SPE 30364

HPHT Drilling and Completion Design for the Erskine Field

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G.S.Elliott SPE, R.A.Brockrnan, Texaco North Sea UK Co, R.M.ShiveIS III, SPE, Texaco Ltited.

Cwyright 1995, Society of Petroleum PSIPineers, Inc. well in the spring of 19% (Fig.2). Two wells will be
tin paper was prapar.d for premntition at Offmhore -opa 95 held
in Aberdeen 5-a September 1995. xti through the jacket structure and suspended prior to
l’his papr was selected for pre8aatation by an SPE Proprm C_ttee
the platform topsides chxk being lifted into place in 1997.
following review of tha infomtion contained in an abstract NhOitted
The appraisal well will be tied back and wells will then be
by the author(s) . Contents of the paper, as presented, have not hen
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Eupimers
correct ion by the author [s ) . The material,
&@ are mbjectad
as prasentad, does not
to
completed ready for commerc ial gas export in late 1997.
necessarily
Snginears,
refhct
its officers,
any position
or mmbers.
of
Paprs
the society
present.d
of POtrolaum
at SPE metixs
Further wells will then be drilled and completed as required.
are subject to *licatiOn rwiaw by Mitorial Camitt-a of the
society of Petroloum zineers. permission to copy is r*9trictad to
an abstract of not more than 300 W*. Illustration may not be * ~~~ @ un~~ K~gdOM
COM&LGnrdShelf @erations Ntike ~ MY
COPi~. me abtract should contain cmspicuous aclmmledg-t of
wfmre and by wham the -r was presmtsd. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. well where the undisturbedbottom hole temperosureis 3(X7For greeter and
BOX 833836, RiCtiOn, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-214-952-9435.
either the POWpnmsum exceeds 0.8 psVji or pressure control equipment
greater then IO,(W) psi roted working pressure is required

Abstract
Platform Concept Outline
This paper summarises the factors influencing the well
By North Sea standards Erskine is a marginal field (335
design for a high pressure high temperature (HPHT)* field
MMSCF gas, 66.5 MMBBL oil). The resultant development
&velopment using a Not Normally Manned Installation
has mwolved around this in order to make development
(NNMI) in the UK sector of the Central North Sea (CNS). economic. The following lists the main fetures of the
development.
introduction
The Erskine gas condensate field is a 50% Texaco / 50% BP
1) Simple W 12 slot wellhead platform providing
venture and will be the iirst HPHT field developed in the
unprocessed multiphase fluids expxl to host platform
North Sea with first gas sciwduied for 1997 (Fig. 1). Tbb -- ...”
with a projeeted tielcl hre of i5-20 years.
field development concept is to install a not normally
manned installation (NNMI) with multiphase export of
2) Platform design and slot layout which enables access to
produced fluids to the Lomond platform from six platform
all slots for cantdevered jack-up drilling in the 300 ft
wells. Drilling and completion operations will be carried out
water depth.
using a harsh environment jack-up rig in cantilever mode.
~e~ ~~~ Cc.-...- -
nAlcm3&n_*
Primary functional requirements for the wells include high
reliability, high productivity and the ability to perfoH13
Primary considerations for the well design are:
through tubing plug-backs. Reserves in the COE area are
found in three separate but generally overlying Jurassic 1) Reservoir fluids containing H# and COP Reservoir
sandstone producing horizons, the Kimmeridge, Erskine, and pressure +/-14.,000 psi, temperate 3500’F,initird surface
Pentland sands.
shut-in pressure 10,600 psi (Table 1).

A multi-discipline project team consisting of reservoir,

2) Design flow rates required horn each well will be up to
production, drilling and facilities engineers was set up to 60 mmscfklay of gas.
progress the development concept. Specific well design
principles wem adopted and an iterative approach was used
3) The wells that are initially completed as Pentkmd sand
to produce a robust and reliable drilling and completion
producers will water out and require to be plugged back
design that is compatible with the overall development
and m-completed as Erakine sand producers. Due to
concept and provides reliability on a NNMI in HPHT service
availability and cost of large jack-up rigs, this requires to
conditions.
be a rig-less operation.

Jackup drilling will commence over the platform jacket 4) Possible future production enhancement with fracturing /
which will be instaIled over an existing sub-sea appraisal
103
2 HPHT DRILLING AND COMFLETION DESIGN FOR THE ERSKINEFIEUl SFE 30364

laterals. 130 ksi tubing below the safety valve with 5“ x 0.400” WT,
130 ksi tubing alxwe to accommodate wireline insert safety
5) Wells must be reliable because ofl valve installation.
. .. ~k @&@ ~w *U ~:p~ f~~~~.rs~]Qac b&don initial
a) lnnited rig avaiidiiity and ‘high rig cost.
shutin weilhead pressures of 10,600 psi and flowing
b) NNMI concept allowing very limited personnel access wellhead temperatures of 325 deg F. The collapse load has
without support vessels. been baaed on minimum bottom hole pressure with a 18.0
ppg packer fluid. Triaxird analysis has been performed to
c) platform maintenance, inspection and well intervention confirm the tubing design together with tubing movement
only being planned for once yearly. calculations for various operational load cases.

