OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DRILLING CONTRACTORS

Drilling
C O N T R A C T O R
J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

W W W. D R I L L I N G C O N T R A C T O R . O R G

From assurance processes to capping toolkits to BOP

maintenance, multitude of initiatives are under way
to enhance industrys operational integrity
p.18

REGIONAL FOCUS:
EUROPE

UK, Norway seeing record-high spending

as operators focus on optimizing recovery,
maximizing smaller-prize discoveries p.122

P L

DATA DELIVERY

MWD/LWD advances push telemetry rates

higher, expand capabilities in horizontal, HPHT,
deepwater environments p.62

Innovating While Drilling

Integrated approach
delivers GOM subsalt
well for PEMEX
Vel. Int_Subcubo RTMvi
Vel. Int_Pseudo 3_RTMvi
Vel. Int_Pseudo 4_RTMvi
Vel. Int_Pseudo 1_RTMvi
Vel. Int_Pseudo 2_RTMvi

Cap Rock

Real-time drilling
optimization key
to pre-drill modeling,

Salt

execution for complex

exploratory well

Rubble zone

Vel. Int_Subcubo RTMvi (m/s)

For PEMEXs foray into the deepwater, subsalt arena, the company
planned a drilling route around the
Kabilil-1 subsalt well in the Gulf of
Mexico that incorporated a deviated trajectory through a rubble
zone. The idea was to avoid the risk
of drilling through the salt dome in
an exploratory well.

s industry increasingly ventures

into deeper waters characterized
by complex reservoirs, the integration of upfront planning, risk management, workflow strategies and technologies that provide operational reliability
are paramount. This trend has become
evident in regions such as the Gulf of
Mexico (GOM), where subsalt formations
holding significant reserves are attracting operators. Despite risks of wellbore
instability and lost circulation, technology has made exploration and development of these fields economically viable.
For its initial foray into the deepwater, subsalt arena, Petrleos Mexicanos
(PEMEX) opted to avoid the risk of drilling directly through the salt dome in
an exploratory well, choosing instead a
more conservative drilling route around
and underneath the salt flank. While

By Victor Gerardo Vallejo, PEMEX;

Manuel E. Torres and Luis Felipe
Gonzalez, Schlumberger
less difficult in some respects, the option
posed its own challenges, such as the
need to design a more deviated trajectory
and drill through the sheared, or rubble,
zone commonly found under or adjacent
to salt bodies, where there is a risk of
becoming stuck.
The complexities of the project were
addressed using a collaborative and
integrated approach. The eight-month
operation involved extensive upfront
planning; pre-drill, 3D geomechanical
modeling and simulation; contingency
planning for multiple well sections;
importing technology and hardware to
the well site; real-time data surveillance;
new technologies, such as seismicvision-while-drilling, to guide the well
under the salts, and the design of a long
bottomhole assembly (BHA) to reach the
target zone.

R e p r i n t e d f r o m t h e J u ly / A u g u s t i s s u e o f D r i l l i n g contractor

Innovating While Drilling

The well was drilled with a third-generation semisubmersible in 94 days, reaching a total depth of 5,350 meters (17,552
ft). The well included a 20-in. riserless
section, an 8 -in. open-hole section and
several sections that required multiple
casing scenarios due to the need for contingencies to isolate problematic zones
and manage the narrow mud weight drilling window between pore pressure and
fracture pressure.
The real-time monitoring of drilling
parameters and geomechanics service
was also introduced during this project;
it is a workflow process executed by
Schlumberger that ties together various
operational elements to mitigate risk.
The Kabilil-1 well was located in a
Tertiary formation of the Mexican GOM,
about 105.5 km (66 miles) northeast of
Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, and 253 km
(157 miles) northwest of Ciudad del
Carmen, Campeche, in a water depth
of 739 meters (2,425 ft). The well exhibited an overhang feature covered by a
large eroded area and was located in a
structural trap on the eastern side of a
large anticline that had been deformed
by the effects of salt intrusion. The target
reservoir held turbidites patterned in
upwardly-thickening sections and amalgamated turbidites in channels where
sandstone and mudstone deposits had
led to an increase in elevation. Analysis
indicated complex geology and sediments
adjacent to the salt.

