CHAPTER 4: SPECIAL

DRILLING OPERATION

CGE578 DRILLING
ENG.II
 Part 1: Coring
 Part 2: Coiled Tubing Drilling, Fish Hook
Drilling, Extended Reach Drilling &
Multilateral Drilling
 Part 3: Underbalanced Drilling
 Part 4: Workover Operation
Disclaimer: This note is for internal usage only (FKK UiTM). It
is a compilation from different sources, which may already be
cited, or miss-out, in which, if you noticed, please do inform, so
a proper citation can be done. It should not be copied,
distributed or reproduced in whole or in part, nor passed to any
third party.
References
[1] “Crain’s Petrophysical Handbook.” [Online]. Available: https://www.spec2000.net/09-
coremethods.htm. [Accessed: 19-May-2020].
[2] T. McQuade, “What is Oil Well Coring?” [Online]. Available: https://sciencing.com/info-
7872027-oil-well-coring.html. [Accessed: 19-May-2020].
[3] C. McPhee, J. Reed, and I. Zubizarreta, Wellsite Core Acquisition, Handling and
Transportation, vol. 64. 2015.
[4] S. M. Gandhi, B. C. Sarkar, S. M. Gandhi, and B. C. Sarkar, Chapter 8 – Drilling. 2016. [5]
M. Patrick, S. J. Torabzadeh, and C. George, “Core Analysis and Its Application in Reservoir
Characterization,” no. 3, pp. 105–153, 1996.
[6] C. McPhee, J. Reed, and I. Zubizarreta, Core Laboratory Processing and Screening, vol. 64.
2015.
[7] M. Varhaug and T. Smithson, “Downhole Coring,” Oilf. Rev., vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 1–2, 2015.
[8] S. Edition, “Recommended practices for core analysis,” API Recomm. Pract., no. 40 ED. 2
REV., 1998. [1]
Try to label
the figures…
Introduction
• Definition: A process that involve a drilling into the formation to obtain reservoir samples by retrieving
and preserving the reservoir rock that contains not only analytical information, but also a geological
information; to be used for further analyses in the laboratory.
• Coring and core analysis are an integral part of formation evaluation (besides mud logging or open-
hole logging). It is also used to calibrate log responses, such as the acoustic, density or neutron logs
used to determine the porosity.
• Core is used to determine the geological correlation and reservoir data such as lithology & rock
description, porosity, permeability (the only way), fluid content, geological age and depth of the
reservoir, and etc.
Introduction (C’nue)
• Coring operation is recommended/decided by Geologists or Reservoir Engineers.
• Cores are retrieved from formations that are suspected to contain commercial
quantities of oil and gas.
• Some conditions that make the coring while drilling is needed are:
 Increase in ROP indicates the top of a porous reservoir zone which is to be core
 Indication of hydrocarbon either from cutting fluorescence or gas cut mud
 Cuttings show a transition from a cap rock to a reservoir rock
 Coring Systems
After
During Drilling
Drilling
Conventional Percussi Drilled
Special Coring System on SD SD
Sidewall

System Coring Coring

Coring

Heavy-
Disposabl
Disposabl Sponge-
Sponge- Full-
Full- Rubber- Wireline-
Wireline-
Conv.
Conv. Duty Core Pressure-
Pressure-
ee Inner
Inner Lined
Lined Closure
Closure Sleeve Retrievabl
Retrievabl
Core
Core Conv.
Conv. Barrel
Barrel Retained
Retained
Core Coring
Coring Coring
Coring Core e Core
Barrel
Barrel Core
Core Liners
Liners Coring
Coring
Barrels
Barrels System
System Systems
Systems Barrel
Barrel Barrel
Barrel
Barrel
Barrel
Conventional Coring
 Typical Sequence for CC [3]
The typical sequence of events at wellsite is:

