Distinguished Author Series

even more significant. These benefits included "re-

Drilling Now duced number of trips, extended length of bit runs,
and reduced number of mud motor correction runs."
by John Kelly Jr. In addition, they concluded that important benefits
were obtained through increasing the rate of penetra-
I n recent years, the energy problem and the extraor-
dinarily high prices placed on produced
oil and gas by the OPEC nations have combined to
tion and reducing dogleg severity and the risk of dif-
ferential pressure sticking. A summary of these' 'non-
direct time savings" follows.
make an unusual demand for drilling rigs and drilling
The number of trips was reduced because (l) correc-
personnel. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 64,628
tive directional action could be achieved by using
wells were drilled during 1980. This an increase of
weight on bit rather than by changing the bottomhole
26 % over the number drilled in 1979. The prediction
assembly (BHA), and (2) the optimal BHA could be
for 1981 is that more than 70,000 wells will be
determined sooner.
drilled. 1 The shortage of drilling rigs and personnel
Bit runs could be extended because fewer trips were
has made the cost of drilling skyrocket. As a result,
made to change BHA's. Hence, the tendency to
operators have focused on the factors involved in ~rill­
change bits at the same time was reduced.
ing in an effort to reduce the cost. Increased attentiOn
Mud motor runs were reduced because early detec-
has been given to research on drilling problems and
tion of directional problems allowed the use of more
improvement of drilling techniques. ~quipment .
conventional means (weight on bit, rotary speed, and
manufacturers have concentrated on Improvements III
mud flow) to solve the problem.
drill string components, rig design, wellhead. u~its, l~g­
Improved penetration rates were obtained because
ging devices, cementing equipment, etc. Dnlhng-flUld
directional data feedback permitted carrying more
service companies and operators with research depart-
weight on the bit without affecting the direction.
ments are working to improve the capabilities of drill-
Better directional control reduced the frequency of
ing fluids; striving to extend their temperature limits
doglegs and key seating and reduced the torque.
and to improve their well bore stabilization
The possibility of differential pressure sticking was
characteristics. Courses developed to train new drilling
reduced because circulation of the drilling fluid (but
personnel and to improve the abilities of experien~ed
not rotation of the pipe) could be continued while the
drilling people have appeared in operator and servIce
survey was being made.
company programs. Many are being presented by
Another MWD tool's performance recently
universities and consultant groups.
reported 4 depends on an electrical conductor to
I believe some of the technology and equipment
transmit the data from the downhole instrument
developed during the last year or so will have a .
package to the surface. The parameters measured are
significant impact on drilling operations now and III
downhole pressure, mud resistivity, temperature, and
the future. Essentially all these advances relate to
hole inclination. One of the advantages claimed for the
reducing the cost of drilling wells.
unit is that it appears to help detect a kick and
Measurement While Drilling. One of the most evaluate the steps necessary to handle it properly.
unusual developments to be tested successfully and Note that most MWD tools include some way to
used recently is measurement while drilling (MWD).2 determine the directional parameters of the well being
The potential use of this tool to reduce drilling costs is drilled. If a well drilled using such a tool later blows
almost unlimited. Several types have been developed, out, the directional information will be invaluable in
including those requiring an electrically conductive planning for intercept kill wells. Now in development
means of transmitting downhole signals and those is a seismic method of locating the drill bit in a drill-
using mud pulsing to accomplish signal transmission. ing well by analyzing the noise generated. 5 Such a
Basically, the systems provide almost instantaneous system could provide important information to guide a
downhole survey data, bottomhole temperature and bit to a specific target.
pressure, formation conditions and types, and perhaps
Developments in Bits. Probably the most dramatic
other parameters. However, none of the MWD
development in bit technology is the Stratapax TM. drill
systems now on the market provide all these
blank made by General Electric Co. from synthetIc
measurements.
diamonds and a disk of cemented tungsten carbide.
The value and potential of obtaining essentially con-
These blanks have been included in bits designed by
tinuous hole survey data have been described ina re-
various companies, and their impact on penetration
cent JPT article 3 describing the use of an MWD tool
rate has been nothing short of unbelievable. One com-
in directional drilling on the Claymore platform. The
pany reports that using a Stratapax-type bit with a tur-
authors reported significant direct time savings from
bodrill produced an increase in penetration rate
the reduction in survey time achieved through the use
amounting to four times that of comparable wells drill-
of MWD techniques in place of conventional wireline
ed with their best selection of rock bits. * In addition,
surveys. Their so-called second-tier benefits appeared
one Stratapax-type bit was used to drill more than
0149·2136/81/0121·0646$00.25
Copyright 1981 Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME • Personal communication with Mobil Exploration Norway Inc. (Stavanger).

