SPE-186918-MS

Drilling of HPHT High Angle Well in a Fractured Reservoir-A Case Study

Mohannad Al-Mohailan, Mahesh Sounderrajan, Salah Al-Azmi, Dipak Pralhad Patil, Karthik Nellayappan, and
J. Aljarki, Kuwait Oil Company

Copyright 2017, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition held in Jakarta, Indonesia, 17-19 October 2017.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect
any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written
consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
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Abstract
Kuwait has been drilling and producing from the deep, sour Jurassic reservoirs during the past 30 years.
Drilling high angle wells / horizontal wells can provide a means to intersect possible oil bearing fractures
besides extending the drain hole length for increasing productivity. The wells drilled to these prospects are
challenging because of HPHT conditions, narrow mud weight window and sour gas. The Jurassic reservoirs
itself exists below a deep high pressure formation G bearing multi Salt-Anhydrite sequences.
The Jurassic wells are typically based on big bore well design with the final hole size ending in 6 ½"/6"
hole size. The well constructions typically comprise of seven casing policy and requires 15 K well control
equipment. It is imperative that surface/intermediate casing strings are run to the maximum depths possible
in order to reach well TD in the planned workable hole size. The isolation of formation G with the planned
10 ¾″ casing is essential to drill and complete the wells efficiently.
In well A-14, due to complex geology, the required formation top could not be ascertained. The well
construction was altered to case off the unexpected recurrent high pressure section which led to downsizing
of the available hole sizes to drill upper and lower Jurassic reservoirs in slim hole. As the planned horizontal
of required length was deemed infeasible in 4 ½" hole size, the well was converted to an high angle well. The
unusual presence of fracture corridor with high pressure hydrocarbons below formation G posed a series
of challenges. The drilling window was extremely narrow between 18.4-18.6 ppg where drilling had to be
continued either with ECD or under losses with high density fluid of 18.5 ppg. The requirement to achieve
the well profile with known limitation of directional drilling tools to use LCM pills was planned with due
controls. On many occasions, the removal of ECD resulted in gains and many well control operations had
to be resorted to including bull heading during trips.
The well was drilled to TD and the upper Jurassic reservoir tested successfully. The paper will
present lessons learnt, practices employed to drill with losses and gains, tripping considerations, fishing
complications, slim hole drilling challenges, improvisation of drilling and cementing practices in near total
loss situation and directional drilling techniques adopted. This would then provide the basis for future
optimization in these types of wells.
2 SPE-186918-MS

Introduction
Kuwait has developed the deep, sour Jurassic reservoirs in the West Kuwait area fields over the past 25
years. These highly deviated wells penetrate heavily fractured, highly pressured reservoirs which are capable
of producing high quality light oil. The difficulty of drilling in this fractured / depleted environment has
presented the operator with new and complex challenges, especially in deviated and horizontal wellbores.
These include partial / total losses, gas kicks, and mechanical / differential sticking, breathing ballooning
which can sometimes result in sidetracking operations.
This paper presents a case history of West Kuwait horizontal well, ABin which severe complications
was encountered in the one of the highly fractured Jurassic reservoir with kick and loss situation along
with the stuck pipe resulting in complicated fishing operations. The surface and intermediate phases were
drilled without any issues, but severe problems were faced on entering the first of the Jurassic reservoir
zone formation with loss of 150 rig days. The decision of sidetracking was relegated as no extra casing
was available.
The challenges of drilling in these environments will be discussed along with the key factors considered
in the development of the practices and materials used to seal off the troublesome loss zones and to work
through the depleted intervals. Details are included on materials, program development, and implementation
along with conclusions and lessons learned for application to similar future wells.

Geology
Unconventional fractured NJ-SR formation and tight carbonates of MM formation constitute Jurassic
reservoirs in AB field; it is an easterly verging, NNE-SSW trending, elongated, asymmetrical anticlinal
fold with a slight NNE plunging nose to the north whereas the structure broadens towards south to
merge with the West UG trend. Middle Jurassic tight fractured NJ-SR Formation is often vertically and
laterally heterogeneous because of depositional variability and diagenetic alteration through space and time.
Understanding the distribution of hydrocarbons in relation with porosity / permeability heterogeneities is
thus of major importance in effective field development and production. The fracture porosity is related to
micro, meso and mega fractures. The fracture permeability is far more significant compared to the storage
capacity of the fracture and matrix porosity.
The fluid movements in the reservoir are controlled by the internal fracture network and its connectivity
with pore space. The fluid movements in the reservoir are controlled by the internal fracture network and its
connectivity with pore space. Two types of fractures are taken, namely fracture corridors at the large scale
and diffusive fracture at the small scale.
Thirteen wells have been drilled so far into this structure which penetrated through Jurassic Formation.
(Refer figure 1) The eastern limb of this structure is cut by an N-S to NNE-SSE trending normal fault and
several E-W faults with associated sub parallel minor faults.
SPE-186918-MS 3