1. Coring

2. POOH (pulling out of hole)

3. Remove from barrel and lay out liners

4. ‘Way-up’ and depth marking

5. Wellsite screening/gamma-ray logging or sampling

6. Wellsite sampling and sample selection (if required)

7. Core preservation/stabilisation (if required)

8. Liner division into suitable lengths (if required)

9. Core transportation to laboratory

 • Designed to recover core from consolidated formations, thick,
uniform, relatively undisturbed formation
Conventional Coring • Consist of an inner core barrel with a core catcher (device that
holds the core in the barrel), suspended by a swivel assembly inside
of an outer core barrel that is attached to the drill string, and a core
bit.
• Types of core bit: Diamond core bit, PDC core bit, TSP core bit.
Refer Table 1 for different type of inner barrel
• Cutting of a core at the bottom of the hole -> core barrel assembly
are removed after each cutting run, to recover the sample-> after
the core barrel is emptied, it returns to borehole for the next run.
• Cores with OD 1.75- 5.25 in. and length 1.5 ft (short radius
horizontal well) - 400 ft.
• ROP less than conventional drilling
• Disadvantage: expensive diamond bits and core barrels, expensive
rig time and tool rental costs, decision to core must be made before
drilling to prevent unnecessary cores.
Table 1: Conventional Coring Systems [8]
 Example of core barrel assembly – image by Baker Hughes [3}

Core barrel is made up of

- an inner barrel : remain stationary and retain the core
- ball bearings.: separate inner and outer barrel
- an outer barrel: is rotated by the drill string and cuts
the core

PDC core bit - hollow bit creates a

Conventional Coring cylindrical core of the formation that
[1} passes through the middle of the bit. Image
by Baker Hughes. Example of lower barrel assembly –
image by Halliburton [3}
 Heavy-Duty Conv. Core Barrel

• Feature: heavy duty threads – more torque to be applied to bit

• For core harder than normal formation, and cut extended length.
• Cores with OD up to 5.25 in.
• Best advantage to be used for coring longer length of homogeneous formation or when anticipating higher than normal
Conventional Coring System

torques load
• e.g. Marine Core Barrel

Core Barrel Liners

• Improve core quality - supporting the core material during handling, also act as core preservation system.
• Refer Table 2
• Liners slide inside an inner core bbl. and held in place by the core-catcher assembly and friction.
• Length: 30 ft. but can be cut shorter.
• Unconsolidated or fractured formation, cutting hard rock in remote and offshore locations (when immediate preservation is
required).
• Disadvantage: reduce the effective diameter of the inner core bbl. by approximately 0.5 in.

Disposable Inner Core Barrels

• Functions as core barrel liners, plus the OD of core is not reduced.

• Available in aluminium, fiberglass and mild steel. various sizes.
• fiberglass inner core bbl. has a low coefficient of friction: allow the core to slide more easily into the core bbl.
Table 2:
Advantages and
Disadvantages of
Standard Liner
Systems [3]
Fiberglass inner liner. Image by
Halliburton ->

<- Solid (rigid)

aluminium liners. Image
by Halliburton
Special Coring Systems
- To f i l l s p e c i f i c c o r i n g n e e d s . P r e s s u r e - r e t a i n e d a n d s p o n g e c o r e b a r r e l s a r o s e f r o m a
n e e d f o r b e t t e r o i l s a t u r a t i o n d a t a . T h e r u b b e r- s l e e v e a n d f u l l - c l o s u r e c o r i n g
systems were developed specifically to improve the quality of cores cut from
unconsolidated formations. Other special coring systems have equally unique
capabilities, making them all useful to the engineers and geologists employing them.
 Pressure-Retained Coring – for better oil saturation data
• To reduce the major changes in core properties (as using conv. core bbl. system) as the system is used for sampling the core with maintain at
reservoir (in-situ) pressure. The core sample will be retrieved in the pressure tight chamber.
• The chamber is also possible to keep gas and fluids in the cored formation, and to measure the pressure and temperature through a port on
the core barrel, when it is pulled out from the hole to the vessel.
• 2 sizes available:1) 6 inch OD barrel, cut the core of 2.5 in , length 20-ft., max pressure 10,000psi. 2) 8 inch OD barrel, cut the core of 3.75
in , length 10 feet, max pressure 5,000 psi.
• The maximum recommended operating temperature is 180°F.
Sponge-Lined Coring System - for better oil saturation data
• To improve the accuracy of core-based oil saturation data.
Special Coring System

• It traps oil expelled as the core is brought to the surface.

