Basrah Oil Training Institute

Introduction To Oil Industry

Characteristics of Hydrocarbons
Drilling
 PETROLEUM

In its most general sense, the term “Petroleum” refers to the whole spectrum of Hydrocarbons
–
gaseous, liquid and solid.

Petroleum is natural mixture of Hydrocarbons and other substances

THE COVALENT BOND
Covalent bonds are a rac ve forces formed by sharing one or more pairs of electrons between atoms.
The shared electrons are donated equally by both atoms. When sharing electrons, the outer shells of
the two atoms will be completely filled by eight electrons (two for hydrogen). Covalent bonds are
either single, double or triple.

Single Covalent Bond

Double Covalent Bond

Triple Covalent Bond

HYDROCARBONS – CLASSIFICATION
Hydrocarbons are organic compounds consis ng exclusively of
Hydrogen and Carbon atoms.
Hydrocarbons are classified according to the way the carbon atoms are bonded together and the number
of hydrogen atoms a ached to them. From the carbon chain forma on, we have two main classes of
hydrocarbons :-

Organic Chemistry is the

chemistry of Carbon
HYDROCARBONS – CLASSIFICATION
1. ALIPHATIC COMPOUNDS

In ALIPHATIC compounds, the atoms are arranged in the chain to give an ‘OPEN’ structure. The open
chain can be either ‘Straight’ or ‘Branched’.

2. CYCLIC COMPOUNDS

CYCLIC compounds form a ‘Closed’ chain or ‘Ring’ structure.

The hydrocarbon molecules consist of Carbon and Hydrogen atoms. When a molecule is
‘SATURATED’ it can take no more hydrogen atoms. An ‘UNSATURATED’ molecule is highly reac ve
because it has ‘room’ for more hydrogen atoms.
ALIPHATIC HC’s STRAIGHT CHAIN ALKANES

The Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbon compounds in which each carbon atom is bonded to 4 other
atoms–(other carbons or hydrocarbons).

They have only ‘Single carbon – carbon bonds’ (and single hydrogen bonds), in their molecules.

The general formula for Alkanes is (CnH2n+2)

Where ‘n’ is a number corresponding to the number of carbon atoms.

The simplest alkane is called ‘METHANE’ (CH4).

ALIPHATIC HC’s–STRAIGHT CHAIN ALKANES
FORMUL A OF SOME A L K ANE S
Compound Name Molecular Formula Structural Formula

Methane CH 4 H C H
H

H H
E thane C 2H 6 H C C H
H H

H H H

Propane C 3H 8 H C C C H
H H H

H H H H
B utane C 4H 1 0 H C C C C H
H H H H
H H H H H
Pentane C 5H 1 2 H C C C C C H
H H H H H

H H H H H H
Hexane C 6H 1 4 H C C C C C C H
H H H H H H

H H H H H H H
Heptane C 7H 1 6 H C C C C C C C H
H H H H H H H
SOME PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF N-ALKANES
Name Number of Formula State at Boiling
Carbon N.T.P. Point (0C)
Atoms

Methane 1 CH4 Gas  162

Ethane 2 C 2H 6 Gas  89

Propane 3 C 3H 8 Gas  42

Butane 4 C4H10 Gas 0

Pentane 5 C5H12 Liquid 37

Hexane 6 C6H14 Liquid 69

Heptane 7 C7H16 Liquid 98

Octane 8 C8H18 Liquid 126

Nonane 9 C9H20 Liquid 151

 ALIPHATIC HC’s – BRANCHED CHAIN ALKANES
Alkans group start with ‘BUTANE’ and can exist as BRANCH CHAIN MOLECULES. ‘

These branch chains are referred to as ‘ISOMERS’ (usually ‘Iso… for short). Isomers are saturated, single
Bond compounds. Following are some examples of Isomers.

