Published: 08/01/2016
Published: 08/01/2016
To mitigate mud losses in a field in the Middle East, casing drilling services were contracted. The operator sought to drill with 9 5/8-in casing to isolate water-sensitive shale and to shut off lost circulation zones within the troubled formation. This would entail drilling to approximately 2,490-ft TVD.
Other objectives for implementing nonretrievable casing while drilling included
By using a 12-in Direct XCD bit and 9 5/8-in casing as part of the project’s trial initiative, the operator aimed to mitigate issues related to losses in the troubled formation. To ensure isolation, a diverter valve (DV) tool and packer were incorporated into the casing drilling string. In addition, a multistage inflation packer collar was used in a casing drilling application.
The 13 3/8-in casing was set as a surface casing conductor at 1,500 ft. Casing drilling operations were planned using the Direct XCD bit (7-bladed with 16-mm premium PDC cutters), which was recently designed based on proven SHARC high-abrasion-resistance PDC drill bit from Smith Bits. The seven blades were designed for higher cutter density, with optimized nozzle configuration considering potential lost circulation.
The casing drilling operation went as planned, with no safety incidents, vibration, bit whirl, or borehole instability. Losses encountered during conventional drilling to 1,994 ft slowly healed during casing drilling; at TD, no mud losses occurred, and there were no losses while cementing.
Average ROP was 58 ft/h, with penetration breaks reaching 140 ft/h. The casing was successfully pressure tested to 2,000 psi above the DV tool, above the float collar, and 10 ft above the shoe. The Direct XCD bit drill shoe was drilled out in 45 min using an 8 1/2-in PDC bit. The entire operation saved 7 h off of plan.
Challenge: Drill through formation to shut off lost circulation zones; eliminate NPT and risk associated with conventional casing runs.
Solution: Run an integrated BHA with diverter valve tool, packer, multistage inflation packer collar, and Direct XCD drillable alloy casing bit.
Results: Successfully isolated water-sensitive shale and eliminated losses without incident, saving 7 h off of plan.
