A Comparison of Mathematical Models for Axial Force Transfer in Tubulars in Horizontal Wells under Pre-buckling and Post-buckling Conditions.

摘要

Buckling analysis has been investigated for more than half a century and is still a widely researched area in the petroleum industry. Conventionally, the criteria for buckling analysis were determined by models, such as Schuh's, Chen's, Wu's, and Mitchell's models, in the prediction of axial load transfer along the work string. However, recent evidence shows that drilling operations could still carry on in the presence of axial force exceeding the buckling critical values. Therefore, the research started to challenge whether these conventional models were still valid for current petroleum activities. This study continues the discussion where the comparison was made between the mathematic models, without and with buckling effect, in the analysis of transmitting load from wellhead to weight on bit. The results show Song's model more under-predicts the axial force transfer than the conventional models, such as Schuh's, Chen's, Wu's, and Mitchell's models in the slack-off operation. According to the case study, the data generated from Song's model, in the prediction of axial transfer behaviors, were more consistent with the field data in the lower section of the well than the rest of the models.