Extreme-torque connection drives a step change in drillstring design: A high-performance drillpipe can save on costs through its life cycle

摘要

The dramatic increase in horizontal wells from roughly 2005 to the present has been a driving catalyst in the development of new drilling technologies. This trend began in the offshore sector and then moved to land applications as economics continued to shift and drilling market share became predominantly land-based. Drillpipe was noted as a critical piece of drilling equipment that needed considerable improvement if it was to fulfill the industry's needs. Horizontal drilling in U.S. land operations has become the new norm, and internationally the transition from vertical to horizontal drilling is ongoing at various speeds in different countries. Some countries show significant growth, like Russia, and others are barely launching their horizontal programs. To address the needs of these new programs, a new development in drillstring design is sometimes necessary.