Liner Drilling Technology as a Mitigation to Hole Instability and Loss Intervals: A Case Study in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Abstract The combination of liner drilling with a casing while drilling (CWD) bit to successfully drill and cement a 7-in. liner in place through a severe loss zone in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Texas, USA, will be presented in this paper. Previous attempts to drill this problem formation were unable to reach the objective depth because of lost-circulation and hole stability issues. This paper will present equipment selection, operation, and results of liner drilling that allowed this well to be successfully drilled and cased.