Successful Application of Hardfacing on BHA Components While Drilling in Abrasive Formation

Abstract

Abstract The paper discusses the successful application of HF6000 hardfacing on the drilling bottom-hole assembly (BHA) in TT development wells in offshore Sarawak, Malaysia to overcome tool wear and high vibrations while drilling hard and abrasive formation. HF6000 is a hardfacing application on downhole drilling tools that uses a combination of diamond and tungsten carbide inserts to increase wear resistance. In the offset wells, including TT exploration/appraisal wells drilled between 2000 and 2012, harsh drilling environment was encountered resulting in BHA wear, and consequently excessive vibrations as well as premature tool failure. In anticipation of similar drilling conditions in the development drilling campaign in 2016, the drilling BHAs were protected with HF6000 before use. Following the application of HF6000 on the drilling BHA and combined with other mitigation measures to handle the challenging drilling environment, BHA wear and downhole vibration issues managed to be minimized. Further, no major downhole tool damage was reported, saving PETRONAS Carigali Sdn. Bhd. from damage and Lost in Hole (LIH) claims by the directional drilling contractor, as well as unplanned BHA trips. From the result of the observations in TT drilling campaign, the paper concludes hardfacing on drilling BHA components may be considered for wear protection in abrasive drilling environment to reduce downhole drilling problems and premature failure of drilling tools.