3D GEOMECHANICAL
MODELING
In performing the initial risk assessment for determining the optimum drilling strategy, the technical teams prepared a pre-drilling analysis that included a finite-element numerical model and
a 3D mechanical earth modeling simulator to predict the effects of the initial
in-situ stresses, measure the influence of
salt intrusion and induced pressures and
earth stresses, and determine adequate
mud weights.
The 3D simulator conducted a stress/
strain analysis on a small section of the
sedimentary layers and the salt bodies.
Element models were taken from geologic structure maps using the VISAGE
modeling software. The methodology
incorporated data from one-dimensional
mechanical earth models of several offset wells, property propagations using
3D seismic data and 3D finite element

Vertical Effective Stress Cube

Pore Pressure Cube

KABILIL-1

KABILIL-1

Pore Pressure
(kPa)

Effective Vertical Stress

(kPa)

Negative values = Compression

Positive values =Tension

15000.0
-714.29.0
-16429.0
-32143.0
-47859.0
-63571.0
-79286.0
-95000.0

1.1437e+005
85777.0
57185.0
28593.0
1.0000

KABILIL-1

KABILIL-1

North

North

E-W Effective Stress Cube

Visage Mesh
11.7 km
(65 cells)

6 km
(127 cells)

N-S Effective Stress Cube

East Effective Stress

(kPa)

Negative values = Compression

Positive values =Tension

KABILIL-1

North-South Effective Stress

(kPa)
Negative values = Compression
Positive values =Tension

-15000.0

North

-15000.0

-6250.0

-6250.0

-27500.0

-27500.0

-48750.0

-48750.0

-70000.0

-70000.0

North

10.6 km
(59 cells)

North

Analysis using a finite-element numerical model and 3D mechanical earth

modeling simulator indicated significant variations in stress orientation and
magnitude around the salt dome. The simulator also suggested stress in
surrounding sediments located more than 1.5 km from the salt dome.
mechanical earth modeling. It also measured stresses and pore pressures to
analyze wellbore stability along the proposed well path.
The stress/strain analysis showed significant variations in stress orientation
and magnitude around the salt dome. A
stress profile along the planned well path
indicated an obvious increase in horizontal compressive stresses resulting from
salt perturbations, as well as an increase
in shear stresses at 1,500 meters to 2,100
meters (4,921 ft to 6,890 ft) total vertical
depth, where shear stresses peaked. That
depth range coincided with a decrease of
vertical effective stress, indicating a high
deformation zone with a fault at 2,100
meters (6,890 ft).
The analysis also suggested stress
in surrounding sediments located more
than 1.5 km (1 mile) from the salt dome.
The 3D analysis of the mud weight window resulted in a plan with adequate
mud weights.

Real-Time Monitoring
of Drilling Parameters
and Geomechanics
Key to the validation of the pre-drill
modeling and plan execution was the
real-time drilling optimization program.
The program requires teamwork between
the operator and service company to

address drilling risks, classified with a

color-coded system, such as low rates
of penetration, caved hole sections, well
influxes, mud losses and BHA vibrations.
It also provides a structured methodology for communication, where events are
communicated from drilling optimization
engineers and real-time geomechanics to
decision-makers. For the Kabilil-1 well,
the communication scenario included
members of various disciplines (drilling
engineers, geoscientists, rig crew members) from both companies.
Working in tandem with this program
was the PEMEX multidisciplinary workflow program VCD-SE (Visualization,
Conceptualization Development), also
referred to as Front End Loading. It
identifies the most critical risks during
the pre-drill planning phase by building
3D and 1D mechanical earth models with
data from offset wells.
The geo-modeling process produced
several findings that served as the basis
for developing the final drilling plan.
Among them was the determination that
drilling close to the salt dome would
result in higher-than-expected collapse
pressures at the end of the riserless section. This required optimizing the drilling fluid by combining seawater with
weighted bentonite mud. Other hazards
included:

R e p r i n t e d f r o m t h e J u ly / A u g u s t i s s u e o f Dr i l l i n g c o n t ra c t o r

Innovating While Drilling

Final Well Geometry

REAL
Air gap=25 m
Water depth=739 m

Landing sub at 1,200 m

Water depth= 740 m

Temp. seaf loor=4.5 degC

Hole 28 in

Hole 17 in 20 in

850 m

Sea Water and

Viscous Pills

Landing sub at 1,200 m

Pump & Dump

Casing 20 in

1,524 m

1.051.25 g/cm 3

Sea Water and Viscous

Pills 1.05 g/cm 3

Conductor 36 in

845 m

Sea Water and

Viscous Pills
Pump and Dump

Casing 20 in

Rotary table=765 m
Top well head 18 in=2.30 m
Top housing 36 in=2.30 m
Landing sub colled 20 in 16 in=1,250 m

