Cuttings Flow Meters Monitor Hole Cleaning in Extended Reach Wells

Abstract

This paper presents an innovative solution to monitor hole cleaning in Extended Reach Wells. It was successfully used while developing marginal oil and gas reserves offshore TIERRA DEL FUEGO (ARGENTINA) by TOTAL AUSTRAL operator and partners DEMINEX and PAN AMERICAN ENERGY.Keeping the hole clean in Extended Reach Wells is a key issue as cuttings accumulation will result in increased torque, pressure losses and will create a high risk of getting a stuck pipe.Cuttings Flow Meters (CFM) continually measure and record the flow of cuttings at the outlet of the shale shakers. This measurement allows an enhanced understanding of hole cleaning process and status, which in turn permits to optimize the main drilling parameters such as flow rate, rotation, circulation times, reaming time at connections and rate of penetration.It has been observed on those wells that the volume of cutting returns always fits with the actual volume of hole, over extended periods of time. By comparing on a permanent basis the volume of hole drilled with the volume of cuttings returned to surface, one can monitor the cuttings accumulation in the hole, one can thus better diagnose an increase in hole friction, adjust mud rheology parameters and circulating rate in order to minimize the surface and bottom hole circulating pressures while ensuring a good transport, all factors which are essential to further extend the drilling envelope.P. 401