6) Well and drillhg progranune features to minimke well Metallurgy. The combiion of high temperatures, COZand
CQsts. H# partial pressures, formation water salinity, and
multiphase flow requires the use of CM materials for the
Well Desii Primary Features tubing and production liner to ename reliable corrosion
control (’hble.1). A 28%Cr-31 %Ni CRA has been selected
Primary well design features to meet these requirements SIW as the base case material with a yield strength of 130 ksi
which has been &rated for use at elevated temperatures
1 \
1]
mz.-
NIUU~WIG
L-— ---1
cUU#UUU
L,... c .
LO1 lG-IW
-l:. Al= 4-..
uuuup
*I.I h.h;”e
W.IU6
nlmm
y..~ m --/
\“. .d f~
m —- --- IW32M imkotropy [0.9)1 (Fig 4).
backs.
.—A.
Environmental testing of 13%Cr, “Super” 13%Cr and duplex
2) Polihed Bom Receptacles (PBR) instead of packers. stainless steels has been conducted in an effort to qualify
lower cost materials for the tubing string. Preliminary results
~) Comsioa Resis’m’. .Allnv=
-.”>. \w..’ ., fhr
~f’nA) .-. ~ flow we@ indicate that 13%Cr and “Super” 13%Cr materials are not

surfaces. suitable, whereas 25%Cr can be used, but with limitations on

5) Standard, field proven materials and technology whenever
possible.
6) Use of API bit sizes which are common in the North Sea
if necessary at the expense of non-standard casing sizes.
Completion Design
The requimrnemt for through tubing plug backs, high
production rates, and wellbme reliability drove the proposed
completion design. The completion design (Fig.3) is based
on a PBR. It consists of a seal mandrel mn on 4.1/2” CRA
tubing with a full bore tubing retrievable surface controlled
subsurface safety valve (TRSCSSSV). Landing nipple III’s
have been selected to allow through tubing plug backs using
cast iron bridge plugs (CIBP). The production string will be
nm in a non kill weight packer fluid prior to perforation of
the wells on wireIine.
‘Ihbing Design. A 4. lR” tubing string satisfies both the
production requirements and provides a workable overall
well design. Nodal analysis indicated that 3.1/2” tubing
would not achieve the required production rates of 60
mmscfld 5.1/2” tubing would provide a modest increase in
flOW Ciiptity, but would fJlldy illCIK%W the Cost and
complexity of the casing programme. It would cause the
Pentland wells to water out pmnaturely due to the effect of
high liquid loadings in the tubing. Even with high flow rates
the number of wells could not be reduced due to reservoir
recovery considerations.
the ab~lty to acidize wells.
PBR vs Packer. Isolation of the reservoir km the
production casing annulus is achieved by use of a PBR
system. The PBR is installed as an integral part of the
production liner, directly below the liner hanger with the
seal mandd and stack run with the completion string. A
PBR style completion was selected over a packer style
completion because it provides:
1) Simpler workovem (no deep milling oprations required
that could lead to loss of a platform well).
2) Lower tubing stresses.
3) Simpler completion design.
4) SuccessfiIl experience in US HPHT wells and recently on
the Strathspey field in the North Sea.
To maximise completion reliability and reduce the chances
of a workover, the seal stack will be maintained in a static
position during all production operations. Sufficient weight
will be set down together with annulus pressure to prevent
seal movement during hot producing and cold shutin periods.
The stack is positioned in the PBR to accommodate upward
movement during well kill operations or stimulation
treatment Seal stack testing at shmdated bottom hole
conditions is ongoing to determine the best available
configuration.

