Coordinated optimization, new well design reduce wellbore stability problems in Valhall field

Teamwork and field-specific operational practices adopted for the Valhall field, Norwegian North Sea, helped limit wellbore instability, lost circulation, and stuck-pipe problems. Knowledge-management tools and processes were used to refine these procedures over 24 months, implementing a new well de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Oil & gas journal 2004-01, Vol.102 (1), p.42-44
Main Authors: SMITH, Richard I, SIMPSON, Mike, WICKER, Armin K
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Case studies
Cement
Characteristics of producing layers. Reservoir geology. In situ fluids
Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products
Crude oil, natural gas, oil shales producing equipements and methods
Drilling
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Fuels
Knowledge management
Management tools
Ocean floor
Oil wells
Oilfield equipment & services
Optimization
Prospecting and production of crude oil, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands
Reservoirs
Subsidence
Success
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Summary:Teamwork and field-specific operational practices adopted for the Valhall field, Norwegian North Sea, helped limit wellbore instability, lost circulation, and stuck-pipe problems. Knowledge-management tools and processes were used to refine these procedures over 24 months, implementing a new well design and 11 3/4-in. liner surge-reduction techniques. Over time, depletion of the reservoir, water and waste injection, and the presence of a gas cloud have together weakened the faulted overburden. Subsidence has occurred by up to 4 m at the seabed and 8-10 m at the top of the reservoir. Extended reach drilling (ERD) of the Valhall wells has become increasingly difficult over time because subsidence has narrowed the window between the fracture gradient and collapse pressure in the over-burden. Using the results and knowledge gained through the offset well evaluation, team members developed a drilling school and A Guide to Drilling on Valhall from a Wellbore Stability Perspective to communicate the correct drilling procedures to the drilling team.
ISSN:0030-1388
1944-9151