• stable to a temperature of 350°F., with maximum cutting of 30 feet, 3.5 inch diameter core per trip.
Full-Closure Coring Systems - to improve the quality of cores cut from unconsolidated formations
• To improve the recovery of Unconsolidated formations.
• Use core barrel liners or disposable inner core barrels and a special core catching system to retrieve the troublesome rocks.
• It allow the inner core barrel to slip gently over soft core and seal the core within the barrel. The full-closure core catcher assembly allow
unobstructed entry of the core int the inner core barrel
• Limited to 3.5 inch or 4 inch diameter cutting with core length of 30 feet.
Rubber-Sleeve Core Barrel - to improve the quality of cores cut from unconsolidated formations
• A reliable way to recover core from unconsolidated formations, conglomerates, and hard fractured formations.
• The outer barrel is drilled down around a column of rock that is progressively encased the core in the shrink-fit rubber sleeve tube.
• The rubber sleeve barrel cuts a 20-ft. length of 3-in.-diameter core. Limited temperature not higher than 200°F..
• For visual inspection, the core can be artificially consolidated by freezing or by injecting a plastic gel.
• Not recommended for hole with more that 45 degrees of inclination.
Wireline-Retrievable Core Barrel
• Added features: Inner barrel that can be run-in and pull-put of the drill string by a wireline without tripping.
• When the inner barrel is filled, it can be removed and replaced to allow continuous coring over long intervals.
• The inner barrel is small thus it can pass through the tool joint of the drill string. The size is about 2-3 in. diameter.
• Must be careful during retrieval to avoid oil swabbing
 Table 3: Summary of Special Coring Systems [3]

Sponge Core Barrel. Image by Halliburton

Spring Catcher (left) and Full Closure Pressure Core

Wireline Retrievable Core Barrel main parts (Head Assembly, Catcher/Full Closure Coring System (right). Barrel Schematic
Inner Tuber, Outer Tube, and Overshot) - image by Atlas Copco ( Image by ALS Oil and Gas [3}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS6iPJowZWc)
Wireline Sidewall
Coring
- Core samples are obtained from a wellbore after it has been drilled and logged, and
before casing is run. The tools are run on wireline and positioned in zones of interest
(reduces unnecessary coring of the inappropriate size)
- Sample is small in size
- Quick and relatively cheap over the extensive depth ranges.
Percussion Sidewall Coring/ • Wireline sidewall most common method. The tools shoot ,hollow, retrievable,
cylindrical bullets into the wall of an uncased hole. Usually used to measure porosity.
Wireline Core Gun
• The tools are lowered to the interested depth (wireline) -> then fired by electrical
impulses controlled from the surface ->bullets remain connected to the fun by wires ->
movement of the gun pull the bullets (samples).

• Up to 65 samples, 1 inch diameter x 13/4 inch length

• Different bullet core barrel designs available for: unconsolidated, soft, medium to hard
formations.

• Advantages: speed, low cost, ability to samples zone of interest after open hole log
have been run.

• Disadvantage the bullet usually alters the formation, shattering harder rock or
compressing softer sediment which reduced the quantitative values of the data analysis.
Usually unsuccessful in very hard rock.

Percussion sidewall coring gun -

Image by SLB
Drilled • Designed to recovered sample by reducing the shattering
impact of the percussion system. Suitable for hard to friable
Sidewall/Rotary rock.
Sidewall Coring • Using diamond-tipped drill to cut individual samples
perpendicular to borehole wall -> sample snapped from the
sidewall by leverage a slight vertical movement of the bit)
applied to the drill -> drill and sample are retracted back into
the body of the tool -> tool move to a new location after
depositing each sample.
• A maximum 30 samples of 15/16 inch diameter by 1-3/4
length.
• Advantage: produces sample of hard rock suitable for
quantitative core analysis.
• Disadvantages: expensive (rig time costs), sample recovery
Rotary coring bit - Image by SLB tends to be low in unconsolidated formations.
After Drill - Sidewall Coring
• Designed to acquire a larger, more-continuous core sample from a drilled and logged wellbore than
is possible with existing sidewall coring tools..
• Similar to a conventional core barrel.

• Cut up to 10 feet of 21/2-inch (63.5-millimeter) diameter core.

