SPE 121697 Improvement of Drilling Operations on Horizontal Wells at the Orinocos Heavy Oil Belt, Venezuela

Nilson Muoz (PDVSA) Luis Andrico, Ender Larreal, Martn Ruiz (Halliburton).

Orinocos Heavy Oil Belt

Largest deposits of extra heavy crude oil
South East Venezuela 55,000 km2 8.5 degree API 1,300 centipoises at 127 F

Orinocos Heavy Oil Belt

The reservoir characteristics include:
Unconsolidated sands (1400 to 3100 feet TVD) 28-40 % porosity 3-30 Darcy permeability 10% water formation saturation 1100-1300 psi reservoir pressure 125-130 F reservoir temperature 30-250 foot of net pay
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Heavy Oil Drilling Operation

Common problems while drilling horizontal wells: High friction (drillstring and heavy oil-sand) Excessive torque and drag Stuck pipe incidents Shaker screen blinding Environmental risk (use diesel as lubricant)

Wellbore Schematic
Single-horizontal well

Typical Mud Formulations

Gel/Water Native Fluid (Surface hole) Bentonite Potassium Hydroxide Xanthan Biopolymer Preserved Starch Organic Salt Poliglycol Potassium Hydroxide Lubricant (Diesel) Calcium Carbonate
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12.5-15.0 ppb 0.3-0.5 ppb 1.0-2.0 ppb 2.0-4.0 ppb 4.0-6.0 ppb 7.0-10.5 ppb 0.3-0.5 ppb 10-20% by volume 25.0-30.0 ppb

Polymer/Inhibited Fluid (Build section)

Typical Mud Formulations

Drill-in Fluid (Horizontal section) Xanthan Biopolymer Preserved Starch Biocide Potassium Hydroxide Lubricant (Diesel) Calcium Carbonate 1.0-2.0 ppb 2.0-4.0 ppb 0.1-0.2 ppb 0.3-0.5 ppb 10-20% by volume 25.0-30.0 ppb

Borehole Friction Factor Calibration

Torque measurement 2D wells
Cluster M20I Cerro Negro Field Well Name CIB-278 CIB-280 CIB-281 CIB-282 CIB-283 Total Depth (ft) 8,681 8,343 8,316 8,412 8,421 TVD (ft) 3,056 3,125 2,964 3,050 3,140 Horiz. Length (ft) 4,623 4,353 4,685 4,682 4,600
Displacement / TVD Ratio

Azimuth (degree) 22.44 17.46 0 4 10.08

Simulation Estimated Torque (lb-ft) 15,146 15,153 14,880 14,600 14,415

Real Torque (lb-ft) 14,600 16,000 16,000 15,000 15,000

Average

Torque Difference (Estimate Real) -546 847 1,120 400 585 481.2

2.03 1.97 1.98 1.95 1.82

Borehole Friction Factor Calibration

Torque measurement 3D wells
Cluster M20I Cerro Negro Field Well Name CIB-269 CIB-284 CIB-285 CIB-286 Total Depth (ft) 8,967 8,960 9,053 8,415 TVD (ft) 2,969 2,976 3,071 3,167 Horiz. Length (ft) 4,496 4,435 4,438 3,637
Displacement / TVD Ratio

Azimuth (degree) 66.71 47.58 53.98 56.18

Simulation Estimated Torque (lb-ft) 16,483 16,017 15,981 13,641

Real Torque (lb-ft) 20,250 19,000 18,000 16,000

Average

Torque Difference (Estimate Real) 3,767 2,983 2,019 2,359 2,782

2.04 2.12 2.07 1.93

Borehole Friction Factor Calibration

Torque measurement Well CIB 285

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Laboratory Mud Test

API lubricity test
Polymer/drill-in mud (9.0 ppg)

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Laboratory Mud Test

API visual wettability test
15% of hydrocarbon-free lubricant and oil-sand mixture

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Mud Field Performance

Torque and drag reduction- Well CIB-297
Field test adding hydrocarbon-free lubricant

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Case Histories
Well CIB-289 (Single-Horizontal)
3% v/v hydrocarbon-free lubricant into drill-in mud

Torque & drag decrease to 8,000 ft-lb Cleaning and calibration trips were not required

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Case Histories
Well CIB-295 (Multilateral)
Torque reductions of up 17%

More lateral branches lengths Saving 5.63 days based on the well plan

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Beneficial Drilling Practices

Good hole cleaning conditions Low solids concentration Optimize transferring weight to the bit Minimize dog leg, connection time Maintain suitable drilling fluid properties Alternatives for mechanical friction reduce
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Conclusions

Reduction of torque and pipe drag of up 30% Allow to achieve project targets in a safe and timely manner Reduce environmental impact The heavy-oil production rate demonstrated minimal impact on return permeability
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