H H H H H H H H
H H H H C
H C C C C C H H C C H
H C C C C H
H H H H H H H
H H H H
H C H
Normal Butane n-C4H10 Normal-Pentane n-C5H12
H
H Iso-Butane i-C4H10
H H H H
H C H
H H
H C C C C H
H C C C H
H H H
H C H H H
H C H
H H
Iso-Pentane i-C5H12 Iso-Pentane i-C5H12
ALIPHATIC HC’s - CYCLO ALKANES
These are formed by the ‘closing’ of the carbon chain. Each ‘C’ atom uses TWO electrons to form bonds
with two other ‘C’ atoms. The two remaining electrons of each ‘C’, can bond with ‘H’atoms to give a
Saturated molecule. The general formula is ( CnH2n).

C C
Cyclopropane (C3H6) C

Cyclopentane (C5H10)

Cyclohexane (C6H12)
ALIPHATIC HC’s – ALKENES

The alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds containing a carbon-carbon ‘Double Bond’.

The general formula for Alkenes is (CnH2n) where ‘n’represents a number equal to the number of ‘C’atoms.

The simplest alkene is called ‘ETHENE’ or ‘ETHELENE’. Its chemical formula is (C2H4), and its structural
formula is:

H H
H C C H
ALIPHATIC HC’s – ALKENES
FORMUL A OF SOME A L K E NE S
Compound Name Molecular Formula Structural Formula

H H
E thene C 2H 4
H C C H

H H H

Propene C 3H 6 H C C C H

H
H H H H

B utene C 4H 8 H C C C C H
H H
H H H H H
Pentene C 5H 1 0 H C C C C C H
H H H

H H H H H H
Hexene C 6H 1 2 H C C C C C C H
H H H H

H H H H H H H
Heptene C 7H 1 4 H C C C C C C C H
H H H H H
ALIPHATIC HC’s – ALKENES
1. Alkenes Combus on C2H4 + 3O2 2CO2 + 2H2O + Heat

2. Alkenes Hydrogena on: Alkenes can react with hydrogen in the presence of nickel or pla num that
act as a catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reac on. Hydrogena on
converts alkenes to alkanes.
Pt

3. Alkenes Polymeriza on: is the joining together of a large number of small molecules to form one
large molecule. The product of the reac on is called a polymer. Gaseous alkenes can polymerize
when exposed to high temperature and pressure to form long chains of carbon atoms. When ethene
is heated under a pressure of 100 atmospheres in the presence of oxygen, its molecules join together
to form polyethene.
ALIPHATIC HC’s – ALKYNES
The alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with a carbon-carbon ‘Triple Bond’in their molecules.

The general formula for alkynes is: (C n H 2n-2)

The alkynes are given their name by dropping the ‘-ane’ ending of its corresponding alkane, and replacing
it with ‘-yne’.

The simplest alkyne is called ‘ETHYNE’ or ‘ACETYLENE’. Its molecular formula is (C2 H 2 ), and the structural
formula is:
H C C H
1. Combus on of Alkynes is: C2H2 + 5/2O2 2CO2 + H2O + Heat

2. The reac on takes place in two steps. In the first step ethene is produced, and in the second
step ethene is hydrogenated to ethane with the help of the catalyst. The net reac on is:
Pt
C2H2 + 2H2 CH3 CH3
ALIPHATIC HC’s – ALKYNES
Compound Name Molecular Formula Structural Formula
H C C H

E thyne C 2H 2

H
Propyne C 3H 4 H C C C H

H
H H
B utyne C 4H 6 H C C C C H

H H
H H H
Pentyne C 5H 8 H C C C C C H
H H H

H H H H

Hexyne C 6H 1 0 H C C C C C C H
H H H H
 ALIPHATIC HC’s - ALKADIENES
The alkadienes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with TWO ‘Double Bonds’ in their molecules (have
two – ene groups – hence the ‘- diene’ ending).

