Hydraulic Evaluation and Optimization of Directional Well in DLR-007 Well

Abstract

DLR-007 Well is an onshore development well in the DLR field that has been drilled directional S Type. As a result of its high inclination, one of the common challenges encountered in this well is poor hole cleaning. Hence, ensuring optimal hydraulics is important to ensure efficient removal of cuttings from the wellbore and to maintain Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) within the acceptable range throughout the drilling operations. The objective of this research is to evaluate the hydraulics performance of DLR-007 well and optimize the hydraulics by determining the most optimum drilling parameters and fulfilling the limitations. The hydraulic analysis is carried out by WellPlan Landmark Halliburton Software and the rheology model used is Herschel Bulkley. The analysis is focused on 8 ½” production section and carried out by choosing the optimum flow rate and bit nozzle size. Based on simulations result, the hydraulics of DLR-007 well are still poor due to the cuttings bed in the wellbore and bit performance is lower than limitations. After simulations is carried out using flow rate of 470 – 580 gpm and bit TFA of 0.614 in2, the hydraulic result is optimum that indicated by good hole cleaning and other parameters such as pressure loss, flow regime, ECD, and bit hydraulics is fulfill the limitations.