Drilling: A source book on oil and gas well drilling from exploration to completion

J.A. "Jim" Short

~~~~!n~g~~y Tulsa, Oklahoma

(

Copyright @ 1983 by PennWell Publishing Company 1421 South Sheridan Road/P.O. Box 1260 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101 Library of Congress cataloging in publication data Short, J. A. Drilling: a source book on oil and gas well drilling from exploration to completion. 1. Oil well drilling. I. Title. TN871.2.S5368 1983 ISBN 0-87814-242-8

2. Gas well drilling. 622' .338

83-13314

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America

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87 86 85 84 83

DEDICATION

The drilling industry was created by pioneers. Two of them were a rancher's son and a merchant's daughter who joined together and spent a lifetime in the effort. This book is dedicated with.love and respect to Mother and Dad.

Margaret A. and Arthur E. "Slim" Short

CONTENTS Dedication

v

Preface

x

Acknowledgments Introduction

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF DRilliNG Types of drilling methods CHAPTER 2: GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION History Geological cycle Origin, migration, and accumulation of oil and gas Oil and gas traps Exploration operations Problem formations

xi xii

1 1 17 18 19 36 44 53 55

CHAPTER 3: RESERVOIRS AND RESERVES 59 Well logs 59 Fluid flow 81 Producingmechanisms 99 Secondary,tertiary, and enhancedrecovery 104 Volumes 105 Oil reservoir 106

CHAPTER 4: DRilLING PROSPECTS, PROGRAMS, AND PROCEDURES Drilling prospects Prospect submittal Drilling programs and procedures General information on the drilling program Geological prognosis vii

117 117 121 126 127 134

viii

Contents

Casing and cementing program Bit program Mud program General equipment specifications AFE and contracts

134 149 155 162 163

CHAPTER 5: DRilLING PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT. Personneland services Drillingequipment Rig classifications Rig parts and functions(componentsystems) Marinerigs

169 169 173 173 175 232

CHAPTER 6: MOVING IN, RIGGING UP, AND DRilLING THE CONDUCTOR HOLE

241

Activities before move-in Moving the rig Move-in and rig-up procedure Drilling the rathole and mousehole Spud-in and conductor hole section Drilling problems Running and cementing conductor casing Nippling up and drilling out Air-gas mist drilling operations Helicopter rig operations Marine operations

242 250 253 262 265 279 283 286 287 289 290

CHAPTER 7: SURFACE HOLE SECTION

295

Drillingprocedure Trippingthe drillpipe assembly Surfacehole drilling problems Landingcasing and nipplingup CHAPTER 8: INTERMEDIATE HOLE SECTION

295 306 321 342

Daily operations and crew duties

347 347

ix

Contents

Drilling the section Tripping and related activities Drilling problems Stuck assemblies and fishing Logging, running, and cementing casing

352 361 369 382 403

CHAPTER 9: PRODUCTION HOLE SECTION 407 Drilling the section 407 Drilling problems 413 Deviated holes 427 Obtaining reservoir and productivity information 433 Plugging and abandoning a dry hole 451 Production casing and liners 454

CHAPTER 10: COMPLETIONS

463

H~ry Factors affecting completions Types of completions Tools and equipment Completion design and procedures Operations Surface equipment

~ 464 466 467 486 503 535

Appendix

555

Bibliography and Suggested Readings Index

569 573

PREFACE

Where does oil come from? How do you find it and get it out of the ground? I have been asked these questions numerous times over the years by many people both in and out of the industry. Those in the industry ask for both general and detailed information to find out how their work fits into the overall picture. The answers to these questions invariably lead to other questions searching for more information. These questions indicate a widespread interest from a variety of people. They also emphasize the need for one source that (I) covers the entire industry, (2) contains detailed, specific information and answers, (3) allows the reader to select and review areas of special interest, and (4) presents the material in a clear, understandable manner for anyone interested in the industry. The purpose of drilling is to drill and complete a commercial oil and gas well. The purpose of this book is to explain, describe, and illustrate the process.

x

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Coastal Corporation's permission to publish this text is gratefully appreciated. Blocker Drilling Company, Four Flags Drilling Company, San Patrico Corporation, and Loffland Brothers Drilling Company gave permission to photograph and publish pictures of their drilling rigs and equipment. Various service and supply companies supplied material and information. These and others have made a major contribution that is sincerely appreciated. Many people have contributed to this text by teaching, guiding, and helping me throughout my career. I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge their help and to express my sincerest thanks.

'.

