Drilling Prognosis Example
Drilling Prognosis Example
Drilling Prognosis Example
LOCATION: SHL: 615 FSL & 2468 FEL, Section 13 T37N R18W NMPM
BHL: Horizontal Well, 67 FSL & 1393 FEL, Section 13 T37N, R18W 117 deg azimuth from SHL
(1210’ max lateral extension)
MONTEZUMA CO, COLORADO
A FOCUSED EFFORT WILL BE EXPECTED BY ALL PARTIES TO ELIMINATE ANY / ALL ACCIDENTS DURING THE
EXECUTION OF THIS DRILLING PROJECT. H2S IS ANTICIPATED WHILE DRILLING THE KILLER SHALES.
GEOLOGY / FORMATION TOPS WELL PROGRAM
SURVEY INFORMATION:
BASE SALT 7400’ -677’ 12-1/4” Sfc Hole: Drop inclination surveys at 500’ intervals.
8-3/4” Int Hole: Drop inclination surveys at 1000’ intervals. (No surveys through “Killer Shale”)
4-3/4” Prod Hole: Gyro survey at KOP and MWD surveys while drilling.
L.HERMOSA 7675’ -952’
Formation Top (TVD, ft) Bottom (TVD, ft) Composition Anticipated Fluids
Entrada 1200 1928 Sandstone Fresh Water
Chinle 1928 2622 Sandstone Fresh Water
Shinarump 2622 2775 Sandstone/Shale Fresh Water
Cutler 2775 4580 Shales None Anticipated
Upper Hermosa 4580 5570 Carbonate None Anticipated
Paradox 5570 5842 Carbonate/Anhydrite None Anticipated
Desert Creek 5842 6008 Carbonate Gas
Paradox Salt 6008 6498 Carbonate/Anhydrite None Anticipated
Killer Shales 6498 7400 Shales Gas, Hydrogen Sulfide
Base Salt 7400 7675 Carbonate/Anhydrite None Anticipated
Lower Hermosa 7675 7798 Carbonate/Shale/Anhydrite None Anticipated
Molas 7798 7875 Siltstones/Shale None Anticipated
Leadville 7875 8174 Carbonate Gas, Carbon Dioxide
9-5/8” Surface casing will be set ~100’ into the Cutler formation and cemented to surface to isolate the usable quality fresh water bearing
sandstone formations above.
7” Production casing will be set 25’ into the Leadville producing formation and cemented to surface to isolate all zones above, including the
killer shale section which may contain hydrogen sulfide gas.
A detailed explanation of the casing and cementing program is shown in Section 4, and a contingency plan to mitigate the hydrogen sulfide
hazard is referenced in Section 7 and attached to this prognosis.
SECTION 3 – Pressure Control Equipment
A 3M system will be utilized. The following procedures, diagrams, and guidelines are included for review with all personnel, and MUST be
adhered to at all times:
Kinder Morgan 3M BOP and Associated Equipment Installation and Testing Procedure for Doe Canyon and McElmo Dome
Wells.
Kinder Morgan BOP and Choke Manifold diagrams including minimum requirements.
BLM 43 CFR 3160 Section III-A 3M specifications for pressure control equipment including minimum requirements.
PROSPECT INFORMATION
The YA-7 will be one of eight wells to be drilled during the 2012 drilling program at McElmo Dome. The wellplan calls for the 9-5/8” X 7”
casing program (tubingless openhole completion) that has been used successfully since being implemented in 1996.
WELL OBJECTIVE
The main objectives for the drilling operation on the YA-7 are:
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
The main problems for the YA-7 are the typical problems expected while drilling in the area:
1. Lost Circulation in the 12-1/4” Surface Hole: Lost circulation can be expected at any depth while drilling the surface hole.
Maintain a clean fresh water system, circulating the reserve pit, while drilling this hole section. Pump LCM pills as required to
control the losses. No losses in surface hole were encountered on offsets.
2. Gas Kick from the Desert Creek @ 5842’: Gas kicks have been encountered while drilling the Desert Creek formation. A planned
mud weight schedule will be utilized to help minimize the chance of kicks in this section.
3. Gas and H2S from the Killer Shales: Geo-pressured shales from the P4 on down will contain varying amounts of gas and associated
H2S. Circulate the salt water portion of the reserve pit to remove excess gas. Pre-treat the mud using Baroid H2S scavenger for H2S
contamination.
4. Stuck Pipe in the Killer Shales: The Killer Shale is a high pressure, low volume shale which “flows” into the well causing stuck
pipe. An attached list of recommendations for drilling the Killer Shale, titled “Paradox Salt Drilling Procedure”, is located in the mud
section of this program. The recommendations have proven to be very successful in recent drilling programs and are strongly
recommended they be followed. Educate the drillers prior to drilling the killer shale and discuss in detail the procedure for drilling the
shale.
5. Lost Circulation in the Lower Hermosa: Lost circulation problems have been encountered during the production casing cement job
in the Lower Hermosa. The fracture gradient is estimated at 12 ppg. The problem has been successfully eliminated with single stage
foam cementing.