Air gap=25 m

Dark zone = 2 m Jetting

Sea Water and Viscous

Pills 1.06 g/cm 3

Conductor 36 in
Hole 28 in

PLANNED

Vetco Gray Subsea Wellhead System 18 in

15 M Model DMS-700
Rotary table=763 m
Top well head 18 in=758.75 m
Top housing 36 in=759.6 m
Top mud mat=762.7 m

1,500 m

1.051.35 g/cm 3

Hole 17 in 20 in
Synthetic Mud
1.211.33 g/cm 3

Liner 16 in

Pilot Hole 14 in 17 in

Synthetic Mud
1.201.25 g/cm 3

Liner 16 in

2,125 m

Pilot Hole 14 in 17 in

Synthetic Mud
1.371.53 g/cm 3

Synthetic Mud
1.301.40 g/cm 3
BL

Casing 13 5 8 in

2,200 m

3,000 m

Casing 13 5 8 in
3,346 m

3,400 m
KOP 3,420 m

Hole 12 in 14 in

Hole 12 in 14 in

Synthetic Mud
3
1.571.89 g/cm

Liner 9 5 8 in9 7 8 in

Synthetic Mud
1.451.52 g/cm 3

Liner 9 5 8 in9 7 8 in

BL

4,450 m

4,563 m

Open Hole 8 in

4,600 m

Hole 8 in
Synthetic Mud
1.77 g/cm 3

Liner 7 5 8 in

TD=5,350 m

Synthetic Mud
1.551.65 g/cm 3

TD=5,350 m

A real-time drilling optimization program was key to the success of the Kabilil exploratory well due to uncertainties that
remained even after extensive upfront planning. In the 16-in. casing section, seismic-while-drilling data was used to acquire
depth-velocity information, calibrate the geomechanical and geological models and provide real-time surveillance to
adjust the model against the pre-drill model. In the 9 5/8-in. and 8 -in. open-hole sections, real-time LWD tools were used to
gather petrophysical information.
Shear stresses from the salt body
influence would result in narrower mud
weight windows for the 20-in. and 16-in.
open-hole sections;
The presence of a reverse fault in
the open-hole sections posed the risk of
well losses;
Because the surface seismic model
contained uncertainties regarding the
precise location of the salt flank, the
planned well trajectory would require
precise navigation around the salt body.
Drilling into the salt dome would add
complexity to the operation;
The well design would need to be
optimized using unconventional casing (16-in. and 13 5/8-in. outer diameter

strings) to allow two additional contingency casing strings (11 -in. and 5
-in.) for the interval with the narrow
drilling windows;
Special underreaming BHA designs
were required to perform simultaneous
hole opening without the need for extra
drilling runs. Due to the hole-opening
initiatives, the BHAs would need to be
stabilized with drilling simulators to
minimize drilling vibrations that could
destroy downhole tools and damage the
borehole with BHA shocks;
Continual equivalent circulating density would be required to minimize mud
losses due to drilling-induced fractures
or during the well cement process. A

foam cement system would be required

to optimize cement placement;
Intermediate casing strings would
need to be set at the appropriate depth
to improve the drilling performance of
the subsequent well sections, segregate
the overpressure intervals induced by
salt intrusion and separate incompatible
formations.
In transitioning from the pre-drill planning stage to the execution phase, a drilling and engineering operations plan with
a course of action for each well risk was
created. Using the real-time drilling optimization process, offshore engineers and
onshore geomechanics engineers worked
together to update prediction models.

R e p r i n t e d f r o m t h e J u ly / A u g u s t i s s u e o f D r i l l i n g contractor

Innovating While Drilling

To mitigate challenges
identified during the
pre-drill planning phase,
seismic-while-drilling was
used to acquire depthvelocity information in
real time. A real-time
check shot and VSP was
acquired of the interval
between 1,500 meters
and 2,200 meters in the
16-in. casing section,
where a fault plane had
been predicted. Further,
a salt proximity survey
was conducted in the 13
5
8-in. casing section.

