Tu D 19

Optimization of Drilling and Production

Operations by Application of Laser Technology on
Iranian Fields
M. Soleymani (Research Institute of Petroleum Industry), M. Bakhtbidar*
(National Iranian South Oil Company), S. Rayatdoost (Research Institute of
Petroleum Industry) & A. Ghajari (Research Institute of Petroleum
Industry)

SUMMARY
Petroleum industry welcomes new drilling technologies that not only decrease oil and gas wells drilling
costs but also increase rate of penetration. Entry of new advanced technologies to the oil and gas industry
in the countries having hydrocarbon resources led them to improve their position in the world, likewise
moving toward greater profitability. Abandonment of traditional methods and good infrastructure for
research and development of new technologies could be the key to advancing this industry as well as
reducing the related heavy costs. According to the statistics, in the drilling of a well 48% of time spent on
drilling from surface to the reservoir, 27% spent for bit replace and casing running, and 25% spent for
logging while drilling. The methods which could be reduce the time of drilling, and bit replacing time
would be very effective in reducing the costs. Our experiments demonstrated that the laser drilling method
is the best way for saving in time and cost in oil and gas wells drilling and completion.
Moreover, results shows we can imaging many applications of laser beam in petroleum industry such as,
laser perforation, mud cake removal, and create the windows in order to production of multilateral layers.

6th Saint Petersburg International Conference & Exhibition – Geosciences – Investing in the Future
Saint Petersburg, Russia, 7-10 April 2014
Introduction
Using laser for rock drilling having high heat transfer coefficient results in evaporating accumulated
crystal water with solution mineral materials at stone, expansion of stone and finally fractures made in
structure of stone. In different tests it is used from laser working with nitrogen gas. Reason of using
nitrogen gas is burning discharged gases during stone drilling and discharging vapor. This gas results
in cleaning crushes. In rotating drilling it is used from transferring fluids from bottom of well to
surface of well, meanwhile research in the field of laser drilling by presence of drilling fluid is
continued by Graves and O’Brien (1998).
Maybe one of the drilling parameter that is less attention is rate of penetration. Rate of penetration
(ROP) is regarded as one of the fundamental factors in oil and gas well drilling, so that cost of drilling
depends on this parameter. ROP is obtained from following equation (1):

(1)

According to above relation, the unit of measurement of ROP is in accordance with cm/s which can
be changed to ft/h. Actualy, the ROP has a direct relationship with the (SP) and have reversed with
the (SE).

Spallation and Melting Zone Identified

Lasers utilize three methods of rock destruction; spallation, melting, and vaporizing; and can be
controlled to the extent of the application of these parameters. Since the temperature of the exposed
rock sample remains below the melt temperature of the quartz grains, the primary rock removal
method is spallation. The spallation temperatures in limestone have been documented as ranging
between 540 – 700 0C. Should local temperatures rise and phase changes occur in the rock minerals,
such as melting and vaporization, absorbed energy is redirected away from the rock cutting process.
In the case of Limestone, the mechanism of laser rock interaction with Limestone is different from
Sandston due to the chemical composition different. The physical and chemical changes in limestone
were different due to mineralogy and chemical composition. Thermal dissociation takes place when
limestone interacts with the laser, producing carbon dioxide (CO2), (Equation 2). No melting was
observed in limestone, due to the thermal dissociation of CaCO3

CaCO3 → CaO + CO2↑ (2)

Method and Discussion

Over 18 core samples taken from Iranian formations, have been exposed to laser energy in laboratory
settings. Rocks types lased include Sandstone, Limestone, and Shale (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Rock samples drilled by laser system, left to right: Limestone, Shale, and Sandstone.

Laser system uses from its 100% power by rate of radiation nearly 10mm/s. In this test it was used
from spiral mechanism for drilling in which stone was drilled for 66sec with diameter of 1cm.

6th Saint Petersburg International Conference & Exhibition – Geosciences – Investing in the Future
Saint Petersburg, Russia, 7-10 April 2014
Porosity Measurement Methods
The porosity of the samples was obtained with CT scanning technology. CT scan images are obtained
from lased and unlased rock samples and subsequently used to calculate bulk density and porosity
changes around the lased area; measure compressibility and compaction in the lased area; and
calculate volume of rock removed from the lased hole. Scanning mode and operating conditions are
similar to the procedure indicated in Wellington and Vinegar Tian and Lu (2000).
Bulk density calculations from CT images are performed using the method adopted by Lindgren:

(3)

Porosity is calculated at various profiles close to and away from the lased hole. The calculations apply
the single scan method [4]:

(4)
If the pore space is filled only with gas [Wellington, 1987]:

(5)

Permeability Measurement Methods

The permeability of the samples was obtained using pressure-decay profile permeameter (PDPK). The
PDPK-300 was used for measuring permeability before and after lasing for purposes of accuracy and
consistency. Another reason for using PDPK-300 is that it has no shape restriction on the sample, as
long as there is a small flat area of one square centimeter available for the probe to lower down and
seal the surface to inject gas for the permeability measurement.

