Which Material is Less Resistant to Buckling: Steel, Aluminum or Titanium Drill pipe?

Abstract

AbstractAccess to reservoirs in ultra-deep and extended reach drilling projects leads the industry to develop new resistant and higher-strength materials. Drilling equipments manufacturers and drilling contractors have to meet higher requirements of operators to manufacture and operate quality tubulars in these severe environments. However, with the increasing complexity (deep, long, high-pressure/high-temperature, sour service) of drilled wells, steel may become a limiting drill pipe material. A non-steel alternative material may exist such as aluminum, titanium or composite materials.Buckling of steel, aluminum and titanium tubulars inside wellbore has been the subject of researches and articles in the past. According to some authors, the light Young Modulus of lightweight drill pipes does not affect their buckling response: the relative low stiffness of the pipes would be balanced by reduced contact forces with the wellbore.This paper presents a full study discussing clearly the buckling response of steel and lightweight drill pipes in both experimental bench and real field conditions.This paper shows a full comparative study between steel, aluminum and titanium drillstrings in Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) wells and studies the opportunity to use aluminum and titanium drillstring in ERD wells while the buckling, drilling efficiency and drillstring integrity stay acceptable. Critical buckling loads for each drill pipe material and dimension is reviewed and presented, using our numerical model and in the form of charts which could be used by drilling engineers. Along this comparison, we also focus on drillstring rotation, tool-joints and dimensions effects on buckling loads.Finally, this paper should give a better comprehension of the mechanical behavior of lightweight material for drill pipe, which can improve significantly well planning to drill wells with an increasing depth, length and complexity.