DECEMBER 1981 2293

3,000 ft (1000 m) of hole, whereas six of the rock bits
had been used to drill an equivalent interval. Savings
in trip times alone were very significant. Use of the
new type bit saved more than an estimated $700,000
in operating cost alone. Similar results are being ob-
tained by other companies. 6 Some formations,
however, seem to resist the cutting action of this bit;
hard sandstones are among these. Shales, claystones,
and siltstones appear to be particularly susceptible to
the cutting action of the Stratapax-type bit. The cutting John Kelly Jr. is a senior engineering consultant with Mobil
action itself resembles that of a lathe; that is, a peeling Research and Development Corp. He joined the company in 1954.
of the formation. Because of this, it is important that His work has included research on drilling fluids and weI/bore
the drilling fluid used prevents the formation material stability and technical consulting on drilling and
completion programs and problems. He holds a PhD from
from sticking to the bit. The use of oil mud has been Stanford U.
of particular value in this respect. In almost all cases
of successful Stratapax-type bit performance in the
North Sea, oil mud has been the circulating fluid .
There is little doubt that this type of cutter will be in- ficult and very costly to drill in some areas without the
corporated increasingly into new style bits, and some use of oil muds.
of these probably will be designed to be effective in In a further development, the filtration properties of
drilling the now resistive formations . oil muds were relaxed allowing the muds to be used to
Extended-nozzle bits also have come of age after drill in hard rock areas at penetration rates at least
much testing and improving. To quote from an article equal to (and often exceeding) those obtained with
published in JPT in Aug . 1978,7 "Field testing more water muds. 11-13 The great advantages are that the
than 90 extended-nozzle/center-jet bits has shown this well bores are more stable and torque and drag are
combination to increase penetration rates from 15 to reduced greatly.
40% . Design modification has eliminated the jet These are some of the important advantages of using
washout problem that occurred with earlier models. oil muds:
Extended nozzle bits now should be considered opera- Wellbore Stabilization and Lubrication. Although
tional because problems with nozzle integrity have oil muds are not a panacea for wellbore stability, their
been eliminated. Cast extender tubes will withstand performance in this aspect far outstrips any water-base
normal rig wear." mud in common use today . There is no doubt, in my
Advances in Drilling Fluid Technology and Applica- opinion, that large reductions in drilling costs in
tions. With the continued significant increases in troublesome drilling areas could be achieved through
drilling costs, it is increasingly important to drill wells the use of well formulated oil muds. Surprisingly
as rapidly and trouble-free as possible. Penetration enough, the overall mud cost for wells in these areas
rates must be high, the wellbore must be stabilized, would at the same time most likely be reduced. Con-
and every effort must be made to avoid sticking the tending with the rig modifications necessary to use oil
drillstring or casing. There are other factors as well, muds (to satisfy environmental regulations, to prevent
but these are greatly influenced by the drilling fluid contamination and excessive loss of the mud, and to
type and the way the fluid is used. Developments with improve working conditions for the rig operating per-
drilling fluids which are bringing about drilling cost sonnel) will prove worthwhile when the savings in
reductions are (1) increased use and importance of oil drilling costs are considered. For developing the
muds, (2) availability of special new drilling fluid ad- capability to drill at high angles for long distances, no
ditives , and (3) increased emphasis on mud solids con- drilling fluid other than oil mud most consistently
trol and improved design of pertinent mud processing could satisfy the need . The lower frictional resistance
equipment. to movement of the drillstring (while rotating and
while going in and out of the hole) has been amply
Oil Muds. In some drilling areas, the use of any demonstrated. 8 This quality is vitally important to
water-based mud currently available generally results achieving success in drilling this type of well.
in very costly drilling because of the well bore prob-
lems encountered. Some shales hydrate and subse- Temperature Stability and Corrosion Protection.
quently start sloughing into the well bore no matter Oil muds are among the most thermally stable drilling
what type of currently available water-based mud is fluids in use today. When deep, high temperature
used. In addition, formations such as claystones and wells are to be drilled , almost invariably the drilling
siltstones often appear to be destabilized easily by fluid chosen is an oil mud . There are some
water muds. Washouts are frequent. Furthermore, weaknesses, however, which will be considered later.
some sands are consolidated by water soluble or slight- A distinct advantage of oil muds-and it usually is
ly water soluble minerals, which, of course, will be most important in deep, hot wells-is the corrosion
dissolved in water muds and thus lead to washout of protection it gives to the drillstring and casing. Even
the sand formation. Differential pressure sticking is small amounts of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide
also a problem most frequently associated with the use may be controlled by the addition of slaked lime [1 to
of water muds. The solution to most of these 4 lbm/bbl (3 to 11 kg/m3) generally]. The nonconduc-
problems 8- 10 was seen to be in the use of oil muds tive environment provided by the oil-continuous phase
known to have excellent well bore stabilizing and is good assurance that metal corrosion will be essen-
lubricating qualities. In fact, it has been extremely dif- tially nonexistent.