The posi ons of the two double bonds are specified by numbers, and the general formula is (CnH2n-2).
The two most important alkadienes are:

Structural Formula

A. Buta – 1,3 – diene C C C C

B. 2 - Methyl – 1,3 – butadiene C C C C

(Isoprene)
C
ALIPHATIC HC’s - CYCLO ALKANES
Side Groups on Cycloalkanes C
C C C
Methyl – Cyclohexane
C C
C
C
C C
1,2 – Dimethyl - Cyclohexane
C C
C

1,3 – Dimethyl - Cyclohexane C C C

C C
C

C
UNSATURATED CYCLIC COMPOUNDS

Cyclic compounds can also be unsaturated by containing a double bond in the ‘Ring Chain’. Their
general formula is (CnH2n-2).

The most important group of cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons is the ‘AROMATIC’ series.

The simplest aroma c compound is BENZENE (C6H6). All other aroma cs are based on the Benzene
Ring molecule which has alterna ng single & double bonds within the carbon ring chain. Due to this,
each ‘C’ atom has used up to 3 bonds leaving only a single bond to a ach to another atom.
AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
Aroma c hydrocarbons contain one or more aroma c rings
Aroma c rings are cons tuted of six carbon atoms bound with alterna ng single and double bonds.
This par cular structure is characterized by high chemical stability.
The most simple aroma c hydrocarbon is benzene
Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylenes are commonly indicated as BTEX

Benzene
Tolue (C6H6)
ne
BENZENE (C6H6)

The double bonding in the molecule is not fixed. They are constantly changing posi on and maintain
the alterna ng arrangement. This phenomenon is called (Resonance).

Double bonds are

delocalized over the ring
Benzene Resonance Structures
NON-HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS
Sulfur:
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S)
Mercaptans (R-S-H) R= Radical Ca on
Sulphides (R-S-R)
Polysulphydes (R-S-S-R)
Nitrogen: Elemental nitrogen (N2) is present in gas. Oil may also contain very small amounts of organic N2
compounds
Oxygen: Elemental oxygen (O2) and Carbon dioxide (CO2) is present in gas. Oil may also contain very small
amounts of organic oxygen compounds.
Metallic: Many metals are found in crude oils; some of the more abundant are sodium, calcium, magnesium,
iron, copper, vanadium, and nickel. These normally occur in the form of water-soluble inorganic
salts or in the form of organometallic compounds.
Radioac ve Compounds
CRUDE OIL COMPOSITION
Typical Contaminante Content

Sulphur compounds (H2S, mercaptans, etc.) (between 1.5-2% to 10%)

Nitrogen compounds (1-1.5%)

Oxygen compounds (phenols and organic acids) (up to 2%)

Water (0.1-2%)

Salts (0.02-2 kg/m3)

Sediments (0.002-1 kg/m3)

TYPES OF CRUDE OIL
 Crude oil is classified as
 Light crude oil contains a greater concentra on of light hydrocarbons and a smaller
concentra on of heavy hydrocarbons
 Heavy crude oil contains a smaller concentra on of light hydrocarbons and a greater concentra on
of heavy hydrocarbons

 Crude oil is classified based on the amount of Sulphur compound

 Sweet crude oil contains low concentra on of sulphur compounds, mainly hydrogen sulphide (H2S).
 Sour crude oil contains high concentra on of sulphur compounds.

 Crude oil is classified based on the amount of water

Dry crude oil contains a li le amount or no water.
Wet crude oil contains a large amount of water
TYPES OF CRUDE OIL

Crude oils vary in color, from clear to tar-black, and in viscosity, from water to almost solid.