Figure 1—Planned Schematic (Big bore design)

AB field was formed during the Jurassic times and reactivated in the Cretaceous times which are evident
through tighter folding of Jurassic strata as compared to the broader folding of Cretaceous strata with gentler
limbs.

Key Challenges
Well Design / Zonal Isolation
The Jurassic wells in West Kuwait are quite deep wells depth around 16000-18000 ft. The casing designs
are based on the "Big Hole" design (Figure-1). This well construction employs seven casing strings, After
the G formation interval, pore pressures regress through the subsequent formations with mud weights of
16-18 ppg for the NJ-SR formation and 14-16 ppg for the MM, in un-depleted areas of the fields. (Figure-2).
Detailing the casings used over the Jurassic interval; a 10 3/4″ heavy wall liner and tie-back is run to isolate
the over-pressured G formation. This is set at the top of the NJ-SR reservoir, with the picking of the casing
point being extremely critical due to the possibility of losing circulation if entering too far into the NJ with
the heavy mud needed to drill the G formation. A 7 3/4″ liner is run to isolate the NJ-SR source rock from
the lower pressured MR formation below and a 5″ / 5 ½″ production liner set across the MR formations.
The 7 3/4″ liner is then tied-back to surface. In selected high angle or horizontal wells the final section is
left in 6 1/2″ open hole due to issue of lowering liner to bottom in depleted zone.
4 SPE-186918-MS

Figure 2—MW Vs Depth

Fractured Formations / Depleted Reservoirs

In most earlier wells where NJ-SR pressures were close to original pressures, the reservoir fracture pressure
window was very narrow (~450 psi or 0.6 ppge) and it was crucial to maintain bottom hole mud weights
within this range to avoid gains or losses. Drilling through these widely varying and challenging pressure
regimes poses further drilling complications increasing the risk of failure. Therefore practices and materials
SPE-186918-MS 5

have had to be developed and trialed to seal off the troublesome loss zones to ensure continuation of drilling
along with neighboring higher pressured intervals.

Well Control
The drilling of the G and NJ-SR formations can result in extremely difficult well control situations.
Experience in drilling these wells has led to the development of particular methods for well kill operations.
To drill the G formation particularly high mud weights are required (19 to 20+ ppg) with a very narrow
window existing between formations pore and fracture pressures. In some wells this window is only 300 –
600 psi, and the formations are easily broken down resulting in losses. Once losses occur, they are usually
total and can result in conditions with salt-water influxes containing H2S. Once fractured, regaining a stable
hydraulic balance in the G formation becomes exceptionally difficult. The salt may also act plastically,
allowing the hole to take fluid and balloon back into the well, giving the appearance of flow. Careful review
of offset wells is required to select the best mud weights to drill the section. The challenge is to drill through
the narrow pore/frac window with required mud weights and low ECD without inducing losses/gains. Any
well control problem can quickly escalate to significant lost time, as G formation can either kick or go on
losses. Therefore it is critical to prevent the start of this loss/gain cycle, with the use of procedures such as:

• Circulate bottoms up on each change of sequence (salt/anhydrite).

• Detect influxes early to minimize kick volumes and pressures.

• Monitor closely for swab and surge.

• Use mud-loggers to assist trip monitoring (surge/swab, trip speeds, gain/loss, and gas cuts).