2294 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
 Fonnation Damage. It is interesting that most search of reserves of natural gas, now that the price of
examinations of the fonnation damage characteristics this hydrocarbon justifies the cost of drilling and com-
of inverted emulsion oil muds show that they are less pleting these wells. The high temperatures encountered
damaging than water-base muds-with the possible ex- make useless most viscosifiers, thinners, and filter loss
ception of the case of dry gas fonnations. Wholly con- additives. There is a great need for temperature-stable
sidered, these results are true but somewhat additives, but their development has been slow.
misleading. As a matter of fact, oil muds generally are In still another direction, several companies have
highly damaging to fonnation penneabilities, but the made a move to develop products considered to be
damage, being intense and shallow, is easily removed more environmentally acceptable. Chrome-free
by the produced fluid. As a result, recoverable lignosulfonates have been field tested and are now
penneabilities of nearly 100% are common. This sug- available in the marketplace. No doubt, other products
gests that water-base muds should be designed with that will meet environmental regulations will be pro-
the same type of damage characteristics so that duced and one day may replace many of the presently
recoverable penneabilities may be high also. used materials in the more environmentally sensitive
Special Needs and Problems Involving Oil Mud drilling areas.
Use. The use of oil muds, though currently Substitutes for Barite. In recent years, the reduced
increasing, would be expanded considerably if there supply of high quality barite has spurred a search for
were better means of (1) removing the drilled solids substitutes. Fortunately, barite's right degree of hard-
from the circulating fluid and (2) processing the cut- ness, ease of preparation by grinding, resistance to at-
tings to make them acceptable to the environment. trition when carried in the drilling fluid, inertness to
For processing oil muds to remove drilled solids, the chemical reactions, and relatively low degree of
current problem is that the usual processing equipment abrasiveness have made it an "ideal" material for in-
(other than shaker screens) is not very effective creasing the density of drilling fluids. The search for
because of the nonnally higher viscosity of the mud. substitutes, therefore, has been difficult because each
Desilters, desanders, and centrifuges are significantly one presented to the industry is tested thoroughly
less effective, and even shaker screens often must be against the acceptable qualities of barite. Several
coarse, and hence less effective than with the common materials 16-18 have been offered and currently are
water muds. marketed. Their ability to compete with even the
However, the biggest problem facing the use of oil reduced quality barite is still under trial. Searches for
muds is that of providing a fluid and cuttings process- barite substitutes should continue, and perhaps addi-
ing system which will protect the environment ade- tional field trials will show that the already available
quately. In some cases, special systems have been substitutes are fully satisfactory.
built at rather great expense. 8,14 Several drilling-fluid Perhaps part of our problem is that we have not
service companies and other interested companies are made a concentrated effort to develop a satisfactory
looking at this problem and have plans for developing means of recovering barite from drilling fluids so the
improved processing systems. * barite may be used again. This recovery process
Oil muds cannot be used in some areas where they possibly would involve obtaining the barite in a fonn
are needed because the cost of handling the cuttings to that not only is easily handled and redispersed in drill-
meet environmental regulations would be too great, or ing fluid but also is satisfactory for storage until used
satisfactory methods would be impractical. More effort in the next well.
should be concentrated in solving this cuttings treat- Drilling High Angle Holes to Great Distances.
ment and disposal problem. Although a few high angle holes (greater than 70°
Other problems exist in the use of oil muds. One of from vertical) have been drilled successfully, the
these is that the organophilic clay used to build distances involved were not great. 19-21 Consider the
viscosity and gel strength is thennally unstable at impact on operating cost if one offshore platfonn, in-
temperatures of 350°F (176°C) or greater. Nonnally stead of several platfonns, could be used to develop
this poses no problem during drilling. However, upon either a large reservoir or several small ones. Consider
shutdown of circulation for several hours to several further the value of being able to reach from one plat-
days where the temperature of a barite-weighted mud fonn several reservoirs that are too small to be
in the lower part of the hole may reach 350°F (176°C) developed profitably by the installation of a platfonn
or more, one may find upon resuming circulation that on each. What is the realistic value of building one
the barite has settled out. Another feature is that the offshore ice or gravel island rather than several in off-
viscosity of oil muds is reduced drastically by increase shore waters to develop an extensive reservoir or
of temperature. Although increase in pressure several smaller ones?
