Aluminium Alloy Drill Pipes Enhanced through Wired Drill Pipe Technology for Extended Reach Drilling Applications

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

Abstract

One of the many restrictions of the contemporary drilling projects is how to extend the limits of available rig capacities without significant cost rising, this continuing problem will last because requirements to drill extended reach (ERD) wells and ultra ERD wells would be stay present. One approach addressed in this thesis is to use combined drill strings comprising conventional steel drill pipes (SDP) and aluminium ones (ADP). The objective of this thesis was to investigate the possibility to extend the operational range of common rigs by reducing the drill string weight and related torque and drag resulting values via change of the main pipe material to aluminium for the process. Another main purpose was to provide a technology evaluation and approach for the application of ADP with wired drill pipe (WDP) systems to drill new ERD wells through the aid of considering actual ERD wells from Sakhalin project. Consequently at the beginning the understanding of the main challenges and difficulties connected with ERD well construction and what benefits could be expected of combined ADP/SDP applications where illustrated. Afterwards an ADP/SDP assembly analysis background was formed under consideration of optimised pipe combination for current trajectory and factors, in addition an examination was conducted on variables for hole size vs. pipe size dependence to adjust a max. reach well. In the named 1st phase for the given ERD well the last three drilling sections of 16”, 12 ¼” and 8 ½” the combined ADP/SDP design was compared with an conventional SDP design, important calculated drilling values and economic considerations were outlined and presented in an compact shape. To examine the demanded limits of this ERD setting and to demonstrate its limits for a max. reach well, a 2nd and 3rd phase were tested in a similar way like in the first phase, however with an unlimited tangential section to examine the longest departure distance of that setting. The 2nd phase performs the examination for the 12 ¼” section of the relative design assemblies and the 3rd phase includes the last 8 ½” section of its associated design assemblies. The final part comprises the specifications of the chosen WDP system, more precisely the chosen tde powerline system and summarise the technology benefits. Subsequent estimation of reduced well construction time is evaluate, followed by a cost analysis and extend via a breakeven analysis one about tde powerline system utilisation for ERD wells. Finally, conclusion is made about technological and economic feasibility if ADP enhanced with tde powerline extends the current range of ERD wells.

Details

Translated title of the contributionAluminium legierte Bohrgestänge verbessert durch kabelgebundene Gestängetelemetrie für die Anwendung in Langstreckenbohrungen.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDipl.-Ing.
Awarding Institution
Supervisors/Advisors
Award date8 Apr 2022
Publication statusPublished - 2022