6. Pilot Hole Cementing Pipe: The pilot hole cement plug should not be over 100 sks. If the first plug does not fill into the casing, spot
a second plug which does not exceed 50 sks. Over-displacement is reservoir-dependent.
GENERAL DRILLING PROCEDURE
14” conductor pipe will be set at ~80’ prior to moving in the drilling rig. It is necessary to rig up a 13-3/8” 3M annular preventer with
diverter to drill the surface hole.
A 12-1/4” hole will be drilled from surface to 2925’, located approximately 100’to 150’ below the top of the Cutler. A full string of 9-5/8”
surface casing will be run to 2925’ with cement circulated to surface. The 9-5/8” surface casing will protect the groundwater in the area and
isolate the Shinarump formation. After the casing is run and cemented, screw on the 9-5/8” X 11” 3M casing head housing and nipple-up
the 11” 3M BOP. Wait on cement 12 hours and pressure test the casing to 1500 psi and the BOP’s to their rating prior to drilling out.
An 8-3/4” hole will be drilled out from the surface casing point to the 7” production casing point at 7900’, located 25’ into the Leadville
formation. The casing point will be picked by the mud-logger and/or MWD gamma ray (GR) that will be picked up at 7775’ after drilling
the Killer Shales. No wireline logs will be run at casing point. A full string of 7” 13-Chrome casing will be run and set 25’ into the
Leadville. The 7” casing will be cemented back to surface in one stage with foam cement. The well integrity is dependent on the casing
being handled and run correctly. 7” 13CR requires special handling and is to be handled according to the procedures specified on site.
A 6” pilot hole will be drilled out from the 7” production casing to 400’ below the Leadville top. Drop a Gyro at TD of the pilot hole on trip
out of hole. The pilot hole will then be logged from TD to 500’ inside the 7” casing shoe. The pilot hole will be cemented and KOP dressed
off 5’ below the casing shoe. If significant lost circulation occurs while drilling the pilot hole, a two-stage cement plug/squeeze with a
cement retainer will be considered.
A 4-3/4” horizontal hole will be drilled out from the KOP to TD. The build rate and target elevation of the lateral will be determined from
pilot log analysis, usually ~100 to 150 ft below the top of the Leadville. A string of 2-7/8” drill pipe will be picked up and a 4-3/4” hole will
be drilled to a vertical section operational target of 500’ to 1210’. A directional drilling plan is attached to this prognosis.
SURVEY DETAIL
9-5/8” 0’ – 2925’ 36# K-55 STC 2020 / 1.25 3520 / 1.63 423 / 4.5
7” 0’ – 5908’ 29# CR13 FOX 7020 / 2.2 8160 / 2.9 676 / 4.6 (100’ above top of Paradox Salt)
7” 5908’ –7775’ 32# CR13 FOX 8600 / 1.01 9060 / 3.1 692 / 3.99 (run to 100’ below Base Salt)
7” 7775’ – 7900’ 29# CR13 FOX 7020 / 1.7 8160 / 2.8 676 / 3.42 (from 100’ below Base Salt to TD)
All of the 32# CR13 casing will be coated with Rytwrap (ICO in Odessa) prior to arriving on location.
DESIGN ASSUMPTIONS:
9-5/8” Surface Tension: Buoyed weight in 8.4 ppg fresh water, DF = 1.6
Collapse: Full evacuation w/ 9.0 ppg on outside, DF = 1.0
Burst: 2000 psi shut in pressure at the surface, DF = 1.33
7” Production Tension: Buoyed weight in 10.0 ppg brine
Collapse: Full evacuation in 10.0 ppg brine for 29#, 1.0 psi/ft for 32#
Burst: 2500 psi shut in pressure at the surface with 10.0 ppg inside
and 9.0 ppg outside
CEMENTING PROCEDURE
Reciprocate: Not required, limit of 264,000 lbs based on 36# K-55 STC w/ a 1.6 SF
Lead CMT Slurry: 880 sks => Light Premium => 5 lbm/sk Gilsonite (LC) + 0.125 lbm/sk Poly E Flake (LC) + 0.5% Halad®-9
Specifications: 12.4 ppg / 1.87 ft3 / sk / 9.36 gal / sk
100% Excess
Tail CMT Slurry: 290 sks => Premium Cement => 94 lbm/sk Class G Cement + 0.125 lbm/sk Polyflake (LC) + 0.2% Halad®-9
Specifications: 15.6 ppg / 1.18 ft3 / sk / 5.19 gal / sk
100% Excess
Volume Based: All volumes listed are estimates only, for calculations use 12-1/4” X 9-5/8” annulus + 100% excess + shoe
joints + ~100 sks circulated @ surface, attempt to circulate cement to surface, excess volume is based on
experience.
