1

PETE 405
Well Drilling
Lesson 5
Hole Problems
2
Depths of historically important boreholes
in Germany and around the world (left)
and deepest three wells world wide (right)
31440
40223
29859
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
1974 Bertha Rogers, USA gas exploration 1985 Kola SG3, USSR gas exploration
1994 KTB Oberpfalz HB, Germany,
scientific drilling
D
e
p
t
h

[
m
]
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
D
e
p
t
h

[
f
t
]
Source: oilfield review, J anuary 1995
3
Lesson 5 - Hole Problems
Lost Circulation
Stuck Pipe
Keyseat- Crooked Hole
Differential Sticking
Mechanical Sticking
Junk in Hole
Kicks and Blowouts
Crooked Hole


4
Read:

* Applied Drilling Engineering, Ch. 1
* Definitions


HW #2 ADE 1.12, 1.13, 1.14
due Monday, Sept. 11, 2006

Homework

5

Hole Problems - Lost Circulation

Flow out < Flow in (e.g 400 < 500)
Drop in Mud Pit Volume
Blowout
Indication:
6
Hole Problems- Lost Circulation
Poor Drilling Fluid Characteristics
Induced Fracturing of Formation
From Rapid Pipe Movement
Causes:
High Formation Permeability (e.g. fractures)
Low Formation Pore Pressure
7
Hole Problems- Lost Circulation
Costly Mud Makeup
Loss of Production
Fire
Loss of Permit to Drill
Results:
8
Hole Problems- Lost Circulation
Preventive Measures:
Crew Education
Good Mud Program
Study Wells in Area
to be prepared

9
Hole Problems- Lost Circulation
Use Lost Circulation Material
as Mud Additive (fibrous or granular)

Drill Through Troublesome
Interval and Case Off

Decrease Mud Weight

Decrease Circulation Rate
Remedial Measures:
10
Hole Problems - Stuck Pipe
(drill pipe, drill collars, casing)
Indication:
Cannot Pick Up Pipe (Venezuela case)
Causes:
Cave - ins
Keyseat - Crooked Hole

11
Hole Problems - Stuck Pipe
Differential Pressure Sticking
Filter Cake
Deposited AFTER Circulation Stops
- While Still on Bottom
Causes, contd:
12
Hole Problems - Stuck Pipe
Results:
Fishing Operations
Back off, POH, RIG w/fishing string
Loss of Hole
or at least part of the hole
13
Hole Problems - Stuck Pipe
Use Minimum Mud Weight Required
to Control Formation Pressures.
Use Special Drill Collars (spiral)
Use Centralizers on Casing
Periodically Establish Circulation
while Running Casing or Drillpipe
in Deep Hole
Preventive Measures:
14
Hole Problems - Stuck Pipe
Erode Mud Filter Cake - at High Fluid
Velocity (speed up pumps)
Spot Special Fluid; Oil, Acid
Reduce Mud Weight as Far as Possible
Rotate Pipe - Keep Moving Pipe
Remedial Measures:
If Circulation Can Be Established:
15
Hole Problems - Stuck Pipe
If Circulation Cannot Be
Established:
Cut Pipe or Unscrew Joint
- and Fish
Remedial Measures:
16
KEY
SEAT
17
P
1

P
2

P
1
>>

P
2
18
Thick Filter Cake
Thin Filter Cake
F = mN


N = DP A


F = m DP A
How is filter cake formed?
Pipe Stuck in Wall Cake
19
Outer filter cake Inner filter cake
Filter
Cake
Bridging the pores
F
l
o
w

