Expandable tubulars add to well-planning options

摘要

Using solid expandable tubular technology to solve problems is common, but incorporating them proactively into well plans can enable better well construction options and reduce costs. As operators push into greater water depths, drilling engineers are required to design wells reaching deeper objectives through sharp pore pressure transition zones and through higher differential pressures in depleted zones. Many operators are responding to the challenges by incorporating solid expandable tubular (SET) technology into their well plans. This has enabled preservation of desired hole size and efficient completion of projects previously deemed cost-prohibitive and unreachable. Short-term, the cost of planning in the use of expandable tubulars may be a hindrance for some operators, but long-term, the benefits have proven invaluable.