CLASS NATURE °API

LIGHT PARAFFINIC >34

LIGHT NAPHTENIC >34

LIGHT /MEDIUM INTERMEDIATE 34-25

HEAVY AROMATIC 25-8

API GRAVITY
The API gravity is an oil field measurement used for crude oil and liquid products that are stored at
atmospheric pressure. This standard measurement was established by the American Petroleum Ins tute
.as a subs tute to specific gravity. The API gravity of a liquid is inversely related to specific gravity

PRODUCT SPECIFIC GRAVITY API GRAVITY

sphalt 0.99 110
Heavy Crude 0.95 170
Medium Crude 0.89 270
Light Crude 0.84 370

Gasoline 0.74 600

 API GRAVITY
141.5
API =
0
 131.5
specific gravity
Correc on to S.T.P
 Temperature = 600F (150C)
 Pressure = 14.7 Psia (atmospheric
pressure at the sea level)
FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION OF CRUDE OIL
NATURAL GAS COMPOSITION
Raw natural gas may come from any one of the three types of gas wells:

• Crude Oil (as associated gas).

• Dry gas wells ( as non-associated gas). Contains lower concentra ons of C5+ than the associated
gas.

• Condensate wells (as Wet Gas).

NATURAL GAS COMPONENTS
 Natural gas is 60-90% methane (C1)
 Successively lower concentra ons of ethane (C2), propane (C3) and butane (C4)
 Very low concentra ons of gasoline vapors (C5+)
 Nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases are not flammable.
 Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and mercaptans. These gases are toxic and corrosive.
NATURAL GAS COMPOSITION
Typical NG Composi on (before any treatment)

Component Associated Gas Non-Associated Gas

methane C1 62.2% 89.4%
volatile
ethane C2 15.1% 6.0%
propane C3 6.6% 2.2%
butane C4 2.4% 1.0% less volatile
gasoline vapours C5+ 1.1% .7%
TYPES OF NATURAL GAS
1. Dry NG: the concentra on of C3+ is less than 100 gal/MMCF.
2. Lean NG: the concentra on of C3+ is 100-300 gal/MMCF.
3. Wet NG: the concentra on of C3+ is more than 300 gal/MMCF.

(gal/MMCF  gallons per million cubic feet)

C3+ are the components of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Wet natural gas produces more LPG than
dry natural gas.

From the usage point of view, natural gas is classified as SWEET or SOUR.

Sweet NG: contains low concentra on of hydrogen sulphide (H2S).

Sour NG: contains high concentra on of hydrogen sulphide (H2S).
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING
Fractionation is carried out under very high pressure.

Inorganic gases and impurities have to be removed.

Component Boiling Point

methane C1  161.5oC ( 258.7oF)

ethane C2  88.5oC ( 127.7oF)

propane C3  41.8oC ( 43.3oF)

butane C4  0.5oC (31.1oF)

gasoline vapours C5+ 36.7+oC (98.0+oF)

Boiling points of the components of natural gas

NATURAL GAS PROCESSING
MAIN HYDROCARBONS CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES
 Density
The density is defined as a mediums mass per unit volume mass is property. The usual units
are kg/m3 or lbm/ 3. Density varies with pressure and temperature.

Relative density is the density of the system divided by that of reference substance at specified
conditions. Relative density is the new SI metric terms replacing specific gravity. The reference for liquid
is water; for gas it is air.
уL = (ρ liquid)/ (ρ water)

уg = (ρ gas)/ (ρ air) = (M gas)/ (M air) where: M =

relative molecular weight

уL = 141.50/(131.5+°API)
MAIN HYDROCARBONS CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES
 Viscosity
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow.
It describes the internal fric on of a moving fluid.

The coefficient of viscosity (normally shortened to dynamic viscosity) is a shear force per unit area.
The poise was the original unit; 1 poise= 1 (dyne -sec)/cm2. For petroleum systems the cen poises
(cp) is the most convenient unit. It may be expressed in force units or equivalent mass units. In SI
metric the Pa s is the preferred unit.

1.cSt = 1.0 mm2/s = 1.08 (E-05) 2

/s
MAIN HYDROCARBONS CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES
 Compressibility
The compressibility of a gas defined by

If the gas behaves ideally, then Z= 1 at all pressures and temperatures.

For real gases, however, Z varies with pressure, and deviates from its ideal value.
MAIN HYDROCARBONS CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES
 Hea ng Value

Hea ng Value: Amount of energy released when a fuel is burned completely in a steady-flow
process and the products are returned to the state of the reactants.