• The tool is attached to a conventional drill string and lowered to the zone of interest. An integral
arm pushes the core barrel against one side of the wellbore. From then on the tool is operated as a
conventional core barrel.
• The second system uses a removable whipstock to direct a conventional core barrel out into the
formation. Both systems address the need to acquire quality core samples after logging.
Table 4: Summary of Special After Drilling Coring [3]
Watch this video: Core drilling process
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjSX41ecm94
 CHAPTER 4: SPECIAL
DRILLING OPERATION

CGE578 DRILLING
ENG.II
 Part 1: Coring
 Part 2: Coiled Tubing Drilling, Fish Hook
Drilling, Extended Reach Drilling &
Multilateral Drilling
 Part 3: Underbalanced Drilling
 Part 4: Workover Operation
COILED TUBING
DRILLING
Introduction

• A long, continuous, jointless

hollow steel pipe that is wound
on a reel and can be coiled or
uncoiled repeatedly as required.

• Depending on pipe diameter

(1 in. to 4-1/2 in.)
and the spool size, coiled tubing
can range 2000 ft to 15,000 ft
[610 to 4570m] or greater
length.
A typical CTD
There have been numerous highly successful
applications of CTD technology in such regions as
Alaska and the United Arab Emirates, yet CTD is still
considered an immature new technology.
Introduction –
C’nue

• CTD uses downhole mud motors

to turn the bit to deepen a
wellbore

• CTD operations proceed quickly

compared to using a jointed pipe
drilling rig because connection
time is eliminated during
tripping.
Land CTD
• CTD is economical
Application of
CTD
• Re-entry drilling/sidetracking from
existing wellbores (often through the
existing wellbore’s production tubing)

• UBD, MPD, or low-bottomhole-

pressure drilling.

• Fishing and Logging

• Others: combination of a CTD unit with

a low-cost conventional rotary drilling
rig. The rotary rig is used to drill a
quick and simple wellbore and sets
casing just above the desired zone. CT
is then used to drill a small, clean A typical CTD well [SLB]
penetration into the desired zone.
Typical BHA for CTD
Advantages of CTD & Limitation of of
CTD
FISH HOOK
DRILLING
 Some directional wells have even been angled beyond
horizontal, and have hooked back upward in order to
access particularly difficult-to-reach oil or gas pockets.
Fish Hook This is called fish hook drilling.

Drilling About 110º-140º tangent section.

Shell Brunei’s FHD at Seria Field (2007)

EXTENDED REACH
DRILLING (ERD)
 • ERD allow producers to reach deposits that are great
distances away from the drilling rig and minimize the
Extended Reach number of platforms needed to produce all the oil and
Drilling (ERD) gas.

• This can help producers tap oil and natural gas deposits
under surface areas where a vertical well cannot be
drilled, such as under developed or environmentally
sensitive areas.
 Characteristic of ERD
• Extended reach wells are drilled to reach reservoirs • The difference between ERD and conventional
that have a horizontal displacement in excess of directional drilling is ERD has longer Horizontal
16,400 ft (> 5,000 m) from the starting point. Displacement (HD) section.

• ERD has long section after End of Curve (EOC) point • Ratio between HD to TVD (HD/TVD) in an ERD well
and high inclination angle (usually greater than 75̊ to is greater than 2 of which TVD is measured from KOP
80˚) depth.
Constraints in ERD
• Drag and torque force are too high

• Pushing force is too low

• Cutting accumulation in the wellbore especially in high angle inclination section

• Rig specification requirement cannot be fulfilled

• Pipe sticking

• Pipe buckling

• Pipe/casing break
MULTILATERAL
DRILLING
 • Definition: A well in which there is more than one horizontal or near horizontal
lateral well drilled from a single mainbore and connected back to the same mainbore
• Sometimes oil and natural gas reserves are located in separate layers underground.

Multilateral • Multilateral drilling allows producers to branch out from the main well to tap
reserves at different depths.
Drilling • This dramatically increases production from a single well and reduces the number
of wells drilled on the surface

• Laterals= wellbores drilled from the main wellbore. 

• Branches=  Wellbores drilled from a horizontal

lateral into the horizontal plane.

