Case History of Directional Drilling in the Cusiana Field in Colombia

TLDR

Drilling in the Cusiana Field is notoriously difficult due to heavy faulting and tectonic stress, and previous wells have suffered major wellbore stability and directional drilling problems. This paper outlines the key factors that enabled successful planning and drilling of a 3,500‑ft step‑out well in this challenging basin. The Buenos Aires Well B‑6 was completed using only rotary bottom‑hole assemblies, with no motor runs planned or executed. A J‑shaped directional well was drilled to total depth in record time without complications, and significant improvements in directional drilling practices were achieved through careful planning, close teamwork, and execution.

Abstract

Abstract A "J"-shaped directional well was successfully drilled in record time without problems to total depth (TD) in the Cusiana Field in Colombia. The drilling conditions in this field have historically proven to be very difficult because the basin is heavily faulted and tectonically stressed. Previous wells in the area have encountered major drilling problems that have been primarily related to wellbore stability and directional drilling. The Buenos Aires Well B-6 was drilled using only rotary bottomhole assemblies (BHA); no motor runs were planned or were made. Significant improvements in directional drilling practices were made as. a result of careful planning, close teamwork, and careful execution. The paper describes the keys to success in planning and drilling this 3500-ft step out well in a heavily faulted and tectonically active basin.