xi

Drilling started as the simple process of digging a hole. This text begins with a historical review. Oil and gas hydrocarbons formed from organisms in the geologic past. Natural geological processes created favorable conditions for migration and accumulation in underground reservoir traps. Areas where these traps occur are located by various methods of exploration. The right to drill wells and produce oil and gas is obtained from the landowner. Then a drilling program containing information about the prospect and instructions on drilling the well is prepared. A drilling contractor has drilling rigs with operating personnel. The rig has a rotating system to turn the drilling bit to drill the hole, a tower and hoisting system to run tools in the hole and pull them out of the hole, and other equipment needed to drill the well. Then the rig is moved to the drillsite and assembled. A large-diameter hole is drilled by rotating a joint of drillpipe with a bit fitted on the bottom end. Fluid is circulated down the inside of the pipe and up the outside to remove the pieces of earth drilled by the bit. Additional joints of drillpipe are connected to drill the hole deeper. Large pipe or casing is placed in the hole with cement around the pipe. A slightly smaller hole is drilled deeper through the casing. Slightly smaller casing is placed in this hole and cemented. The sequence is repeated using successively smaller sizes until the last, smallest casing is run through the oil trap thousands of feet below the surface. Many drilling problems occur such as loose pieces of formation falling in the hole and sticking the drill tools. A particularly dangerous problem occurs when the hole is drilled into high-pressure formations. Fluids from the reservoir can flow up the wellbore and blow hundreds of feet into the air causing a blowout. These types of problems must be handled to drill the well successfully. Tests provide information about the oil and gas in the formations and are taken during and after drilling. Many holes are drilled that do not encounter oil and gas. These dry holes are plugged with cement and abandoned. Wells with good oil and gas potential are completed. xii

xiii Introduction

The well is completed by perforating holes through the casing into the formation. Natural forces cause the oil and gas to flow from the reservoir through the perforations into the casing where they flow upward to the surface. Other oil traps in the well can be perforated to make multiple completions. Contaminating agents in the reservoir may cause a low flowrate from the well. The flow rate can be increased by removing these with special treatments. Different kinds of treatments are used to improve low flow rates. Oil production from reservoirs with low pressures can be increased by placing a pump in the well. The top of the casing is fitted with valves that control pressures and flow rates. Impurities are removed, and produced volumes are measured in surface facilities. Gas is piped to market; oil is piped or hauled in tanker trucks. The text expands this abbreviated summary explaining why the procedures are needed and how the operations are performed. Over 200 photographs and illustrations provide additional clarification and information. The material is presented in a building-block manner following the natural sequence of events. Basics are covered first, followed by more advanced subjects in a stepwise fashion. This serves a dual purpose. The novice can start at the beginning, laying a foundation and building upon it. The more advanced reader can go directly to topics of interest. Many special and sometimes colorful terms are used in the industry. These are.defined as they are encountered and then are used as common terminology. A complete list of contents provides easy, quick access to sections of interest. Specific topics can be located in an expanded index. The appendix also contains listings of additional sources of information.

142

DRILLING

SIZE 1,

I

1312

DEPTH 8,000 ft

MUD WEIGHT 9,6 Iblg.1 x 0.0519 0.4982psilft , CASINGDESCRIPTION TOPTO BOTTOM

=

_

'lI,m 3 has. 13\2.in.00, Driftin designis 12.250in. SIZE DEPTH

I

9 in. 11,000 ft MUOWEIGHT 12,0Ibla.1 x 0.0519- 0.6228psilft CASINGDESCRIPTION TOPTO BOTTOM

_

-

COLlAPSE'

GRADE & LBI END SETTING NO. SECTION FOOTFINISHDEPTH LOAD 1 3,700 68.00 N808TC 3,700 1.843 2 2.300 72.00 5958TC 6.000 2.989 3 2,000 81.40 5958TC' 8.000 3.986

ITEM FEETI

8URST'

DESIGN STRENGTH FACTORLOAD 1.133 3,986 2.089 1,132 3,986 3.385 1.219 3.986 4.860

Outsidepressuregradient

(Zero for productionstrings. 0.500 for intermediatesurfacestrings)"

Inside pressuregradient

(Zero)"

(Bottomcollapsepressure)"

Wellheadshutin pressure 3. Buoyancynot considered"

_

_

COLlAPSE1

-

8URSr2

DESIGN STRENGTH FACTORLOAD

1

7.600 43.50 595LTC 7.600 4.733

5.346

2

2.400 47.00 595LTC 10,000 6,228

7.018

1.127 6,851

3

1.000 53.50 595LTC 11,000 6,851

8.850

1.292 6,851

14.71blg'l

DEPTH 16.500«

x 0.0519 = 0,7629psilft

-

CASINGDESCRIPTION TOP TO BOTTGM GRADE& LBI ENO SETTING ITEM FEETI NO, SECTIONFOOT FINISH DEPTH 1 2 3 4

Insidepressure gradient --.!L (Zero)" Wellhead shutinpressure (Bonom cOllapse pressure). 3. Buoyancy notconsidered"

_

COLlAPSEI

LOAD

STRENGTH

32,00 L5125 LTC 3.300 2.518 32,00 595 LTC 8.200 6,256 32,00 L5125LTC 13.200 10,071 35.00 L5125LTC 16.500 12,588

3.300 4.900 5.000 3.300

-

TENSION'

DESIGN ACCUMSTRENGTH DESIGN STRENGTH FACTORWEIGHT1 000L8 FACTOR 960 1.096 496.900 1.193 1.932 7.510 1.053 1.190 166.300 1.289 6.332 8.150 1.235 9.410 1.374 53.500 23.08 1.477

1. Tension effectoncOllapse considered 2. Burstload= wellhead pressure plusdepthx (Insideminusoutsidepressure gradient) Outside pressure gradient -.!. (Zero forproduction strings. 0.500for intermediate surface strings).