Result

Change in physical properties of rock

Evaluation of rock properties includes a number of physical and chemical analyses at both
microscopic (petrographic thin sections) and macroscopic (core samples) scales. Some of the
analytical techniques used in this work are standard methods and are actively applied in many
engineering disciplines. In the case of some of the analytical methods used (Simultaneous Thermal
Analysis) this study represent the first attempt to apply them to evaluate reservoir rock properties.
The analysis of the lased rocks showed that porosity (Table 1) and permeability (Table 2).

Table 1 Comparison of porosity before and after lasing for three groups of samples.
Sample Porosity Before Lased Porosity After Lased Increase %
Sandstone-1 0.25 0.40 160
Sandstone-2 0.18 0.35 194
Limestone-1 0.02 0.08 400
Limestone-2 0.02 0.06 300
Shale-1 0.05 0.09 180
Shale-2 0.04 0.09 225

Table 2Comparison of permeability before and after lasing for three groups of samples
Sample Permeability Before Permeability After Increase %
Sandstone-1 628 691 110
Sandstone-2 554 674 121
Limestone-1 85 139 164
Limestone-2 104 148 142
Shale-1 0.07 0.12 171
Shale-2 0.27 0.51 189

6th Saint Petersburg International Conference & Exhibition – Geosciences – Investing in the Future
Saint Petersburg, Russia, 7-10 April 2014
Bulk density calculations done using CT images show that in the lased area, bulk density of rocks are
reduced by about 25% due to dehydration of hydrous minerals and the formation of microcracks
induced by laser heat Wellington and Vinegar (1987).
Thin section was used to map the microfractures around the lased hole. Figure 2 shows both micro
and macro fractures. Cross-cutting relations between the laser induced fractures and the primary
fractures of the rock are used to define pre- and post-lasing fractures.
Both thin sections and SEM images show that laser-induced microfractures are formed in different
scales depending upon porosity and grain size of the lased rocks. These fractures increase
permeability and porosity in the lased area while reducing strength.

Figure 2 Thin section image of limestone before and after lasing (Microfractures appears at the rock
matrix after lasing)

Effect of Laser Drilling on Cost of Drilling

Cost of each foot drilling oil and gas well is obtained through following equation:

(6)

As it is inferred from above formula, cost of drilling has vice versa relationship with length of drilling
(F), so that while using laser system instead of drilling system, length of drilling by laser system is
increased. Therefore great section of drilling cost is decreased. It seems that due to using electric
energy instead of mechanical energy in laser system, level of damage during drilling is decreased
which requires more research. In addition by using laser system, duration of working days of drilling
rig, tripping time for changing bit is decreased.
Considerably, manufacturing and commercializing the laser drilling machine reduce the drilling
operation time while increasing rate of penetration. Experiments has proven using laser drilling
machine can increase 4 to 5 times rate of penetration compared to current rotary drilling method.
Also, the permeability around production zone will be improved 60-90 percent due to create the
fractures into rock matrix caused by laser technology. This result led us to increase our production
rate about 70% with the least formation damage. The useful lifetime of laser machine is about
200,000 hours which the calculations have shown a device can operate drilling of 200 wells
effectively. Therefore it is expected to save about $ 800 million and profitability as well in petroleum
industry.

Effect of purging gas on drilling depth

Experimental results gave some answers to regarding the purging improvement, application of Air
pomp (Air amplifier) to remove rock cutting. Purging operation is important for cuttings removals and
clear the path for the beam deliver to the rock. Dust, debris and cuttings from perforated hole will
absorb the beams, therefore less energy will be delivered to the rock sample. In addition, these dusts
caused for skin in perforated zone. Figure 3 shows actual laser cutting and dust from laser rock
drilling. This photo magnified with camera about 12X. The purging method improved by adjusting
the distance between purifying nozzle to the rock sample surface and the angle of purify and the flow
pressure. The optimized angle was found to be 28o - 40o and the optimized distance from the target
was 1 inch. In this experiment we encountered with limited facilities, so laser system and air pomp
that using in this research had low power. However, by using this power we determined precision

6th Saint Petersburg International Conference & Exhibition – Geosciences – Investing in the Future
Saint Petersburg, Russia, 7-10 April 2014
result. The angle and the distance were the most efficient in removing the dust and debris from
perforation hole which allow the energy to be delivered to the formation. In ideal condition, if the
purging is efficient, then the laser should create a typical hole identical to the shape of the beam, the
hole created in the sample should match the shape of the beams.