If a kick is taken then the following procedures are employed for this zone:

• Shut the well in using the Hard Shut-in procedure

• For required kill mud weights of below 19.8 ppg use the Wait and Weight method

• For the following problem situations, resort to Bullhead Killing operations:

• In case kill mud weights required are above 19.8 ppg

• Large volume of influx

• High levels of H2S

• Casing pressure while shut-in is +/-1,000 psi or more

• During killing operations if casing pressure is approaching 3,000 psi

In the NJ-SR the presence of major fractures could cause sudden massive mud losses followed by well
influx. Again the pore/frac pressure window is narrow and the formation fluids are sour with high levels of
H2S. Similar procedures have been developed to minimize losses and well control problems:
Remaining vigilant by expecting to have sudden gain, or potential losses, at any time, especially in the
SR, minimize surge and swab when tripping. If a sudden gain is seen, shut the well in using Hard Shut-in
procedure, and kill the well using Wait and Weight method. Flow checks should be made after kill cycle to
determine the final mud weight. Experience has shown that the initial SIDPP indicates a higher mud weight
than is finally needed to control the well without losses. Inducing losses will begin a loss/gain cycle and
lead to excessive mud loss and rig time fighting the hole.
For both NJ-SR losses, LCM pills are tried first to remedy the situation. If well bore has become unstable
with massive losses with or without some gains, then the method used is to try and heal the fractures by
6 SPE-186918-MS

pumping cement through a drillable cement retainer set inside the previous casing shoe. The severity of the
losses may result in multiple jobs through one or more retainers.
There are some more methods and procedures were adopted in this well to overcome the wellcontrol
and losses situation.

Differential Sticking
The successfully commingling of NJ-SR with top portion of MR formation is the major challenge along
with selecting the shoe depth for the casing. The 6 ½″ hole is drilled with lower mud weight in the depleted
reservoir. The pore pressure difference between two sections is almost 4000 psi / 6 ppg. If it is not properly
covered the differential sticking will be the most critical issue in the well.

Well Planning
The AB-X well was planned as horizontal well to depth 17200 ft. (Figure-1) Normally KOC has a big bore
deep wells with 7 casing policy starting from 30″ conductor to 5″ liner which covers almost different 27
layers of formation. The planned hole sizes and casing sizes as given below:

Table 1—Casing and Hole sizes

The heaviest casing is 18 5/8″ casing with the heaviest load of casing to give 2600c psi rating of collapse
with 6200 psi burst. The water based bentonite mud is normally used in top two hole section 36″ and 28″.
The polymer based mud is used in 22″ hole which contains shale/ loss zones and remaining all the 4 section
till well TD is oil based mud with ranging from 10 ppg to 19.5 ppg.
Directional Profile: The well was planned as horizontal well with kick off in 16″ hole section in
limestone. The well need to be kickd off shallower to avoid any direction work in problematic G formation.
The well was planned to kick off from 9523 ft and build to 42 degrees in 16″ hole section then hold through
12 ¼″ section. In 9 ¼″ section build it to landing point and then 2000 ft lateral in reservoir section.

Execution
The development well AB-X WK was released to develop and produce from Jurassic targets. The well was
originally planned to be M layer Horizontal in AB field. The sections up 16″ hole were drilled and cased
without any issues, and the 13 5/8″ casing was set at the top of the Jurassic formation at 11780 ft. The well
was kicked off at 9540 ft and angle was built to 42 degrees in 16″ hole section.

Critical Issues
1. G highly pressurized formation mis interpretation. Lost one casing string’
SPE-186918-MS 7

2. Loss and then observbed kick.

3. Wellkilling operation string and annulus packed off
4. Puncture the pipe and kill the well
5. Stuck pipe
6. Cleanout inside the 3 ½″ drill pipe.
7. Sidetrack in highly pressurized G formation.
8. Further drilling with narrow margin pressure and loss/kick issue
9. Slim hole drilling in depleted hole
10. Differentially stuck in slim hole
11. Kick in slim hole.

Detailed operations

12 ¼″ hole section
The well was drilled successfully up to a depth of 13604 ft. as per plan and cased with 10 ¾″ casing. G
formation was drilled in this section which bears very high pressure and consists of Salt- Anhydrite layers
sequence.
This layers need to be isolated from other casing special 10 ¾″ liner and tieback. In this section as per
company policy it is not recommended to use any directional jewelry. The casing point is decided by the NJ
formation marker and the expected TVD thicknessof G formation. The formation pick up needs be accurate.
If it is penetrated more there are chances of losses in fractured NJ formation. The casing point is picked
up by sample of each foot drilling and bottoms up. 10 ¾″ casing point was picked up by geologist. As per
correlation with offset well and expected in WK four sequences of salt-anhydrite was drilled before top
NJ was detected and casing point was called off. The G thickness was close to the prognoses thickness.
Subsequent drilling 9 ¼″ hole revealed one extra another G sequence contrary to expectation. There was
limestone development of 61ft. MD/40 ft. TVD before getting that extra sequence.
The extra G sequence was covered by casing which consumed next casing size. The LWD logs were
recorded and it was observed that the sail angle was built from 42 to 57 degrees with packed off assembly.
The assembly built due to the formation dips. Interpretation of ADN run shows abnormality in dips as
shown in Table: 2 Figure-4