The hea ng value is dependent on the phase of water/steam in the combus on products. If H2O

is in liquid form, hea ng value is called HHV (Higher Hea ng Value). When H2O is in vapour
form, hea ng value is called LHV (Lower Hea ng Value).
MAIN HYDROCARBONS CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES
 Boiling Point
the temperature at which the vapour pressure of a liquid is equal to the external pressure.

Hydrocarbons Boiling Point

MAIN HYDROCARBONS CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES
 Vola lity
Describes how easily a substance will vaporize (turn into a gas or vapour).

A volatile substance can be defined as:

1. A substance that evaporates readily at normal temperatures
2. One that has a measurable vapour pressure.

vapour pressure of a liquid is the pressure exerted by its vapour when the liquid and vapour are in
dynamic equilibrium.

Vapour pressure and boiling point have an intimate relationship. The boiling point is the temperature at
which the vapour pressure of the liquid equals the external pressure.
MAIN HYDROCARBONS CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES
 H/C Dew Point
The condensa on temperature of heavy hydrocarbon components in gas
WELL AND WELL TYPES

A well is a hole drilled in the earth from which petroleum flows or is pumped

There are wells that produce:

 Oil
 Oil and Natural Gas
 Only Natural Gas
 WELL AND WELL TYPES

Another way to classify oil wells is by their purpose in contribu ng to the development
of a resource. They can be characterized as:

 Explora on wells

 Appraisal wells

 Wildcat wells

 Produc on wells
WELL AND WELL TYPES

At a producing well site, ac ve wells may be further categorised as:

 Oil Producers

 Gas Producers

 Water Injectors

 Gas Injectors

 Aquifer Producers
WELL AND WELL TYPES

A well consists of Conductor casing, Surface casing,

Intermediate casing and Produc on casing. Produc on
tubing is the inner most component of the well
through which oil and gas flows from well bo om to
the surface facility.

Well Schema c
OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE

An oil well is a general term for any boring through the Earth's surface that is
designed to find and acquire Oil and Gas or hydrocarbons. Usually some natural gas
is produced along with the oil. A well that is designed to produce mainly or only gas
is termed a gas well. The crea on and life cycle of a well can be divided up into five
segments:

• Planning
• Drilling
• Comple on
• Produc on
• Abandonment.
 OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE
Planning

- Geologists are the ones who are responsible for finding oil. Their task is to find the right condi ons for
an oil trap - the right source rock, reservoir rock and entrapment.
- Many years ago, geologists interpreted surface features, surface rock and soil types, and perhaps some
small core samples obtained by shallow drilling.
- Modern oil geologists examine surface rocks and terrain, with the addi onal help of satellite images.
- However, they also use a variety of other methods to find oil. They use sensi ve gravity meters to
measure ny changes in the Earth's gravita onal field that could indicate flowing oil, as well as sensi ve
magnetometers to measure ny changes in the Earth's magne c field caused by flowing oil.
- They even detect the smell of hydrocarbons using sensi ve electronic noses called sniffers.
- Finally and most commonly, they use seismology, crea ng shock waves that pass through hidden rock
layers and interpre ng those waves that are reflected back to the surface.
OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE
Planning

- Seismologists interpret the readings for signs of oil and gas traps. Once geologists find a
prospec ve oil strike, they mark the loca on using GPS coordinates on land or by marker
buoys on water.
- Once the site has been selected, scien sts survey the area to determine its boundaries,
and conduct environmental impact studies if necessary.
- A er all the legal issues are se led, the crew goes about preparing the land for drilling.
OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE

