Changing the Paradigm to No Wiper Trips When Plug Milling:Results From Over 600 Wells

摘要

Horizontal fracture-stimulated completions remain the de facto method of producing from shale formations.The vast majority of wells are completed using the"Plug and Perf"method,which requires either a drill string or coiled tubing(CT) with a positive displacement motor(PDM)to mill out the composite plugs after the fracturing operations are finished. Currently,the vast majority of operators impose a limit on the number of plugs to be milled prior to performing a wiper or "short"trip,typically a maximum of five.The aim of the frequent wiper trips is to improve well cleaning and reduce the risk of becoming mechanically stuck in hole.These wiper trips increase operational time,costs and seriously impact coiled tubing fatigue life in the higher pressure formations. In 2011,in the Eagle Ford Shale,these practices were challenged with the introduction of an integrated chemical and coiled tubing program that required no scheduled wiper trips during plug milling operations.Since that change,operations have been conducted on over 725 well without a catastrophic stuck in hole situation. This paper will present details of significant overall time savings and focus on the operational practices,BHA selection, modified fluid systems,stuck-hole tendencies and costs savings that have been realized from making these changes.As well as a more detailed review of several case histories.