F
l
o
w

D
r
i
l
l

P
i
p
e

A
n
n
u
l
u
s

20
Hole Problems - Junk in Hole
Bit Parts Missing
Items from Surface Dropped
into Hole
Erratic Torque
Indication:
21
Hole Problems - Junk in Hole
Cause:
Negligence of Crew
Result:
Fishing Operation
22
Hole Problems - Junk in Hole
Crew Education
Preventive Measure:
Remedial Measures:
Run Junk Basket
Run Basket with Collapsible Teeth
(Poor Boy Basket)
Run Magnet
23
Hole Problems Kick, Blowout
(oil, gas or water)
Returns to Surface after Circulation is
Stopped (KICK!)
Well Out of Control - Big Problem!
Lost Circulation . . .
Indication:
24
Hole Problems Kick, Blowout
(oil, gas or water)
[surface or underground]
Causes:
Loss of Hydrostatic Head
due to Lost Circulation
Poor drilling Fluid

Swabbing Effect while Pulling Drillpipe

Insufficient Mud Weight
25
Hole Problems - Blowout
Results:
Possible Loss of Life and Property
Legal and Financial Problems
26
Hole Problems Kick, Blowout

Crew Education

Be Alert

Blowout Control Equipment on RIG
including Pit Volume Indicators
Preventive Measures:
27
Hole Problems Kick, Blowout
Remedial Action:
If on Bottom:
Use proper Mud Weight (increase)
Add Lost Circulation Materials
In Extreme Case of Blowout:
May Have to Directionally
Drill a Relief Well
28
Hole Problems
- Blowout
Dynamic Kill
from a Relief
Well
29
Hole Problems - Crooked Hole
Periodic Directional Surveys
Stuck Drill String
Casing Problems
Indication:
30
Hole Problems - Crooked Hole
Causes:
Too much Weight on Bit
Dipping Formation
Anisotropic Formation
Too Small Drill Collars

No Stabilizers
31
Hole Problems - Crooked Hole
Results:
Uneven Spacing (on bottom)
Legal Problems
Production Problems
Cementing Problems
32
Hole Problems - Crooked Hole
Avoid Buckling of Drill Pipe by
using sufficient number of drill
collars
Use Oversize Drill Collars
Use Reamers and Stabilizers
Start the Hole Vertically
Preventive Action:
33
Hole Problems - Crooked Hole
Plug Back and Sidetrack

Use Whipstock (wedge)

Use Reamers in 3 Locations
Remedial Action:
34
Lost Circulation Example
This Example shows how to determine the mud weight
that can be supported by the formation and also the mud
weight that will control the subsurface pressure.

Well depth = 16,000 ft
Protective casing seat = 12,500 ft
Mud Weight = 17.0 lb/gal
Drillpipe size = 4.5 in.
Hole size, casing I.D. = 8.5 in.
Annulus volume = 0.05 bbl/ft
Water required to fill hole = 20 bbl
35
Before Water After Water
Water - 20 bbls
400 ft
12,500 ft
BHP = 13,963 psig
Mud - 17.0 lb/gal
16,000 ft
BHP = ?
36
Example - Solution
Determine: The effective hydrostatic head
and mud weight in lb/gal.

Solution:

water of ft 400
ft / bbl 05 . 0
bbl 20

Water gradient = 0.052 * 8.33 = 0.433 psi/ft

Mud gradient = 0.052 * 17 = 0.884 psi/ft
37
Example 3.1
Pressure imposed at total depth:

400 ft of water x 0.433 psi/ft = 173 psi
15,600 ft of mud x 0.884 psi/ft = 13,790 psi
Total pressure at 16,000 ft = 13,963 psi

lb/gal 78 . 16
.052) (16,000)(0
13,963
weight mud Effective
38
Example 3.1
Pressure imposed at the casing seat:

400 ft of water x 0.433 psi/ft = 173 psi
12,100 ft of mud x 0.884 psi/ft = 10,696 psi
Total pressure at 12,500 ft = 10,869 psi
lb/gal 72 . 16
.052) (12,500)(0
10,869
weight mud Effective
39
Before Water After Water
Water - 20 bbls
400 ft
12,500 ft
EMW = 16.72 lb/gal
BHP = 13,963 psig
Mud - 17.0 lb/gal
16,000 ft
EMW = 16.78 lb/gal
10,869 psig