• Splays= Wellbores drilled from a horizontal lateral

into the vertical plane.

• A multilateral well can follow different well

trajectories; horizontal or deviated.

• Junctions= intersections of the laterals with the main

wellbore or of the branches and splays with the MD Terminologies
lateral
First Multilateral
wells
• First multilateral well was drilled in
Bashkiria field Russia in 1953

• 9 lateral branches from the mainbore

• Increased exposure to the pay zone

by 5.5 times

• Increased production by 17 times

• Only increased capital expenditures

(capex) by 1.5 times
Common
Multilateral
Configurations
Why are MD being MD Advantages
Increasingly Used?
• A successful multilateral well that replaces • Technical Advantages
several vertical wellbores can reduce overall ◦ Increased reservoir exposure
drilling and completion costs ◦ Increase in connectivity to the reservoir, to reduce
water coning, gas coning, and sanding potential
• Increase production ◦ More efficient exploitation of complex reservoirs

• Provide more efficient drainage of a • Economic Advantages

reservoir ◦ No added cost for the mainbore and surface
equipment
• Makes reservoir management more efficient ◦ Smaller platform due to decreased surface
and help increase recoverable reserves equipment
◦ Increase in recoverable reserves
Risks of MD Problems that deterred
MD development
• Borehole instability • Higher initial costs

• Stuck pipe • Possible interference of lateral with each other

• Crossflow and difficulties with production allocation

• Problems with overpressured zones to casing,
cementing and branching problems • Sensitivity and concern about reservoir
heterogeneities
• Drilling and completion formation damage
• Prospect of complicated drilling, completion and
• Problem locating and staying in the productive production technologies, stimulation, slow and less
zone while drilling effective cleanup and cumbersome wellbore
management
Technology Advancement of Multi Laterals (TAML)
• The objective of the TAML consortium is to promote the efficient development and utilization
of multilaterals within the international petroleum industry, through dialogue, information and
technology exchange and collective sponsorship.
• TAML Members: Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, BP-Amoco, Chevron, Mobil, Norsk Hydro,
Phillips, Saga, Shell, Smith, Sperry Sun, Statoil, Texaco, TIW, Total, Weatherford, Well Service
Technology
TAML classification
• Today, multilaterals are referred to by level of complexity from Level 1 to 6.

• 3 characteristics used to evaluate multilateral technology: Connectivity, Isolation and Accessibility

Level 1 • Is an open-hole lateral from an openhole mother bore.

• There is no mechanical or hydraulic junction involved.

• Carried out in consolidated formation as barefoot

completions.
• Widely applied in the United States, Canada, Europe,
and the Middle East, with up to six lateral having been
drilled from mother bore.
Level 2 • Main bore is cased in cemented and the lateral bore is
open.
• The completion is economical, allows selective
production, and can be carried out in standard casing
sizes.
• United Arab Emirates wells have proven successful
candidates for level 2
Level 3 • The main bore is cased and cemented, and the laterals
are cased but not cemented.
• The lateral liner is mechanically anchored to the main
bore using a liner hanger.
Level 4 • Both the main bore and laterals are cased and cemented
to provide mechanical junction integrity.
• Can be simple, or they can be the basis for more
complex systems such as dual packers completions,
single string selective reentries and single strings with
lateral entry nipples.
Level 5 • Sealed junctions multilaterals are necessary for
reservoir management and to handle complex geology
in well environments with multiple pressures, fluids,
and the rock strata.
• In these cases, pressure integrity is necessary to prevent
junction collapse, due to pressure drawdown.
• Full hydraulic and mechanical pressure integrity at
junction are achieved with completion.
Level 6 • The entire junction is an integral part of the main bore
casing string.
• The first and most widely used level 6 system is
the formation junction system.
• Conventional drilling, completion, and cementing
techniques are used to finish construction and
completion of well bore.
 CHAPTER 4: SPECIAL
DRILLING OPERATION

CGE578 DRILLING
ENG.II
 Part 1: Coring
 Part 2: Coiled Tubing Drilling, Fish Hook
Drilling, Extended Reach Drilling &
Multilateral Drilling
 Part 3: Underbalanced Drilling
 Part 4: Workover Operation
References Part III
[1] Robert F. Mitchell, Petroleum Engineering Handbook: Drilling Engineering, vol. II. 2007

[2] B. Guo and A. Ghalambor, Gas Volume Requirements for Underbalanced Drilling: Deviated
Holes. PennWell Corporation, 2002.

