Advances in drilling and completion technology

摘要

The conference paper deals with notable areas of improvement on advanced drilling and completion technology. Following areas are discussed: Wellbore stability, where the value of high-potassium mud systems and quantified prediction of wellbore failure is recognized; drilling fluids, with the introduction of biodegradable pseudo-oil-base muds and an effective lubricity additive for water-base muds; drilling equipment and operating procedures, including larger drill pipe and more reliable motors and MWD tools; MWD logging, where better tools and more sophisticated analysis are closing the gap with wireline logging; completion technology, including sand control for long horizontal wells. Additional progress is desired in many areas such as water-base muds, prediction of sand production, and disposal of well-test fluids. 14 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.