Table 2—ADN interpretation

8 SPE-186918-MS

Figure 3—Actual Well Schematic

SPE-186918-MS 9

Figure 4—ADN log interpretation

Scope change after G Formationissue (Figure-3)

• Case the extra salt-anhydrite sequence of G formation with 7 ¾″

• Drill NJ-SR up to F3 level in MM at the same or lesser inclination in 6 ½″ hole and case and
cement with 5 ½″ liner.
• Drill ultra slim hole of 4 ½″ size in MM

• Complete the well in MM formation open hole.

• Horizontal to Highly deviated well.

6 ½″Original hole
Due to the loss of one casing string the remaining hole sizes were slimmer than the planned. The drilling was
resumefrom 13911 ft.to 13936 ft. in NJ formation with 18.1 ppg oil based mud. Normally NJ SR formation
is prone to the loss and kick with narrow marginof pore pressure and fracture pressure. During drilling
at 13936 ft. Sudden total losses were observed, the LCM pill was spottedwith volume of 80 bbl. 40 ppb
concentration (due to MWD restriction) with partial returns and soak the same by pulling string up to 13262
ft. above the top of pill. During Circulation 40 BPH dynamic losses were observed. Circulate and cut down
Mud weight from 18.1 ppg to 17.9 ppg. During RIH and washing down to bottom the gain of 25 bbl.was
observed. The flow check was carried out. Space out and shut in well. The bit was in inside the casing. The
well was flowing with 8 bpm. Total gain was 65 bbl. Observed stabilized SIDP- 500 psi and SICP – 820
psi. Raised the mud weight to 18.2 ppg meantime SICP increased to 870 psi. Attempted to kill the well
but unable to circulate as pressure rose to 3700 psi without any communication in Annulus. Suspected Bit
nozzles were plugged. Raise the mud weight to 19 ppg to bullhead from annulus. Attempted to bullhead
10 SPE-186918-MS

from annulus up to 5500 psi but could not bullhead. Observed SIDP −0 and SICP 1010 psi. The annulus
and the string was packed off. The bit was inside the casing shoe.

Punching of Drill Pipe and Kill the well

There was no communication inside and outside, it was decided to puncture the drill pipe to kill the well.
During rigging up Schlumberger Engineer informed that the crossover which connects to the 15 K lubricator
PCE to the DP connection had only 5 K rating. As the whole stack up rating degraded to 5 K, KOC got one
crossover fabricated 6 5/16 Acme to XT 31 rated 15 K. Rig up PCE (Figure-5), RIH, pressurize to 2100
psi with lubricator and perforated the 3 ½″ drill pipe with Schlumberger's puncture tool (1606XL 4 SPFat
12014 −12015 ft. The equal pressure was observed both side. Killed the well-offbottom by 19.7 ppg Mud.
Max gas 752 U and min Mud weight 9.2 ppg. Well was static.

Figure 5—Unconventional well killing pipe puncture job BHA

Stuck Pipe fishing

After killing the well, BOP was opened and observed string was stuck inside the casing. There was limitation
to Work on string due to puncture pipe (60% of 3 ½″ DP). Free point locator tool was lowered with extra
sinker bars (2 X 1 1/16″ and 6X 1 3/8″) to 12820 ft. It got held up and could not go further. RIH string
shot (18 wraps 80 grains/ft) and carried out string shot at 12491 ft. after POOH it was observed that the
SPE-186918-MS 11

pipe was backed off one stand above the perforated pipe from depth 11 872 ft. The fish left in hole was
1971 ft. Fish left in hole: 6-1/2″ PDC BIT + PD475 +RECIVER +IMPULSE + 4-3/4″NMDC + X/O +
9X4-1/8″DC +21X3-1/2″HWDP + 4-3/4″ D/JAR + 9X3-1/2HWDP + 7STDS+3-1/2″DP. Attempted to
engage and recover with 8 1/8″ overshot with 4 1/8″ grapple for 3 ½″ drill pipe but fish slipped through
the 4 1/8″ grapple. RIH with 4″ grapple to top of fish and engage the fish. Meanwhile the coil tubing was
arranged to clear the barite settling inside the 3 ½″drill pipe with the help of coil tubing and run the back
off string shot to the maximum possible depth to avoid sidetracking in the problematic G formation.