Figure 3 Rock cutting obtained through laser drilling operation.

Conclusion
Using laser system instead of rotating drilling system in drilling industry has several advantages;
however, these advantages depends on many parameters of laser and also type of laser. As it was
indicated in this paper, by entrance of laser drilling system into oil and gas well drilling industry, we
may observe considerable advance in this industry. It is to be noted that entrance of this system into
drilling industry requires several field test and passing time. This task may be started by drilling
specified layers, especially problematic layers and to develop and stabilize it upon passing time. By
virtue of results it is observed that, increasing rate of stone drilling results in decreasing level of
required energy for stone drilling as resulted in Bakhtbidar et al (2011) experimental works. In non-
saturated samples, the highest rate of penetration was related to Sandstone and among saturated
samples, the highest rate of penetration was related to Shale. Whereas most of the drilled formations
of Iran were either Shale or Sandstone, it is possible to conclude that entrance of this system into
drilling industry, results in great revolution at drilling industry. Due to limitation of present article, the
tested samples were among three groups and consequently for having general conclusion it is possible
to use other type of stone as: carbonate, dolomite, granite, ant etc which requires broad research and
cooperation with related organization. It seems that using laser drilling while soil is loose and there is
possibility of collapsing micro stones is not useful, since rate of rotating drilling in these sections is
higher than laser drilling. In addition, according to excess radius of well at initial sections, level of
required energy for stone drilling is increased and consequently rate of penetration is decreased. It
seems that by using laser drilling in bottom layers which are full of micro drilling, dust and light
weight, it is possible to use air fluids of micro drilling to direct dust created as a result of laser drilling
toward out of well. Whereas dusts are directed toward outside through air, in order to transfer these
dusts it is not used from oil based fluids which results in deceasing environmental pollution. With
respect to other aspects it seems that fishing operation inside of oil and gas well may be improved by
using laser. It is to be noted that this technology is useful when we are faced with small and
unimportant fishs in which discharging them is not necessary. It is possible to melt these materials
inside of well and continue drilling operation. Nowadays improving perforation operation of oil and
gas well by using laser is being carefully investigated by oil engineers Xu et al. (2004) have recently
shown. At the end it is necessary to mention that complete entrance of new technology into each
industry, requires enough time and several tests. It is obvious that at the first entrance of any new
technology, it is faced with some problems and deficiencies; however, by passing enough time and
developing researches, it is possible to solve problem and stabilize new technology.

NOMENCLATURE
: Attenuation coefficient of solid rock
: Bulk density of the matrix
: Porosity of the fragmented medium
: Attenuation coefficient of rock matrix

6th Saint Petersburg International Conference & Exhibition – Geosciences – Investing in the Future
Saint Petersburg, Russia, 7-10 April 2014
 : Saturation of fluid in pore spaces
: Attenuation coefficient of fluid in pores
: Saturation of gas in pore spaces
: Attenuation coefficient of gas in pores
ROP : Rate of penetration, cm/s
SP : Power per unit area, w/cm2
SE : Amount of energy required to remove a unit of rock, w.s/cm3
Pavg : Average power of laser, w
Ar : Drilling area, cm2
t : Time of radiation, s
Vr : Unit of drilling volume, cm3

Reference

[1] Graves, R. and Brien, D.G. [1998] StarWars Laser Technology Applied to Drilling and
Completion Gas Wells. SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, SPE 549259.

[2] Tian, Z. and Lu, L. [2000] Determining Petrophysical Parameters of Rock during Phase
Displacement with CT Technique. SPE International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition,
SPE64768.

[3] Wellington, S.L. and Vinegar, H.J. [1987] X-Ray Computerized Tomography. Journal of
Petroleum Technology, 28, 885-898.

[4] Bakhtbidar, M. [2011] Laboratory Experiments Investigation of Effect of Laser Energy on a

Variety Rock Types: An Exploration Innovative Technology. 73rd EAGE Conference & Exhibition
Incorporating SPE EUROPEC, EarthDoc 10716.

[5] Xu, Z. [2004] Laser spallation of rocks for oil well drilling. 23rd PICALO conference. LIA 140.

6th Saint Petersburg International Conference & Exhibition – Geosciences – Investing in the Future
Saint Petersburg, Russia, 7-10 April 2014