Pressure Limits: 2000 psi while pumping or bumping plug due to collapse rating of the 9-5/8” 36# K-55 STC w/ a 1.0 SF
Test Required: Lab test w/ field water, want a 2 hr minimum @ 105 BHST
Temperature Survey: Required if cement does not circulate at surface, call Todd Gentles
@ (713) 369-8487 or 713-249-2805 for details
Other Equipment: Thread lock the bottom 3 joints of casing + all float equipment.
Lead Slurry: 610 sks => 50/50 Poz Standard => 0.2% Versaset + 0.15% Halad-766 + 1.5% Chem-Foamer 760
Specifications: 13.0 ppg / 1.44 ft3 / sk / 6.76 gal / sk
50% Excess
Tail Slurry: 300 sks => 50/50 Poz Standard =>0.25% Halad-766 + 0.2% Versaset
Specifications: 13.5 ppg / 1.28 ft3 / sk / 5.73 gal / sk
50% Excess
Cement Cap Slurry: 100 sks => Premium Cement => 94lbm/sk Class G Cement + 2% CaCl 2
Specifications: 15.6 ppg / 1.20 ft3 / sk / 5.26 gal / sk
Test Required: Lab test w/ field water, 3.25 hr minimum @ 200 BHST
Lab test w/ field water, 3.50 hr minimum @ 170 BHST
Special Note: 1. Circulate 3 annular volumes prior to cementing @ maximum rate possible.
2. Displace cement at the maximum rate possible.
3. Report volumes of cement circulated.
4. Report any circulation problems on the morning report.
5. Cement Co. => Send copy of pressure charts, job log and summary to:
Kinder Morgan, Attn: Todd Gentles, 500 Dallas, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77002.
SECTION 5 – Mud Program
The “standard” mud program and procedures used during the previous drilling programs at McElmo Dome will be employed during the
drilling operation of the well.
Follow the attached guidelines for drilling the Killer Shale, titled “Paradox Salt Drilling Procedure”, which is located at the back of this
prognosis. The recommendations have proven to be very successful in recent drilling programs.
Build 400-500 bbls Freshwater/Bardril-N for sweeps. Expect complete losses while drilling the lateral. Drill blind with freshwater at
normal pump rates. Circulate 20-30 Bardril-N sweeps each stand drilled to keep cuttings moving up the hole. Add Enviro-Torque with each
sweep for lubricity. Circulate 10 bbls 15% BDF-408 while drilling to prevent cuttings bed build-up.
If circulation is lost and unable to be regained, nitrogen will be added to the mud system to help lift the fluid for circulation and cuttings
movement. A specific description of this process is discussed in Section 8 of this prognosis.
SECTION 6 – Evaluation Program
A measure while drilling (MWD) tool with gamma ray (GR) capability will be run from 7775’ to casing point. GR response, mud logs, and
penetration rate will be used to determine the top of the Leadville formation and final casing point.
The Leadville formation bottom hole pressure is 2000 psi in the McElmo Dome area. Given the well depths of approximately 7900’, a
fresh water column provides approximately 3425 psi for well control.
H2S POTENTIAL
H2S is expected to be circulated to the surface during the drilling of the Killer Shales located at 6008’ - 7675’. The H2S contingency
plan that was used in the previous programs has been updated and revised and will be in force. All the necessary precautions, drills,
and training will be done to protect personnel on location. H2S monitors and safety equipment will be on location and operational prior
to drilling the section and remain until rig release.
SECTION 8 – Other Items
Circulation may be lost in the 4-3/4” horizontal production hole. In this situation, managed pressure drilling techniques will be
implemented. A normal fresh water fluid column of water is approximately 3425 psi downhole pressure, and the reservoir pressure is
2,400 psi - therefore an overbalanced condition exists. The fracture gradient of the formation is estimated at 0.6 to 0.7 psi/ft, which
equates to approximately 4750 to 5525 psi downhole pressure, which indicates fractures are not being induced; however, when a high
porosity zone is encountered in the Leadville, and the pore volume exists to take the fluid. At this point, there is a high probability of
sticking drill pipe as the cuttings flowing up the annulus immediately fallback.
A nitrogen managed pressure drilling package will be on standby on location while drilling the curve and lateral should this situation
occur. The nitrogen will be added into the mud system to lighten the hydrostatic pressure and regain circulation in a managed
pressure scenario. Managed pressure drilling equipment will be used to handle the return flow of nitrogen and any influx of CO2 gas
through a separator and vent stack. Well control is maintained by reducing or stopping the flow of nitrogen, which will kill the well.
A dedicated rig pump and kill line are also hooked up and ready to boost the water flow if needed. Well control is also a critical part
of the managed pressure drilling process; the measure while drilling (MWD) tool has a pressure while drilling (PWD) sensor which
feeds into the managed pressure drilling control system. The bottom hole pressure is constantly monitored to ensure the fluid column
is sufficient to control the well and is used to adjust the water and nitrogen mix to maintain circulation while drilling. An “at
balance” situation is the desired scenario.
In the event that the managed pressure system does not help regain circulation and carry cuttings out of the hole, the lateral will be
stopped short of the maximum target length of 2000’.