Coil tubing pipe clearing job

The well conditions presented challenges to the design and operation of CT in this well. Challenging factors
included: Use of high yield strength 15 K CT, high mud density 19.7 ppg, high pumping pressures, deep
well, ID restriction 3 ½″ DP with 2″ID, active well, deviated well around 57 degrees. The coil tubing job
design was critical for success of the operation. It included selection analysis of CT material, size; wall
thickness, managing potential CT burst pressure, calculation of CT stretch, circulation pressure with high
density mud, coil tubing force analysis, and wellbore solids removal with very minimum clearance and
minimum pumping rate. The coil tubing plan was discussed with various service providers, most of them
refused to do the job due to the challenges above 16 ppg mud with restriction. Initial simulations with 1.5″
coil tubing showed that circulation pressures would go above the 15,000 psi rating. It was then decided to
switch to high pressure 1.75″ coil tubing with which, simulation showed that pressures at the rotating joint
would be at 8,200 psi, using an open nozzle.

Coil specifications and simulation

Job simulation
Well Data:
12 SPE-186918-MS

Table-3 Coil tubing specification

Following Defaults are considered for the simulations:
Drum Diameter of 72″
Gooseneck radius of 100″
Distance between Injector and Stripper: 9.7 inches
Standard Stripper force of 700lbf is considered for simulation
Summary of Simulator Results:
Circulated Fluids
Fluid composition: Herschel Buckley Liquid
Fluid Composition: liquid
Liquid:0.30 bpm
Circulation point 13905 ft.
HHP required: 66 .55 HP
SPE-186918-MS 13

Table 3—Cement squeeze jobs

The coil tubing was arranged with 1.75″ coil OD, Baker Hughes coiled tubing injector head with a 3rd
party 10k psi flow head to connect between Baker Hughes injector head and DP. (Figure-6)

Figure 6—Coil Tubing Kick off tool

14 SPE-186918-MS

Rigged up injector head, BOP and 1.75″ nozzle was installed at bottom of 1.75″ coil tube. The pull test
was carried out to 10000 lbs. Pressure test was carried out at rotating head valve, flow head master valve
and return line to choke manifold. While running in hole with Coiled Tubing with circulation of 19.7 ppg
OBM encountered a hold up at the overshot at 11,900 ft. Many attempts at passing the obstruction have been
made, different circulation rates, and RIH speeds have been utilized as standard practice without success.
Finally, it was decided to POOH the coiled tubing and Make-up a spring actuated rotating mule-shoe nozzle
″kick-off tool″ (Figure-7) at the lowermost of the Coiled Tubing BHA. Running in hole the Coiled Tubing
encountered a hold up at the same depth (11,900 ft.), weight have been slacked on the kick-off tool to actuate
the spring, rotating the mule-shoe nozzle sliding the BHA past the obstruction and successfully passing the
overshot, reaching 12,976 ft. (Figure-7) and successfully circulating out the settled OBM, achieving the
partial objective. During cleanout initially pressure was 4900 psi with 0.2 bpm in dynamic condition and it
was 8000 psi at 0.4-0.44 bpm in static condition. (Figure-8)

Figure 7—Process for clearing inside drill pipe with CT

SPE-186918-MS 15

Figure 8—Actual Job Chart.

Coil Tubing intervention with the restricted pipe diameter and heavy mud at high inclination well was
used first time in Kuwait. It achieved the purpose of cleaning the pipe to definite depth enabling back off
operation below the jar and enhanced the chance of pipe recovery

Risk Mitigation in CT job

Limit =High maximum anticipated surface pressure (MASP). But only CAT 2, 10 ksi rated flow head control
equipment
IF thread connection, limitation, use of flow head = 10 ksi limit
Pressure test via surface lines against reel rotating joint to 200 psi and maximum of 12,000 psi.
Pressure test via CT, pumps, stack, BOP bleed off valve against swab valve to 200 psi and maximum of
8,500 psi. Bleed pressure via the BOP bleed off valve to 1,000 psi and inflow double flapper check valve
by bleeding off coiled tubing pressure via the reel manifold.

