BHA was the key to success in implementing this technological solution for the client.
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