Long Reach Well Concept

Current Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) well technology limits the well lengths to roughly 12 km with a horizontal departure of approximately 10 km. This paper presents a concept that enables simultaneous drilling and completion with an aim to substantially extend well reach and with an ultimate objective of constructing 30 km long production wells. Longer reach wells can be used to drain remote reserves using existing production facilities, as well as provide a means to access reservoirs located beneath environmentally sensitive areas. The key technology elements that enable the concept to construct long reach wells are multiple sliding packer traction units in combination with a dual casing drilling system, comprised of a casing with an inner tubing. The sliding packer traction units provide two primary functions; continuous well control along the length of the borehole and traction to overcome axial friction. In addition, the traction packers provide a stable bottom-hole drilling platform avoiding the occurrence of drilling instabilities such as stick-slip, which can damage conventional bottom-hole assemblies and the drill bit in particular. The dual casing provides the conduit for drilling fluid circulation to the bit and cuttings transport to surface. The drilling fluid is pumped through the annulus formed between the casing and inner tubing. The drill cuttings are transported to surface through the inner tubing, ensuring efficient cuttings transport with a low-pressure loss. The concept has been developed through a five-year project, kicked off in 2010. A prototype has been built and tests have shown that each sliding packer traction unit is able to push the drill bit or pull a completion string with a large axial force in excess of the estimated requirement. In the paper, elements of the system are described in detail and the results of the full-scale yard tests are presented. The concept represents a new well construction method incorporating advanced completion technology. It enables drilling and completion of long reach wells and can operate in areas with complex pressure regimes, such as can occur from pressure depletion due to production or pressurizing as a result of the injection of water or gas. Well control is provided by packers placed in pairs that seal off the annulus at predefined intervals along the drill string. Production takes place through a large inner diameter. It is a well construction method with no flat time.