[3] “How Omni Compressed Air gets wells producing more in less time.” Bizjournals.

[4] P. Rebel, “How Hydraulic Workover Unit Works,” The True South Through My Eyes - HK
Edgerton. 2011

[5] PEH: Underbalanced Drilling.”

[6] “Introduction to Underbalanced Drilling Technology (M2).” .

 Definition
• A procedure to drill oil and gas wells, where hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid is designed to be lower
than the pressure of the formation pressure. This hydrostatic head of fluid may naturally less than
formation pressure (lower mud density) or it can induced by adding natural gas, nitrogen or air to the
liquid phase of the drilling fluid.
• The pressure in the wellbore is kept lower than the fluid pressure in the formation being drilled. As the
well is being drilled (UBD), formation fluid from flow into the wellbore and up to the surface. UBD: P
wellbore < P formation.

• The usage of rotating head (at the surface) is essential in UBD operation. It is a seal that diverts the
produced fluids to a separator while allowing the drill string to continue rotating (while drilling)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2D6qbdcoMI&feature=youtu.be
Why We Do UBD?

Maximizing HC Minimizing Pressure

Recovery Related Drilling
• Reduced Formation Damage Problems
• Early Production • Differential Sticking
• Reduced Stimulation • No Fluid Losses
• Enhanced Recovery • Improved Penetration Rate
• Increased Reservoir
Knowledge
 The Figure 1 show the two different situations, one is conventional
drilling, another one is UBD. Label accordingly and justify your
selection.

(a)
Conventional vs. (b)
UB Drilling (1)
P effective = P hydrostatic + P friction + other
pressure applied on surface e.g. P choke

Thus

OBD = P reservoir < P bottom hole = P hydrostatic +

P friction + P choke

UBD = P reservoir > P bottom hole = P hydrostatic +

P friction + P choke

Figure 1: Pressures shown in different system

 Conventional vs.
UB Drilling (2)
• Pressure control is the main well control
principle in OBD, but in UBD, flow
control is the main well control principle.

• For OBD, drilling fluid returns to open

circulation system at surface well control,
where the BOP is open while drilling.
(secondary BOP is provided by BOP).

• For UBD, drilling fluid returns to close

circulation system where the BOP system
is kept closed. Figure 2: Open vs. closed circulation system
 Conventional vs.
UB Drilling (3)
• In OBD, DF is acts as the primary well-
control mechanism.

• For UBD, well-control mechanism is from:-

• Hydrostatic pressure (passive) of materials
in the wellbore (density from mud and
density contribution of any drilled cuttings.
• Fluid pressure (dynamic) from fluid
movement (circulation friction of the fluid
used)
Figure 3: Closed loop circulation
• Choke pressure (confining or active), which system with rotating head [5-6]
arises from the pipe being sealed at the
surface, resulting in a positive pressure at
surface.
Designing a UBD Operation
Determine BHP
Requirements

Identify DF options

Establish well design and

perform flowing
modelling
Figure 4: BHP Requirements • For OBD, Phydrostatic 200 –
Select the surface 1000 psi above the Preservoir
equipment • For UBD, Phydrostatic less than
200 psi from Preservoir
 Drilling Fluid Options for UBD
Gaseous Fluids (air drilling/dusting)

• Air compressors combined with a booster are used, and the only fluid injected into the well is a small amount of oil (to reduce
corrosion). Air drilling/dusting is applied in hard rock drilling and in the water well drilling. It is not recommended because the
combination of O2 and natural gas may cause an explosive mixture. Thus N2 is used if HC reservoirs are drilled with a gas. Another
option is to use natural gas (must be proved worthy alternative).
• Benefits: fast penetration rates, longer bit life, greater footage per bit, good cement jobs, better production, minimal water influx
required.
• Drawbacks: possibility of slugging and mud rings (in the presence of fluid ingress, relies on annular velocity to remove cuttings
from the well.