TIE production string will consist of 4.1/2” x 0.320 WT, TRSCSSSV. The running of tandem tubing retrievable
104
SPE 30364 G.S.ELUG’IT, R.A.BRGCKMAN,R.M.SHIVERS III
surface controlled subsurface safety valve’s was considered.
However the increase in the overall completion reliability
and Workwer cow benefit W* not significant when
compared to the added complexity and increased cost of the
completion ales@. Hence a single safety valve with a
communication nipple was =i=ti asthebasecase. ‘Mean
timetofailure of the safety valve have been dmated as 20
years based on available North Sea data.
A single piston non-equalizing flapper type valve with all
metal to metal seals will be used. To maintain the through
tubing workover abtity a 4.1/2” full bore safety valve will
be run. The vrdve is rated to 15,000 psi at ao opemting
tempemtum of 350 deg F. It will be manufktured from
Inconel 718 material with a 7.875” OD and a 3.813” bcue.
Skimming the valve OD to 7.750 at the expense of a
reduction in wmkkg preemtt $0 14,000 pd is being
considered. Fluid velocities across the valve am well below
100 ft/sec which should ensure no erosion for sand &e
Productionz.
A separate communication nipple will be run above the valve
to allow wimliie retrievable subsurface safety valves
(WRSSV) to be run should the primary va.he fail. Separate
control lines wiU be run for the primary valve and the
communication nipple. In the event of control line failme to
the primary valve a full tubing workover would not be
required as a WRSSV will be run to maintain production.
I%cker Fii Seiin. Packer fiuici seketton has ‘been
driven by
1) Improving tubing workover abfity.
2) Minimizing tubing movement.
3) Passive to production tubing and tieback materials.
4) Cost effectiveness.
On unperforated wells the completion string will be run in
11.3 ppg calcium chloride brine giving an initial pressure
differential across the seal stack of 5300 psi. Seawater has
been disregarded as a suitable fluid due to the high
differential pressure and excessive tubing movement
occurring during production operations for a smalI reduction
in cost. low volubility of oxygen in a satumted calcium
chloride brine will ensure that only low geaerai corrosion
occurs.
Work is ongoing to try to establish safe, efficient reliable
means of completing perforated wells with underbalanced
clean packer fluids. If necessary perforated wells will be
compleled using kill weight fluids with weights up to 18.0
ppg. Pseudo oil based muds will b used for the heavier
weight fluids as opposed to zinc bromide and formate
brines.
105
3
~~L- =-w
This has been analyzed on a global systems basis with
various well ales@. In all cases, pressure build-up in a
sealed annulus due to thermal expansion from production
conditions results in unacceptable loads on casings. This
will be preven’d by tbe fo!!mving measures.
1) pressure will be bled off from all annuli at the surface
wellhead on initial production start-up.
2) For dcilling casings below 20 conductor, cement tops
may be left below the previous casing shoe, thus
providing a natural relief valve to the formation.
3) For the tubing to production tieback anmdus, pmssme
Will illitiy be bled Off. h addition, _Ote ~SStUe
monitoring will be provided on the host platform for this
anmdus. In addition application of a pressmised nitrogen
cushion is Ixing eonsidemd for this annulus.
Workover/Mervention Philosophy
Workovers and well interventions will be minimki by high
well reliability and only carrying out data gathering required
to maximise hydrocarbon recovery. Major workover and
well interventions will be carried out where possible during
the summer months. Typical through tubing operations are
expected to lxx
1) Plug back and re-perforation of 2 Pentland wells as
rOdUr~~S+
Er#dnn. p... .
2) Production logging on all wells on a yearly basis.
3) Installation of wireline retrievable safbty valves.
Full tubing workovers are likely to be caused by PBR seal,
tubing hanger, tubing or TRSCSSSV failure. It is estimated
that at least 2 full tubing workovers will be required over the
fife ~f fi~d bac~
— .m thmfiwemll
“U . . -. .- rdiah~ty
..-— Of &t? COI@etiOIJ.
Shutin wellhead pressures decline sharply (Fig.5) to allow
through tubing plug backs to be carried out using
conventional wireline and coiled tubing techniques with
through tubing CIBP’S. The platform has been designed to
allow wireline, coiled tubing, and snubbing / hydraulic
wodcover unit operations. However, logistical support must
be provided by a bridge linked Mobile Support Vessel. Full
tubimg ‘wCitkOV~rS can be CO”dC*d at any *ti- !))’ a hbsh
environment jackup or a medium size (CEFM 2005-C)
jackup in summer. Modular WOI’kOV= I@ Cm dSO be
utilised by the addition of capping beams to the piatform
thus enabling full tubing workovem to be accomplished
without using a jackup rig.
Enhanced Recovery
The deliverability of the welk completed in the Erskine sand
deciine with the sharp drop iti m—wii presmre which is a
b‘-h--’”=~”~”
aww.1.uw “. -. .-..
“f ‘hi’ I“w ~~———.—.,
ilitv maxvoir. A number
4 HPEIT DRILLINGAND COMPLEXIONDESIGN FOR THE ERSIUNE FIELD
of enhanced recovery techniques have been considered and
their impact on well ddgn identified.
The technical feasibdity and design of fracturing the Edcine
Sand to improve recovery has been investigated. Both
technology and equipment exist to enable Ihcture stimulation
to be carried out. However, erosion of production equipment
caused by proppant flowback over time is a major problem
especially when associated with high flow rates and wellhead
pressmes. This stimulation tectilque will not be used
initially due to the increased risk of equipment failure which
will impact on the platform ndiability and safety.
High angle wells have also been considered as a means of
improving well &liverability. There am however a number
of technical problems that have yet to be solved
1) Limitations of current down hole tools (especially
slim-hole Measurement While Drilling tools at high
temperatures).
2) Boxe hole stability in depleted reservoirs limits the
maximum hole angle that can be successfully drilled.
3) At initial memoir conditions, tiacture gradient decreases
with increasing hole angle, thus narrowing further the
margin between tkacture gradient and pore pressme.
Studies are ongoing and it is possible that the production
liner design on the two later Erskine sand producers maybe
modified to allow a future short radius horizontal sidetrack
to be performed within the Erskine sand.
- *4W
Platform / Rig Interfaces. The field development plan
provides for cantilever Jack-up drilling over the NNMI
platform. Advantagea of this are simplified platform des@n
and elimirlatictl of skidoff eq@xnent reqttiremerlts. The
disadvantage is relative motion of the platform and jacket
structwes and possible limits on operability in severe
weather. Field data suggests that actual movements will not
be as large as the theoretical movements predicted by
structuml analyses. It is estimated that down time due to
excessive relative motion will be limited to 1 year storm
