J.A.

"Jim" Short

~~~~!n~g~~y
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Copyright @ 1983 by PennWell Publishing Company 1421 South Sheridan Road/P.O. Box 1260 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101 Library of Congress cataloging in publication data Short, J. A. Drilling: a source book on oil and gas well drilling from exploration to completion. 1. Oil well drilling. I. Title. TN871.2.S5368 1983 ISBN 0-87814-242-8 2. Gas well drilling. 622' .338 83-13314

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America

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87 86 85 84 83

DEDICATION

The drilling industry was created by pioneers. Two of them were a rancher's son and a merchant's daughter who joined together and spent a lifetime in the effort. This book is dedicated with.love and respect to Mother and Dad.

Margaret A. and Arthur E. "Slim" Short

CONTENTS
Dedication Preface Acknowledgments Introduction v x xi xii

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF DRilliNG

Types of drilling methods CHAPTER 2: GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION History Geological cycle Origin, migration, and accumulation of oil and gas Oil and gas traps Exploration operations Problem formations

1
1 17 18 19 36 44 53 55

CHAPTER 3: RESERVOIRS AND RESERVES 59 Well logs 59 Fluid flow 81 Producingmechanisms 99 Secondary,tertiary, and enhancedrecovery 104 Volumes 105 Oil reservoir 106

CHAPTER 4: DRilLING PROSPECTS, PROGRAMS, AND PROCEDURES

Drilling prospects Prospect submittal Drilling programs and procedures General information on the drilling program Geological prognosis vii

117
117 121 126 127 134

viii

Contents

Casing and cementing program Bit program Mud program General equipment specifications AFE and contracts

134 149 155 162 163

CHAPTER 5: DRilLING PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT. Personneland services Drillingequipment Rig classifications Rig parts and functions(componentsystems) Marinerigs

169 169 173 173 175 232

CHAPTER 6: MOVING IN, RIGGING UP, AND DRilLING THE CONDUCTOR HOLE
Activities before move-in Moving the rig Move-in and rig-up procedure Drilling the rathole and mousehole Spud-in and conductor hole section Drilling problems Running and cementing conductor casing Nippling up and drilling out Air-gas mist drilling operations Helicopter rig operations Marine operations

241
242 250 253 262 265 279 283 286 287 289 290

CHAPTER 7: SURFACE HOLE SECTION

Drillingprocedure Trippingthe drillpipe assembly Surfacehole drilling problems Landingcasing and nipplingup CHAPTER 8: INTERMEDIATE HOLE SECTION
Daily operations and crew duties

295
295 306 321 342 347
347

Contents

ix

Drilling the section Tripping and related activities Drilling problems Stuck assemblies and fishing Logging, running, and cementing casing

352 361 369 382 403

CHAPTER 9: PRODUCTION HOLE SECTION 407 Drilling the section 407 Drilling problems 413 Deviated holes 427 Obtaining reservoir and productivity information 433 Plugging and abandoning a dry hole 451 Production casing and liners 454

CHAPTER 10: COMPLETIONS

H~ry Factors affecting completions Types of completions Tools and equipment Completion design and procedures Operations Surface equipment Appendix Bibliography and Suggested Readings Index

463
~ 464 466 467 486 503 535 555 569 573

PREFACE

Where does oil come from? How do you find it and get it out of the ground? I have been asked these questions numerous times over the years by many people both in and out of the industry. Those in the industry ask for both general and detailed information to find out how their work fits into the overall picture. The answers to these questions invariably lead to other questions searching for more information. These questions indicate a widespread interest from a variety of people. They also emphasize the need for one source that (I) covers the entire industry, (2) contains detailed, specific information and answers, (3) allows the reader to select and review areas of special interest, and (4) presents the material in a clear, understandable manner for anyone interested in the industry. The purpose of drilling is to drill and complete a commercial oil and gas well. The purpose of this book is to explain, describe, and illustrate the process.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Coastal Corporation's permission to publish this text is gratefully appreciated. Blocker Drilling Company, Four Flags Drilling Company, San Patrico Corporation, and Loffland Brothers Drilling Company gave permission to photograph and publish pictures of their drilling rigs and equipment. Various service and supply companies supplied material and information. These and others have made a major contribution that is sincerely appreciated. Many people have contributed to this text by teaching, guiding, and helping me throughout my career. I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge their help and to express my sincerest thanks.

'.

xi

Drilling started as the simple process of digging a hole. This text begins with a historical review. Oil and gas hydrocarbons formed from organisms in the geologic past. Natural geological processes created favorable conditions for migration and accumulation in underground reservoir traps. Areas where these traps occur are located by various methods of exploration. The right to drill wells and produce oil and gas is obtained from the landowner. Then a drilling program containing information about the prospect and instructions on drilling the well is prepared. A drilling contractor has drilling rigs with operating personnel. The rig has a rotating system to turn the drilling bit to drill the hole, a tower and hoisting system to run tools in the hole and pull them out of the hole, and other equipment needed to drill the well. Then the rig is moved to the drillsite and assembled. A large-diameter hole is drilled by rotating a joint of drillpipe with a bit fitted on the bottom end. Fluid is circulated down the inside of the pipe and up the outside to remove the pieces of earth drilled by the bit. Additional joints of drillpipe are connected to drill the hole deeper. Large pipe or casing is placed in the hole with cement around the pipe. A slightly smaller hole is drilled deeper through the casing. Slightly smaller casing is placed in this hole and cemented. The sequence is repeated using successively smaller sizes until the last, smallest casing is run through the oil trap thousands of feet below the surface. Many drilling problems occur such as loose pieces of formation falling in the hole and sticking the drill tools. A particularly dangerous problem occurs when the hole is drilled into high-pressure formations. Fluids from the reservoir can flow up the wellbore and blow hundreds of feet into the air causing a blowout. These types of problems must be handled to drill the well successfully. Tests provide information about the oil and gas in the formations and are taken during and after drilling. Many holes are drilled that do not encounter oil and gas. These dry holes are plugged with cement and abandoned. Wells with good oil and gas potential are completed. xii

xiii
Introduction

The well is completed by perforating holes through the casing into the formation. Natural forces cause the oil and gas to flow from the reservoir through the perforations into the casing where they flow upward to the surface. Other oil traps in the well can be perforated to make multiple completions. Contaminating agents in the reservoir may cause a low flowrate from the well. The flow rate can be increased by removing these with special treatments. Different kinds of treatments are used to improve low flow rates. Oil production from reservoirs with low pressures can be increased by placing a pump in the well. The top of the casing is fitted with valves that control pressures and flow rates. Impurities are removed, and produced volumes are measured in surface facilities. Gas is piped to market; oil is piped or hauled in tanker trucks. The text expands this abbreviated summary explaining why the procedures are needed and how the operations are performed. Over 200 photographs and illustrations provide additional clarification and information. The material is presented in a building-block manner following the natural sequence of events. Basics are covered first, followed by more advanced subjects in a stepwise fashion. This serves a dual purpose. The novice can start at the beginning, laying a foundation and building upon it. The more advanced reader can go directly to topics of interest. Many special and sometimes colorful terms are used in the industry. These are.defined as they are encountered and then are used as common terminology. A complete list of contents provides easy, quick access to sections of interest. Specific topics can be located in an expanded index. The appendix also contains listings of additional sources of information.

DRILLING

142

SIZE
1, 1312

MUD WEIGHT 9,6 Iblg.1 x 0.0519 0.4982psilft , CASING DESCRIPTION TOPTO BOTTOM

DEPTH 8,000 ft

ITEM FEETI

GRADE & LBI END SETTING NO. SECTION FOOTFINISHDEPTH LOAD 1 3,700 68.00 N808TC 3,700 1.843 2 2.300 72.00 5958TC 6.000 2.989 3 2,000 81.40 5958TC' 8.000 3.986 'lI,m 3 has. 13\2.in.00, Driftin design is 12.250 in. SIZE DEPTH
9 in. 11,000 ft MUOWEIGHT - 0.6228 psilft 12,0Ibla.1 x 0.0519 CASING DESCRIPTION TOPTO BOTTOM

COLlAPSE'

8URST'

TENSION'

DESIGN STRENGTH FACTORLOAD 1.133 3,986 2.089 1,132 3,986 3.385 1.219 3.986 4.860

STRENGTH DESIGN DESIGN ACCUM STRENGTH FACTORWEIGHT 1,000 LB FACTOR 1.259 580.000 1.585 2.733 5.020 5.892 1.603 328.400 1.935 6.390 11.579 1.791 162.800 1.885 7.140

1. Tension effect oncollapse consideredDESIGNCONDITIONS 2. Burstload= wellhead pressure plusdepthx (Inside minus outside pressure gradient)
Outsidepressuregradient Inside pressuregradient Wellheadshutin pressure 3. Buoyancynot considered" (Zero for productionstrings. 0.500 for intermediate surfacestrings)" (Zero)"

(Bottom collapsepressure)"

GRADE & ITEM FEET! L81 END SETTING NO.SECTION FOOTFINISHDEPTH LOAD 1 2 3 7.600 43.50 595LTC 7.600 4.733 2.400 47.00 595LTC 10,000 6,228 1.000 53.50 595LTC 11,000 6,851

COLlAPSE1

8URSr2

TENSION'

DESIGN STRENGTH FACTORLOAD 5.346 7.018 8.850 1.129 6,851 1.127 6,851 1.292 6,851

DESIGN ACCUM STRENGTH DESIGN STRENGTH FACTORWEIGHT1 000L8 FACTOR 960 1.096 496.900 1.193 1.932 7.510 1.053 1.190 166.300 1.289 6.332 8.150 1.235 9.410 1.374 53.500 23.08 1.477

Driftin design is8.500in. SIZE 7 in.

