Hart`s E&P: Smart drillpipe technologies for the driller’s toolbox

Advances in technology boost successful development of new LWD and drilling technology offshore the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Wired drillpipe (WDP) technology was implemented on a multiple-well project located offshore the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The operator’s main objective was to drill each well as cost-effectively as possible while making sure that the wellbore placement was optimum. Achieving this goal required the use of specific LWD equipment together with the WDP Network. This high-speed data network enables instantaneous transmission of all downhole data and saves valuable rig time. Full real-time understanding of the downhole drilling environment as well as the formations drilled enables quick actions for mitigating drilling dysfunctions and equivalent circulating density management as well as optimal well placement. The planned extended-reach wells had a very tight pressure window. Landing and geosteering the reservoir sections required the latest LWD technologies on WDP to achieve the goals of the project.

Complex drilling application

The drilling targets consisted of an oil reservoir and several deeper structurally complex high-pressure gas and condensate reservoirs. The oil reservoir was developed with long horizontal wells. Several deviated wells were drilled to unlock the gas and condensate reserves. The field was initially discovered 40 years ago but proved too complex to develop until now.

Over the years several exploration and appraisal wells were drilled within a narrow pressure window, with multiple bottomhole assembly (BHA) runs per section. The complex drilling environment posed many challenges, including severe losses, influxes and unstable formations. Excessive downhole shock and vibration also challenged successful delivery of MWD/LWD signals to surface. To overcome these challenges, WDP technology was implemented from the start of the field development. The realized quantifiable benefits outweighed the initial upfront investment and recurring operating and maintenance costs compared to a drilling operation with mud pulse telemetry. This translated into direct net rig time savings, providing a return on the technology investment, which doesn’t take into account additional upside benefits identified. These benefits included significantly lower geological uncertainties and reduced risk of high-impact events such as well collapse or catastrophic flow events, providing not only economic benefits but also HSE benefits. Enabling the full use of LWD technology for improved well placement and the quality of the drains drilled without compromising well integrity was also a significant benefit of the WPD implementation.