conditions or similar. Following selection of the Santa Fe
‘Monitor’ for the development drilling campaign, an
operabii~ty study is underway to identify means of
minimizing downtime. For example a flex-connect system
is planned to be installed in the riser between the rig and
BOP.
Other platform rig interfaces inclu& provision and tie-in of
ESD, alarms, fire and gas, firewater, kill manifold,
navigation lights, power, telecomms / PA, air, water, and
access bridges. Early selection of the jack-up rig has
allowed the platform des@n to suit the jack-up to reduce rig
modification cost wherever possible.
106
SPE 30344
L]thology / pressure Regime. Erskine lies in the Central
Graben area of the CNS. ‘Ile Iithology / pore pressure /
mud weight diagram is shown in Figure 6. Tertiary
formations extend to approximately 11500 ftss. These
formations are primarily normally pressured, but reactive
unstable / overpressured shaks of the Eocene age have
required oilbased mud of 12.5 ppg to maintain good hole
conditions.
Upper Cretaceous chalk and calcareous limestone then
continue to around 14,500 ftas. In most of the CNS, Lower
Cretaceous shales and marls then continue to the Late
Jurassic Kimmeridge formation which is often overpressured
due to compaction. The pressure transition zone is usually
over this Lower Cretacaus interval. Most CNS wells
targeted for the Jurassic formation set intermediate casing in
the Lower Cretaceous pressure transition zone. In the core
area of the Erskine field however, the Lower Cretaceous is
virtually absent. This results in a rapid pressure transition
towards the base of the Upper Cretaceous calcareous
limestone. Intcmnediate casing has to be set in the base of
the Upper Cretaceous formation. Although there am useful
formation markem such as the ‘Black Limestone Marker’,
picking this casing point has always been a problematic part
of the Erskine appraisal wells. Conect placement of the
intermediate casing shoe is essential to ensure sufficient
fracture strength to weight up the mud and drill the
overpressured reservoir’.
The Jurassic. reservoir sequence consists of Late Jurassic
Kimmeridge formation containing Iiited Kimmeridgian
hydrocarbon bearing sandstones, then Mid Jurassic sequences
that contain the Ed&e and underlying Pentland sand
sequence. Pentland sands are anticipated to exhibit a strong
water drive, whereas the Erskine and Kimmeridgian sands
are depletion drive. Jurassic pore pressure at Erskine ranges
from ca. 17.8 ppg EMW in the Kimmeridge sands to 17.2
ppg EMW in the Pentland sands. Fracture pressure is in the
range !8:5 to 20 ppg EMW. Thus there is a very liited
window in which to operate allowing for mud ECD’S etc.
In addition, overbalance of mudweight over pore pressure
increases through the sequence, and mud losses particularly
to the more permeable Pentland sands have caused a drilling
liner to be required to reach TD on several appraisal wells.
Significant time has been spent controlling influxes and
losses to these formations during appraisai driiiing, and the
differentiation of influxes from kicks and formation
ballooning has been difficult.
Casing Setting Depths The generic development well
design is shown in figure 7.
30” Structurof Ciasing provides sufficient formation
integrity to support loads and drill 26” hole for the 20”
conductor.
20” COn&CtOr is set at 2,500 ftss in order to case off
hitial build section and obtain a formation strength in the
SPE30364 G.SEUKYtT, R.A.BRGCKMAN,R.M.SHIVERS III
15-16 ppg EMW range.
S@rce CWng is set in the top of the Upper Cretaceous
chalk to case off the unstable shaIes of the Eocene age and
the permeable Pakocene sands.
htermedkte C3rsingis set in the pressure transition zone
towads the base of the Upper Cretaceous formation as
described above.
Drilling Liner is contingent to be set during the drilling
of the reservoir sequence if required.
PmAction Liner is set at TD and cases off the reservoir
sands and dtilling liner if run.
Pmductbn Tieback Sbing is cemented in place in the
tieback PBR on top of the production liner, and ties back to
surfkce as the production string.
Directional Drill@. Wells will be ‘S’ shaped. This is
possible with quite low tangent anglca due to the relatively
small areal extent of the field. The furthest stepout well
requires a tangent angle in the region of 35°. ‘S’ shaped
weiis etde the weii to be verticai fiwrn intt casing
~intm~tiuse~gti~for~tikkti
highest temperature part of the well. The drillstring will also
be kept simple in the reservoir sectiom simplifying well
control and minimizing circulating pressure losses.
Build rates will be limited to a plarmed rate of 1.5°/100ft in
the 26 hole and Arnco 200XT or Armacor M drillpipe
hamlbanding will beusedin order tominimiae casing wear.
Well DesigII Pldlosophy. The following lists the general
ptiiples used in the development of the Erskine well
design in addition to the considerations for completion
design previously discussed.
1) Use of AiiI bit sires common iu the North Sea hole sizes,
if wceamry at the expense of non-standard casing sizes.
2) Tapered casing strings to accommodate the TRSCSSSV.
3) Allowances made for casing wear, casing yield strength
reduction with tempemtum (Fig.4) and td-axial stress
analysis.
4) Specification of ‘extreme’ and ‘expected load cases
where appropriate, with differing safety thctors for the
two cases. Lame’s casing burst strength equation was
used for uniaxial design calculations rather than API
Bariow equation.
5) Opdmisation of running cleamnces on completion, casing
in casing, and casing in open hole. Consideration of
fishing capabilitica of well cleanout strings and tubing.
107
5
6) Provision of one contingency drilling liner for the
reservoir interval and acceptance of reaching TD in a
6.1/4 equivalent hole size.
7) Isolation of the liner lap to remove the risk of liner top
leakage from completion with an underbalanced packer
fluid.
The design considerations specific to each casing string are
discussed in mom detail below. This has been laid out in
the order of ascending casing size as well design is primady
c-hiven by completion design and TD hole size. Table 2
shows a summary drilling and production string lotxl criteria
used in the well design.
MetaUargy. Due to the casing clearance requirements, it was
desirable to use high strength sour service casing for
intermediate and production string applications. A
qualification testing prograrnnm Commenced in 1991 and
NACE TM0177 method A coupons and full scale casing
joint testing have both taken place. Notable differences were
seen in results horn coupons and full scale casing. Full
scale casing qualiikation testing is preferred because 1) a
full scale test sample has an area equal to approximately
200,000 cou~.s thus incree=inu - -—-
statistical confidence, 2) the
internal surface of the full scale sample is that which must
prevent initiation of SSC and contains imperfections
mnaining from the manufactming process. These
presumably account for the differences seen in coupon and
full scale results.
