Applications of a Real Time Wellbore Friction Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT An interpretation technique to determine the friction losses in the drillstring, on a foot-by-foot basis at the wellsite, was proposed at the 1987 SPE/IADC drilling conference (SPE/IADC 16114). Since then the technique has been used commercially on over 40 wells throughout the world. The interpretation uses realtime measurement while drilling (MWD) and surface measurements of weight-on-bit and torque to compute a rotating friction factor and a sliding friction factor while drilling. This paper describes commercial applications and limitations of the technique. Case histories are drawn from wells drilled in the Gulf Coast, East Canada, South America and Africa. The results illustrate how the technique can be used to: –detect the onset of sticking problems and avoid stuck pipe–optimize bit performance and avoid unnecessary trips–optimize various hole conditioning techniques