somewhat offsets this reduction, the effect is slight Some of the problems involved in drilling at high
compared with that of temperature. This means that angles for 2 to 5 miles are: (1) overcoming the friction
special considerations must be given to adjusting the between the drill string (or logging tools) and the
viscometric properties of the muds to achieve desired wellbore (whether cased or open), (2) effectively and
hole-cleanout capability-especially in directional efficiently removing the cuttings as they are generated,
holes. (3) stabilizing the wellbore so that hole problems will
Water-Base Muds. Work is being carried out 15 in an not slow or arrest completely the drilling and comple-
effort to develop water mud treating chemicals capable tion of the wells, (4) making the drilling operation
of withstanding the high temperatures encountered in itself efficient by reducing the number of trips out of
deep wells. No doubt, wells will be pushed deeper in the hole, and making the required trips in a con-
siderably reduced amount of time, and (5) developing
'Information derived from personal contact by the author with these companies.
the ability to circulate the drilling fluid and move the
DECEMBER 1981 2295
drillstr!ng continuously while making trips. Work is the worldwide demand for hydrocarbons increases and
planned and being carried out in an effort to solve the prices complement this demand, there will be con-
problems.just listed. 22 Undoubtedly, other problems tinued, and probably increased, attention given to
will appear as the field trials (scheduled to begin in training of drilling personnel, development of new and
1981) are made. Nevertheless, the payout is potentially improved drilling equipment, and the search for and
so great and the chances of success high enough that implementation of new drilling technology.
this work must be pursued with diligence. The cost of
some of the platforms currently built for North Sea Acknowledgments
operation exceed $1.5 billion. Few companies or com- I thank Ken Blenkarn of Amoco Production Co. and
binations of companies can afford such cash outlays W.F. Roper and W. Gravley of Mobil Research and
when the field development capabilities of these plat- Development Corp. for their suggestions and assistance.
forms are limited by inability to drill great distances at
high angles.
References
Two other new items 23 that may be significant in I. McCoslin. J.c.: "Torrid Drilling to Surge Past 70,000 Wells,"
Oil and Gas J. (Jan. 26, 1981) 145-153.
increasing the ease of directional drilling and perhaps 2. Patton, B.1.. el (/1.: "Development and Successful Testing of a
reducing the cost are (l) a remote-control bent sub to Continuous Wave Logging-While-Drilling Telemetry System," J.
control downhole direction without making trips, and Pel. Tech. (Oct. 1977) 1215-1221.
(2) expandable stabilizers which can be controlled 3. Newton, R., Kite, R.L., and Stone, F.A.: "A Case Study Com-
remotely to influence the BHA to build, maintain, or parison of Wells Drilled With and Without MWD Directional
Surveys on the Claymore Platform in the North Sea," J. Pel.
drop angle as desired by the directional supervisor. Tech. (Nov. 1980) 1867-1876.
Other Drilling Developments. The automatic drill- 4. Robinson, L.H. Jr., Speers, J.M., Watkins, L.A., Barry, A., and
ing rig24 is out of the experimental stage and now is Miller, l.F.: "New Telemetry System Employs Unique Inside
Wireline," World Oil (April 1980) 57.
being built for conventional drilling. Now we will 5. "New Seismic Method Locates Bit By Noise," Drilling-DeW
have an opportunity to evaluate the impact of this type (Aug. 1980) 76.
of drilling equipment on the drilling industry. 6. Powell, R., Cooke, G .. and Hippman, A.: "The Versatility of the
A unique method of transporting a drilling barge 25 Turbodrill in North Sea Drilling," paper EUR 245 presented at the
European Offshore Petroleum Conference and Exhibition, Lon-
across wetlands or environmentally sensitive flatlands don, Oct. 21-24, 1980.
(such as in the Arctic) has been developed. The barge 7. Pratt, C.A.: "Increased Penetration Rates Achieved With New
is "floated" on air, using the hovercraft principle. Extended Nozzle Bits," J. Pel. Tech. (Aug. 1978) 1191-1198.