NAC13 TM 0175 method A high-end C1OO COUpOnS WC= .
found to have 90% thm%old of SMYS in s%ndarr NKE
solution, but full scale joints failed this environmmt at 80%.
Low end C90 was used as a control and passed full scale
testing at 90% of SMYS inthiscalvironment
Further W scale joint testing took place using a 1.5 psi H.#
partial pressure modified NACE environment (conservative
Erskine environmentt). ‘fhiS qudifkd high end yield Stf4?Z@h
C1OO at 90% SMYS, a dramatic rise from the testing at
NACE environment conditions. Confirmatory CiOO ‘@sting
is underway, and Cl 10 sample testing is planned.
Selection of surface and drilling casing grades foIlow NACE
MR 0175 tempczature and service exposure criterion, using
the production casing test fuii scaic quai@aticm as “b initiai
reference at surface c4mditions (Table.3).
Thus, for production applications on Erskine C1OOhas been
qualifid and CIIO is planned to be used for intermediate
casing in pseudo oil based mud drilling environnumts.
~~rkW~ t~@ ~~ ~m q~~ify C 1iO for production
applications on Erskine4.
Pmhwtkm Liner. A 4.1/2”, 2896Cr-31%Ni production liner
will be used. The corrosive nature of the fluids requites the
use of CRA’S and the selection of this materkd for the
6 HPHTDRILLINGAND COMPLETIONDESIGN FOR THE ERSKINEFIELD
production liner is based on the absolute requirement for
!Gfigey~~yfi~~ ~~ !~~~~. ~J~ ~i~ p~Qvi&.s monQbore
features to the well for ease of plugback with cast iron
bridge plugs and simplified workover operations. 3.1/8”
wireline perforating guns can be run for sufficient
perforating performance and 2.7/8” cleanout strings can be
used.
The driving load considered is collapse load of full
undepleted formation pressure externally with depleted
.-.. — at ‘&e ~-
production peSSLIK a-~ U1
,..C LIGIUILLQUw,uau,
G-1A IX- :“*a-mIl., .
Reservoir compaction was calculated, and connections will
be Selected to mmimise resistance to compression.
ZOnai isolation is critical when piugging back the Fentiand
producers to Erskine producers after watering out. Thus
cementation quality including anti migration properties wiIl
be important.
With the tubing PBR below the liner hanger, hanger and
tieback equipment can be of 140 ksi carbon steel at these
temperatures (+30@Fj. The hydraulically actuated hanger
will be above the tieback receptacle and hence isolated from
the production wellbore fluids and pressure. therefore it is
designed only for hanging loads. The liner lap will be behind
the tieback casing, and thus overbalanced by kill weight
mud.
Production Tieback String. The production tieback string
is run to provide protection against possible production
loads. Prima@ a surface tubing leak at initial shut-in
pressure on top of the brine packer fluid with degraded mud
backup was taken as the expected load case. In the extreme
case a tubing leak on top of kill weight mud packer fluid has
also been considered. The intermediate casing provides a
degree of redundancy in the event of a breach of the
production tieback sting. This is considered of benefit for
the first HPHT field in the North Sea environment. Other
benefits provided by the production tieback include isolation
of the liner top behind the production casing and elimination
of casing wear concerns on the production string.
The tieback’s internal size is driven by the completion
components. The 15M 4.1/2” TRCSSSV’S available have
ODs in the region of 7.7/8”, although it is expected that
Ed&e valves will be skimmed to 7.3/4” at the expense of
—.-.. —___
a slight drop in pressure rating. Thus 9.5/8” C1OO sour
service casing provides the requhed strength capabilities with
a 7.95” drift. This provides a minimum running clearance in
the completion brine of 0.2. Increasing this clearance may
be possible if Cl 10 casing is qualified for Emkine production
conditions.
In order to be able to meet the requirement to washover and
fish 4.1/2” tubing with 5“ T&C couplings, a 6.3/8” minimum
drift diameter is required below the TRCSSSV. The tieback
casing selected is therefore 8 CIOO from the TRCSSSV to
200”F and 7.5/8” Q125 below this to tk production liner
108
SPE 30364
top. Running clearances for the tieback string inside the
intermediate string are a minimum of 0.5” on couplings and
are around 1” on pipe.
The tieback string will be tacked in place with cement in
order to prevent tieback seal movement. Following
cementation, it is necessary to pull tension in the production
tieback string to prevent high axial compressive loads from
temperature deep in the sting which could exceed triaxial
stress safety factors in the event of a tubing leak during
nmrhlrtinn
y.-”. . . .
DriUing Liner. This will serve the function of a drilling
liner only, as the production liner top will straddle and
.. . . . . . AL:-1:-- m.. -
Isolate w liner. I IIUSMUS WU1 w dm*Wi to ~V=- ●v ●-
l_..A” . ...11 h 1: .
I .“’s- *- b
formation for collapse and pressure testing and gas
evacuation for extreme burst loads. The liner selected for
this application in 8.1/’2” hole is 7“, 23 ppf which provides
good clearance for cementing and allows drilling to TD in
6.1/4 hole for the production liner.
It is anticipated that this liner will be required on between 2
and 4 of the 5 new wells.
Intermediate Casing. The setting depth for the intermediate
casing in 12.1/4” hole is in the pressure transition zone as
aheady described. This hole section will continue the use of
the pseudo oilbased mud system to be used for the 17.1/2”
hole. It is planned that Gamma Ray-Resistivity LWD and
VSP’S will be used to assist in picking the intermediate
casing point, as them are some identifiable features for
reference in this interval. Following mnning and cementing
of the intermediate casing, the reservoir is drilled in 8.1/2”
/ 6.1/4 hole to TD of the well through this casing string.
Design criteria for this casing string are an ‘extreme’ burst
load defined as gas evacuation to surface from the reservoir.
‘Expected’ load is that of partial gas evacuation. In any
event sour service casing is required. Collapse loads
considered are that of mud level dropping to minimum
formation pmssum. In addition, the lowermost section of the
intermediate casing is designed for production loads as a
contingency against failure to land or seal the production
tieback in the liner tieback PBR.
In order to accommodate the 9.5/8” casing at the top of the
tieback string, and .be compatiiiie with a i 3.5/%”wc’W5ari /
BOP, a 12.1/8”, 90 ppf, Cl 10, casing with Marubeni ULT
connections was selected for the top of the intermediate
casin~. The nmainder of the intermediate casing is 10.3/4”,
73ppf, Cl 10 down to 2(WF inside the surface casing, and
10, 72ppf, Q125 in 12.1/4” open hole. The 10 casing has
~~ g. ~,~ &d@.. 17rw4m~Ce-~
..— f~~ nmnin
..—.g d CemdDg this
string inside the surface casing are a minimum of around 1”
diameter on the 10.3/4” couplings. This provides acceptable
running surge pressures and cementing ECD’S.
Surface Casing. The surface casing string is required to 1)
SPE 30364 G.mLim’iT, R.A.BRGC”*” x, “A.1v l.oru
“--e v-. Ill
m 7