• Once the land has been prepared, several holes are dug to make way for the rig and the main hole.
• A rectangular pit called a cellar is dug around the loca on of the actual drilling hole.
• The cellar provides a work space around the hole for the workers and drilling accessories.
• The crew then begins drilling the main hole.
• The first part of the hole is larger and shallower than the main por on, and is lined with a large-
diameter conductor pipe.
• The well is created by drilling a hole 5 to 50 inches (127.0 mm to 914.4 mm) in diameter into the earth
with a drilling rig that rotates a drill string with a bit a ached.
• A er the hole is drilled, sec ons of steel pipe (casing), slightly smaller in diameter than the borehole,
are placed in the hole.
• Cement is placed between the outside of the casing and the borehole.
OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE

• The casing provides structural integrity to the newly drilled wellbore, in addi on to isola ng
poten ally dangerous high pressure zones from each other and from the surface.
• With these zones safely isolated and the forma on protected by the casing, the well can be drilled
deeper (into poten ally more-unstable and violent forma ons) with a smaller bit, and also cased
with a smaller size casing.
• Modern wells o en have two to five sets of subsequently smaller hole sizes drilled inside one
another, each cemented with the casing.
• This process is all facilitated by a drilling rig which contains all necessary equipment to circulate the
drilling fluid, hoist and turn the pipe, control downhole, remove cu ngs from the drilling fluid, and
generate on-site power for these opera ons.
OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE
OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE

When a well drilling is completed, its casing appearance will be as given below:
 OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE
Comple on

• A er drilling and casing the well, it must be 'completed'. Comple on is the process in which
the well is enabled to produce oil or gas.
• In a cased-hole comple on, small holes called perfora ons are made in the por on of the
casing which passed through the produc on zone, to provide a path for the oil to flow from
the surrounding rock into the produc on tubing.
• In many wells, the natural pressure of the subsurface reservoir is high enough for the oil or
gas to flow to the surface. However, this is not always the case, especially in depleted fields
where the pressures have been lowered by other producing wells, or in low permeability oil
reservoirs.
• Installing smaller diameter tubing may be enough to help the produc on, but ar ficial li
methods may also be needed. Common solu ons include downhole pumps, gas li , or
surface pump jacks.
 OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE
Produc on

• The produc on stage is the most important stage of a well's life, when the oil and gas are
produced.
• By this me, the oil rigs and workover rigs used to drill and complete the well have moved off
the wellbore, and the top is usually ou i ed with a collec on of valves called a Christmas tree.
• These valves regulate pressures, control flows and allow access to the wellbore in case further
comple on work is needed.
• From the outlet valve of the produc on tree, the flow can be connected to a distribu on
network
of pipelines and to degassing sta on to separate and supply the products to refineries, natural
gas compressor sta ons, or oil export terminals.
• As long as the pressure in the reservoir remains high enough, the Christmas tree is all that is
required to produce the well. If the pressure depletes and it is considered economically viable,
ar ficial li methods can be employed.
OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE
Produc on

Xmas Tree
OIL & GAS WELL LIFE CYCLE
Abandonment

• A well is said to reach an "economic limit" when its most efficient produc on rate does not
cover the opera ng expenses, including taxes.
• When the economic limit is reached, the well becomes a liability and is abandoned.
• In this process, tubing is removed from the well and sec ons of well bore are filled with
cement to isolate the flow path between gas and water zones from each other, as well as the
surface.
• Completely filling the well bore with cement is costly and unnecessary.
• The surface around the wellhead is then excavated, and the wellhead and casing are cut off, a
cap is welded in place and then buried.
NORMAL DRILLING OPERATION

Normal drilling opera ons include:

 Drilling the hole and adding a new joint of pipe as
the hole deepens
 Tripping the drill string out the hole to put on a new
bit and then running it back to the bo om (making a
round trip)
 Running and cemen ng the large-diameter steel
casing used to seal selected intervals of the hole

Typical Wellbore Architecture

CASING
Casing is metallic pipe that is lowered into a well to cover the open hole, isola ng it
from the drilled forma ons. Once posi oned at the desired depth, casing is cemented
in place by pumping slurry inside it.