Mist Systems

• The drilling system is often change to a mist system if the formation starts to produce small amounts of water when drilling with a
gas system. the fluid is added to the gas environment, disperse into fine droplets and forms a mist systems. This technique must b
used in areas where some formation water exists, which prevent the use of complete air drilling.
• It requires high volumes (30 – 40% more than dry gas drilling) and its pressures are generally higher than dry gas drilling.
• Benefits: it reduced formation of mud rings.
• Drawbacks: it relies on annular velocity to remove cutting from the well. Incorrect gas/liquid ratio leads to slugging with attendant
pressure increase.
 Types of UBD based on Drilling Fluid
System
Foam Systems

• A larger amount of foaming agent is added into the flow. Adding surfactant to a fluid and mixing the fluid system with a gas
generates stable foam. Stable foam used for drilling has a texture not unlike shaving foam. It is a particularly good drilling fluid with
a high carrying capacity and a low density. The fact that stable foam has some natural inherent viscosity, as well as fluid-loss-control
properties, makes foam a very attractive drilling medium. One of the problems encountered with the conventional foam systems is
that the foam remains stable even when it returns to the surface, and this can cause problems on a rig if the foam cannot be broken
down fast enough.
• Benefits: extra fluid in the system reduces the influence of formation water, it has a very high carrying capacity. there are reduced
pump rates because of improved cuttings transport, stable foam reduces slugging tendencies of the wellbore. it has improved surface
control and more stable downhole environment.
• Drawbacks: the breaking down of the foam at surface must be addressed at the design stage, more increased surface equipment (area)
is required.

Gasified System

• Gas is injected into the liquid to reduce the density. But, less gas is required., Extra fluid in the system will almost eliminate the
influence of formation fluid unless incompatibilities occur.
• Benefits: velocities, especially at surface, are lower, reducing wear and erosion both downhole and to the surface equipment.
• Drawbacks: slugging of the gas and fluid must be managed correctly, increased surface equipment is required to store and clean the
base fluid.
Well Design and Flow Modelling
Well Design Hydraulic
• Single Phase Liquid, Calculation
Gas Lift System, • Multiphase hydraulic
Annular Injection, system
Drillpipe Injection,
Parasite String Gas
Injection

Flow Regimes Circulation

• Laminar/turbulent Design
flow Calculations
• BHP, res. inflow
performance and
control, hole cleaning,
cutting transport etc.
 Surface Equipment for UBD

Well-Control
Equipment
Gas Generation
• Jointed-pipe system:
Drilling system Equipment rotating control head
• Coiled Tubing (Hole size < • Natural gas - compressor system, primary flowline
6-1/8 in.) • Cryogenic N2 - tanked N2 with ESD valves
• Jointed Pipes (Hole size (work tank) and pass • CT - lubricator or d/hole
>6-1/8 in.) through N2 converter safety valve
• N2 generation - N2 • Rotating diverter systems -
generator Rotating BOPS ; RBOP
(active), or rotating control
head (passive)
UBD Candidates
Table 1: UBD Effects for Reservoir Types [1]
Advantages of
UBD [3]

Figure 4: Advantages of UBD [3]

 Wellbore
Stability

Surface
Water
Equipmen
Inflow
t
Limitation
- Technical Limitations Technical
Limitations
DD
Equipmen
Safety &
t – MWD
Env.
cannot be
used

Unsuitable
Reservoir
 Insufficient
formation
strength to
withstand
mechanical
stress w/o
collapse.
Targets with
significant P
Spontaneous
or lithology
imbibition
variation
throughout.

Limitation
- Conditions that affect UBD Conditions
that affect
Deep, high-
Slimhole - UBD pressure,
create high highly
backpressures permeable
wells

Wells that High –

require producing
hydrostatic zones close to
fluid or the beginning
pressure to of the well
kill the well. trajectory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaWR4CymVfs
 CHAPTER 4: SPECIAL
DRILLING OPERATION

CGE578 DRILLING
ENG.II
 Part 1: Coring
 Part 2: Coiled Tubing Drilling, Fish Hook
Drilling, Extended Reach Drilling &
Multilateral Drilling
 Part 3: Underbalanced Drilling
 Part 4: Workover Operation
Workover Operation
After some time in operation, the well may become less productive or faulty due to residue build
up, sand erosion, corrosion or reservoir clogging.

Well workover is the process of performing major maintenance on an oil or gas well. This might
include replacement of the tubing, cleanup or new completions, new perforation and various
other maintenance works such as installation of gas lift mandrels, ESP’s
 Unsatisfactory
production or
injection rates

Mechanical
Abandonments
Problems

Reason
s for
W/O
Supplemental
Reservoir data recovery
gathering project
requirements

Regulatory
requirements
1) Unsatisfactory Production or Injection
Rates
• The well is not performing up to expectations 

• Careful analysis will determine if the decline is abnormal or the result of normal reservoir
depletion.
• If deemed abnormal, it must be determined if the problem is in the reservoir inflow system, the
wellbore outflow system, or both.
• Inflow problems can be corrected with stimulation procedures such as acidizing, fracturing,
scale, or paraffin treatments or by re-perforating or additional perforating.
• Outflow problem resolution may require equipment changes, cleanouts, or chemical treatments.
Mechanical • Mechanical problems such as failures of the cement,
tubulars, packers, wireline components, safety valves,
Problems or artificial lift equipment are also reflected in the well
performance.
• Cement and casing problems are most often corrected
by squeezing cement into the damaged areas.
• Very serious problems of this nature occasionally
require a sidetracking operation.
2) Supplemental Recovery Project
Requirements
• If wells are to be converted into injectors, observation wells, or disposal wells.

• Also, all wells need to be completed in correlative zones, thus a significant number of wells
need perforating and stimulation and/or zones shutoff via squeeze cementing or plugs (cement
or mechanical).
3) Regulatory Requirements
Regulatory requirements may initiate workovers to reduce GORs, isolate pressures, or install
safety equipment.
4) Reservoir data gathering
• Data gathering, particularly of special reservoir information (such as pressures, fluid samples
and zonal productivity/injectivity tests) required for reservoir management or in connection with
pilot tests, may require a workover.
5) Abandonments
• Workovers are normally required to temporarily abandon or to plug and abandon a well.

• Operations may include squeeze cementing, setting plugs (cement or mechanical), retrieving
production equipment, and perhaps cutting and pulling casing.
• Workover costs vary depending on well conditions and regulatory requirements.
Workover Equipment
• Conventional rigs (smaller but similar to drilling rigs) or nonconventional systems.

• Conventional rigs can be equipped to handle almost all types of work that may be required.

• Nonconventional systems allow specific types of work to be done without pulling the tubing,
disassembling the Christmas tree, or even killing the well.
• This is accomplished by using lubricators and packoff equipment at the surface and by running
the required equipment inside the production tubing.
• Common types of nonconventional systems are wireline units, coiled tubing units, and snubbing
units. Generally, these systems are designed to do a relatively narrow scope of work.
Wireline • Wireline units use special equipment on a solid wireline
to gather data (pressure, temperature, and depth) and to
set, manipulate, and/or retrieve tubing plugs, sliding
sleeves, flow regulators, gas lift valves, safety valves,
and wireline fishing tools.
• Wireline equipment can also be used to cut paraffin and
remove wellbore fill.
Coiled Tubing • Coiled tubing units find application in cleanout work,
stimulation, plugback jobs, and unloading wells with
Unit nitrogen. Coiled tubing units can have 10,000 to 15,000
ft of pipe (usually 1-in. outside diameter) that can be
reeled continuously into the wellbore. The pipe can be
used to pump into the well and circulate fluids such as
water, acid, or cement.
• Limitations of coiled tubing include the reduced
strength of the tubing and low pumping rates (high
friction pressure because of the diameter and length).
• Coiled tubing can be run into wells against pressures up
to 5000 psi.
Snubbing Unit • Snubbing units use hydraulic pressure and rams to
introduce small, coupled tubing into the well, if
necessary, against pressures above 5000 psi.
• The tubing is stronger and can be rotated so that
tougher cleanout or fishing jobs can be accomplished.
• Snubbing units are used for the same type of jobs as are
coiled tubing units, but their compactness is an
advantage in offshore work. They are slow and
expensive, but in the right applications, they are the
more economical way to accomplish the task.