case off the Tertiary and Palaencene sequence, 2) modified buttress thread. Intermediate and smaller casings
accommodate the 12.1/8” casing at the top of the will all utilise premium comections.
intermediate casing, 3) provide a 12.1/4 drift for drilling to
intermediate casing point. Design criteria is baaed on a Due to the small annular clearance between some casing
limited kick due to knowledge of the area from 8 previous strings, there are requirements for slimline couplings on
exploration and appraisal wells. Sour service is not required relevant casing sizes. For example the 12.1/8” casing at the
for this string. Losses considered are mudweight dropping to top of the intermediate string has a coupling OD restriction
balance pom pressure. It is planned that 17.1/2” or 16 open due to 13.5/8” wellhead design constraints, however this is
hole will be drilled with a pseudo oil based mud system to also an am of high tensile loads. The Marubeni ULT
inhibit the reactive and unstable Tertiary formation. Surface comection was selected due to it’s high tensile efficiency,
casing will be set in 12.5 ppg mud. The mudweight may full drift and restricted comection OD features. Connection
●I..
‘=a ‘~ ~~~ f~i ● AAS -ma+:fi”
*e ~~.~/# Uuav .“.
tfi ~till thm
w Salu u. ~~;m .al~fi
—.*.. l~mda
...” .. itw.lf
..— .-. . tn —- mmlication.
-- thi~ --J--. —.—----, hf@
--- _ CUStOmkXI
Upper CmtaceOus chalk in order to increase penetration rate for specific pipe sizes. Qualification testing is also planned.
and assist in detection of the pressure transition zone. The remainder of the intermediate string utilises
Mannesmann ~ COtMl(@iOt3S.
A 16” x 13.3/8 taped casing string has been selected as
the surface casing. 16 will be run inside the 20 conductor Tieback and production lier connections have not yet been
and 13.3/8” mn below the TRSCSSSV depth and across the selecte4 but similar criteria exist.
open hole. A modified buttress thread has been selected for
this application on both casing sizes. WellheadaJXmas Trees
n.
L-
t....
II= VT
A..*,JCSWk+-
:..lr *R. W.StW.W
UUby
“nm.;rl.mri fnr 17?.clrirma-
s“. u“--- -“
Umlr=mllv
~“--..a..-=
Conductor. The conductor will be set at 2,500 ftss to equipped with 21.1/4” / 13.5/8” BOP systems. Use of a
provide a 15+ppg EMW formation stnmgth, and to case off single 18.3/4 15M BOP was considered to reduce BOP
the build section of the well. 26 hole will be chilled with handling and possibly simplify casing hanger configuration
seawater and viscous sweeps, with returns to the platform for the Erskine casing programrne However, the savings do
deck elevation. 20”, 133 ppf, X56 casing will then be run not justify the considerable expense of supply and fitting of
and cemented. Design criteria are based on kick loads such a BOP and handling system for a 6 well development.
limited to the 20 shoe formation strength. Due to siting of
the platform over an existing weIl and site survey results, The wellhead system is designed for the 21.1/45M x 13.5/8”
shallow gas is considered to be extremely unlikely. 15M BOP ccdguration and consists of stacked casing
spools. DriUing casings will normally be suspended by
Structural (hai~ Structural casing is 30 diameter. Pre- mandrel hangers with contingency hanger systems will be
installing the jacket allowed omission of a mudline provided for all casing strings. Metal to metal seals will be
—.. .
suspension system. Full hanging weight of til casings WKI‘be provided for intermediate and tieback casing strings.
supported by the 30/20 casings. Structural analysis Because it is necessary to pull tension in the production
showed 30 x 1” wall, X52 material is suitable for weUs tieback string to prevent high compressive loads deep in the
ddled through the platform jacket, A proviso on this is that string during production a slip and seal is required.
in severe storms it will be necessary to release the jackup
!lom the ccmductor/BOP if dative motion of the two As jackup drilling will take place through the platform jacket
structures approaches 3 ft. Operations analysis is underway casings can be hung at surface and a mudline suspension
to determine maximum Aative movements that will be system is not required.
allowed for continuing operations. The 30 casing from
seabed to wellhead will be coated with flame sprayed To facilitate safe and efficient BOP / wellhead handling,
aluminium for corrosion protection. ‘quick connect’ type connections will be utilised on all
wellhead and riser connections that are routinely made up
Analysis early in the project planning showed that if wells and broken.
were to be drilled horn a jackup without the jacket in place,
30 structural casing would have required significant The tubing hanger will be 11“ nominal to facilitate the
redesign tlom the above sizes. possible use of 11“ BOP’s during future woxkover or well
intervention that requires only manipulation of the tubing.
36 hole will be drilled vertically with seawater and viscous
sweeps and the 30 casing will be run and cemented. The x-mas tree will be nominal 4.1/16API 15M to be
Driving the 30 was discounted due to fm shallow compatible with the tubing bore, and will be a stacked valve
ffi-mt:n.e
.Wa—””. .“#’l*b
— - — d ●m.1im;mata Anmlamc
. “.u— .“~.~. .9“A
. —m!lw;mica Prmfi
--..~ mmnti
. . . fin
. . @ facfl&@ *A* Qf Compomnt Valve