The func ons of casing are:

 To support the wellhead and the BOPs (blowout preventers).
 To allow mud circula on to the surface;
 To isolate forma ons having different pore pressure or fracture gradients;
 To exclude forma ons that can cause problems to drilling ac vi es because of their geological
characteris cs.
CASING
Casings can be divided into:

 STOVE PIPES

 CONDUCTOR PIPES

 SURFACE CASINGS

 INTERMEDIATE CASINGS

 PRODUCTION CASINGS

 LINEAR CASINGS
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
 Wells meant to be drilled ver cally will wander few degrees from ver cal and move in different direc ons

 Rou ne measurements are taken during drilling to determine if a well is devia ng from ver cal by more
than the allowed amount (normally less than 5 degrees).

 Direc onal drilling is used when a well is inten onally deviated to reach a bo omhole loca on (BHL) that
is different from the surface loca on (SL)

Direc onal drilling is done for many reasons:

 BHL might be under an obstruc on

 Several wells from fixed place
 Well become blocked with lost drilling tools
 Well drilled into unproduc ve part of the reservoir

 (see next few slides showing several reasons for direc onal drilling)
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
The two faster and o en more reliable methods of direc onal drilling are:

 Slide drilling with a motor

 Drilling with a rotary steerable assembly
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING

Logis c Problems Environmental Problems

DIRECTIONAL DRILLING

Original Well
Sidetrack
Correct Original Well
Well
ed Sidetrack
Path
Path
Original
Well
Reservoir

Mul -Target Wells To Aim at a Different Target

DIRECTIONAL DRILLING

Reservoir
Reservoir

Unapproachable Targets Relief Wells

HORIZONTAL DRILLING

Horizontal Well
Vertical Well
Long Radius
Medium Radius
Short Radius

Horizontal wells have wider drainage

areas than vertical ones

Horizontal drilling Different Types of Horizontal Wells

 DRILLING A SECTION OF HOLE
All the operations to drill a well are similar for every casing section and can be resumed as follow:

 Run bit a bit with predetermined diameter and BHA. Drill out the float collar, cement, and casing
shoe of the casing just run.
 Drill the new hole using the proper BHA for either a vertical or deviated hole to the casing point.
 During parameters, hydraulics and directional surveys will be in accordance with the drilling
programme. Mud and bits will be as per the drilling programme.
 On reaching the casing point, circulate just to have the shale shakers clean.
 Run electrical logs as per the Geological Programme.
 Run a bit to bottom to check the hole, circulate to condition the mud and pull out of the hole to run
the casing string.
 DRILLING A SECTION OF HOLE

 Run and cement the casing and wait on cement thickening.

 Pick up the BOP stack and hang the casing on its spool of the well
head, giving it appropriate tensile load.
 Nipple up the appropriate spool to well head if the next casing has to
be run.
 Lay down and reinstall the BOP stack and test as per the “Well
Control Policy”.
 Prepare the appropriate drill string and run a new size bit to start
drilling a new section hole.
Drill stem
BITS

There are several types of bits, which we shall discuss in turn:

Drag Bits
Rolling Cu er Bits
Diamond Bits
Special Purpose Bits
BITS
Drag Bits

The oldest of the rotary bits, the drag bit u lizes flat cu er blades to scrape away the rock. These bits,
though rela vely simple and inexpensive, and s ll used for drilling so , shallow forma ons, have been
largely replaced by other types.

Rolling Cu er Bit

This bit, which is also called a roller cone bit,

or rock bit, is the most commonly used today
and comes in a variety of designs

Two types of rolling cu er bit. (a) milled-tooth bit

(b) insert bit
BITS
Diamond bits

These bits operate similarly to drag bits, in that they have no moving parts such as cones or bearings,
but rely on industrial diamonds to crack and abrade the forma on. The diamonds are set in a high
strength steel matrix, with a pa ern and spacing op mally designed for the drilling condi ons
expected. The loca on of the drilling fluid outlets is cri cal in the design of a bit that will allow
cu ngs to be