First Worldwide Implementation of Pressurized Mud Cap Drilling for a 17 × 19 in. Hole Section Translates into Safer and More Cost-Effective Operations
Authors
Rakan F. Al-Otaibi (Saudi Aramco) | Mohammed Al-Haqwi (Saudi Aramco) | Carlos O. Iturrios (Weatherford)
Publisher
IPTC - International Petroleum Technology Conference
Publication Date
January 13, 2020
Source
International Petroleum Technology Conference, 13-15 January, Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Paper ID
IPTC-20139-Abstract
Abstract
During the development of drilling operations there are several operational risks and hazards that can jeopardize the continuity of the operation or make it so complicated that the economic burden to drill becomes unacceptable.
Loss of circulation is one of the main causes of cost increase in drilling operations throughout the world and often the formation characteristics, the well design, or the available technologies make it impossible to eliminate this problem.
Studies have shown that drilling fluids represent between 25% and 40% of the total cost of drilling a well (5). With this in mind it is clear that encountering loss of circulation, and particularly total losses, represents a significant impact on the economic aspect of the operations. Additionally, several cases face the problem that operations cannot continue unless the losses are stopped.