directional control. replacement. The tree is of split design consisting of a tubing

bonnet and upper valve assembly. The upper valve assembly
Casing Connections. 30 and 20 use established thraded consists of a solid block cross containing an actuated master
connectors. The surface casing uses the Dalrnine ATS valve and manual swab valve. An actuated flow wing valve
109
8 . HPHT DRILLINGAND COMPLETIONDESIGN FOR THE ERSKINEFIELD SPE 30364

and a manual service wing am bolted to thier respective 90° 7. S.A.Cruaer, Texaco E&P Technology. “HPHT Production
outlets. A connection for methanol injection is provided Experience in the United States” unpublishedproprietaryreport.
between the service wing and upper master valve. This
confimration has been adopted to facilhte ease of change 8. RM.Shivers, J.P.Brubaker,Texaco Ltd. “Development Planning
~—- . .- —-— —..
for the HPHT ErsIune ~kid’ ~FE 30376 P-nAA a
out of component parts of the tree assembly. Trees will be
Offshore Europe Conference in Aberdeen, Scotland, 5-8
fire resistant to maximise well security in the event of fire
September 1995.
on the platform. Production bore valves am not required to
cut wireline, as this feature will be provided by the block
valve assembly that will IE utilised during the wireline
operations. This will minimise the chance of removing a
tree valve that may have been used to cut wire.

Concluaiona

1. HPHT development wells can be designed to be safe, cost

effective and reliable using current fieid proven
technology.

2. Well design requirements and considerations should be

thoroghly evaluated. The design process should start with
the completion string and work outwards. An iterative
approach allows optimisation of well design.

3. AU intemated team ammach enables tiling ~d well

design ;asuea to be- ;onsidered in the overall field
development concept.

Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Texaco and BP for their support
and permission to publish this paper, and all parties who
contributed to the well design and project progression.