MUD WEIGHT

DESIGN CONDITIONS

DEPTH 16.500

1. Tension effect oncOllapse considered 2. Burstload= wellhead pressure plusdepthx (Inside minus outside pressure gradient) Outside pressure gradient -.!. (Zero forproduction strings. 0.500for intermediate surface strings). Inside pressure gradient --.!L (Zero)" Wellhead shutin pressure (Bonom cOllapse pressure). 3. Buoyancy notconsidered"

14.71blg'l

x 0.0519 = 0,7629psilft

CASINGDESCRIPTION TOP TO BOTTGM GRADE& LBI ENO SETTING ITEM FEETI NO, SECTIONFOOT FINISH DEPTH 1 2 3 4 3.300 4.900 5.000 3.300

_
LOAD

COLlAPSEI

3,987 9.660 1.451 10.747 1.128 11.856 1.138 12.588

BURSr2
STRENGTH

DESIGN FACTOR 1.466 1.001 1.194 1.147

_
537.900 432.300 275.500 115.500

TENSION'

1.852 1.802 3,615 9.576

STRENGTH

DESIGN FACTGR LOAD

DESIGN ACCUM STRENGTH WEIGHT 1.000 LB FACTOR 996 779 996 1.106

32,00 L5125 LTC 3.300 2.518 32,00 595 LTC 8.200 6,256 32,00 L5125LTC 13.200 10,071 35.00 L5125LTC 16.500 12,588

9.811 9.077 11,364 14.330

14.160 10.760 14,160 14,440

Drift in design is 5.879in.

DESIGN CONDITIONS 1. Tensioneffect on collapseconsidered 2. Burst load '" wellheadpressureplus depth x (Insideminus outside pressuregradient) Outsidepressuregradient-.!.. (Zero for productionstrings. MQQ.... for intermediate surfacestrings)"
Inside pressure gradient

(ero).
(Bonomcollapsepressure)"Basedon 0.6 sp gr gas columnand BHPof

Wellhead shutin pressure 12.588 psi 3. Buoyancynot considered"

In collapse:

. . pipe is perfeclly vertical

inside of casing is empty

. buoyancy has not been considered for tension effect on collapse

In burst: Prodoctlon casldg

.burst load (production string) .no external gradient

inside of casing contains

a 0.6 =

specific

gravity

gas

column

internal gas gradient x depth plus the wellhead pressure

Surface and Intermediate casing

. bottom-hole
. buoyancy

hydrostatic
is not considered

pressure

burst load

In tension:

.Unless otherwise specified

FIG.4-6

Casing design program (courtesy Lone Star Steel)

TABLE 6-1

Move-In and Rig-Up Procedure* FirstCrew

~

Unload, position, and level pit-side substructure. InstL stairs for access.

Unload, position, and level driller's side substructure. Pin subs together with cross-member bracing.

Unloa for mo includ

standp

Third Crew
Pos~ion and connect flow lines; shale shaker; mud p~s; mud storage; mud-mixing, mud-treating, and solids removal.equipment; and mud shed or house. Begin connecting water lines and water storage.

Position and co nect drawworks, compound, and engines. Install and raise A-frame. Position rotary ng on floor. ~ Connect engines, compounds, drawworks, rotary, air compressor,

..

*'

Unloa and p

Split Crew

I
Inst~" floor-level dogh~use,

Pos~ion and connect mud pumps,

connect pump suctions to mud pits
and mud line, and finish connecting

Lift m crown

andfuel andwaterlinesto the rig floor.Startandtest engines.

S Ii C
p t

rew

engine shed, safety ralls, and

mud-mixing equipment, water lines,

'..

miscellaneous equipment. andwaterstorage. Startfillingwater Unload andpositionlightplant, storage.

BOP accumulator un~, and remote BOP control unit. Lay BOP lines to the substructure. Install now or after spud-inflow line, separator, degasser, and choke manifold. Test run mud pumps. Pressure test mud lines to the rig floor and mud-mixing lines. Begin filling mud tanks with water and/or spud mix and/or

Stringup dnlllnglinebetween crown linesonto drawworks drumand clam

Install pipe rack, standpipe, and m

end of the substructure. Inspect and c the traveling block hook to the base o inspection. Then raise mast and pin Note: Most masts are damaged whil ~ Remove mast lifting line, connect standpipe and rig lights, hook drillpipe tongs to the tong lines, and finish miscellaneous floor and mast hook-up work. Pick up swivel and connect to the kelly, place kelly-drive bushings on the kelly, and connect the kelly hose.

Remo

Break Tour

begin mixing spud mud.

catwa shea.t on pip drillpip

Break' Tour
Drillthe ratholeand mousehole if not drilledbeforemovingin.

..

racks.

Spu~ In
Begin drilling.

'Mechanical

rig with tail-driven

pumps