There is no doubt that the demand for hydrocarbons 8. Kelly, J. Jr., Wells, P., Perry, G.W., and Wilkie, S.K.: "How
as a source of energy and the increased cost of drilling Using Oil Mud Solved North Sea Drilling Problems," J. Pel.
Tech. (June 1980) 931-940.
for them will continue to provide the motivation for 9. Thompson, M.E.: "Invert Oil Mud Improves Drilling In Gulf of
development of improved equipment, materials, and Mexico," World Oil (July 1980) 75.
methods for drilling. However, one of the greatest 10. "Invert Mud Speeds Up Deviated Drilling," Offshore Services
problems we face is the reluctance to put these new (Dec. 1977) 19.
II. Simpson, l.P.: "A New Approach to Oil-Base Muds For Lower
developments to work. My examination of many drill-
Cost Drilling," J. Pel. Tech. (May 1979) 643-650.
ing operations has verified that we still are failing to 12. O'Brien, T.B., Stinson, J.P., and Brownson, F.: "Relaxed Fluid
upgrade our present drilling operations by using com- Loss Controls On Invert Muds Increases ROP," World Oil (Aug.
monly known technology. With the dramatic increase 1977).
in training courses and the teaching of methods to im- 13. Brady, D.L. and Barnes, J.V.: "Oil Mud Speeds Drilling Rate in
Four Texas Fields," Pel. Eng. 1111/. (Dec. 1978) 44-53.
prove drilling, a major shift in the rate of incorpora- 14. Edelbrock, G.J., Gorgas, J.W., and McCrackin, R.W.: "The
tion of new technology may be in the offing. Pro's and Con's of Inverted Oil Emulsion Mud-Statfjord 'A'
Much has been done to implement and improve Platform," paper EUR 206 presented at the European Offshore
training. Several service companies and consultant- Petroleum Conference and Exhibition, London, Oct. 21-24, 1980.
staffed firms have set up comprehensive training pro- 15. Chesser, B.G. and Enright, D.P.: "High Temperature Stabiliza-
tion of Drilling Fluids With a Low Molecular Weight
grams that are available to industry personnel at a Copolymer," paper SPE 8224 presented at the SPE 54th Annual
moderate cost. Some of these programs are being Meeting. Las Vegas. Sept. 23-26. 1979.
established in elaborate facilities, fully furnished with 16. Nederveld. L.S. and Videaux, G.J.: .. A Barite Alternative,"
modem classroom and training equipment. Kick con- Drilling-DeW (April 1980) 80.
17 ... A New Contender for King Barite's Crown." Offshore Services
trol simulators have been developed which not only (/nd Technology (July 1980) 22.
imitate the functions of the rig equipment but also the 18. Chesser, B.G. and Nelson, G.F.: "Applications of Weighted
sounds during the process of handling an "imposed" Acid-Soluble Workover Fluids," 1. Pel. Tech. (Jan. 1979) 35-39.
kick. Special dry wells also have been equipped with 19. Eberts, R.D. and Barnett, R.D.: "Ultrahigh-Angle Wells are
standard well control equipment so that when an ar- Technical and Economic Success,~' Oil al/(I Gas 1. (July 19. 1976)
115.
tificial kick is induced by releasing a nitrogen bubble 20. Bezaire, G.E. and Markiw, l.A.: "Esso Resources Horizontal
at the bottom of the well, the trainee can handle the Hole Project at Cold Lake," paper 79-30- \0 presented at the Pet.
kick as though he were on a regular drilling operation. Soc. of CIM, Banff, May 1979.
Most operating companies now have rather extensive 21. Astier, B.. Jourdan, A., and Baron, G.: "ELF Turns 9OO-And
Stays There," Pel. Eng. 11111. (.1an. 1981) 40.
training programs planned for their operating person-
22. Dellinger. T.B., Gravley, W., and Tolle, G.c.: "Directional
nel. At least one and maybe more of these companies Technology Will Extend Drilling Reach," Oil and Gas 1. (Sept.
will train their new drilling engineers and drilling 15, 1980) 153-169.
foremen on company-owned rigs under the watchful 23. Leonard, J.: "Refined Offshore Drilling Systems Expand
eye of experienced company men. Tec.lnology," World Oil (July 1980) 61.
24. "Automatic Rig Nears Operational Capability," Drilling-DeW
There is little doubt that drilling has received an (July 1979) 77.
unusual amount of attention recently. I believe this at- 25. "Wetlands Drill Barge Will Travel On Air," Drilling-DeW (June
tention is deserved and most likely will increase. As 1980) USA-32.
2296 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY