Changing the Way To Drill in Ecuador:Experience Using Point-the-Bit and Hybrid RSS in Horizontal and 3D Complex Wells

摘要

To face up the drilling of complex oil wells,the point-the-bit rotary steerable technology was introduced in Ecuador in 2010.The excellent drilling performance results and savings(both in time and money)have pushed the rest of oil fields in Ecuador to introduce and apply point-the-bit rotary steerable system(RSS) which was the key technology implemented in the drilling campaign for this paper.Twelve horizonta wells with complex 3D configurations were drilled. The point-the-bit RSS for 8-?-in and 12-?-in hole sections was promoted,accepted and used based on desing and operational advantages.The drilling campaign developed in 2011,2012 and 2013 showed very good results:107,061 ft were drilled in 2,821 operational hours with a significant average rate o penetration improvement of 20%in comparison with conventional technology in the same field for the same oil operators. The point-the-bit RSS provided the way to solve common catastrophic events observed before(i.e. stuck-pipe and lost-in-hole situations).Aditionally it allowed to reach geological objectives for very complex wells offering several advantages like: Drill through all the proposed targets with a minimum separation from the planned trajectory. Reach higher dog leg severities in rotary mode with a minimum well tortuosity. Minimize reactive formation exposure by a faster drilling speed. Improve hole cleaning. Minimize stuck-pipe events while drilling and while tripping. Run 7-in liner and completions without any issues. Improve landing development and horizontal navigation process. Allow to drill longer horizontal sections. Possibility to run a reamer to enlarge the hole while drilling.