References

1. J.B.Greer,Greer Engineering Co. ” Yield Strength Reduction at

Elevated Temperatmes and Anisotropy of Yield Strength in
PerformanceDesign for OC’IKi”unpublished proprietaryqort.

2. S.J.Svedeman, K.E.Arnold. “ Criteria for Siziig Mukiphaae

Flowlines for Erosivt#Corrosive Service” SPE Production &
Facilities jouti Febmary 1994.

3. S.D.Csssidy, Texaco E&P Technology. “Solutions to Problems

Drilling a High Pmssure, High TemperatureWell” SPE 24603
pnxented at 67th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition
of the SPE in Washington, DC, 4-7 October 1992.

4. J.B.Gmer, Gmer Engineering Co. “ Test Progmmmc for 110 til

Sour Service Casing” unpublished propriety report-

5. E.F.Klementich, S.C.Morey, M.L.Payne, W.T.AabiU,

E.O.Banker,J.KBouche. “Development and Acceptance Testing
of a Flush Joint Casiig Connection with Improved Performance
Properties”SPE 26320 presented at the 68th Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition of the SPE in Houston 3-6th
October 1993.

6. The Institute of Petroleum. “WeU Control During the DriUing

and Testing of High Pressure QIMore Wells”.

110
SPE 30364 G.S.BLLWIT, R.A.BRGCKMAN, R.M.SHIVBRS III 9

Table 1- Reservoir Cbaracteristica

Reservoir Pressure (psia) 14,000

Reservoir Temperature (“F) 345
Reservoir De@ (tvd@) 15,000
CITHP (@t) 10,600
mm 325
WeIl Fluid Gas/condensate
H2S (pplllV) 18-33
C02 (mol %) 3.5 -5.5
Formation Water Cl (ppm) up to 160,000

Table 2- DrW@l%d uction String Load Criteria

LOAD CRITERIA BURST COLLAPSE TENSION

Drilling 1.20” @rig. Gas evacuatkmnot to exceed fracture Limited 10SSCS

while drilli~- Pmsslu’etest on bumping
Casings gradientat shoe. P@.
Fluid bd drops to baiancc a

2. Surftwccasing. Limited kick. formationpmssurc. Mud weight String weight plus

(16” /13 3/S”) behind casing string. 100,OOO lbs over pull.

3. Intwndi* casing. Full gas evacuationfrom pm pmssurc Dynamic siig%ndmg.

(12 1/s”/103/4”/10”) at 111 of next hok section.

Mud weight behind casing string as

backup (All strings)

Producdon 1. Tw&k S@@. Tubing kakatsurfacc acting on 11.3 BcIow PBR- pore pressureoutside Pressuretest on bmnping
Casings (9 Slrlrn 5/s”) ppg packerfluid. with mrnlmumbottom hole plug.
~. or
Dcgrdcd mud outside casing string as String weight plus
-. Above PBR- Mud weight outside. 100,OOO lbs over pull.
seawater inside drops to cqudkc
r IXWSWof depktcd mscrvoir. DylUmic sl&Mding.

Production 1. Tubing string. Maximum shotin tubing pmssum plus Kill weight fluid outside with Seals seh m PBR
Tubing (5”/4 In”) exass pmasurcrcquked to start minimum pressureinside stringdue preventingmovement of
bunhcad kill. to depleted leservoir. the string during well kill
opwations.
seawater 55 backup. a
String weight plus
Ioo,ooo lb? Ovcspldl.

Table 3- OCTG Grade Selection va Temperature and H# Exposure

Vertical Depth Minimum Drilling casing Production

(h) Temperature (deg F)
Caaing Liner Tubing

0-9.000 50 Cllo Cloo CRA

27,500 175 Q125 Q125 CRA

213,500 300 140 140 CRA CM

111
: manmter_

I‘-4
F’mnldirlg

Fig.1 -Ed&e Field Location Map. Fig2-JdKu@-ti=m Interface During Operations

F~S-Erskine Completion 95/6’/6’/7w

Flolh@&TiatlU_
String Schematic.

<— 41/2 Pmduuimlhar

2
 , RMS-~ 11
SPE 30364 G.SELLI~. R.~BR~

s.

..
●
..

13 Cr/Sqrer13Cr(Q6m ““*. -%-&.:.....

9 -.
..
LowAlloyBte912 * .;
--- ●

28 Cr(Ni-Cr-Mo) ..
.. . . . . -..
*..
22/25 CrColdVWted
---- -..
●. .
=.O
“.s..
-..
- ..~.
.-.
..

8 10 u
0 2 4
C2xmAM8

Fig.5-WeUhead l%ewure Over Life of Field

113
 SPE 30364
12 . HPHTDRILLINGAND COMPHON DESIGN FOR THE ERSIUNE _

9sm’’ls’’l75lr
-’PniddM— —
Thbadlstlm

ltr/132/rsurmco* ,
8t+/-ll,5aattvd

121 PJ’I102WIW
hltoMdMcsga+Flm*ti

YorlllhgLlnu-contm-Y*
Eddlmsaldwda.~
W~!3andw@18.
Fig.6-Generalised Lithology/Pore PressureMud
Weight Plot 41/2” Llnuto +/- 15,=itti

Fig.7-Generic Erskine Well Design

114