MUD WEIGHT

-

1.129 6,851

_

-

DESIGNCONDITIONS

Driftin designis8.500in.

I

-

TENSION'

DESIGN ACCUMSTRENGTH DESIGN STRENGTH FACTORWEIGHT1,000 LB FACTOR 1.259 580.000 1.585 2.733 5.020 5.892 1.603 328.400 1.935 6.390 11.579 1.791 162.800 1.885 7.140

1. Tension effectoncollapse consideredDESIGNCONDITIONS 2. Burstload= wellhead pressure plusdepthx (Insideminusoutside pressure gradient)

GRADE & ITEM FEET! L81 END SETTING NO.SECTIONFOOTFINISHDEPTH LOAD

SIZE 7 in.

_

-

-

-

-

BURSr2

DESIGN FACTGR LOAD 3,987 9.660 1.451 10.747 1.128 11.856 1.138 12.588

9.811 9.077 11,364 14.330

STRENGTH

14.160 10.760 14,160 14,440

DESIGN FACTOR 1.466 1.001 1.194 1.147

_

TENSION'

-

DESIGN ACCUM STRENGTH WEIGHT 1.000 LB FACTOR 537.900 432.300 275.500 115.500

996 779 996 1.106

DESIGNCONDITIONS 1. Tensioneffect on collapseconsidered 2. Burst load '" wellheadpressureplus depth x (Insideminus outside pressuregradient) Outsidepressuregradient-.!.. (Zero for productionstrings. MQQ....for intermediatesurfacestrings)"

Drift in design is 5.879in.

Inside pressure

(ero).

gradient

Wellheadshutin pressure 12.588 psi

(Bonomcollapsepressure)"Basedon 0.6 sp gr gas columnand BHPof

3. Buoyancynot considered"

. . pipe is perfeclly vertical

In collapse:

inside

of casing

is empty

. buoyancy has not been considered for tension effect on collapse In burst:

Prodoctlon casldg

.

.burst load (production string) .no external gradient inside

of casing

contains

a 0.6

specific =

gravity

gas

column

internal gas gradient x depth plus the wellhead pressure

Surface and Intermediate casing

. bottom-hole

In tension:

. buoyancy

hydrostatic is

not

pressure

=

burst load

considered

.Unlessotherwise specified

FIG.4-6

1.852 1.802 3,615 9.576

Casing design program (courtesy Lone Star Steel)

TABLE 6-1

Move-In and Rig-Up Procedure* FirstCrew

Unload, position, and level pit-side substructure. InstL stairs for access. ~

Third Crew

removal.equipment; and mud shed or house. Begin connecting water lines and water storage.

Inst~" floor-level

~

Pos~ionand connectmud pumps,

I

connect pump suctions to mud pits dogh~use,

and mud line, and finish connecting

engine shed, safety ralls, and

Unloa for mo includ

with cross-member bracing.

standp

..

Pos~ion and connect flow lines; shale shaker; mud p~s; mud storage; mud-mixing, mud-treating, and solids

Split Crew

Unload, position, and level driller's side substructure. Pin subs together

*'

Position and co nect drawworks, compound, and engines. Install and raise A-frame. Position rotary ng on

Unloa and p

floor. ~ Connect engines, compounds, drawworks, rotary, air compressor,

Lift m crown

andfuel andwaterlinesto the rig floor.Startandtest engines.

S Ii C p t

rew

'..

mud-mixing equipment, water lines,

\

Install pipe rack, standpipe, and m

.

miscellaneous equipment. andwaterstorage.Startfillingwater Unloadandpositionlightplant, storage.

Stringup dnlllnglinebetweencrown linesonto drawworksdrumand clam

BOP accumulator un~, and remote BOP control unit. Lay BOP lines to the substructure. Install now or after spud-in-

Test run mud pumps. Pressure test mud lines to the rig floor and mud-mixing lines. Begin

end of the substructure. Inspect and c the traveling block hook to the base o inspection. Then raise mast and pin Note: Most masts are damaged whil

flow line, separator, degasser, and choke manifold.

filling mud tanks with water and/or spud mix and/or

~ Remove mast lifting line, connect standpipe and rig

Remo

begin mixing spud mud.

lights, hook drillpipe tongs to the tong lines, and finish miscellaneous floor and mast hook-up work. Pick up swivel and connect to the kelly, place kelly-drive bushings on the kelly, and connect the kelly hose.

catwa shea.t on pip drillpip

I

\

t

/

..

Break Tour

Break' Tour Drillthe ratholeand mouseholeif not drilledbeforemovingin.

Spu~ In Begin drilling.

'Mechanical

rig with tail-driven

pumps

racks.