Foothills Drilling Performance Improvement – A New Transversal Approach

摘要

Total E&P initiated a drilling campaign in 2018 near the foothills of Bolivia where wells can be extremelychallenging and lengthy to drill. These wells mandate exhaustive planning due to the geological complexityand abrasive environment prone to severe wellbore instability. Through a unique and collaborative approachof competitive service companies, engineering resources were combined and leveraged to identify andmitigate risks of wellbore instability, losses and drilling dysfunctions. Combining service companies’resources and knowledge allowed to set up a new transversal approach to challenge old paradigms andimplement new drilling tools (directional drilling and bits) adapted to this environment. The present paper reflects the approach taken to solve these technical challenges: Adaptation of newdrilling technologies based on local experience with downhole tools. New fluids strategy based on operator’sknowledge/experience with transversal geology and geomechanics interactions. Rate of Penetration (ROP)improvement roadmap based on data analysis and engineering implemented through the processing of offsetwells drilling data, real-time monitoring of Mechanical Specific Energy (MSE) and drilling dysfunctionsavoidance. Team spirit-based approach where all actors of the execution embarked on board.