Look Ahead Survey 17 in 20 in

Drill bit @ 1,761 m

Salt Proximity Survey 14 in 17 in

Corridor stack with

BPF 6-30Hz and using
just seven levels

Lower Miocene
Drill bit @ 2,140 m
Salt
Fault

Energy source
Raypath

Salt

REAL-TIME VISION
Because the Kabilil well was an exploratory well, it was prudent to acquire LWD
data while drilling to reduce uncertainties. The primary objective of the lookahead seismic-while-drilling service was
to reduce the depth uncertainties and
identify potential risk zones. Additionally,
LWD measurements were acquired for
calibrating the geomechanical and pore
pressure models.
For example, a real-time look-aheadof-the-bit check shot and vertical seismic
profile (VSP) of the interval between
1,500 meters and 2,200 meters (4,921 ft
to 7,218 ft) was deployed in the 16-in.
casing section where the fault plane had
been predicted. The VSP data below the
drill bit revealed homogeneous reflections rather than the strong amplitude
that had been expected for salt presence.
The seismic-while-drilling information
made it possible to precisely map the bit
position and identify the location of the
fault plane to set the 16-in. casing just
below that point. When drilling resumed,
the location of the fault plane was used
to determine when to stop drilling for the
16-in. casing. The system also conducted
a salt proximity survey in the 13 5/8-in.
section, determining that the well was
actually closer than expected to the salt

Receiver
Depth, m

Horizontal Distance
Between Receiver and
Salt Flank, m

2175.7
2204.3
2232.9
2261.1
2289.4
2318.2
2347.0
2375.8
2404.4
2432.6
2460.9
2489.1
2517.2
2545.8
2573.0
2601.3
2629.6
2658.1

196.4
185.7
176.0
182.0
184.0
187.5
183.4
178.4
175.8
177.9
172.7
171.4
167.7
164.1
163.0
171.3
179.8
175.7

dome, a minimum distance of approximately 163 meters (535 ft).

Real-time LWD tools, used for the initial formation evaluation and pore pressure predictions, were deployed in the
9 5/8-in. and 8 -in. open-hole sections
to provide petrophysical information
to determine whether further data was
needed for each target zone.
The logging suite was enhanced with
sonic to measure formation velocity for
correlating seismic activity with the
seismic model. The sonic log calculated
the pore pressure profile, allowing geomechanical engineers to calibrate the
mechanical earth model and devise a
wellbore stability model that included a
reliable collapse pressure, complementing the 3D modeling work performed in
the pre-drill planning stage.
The PEMEX Kabilil-1 exploratory well
demonstrated how optimum drilling performance can be achieved in a challenging deepwater subsalt well through the
integration of effective pre-drill modeling,
risk management, real-time monitoring
and a workflow process built on strong
communication and teamwork.
Although the well ultimately did not
prove to not to be a viable producer
and has since been abandoned, the successfully executed drilling program provided important lessons for the operator.

Salt

Salt

PEMEX has since drilled 18 deepwater

wells and four ultra-deepwater wells at
water depths approaching 3,000 meters
(9,843 ft) in the same basin.
VISAGE is a mark of Schlumberger.
References
Vallejo, V.G., Solis, E., Olivares, A., Aguilera,L.E.,
Torres, M.E. and Gonzalez, L. Drilling a
Deep-Water Well in a Subsalt Structure in
Mexico, Pennwell, Deep Offshore Technology
International. ID number 145. Conference held
in Perth, Australia 2729 November 2012.
Aguilera, L.E., Jimenez, G., Lougon, A., Macias,
J., Martinez, M. and Bracho, L., Geomechanics
and Pore Pressure Considerations for
Successful Deep-water Exploration Drilling
paper SPE WVS 040
South American Oil and Gas Congress, organized by the SPE Western Venezuela Section,
held in Maracaibo, Venezuela, 1821 October
2011.
Sanchez, A, Mora, A. Aguilera and L.E,
Gaitn, R., Minimizing Drilling Risks for
Exploration well in deepwater using Seismic
While Drilling Technology, in Rio Oil &
Gas Expo and Conference 2010, held in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil, 13-16 September 2010.

R e p r i n t e d f r o m t h e J u ly / A u g u s t i s s u e o f Dr i l l i n g c o n t ra c t o r