Wireline Back off operations

It was tried for 6 days. R/U Halliburton. FPIT tool was lowered to 12926 ft. (unable to go below), observed
pipe was free till 12926 ft. POOH. Attempted two Wireline string shot operation at different depths of 12926
ft. and 12885 ft. but could not back off. And overshot was slipping. Bump down and release the overshot.
It was decided to go with screw in sub. The fish was made up with screw in sub with top of fish at 11875
ft. Wireline String Shot No 4 with 24 wraps 80 grains/ft. at 12856 ft. No success but multiple back off was
observed at shallower depths. Retightened the same by giving surface torque. Thebarrite was settling inside
the pipe and every time the tool was getting held at shallower depth. The severing was the only option
available. The severing tool of 1 3/8″ size was lowered and it got held up at bottom of jar from original
fish 13826 ft. Managed to severe eventually at pin end of Jar as the baryted mud was offering resistance to
passage of tool. Pooh and the two holes observed on punctured pipe out of 4 as per specification sheet.

Fishing Operations
The pipe was flared as shown in Figure-9. The new fish top was in the 10 ¾″ casing which was against
the G formation. The 9″ concave mill was lowered and the flared pipe was milled to 12830 ft in 2 runs out
16 SPE-186918-MS

of which 1 run with skirted flat bottom mill. The fish was engaged with the 8 1/8″ FS overshot with3 ½″
grapple to catch the body. The jarring action was carried out on fish. After extensive jarring, it was decided
to back off mechanically as the wireline intervention was not possible due to plugged string.

Figure 9—After severing Recovered Flared Jar.

Mechanical back off-1 – The string weight was 380 kips. Left hand torque was given with holding
420 kips with 8 left hand turns. The torque was transmitted by reciprocating between420 to 500 kips. The
sting was rotating free and Observed 3 kips gain in the weight. POOH and 5 joints of 3 1/2″ HWDP were
recovered.
Mechanical back off −2 it was decided to go with the screw in sub as the overshot was not grapping
on tool joints. The 8 1/8″ skirted screw in sub for 3 ½″ HWDP was lowered. Tried for mechanical back
off and recovered one joint of 3 ½″ HWDP. The new fish top was 13010 ft. The recovery was less due to
the annulus pack off of barite settling.
Washover Run-1 The washover pipe of size 8 1/8″ with 9 ¼″ shoe of length 124 ft. was lowered. The
fish was swallowed and carried out washover operation with clearing 95 ft. (13105ft.) in one run after that
there was no progress with high torque. The washover pipes were POOH.
Mechanical Back off-3 again went back with the skirted screw in sub with the same dimension mentioned
above. The fish was engaged and jarring was carried out. The mechanical back off was tried with higher
pull to 500 kips observed string backed off above with loss of 7 kips. Again screw in back the string with
RH rotation and torqued up.
Mechanical back off −4 It was tried again with 12 k ft-lb LH torque with pull of 500 kips observed
string was rotating freely with 3 kips weight gain. The string was pooh andrecover one single of 3 1/2″ drill
pipe. The new fish top was 13046 ft.
Mechanical back off −5 Skirted screw sub was lowered. Tag the top of fish andattempted to engage the
fish. The torque was not building up with 8-12 kft-lb on fish. The torque build up to 14000 ft-lb. To confirm
the engagement of fish the jarring was carried out to the 90% of pipe limit. The fish was dragging/moving
up with fish weight. The string was rotated with 35 rpm. The string was stalled with high torque. Wok on
string and tried to back ream for 30 ft. suddenly hook load and pressure dropped down. The engagement
was tried without any success. The string was POOH and recovered 4 joints of 3 ½″ HWDP. The new top
of fishh was 13165 ft.
Washover Run −2 It was decided to washover the fish as there was good progress after 1 st washover
trip. 5 Nos of washover pipes were lowered. After washing over fish from 13165 ft. to 13265 ft. Observed
poor rate of clearing. After POOH observed 4 joints o washover pipe left in hole
SPE-186918-MS 17

Mechanical back off-6 RIH with skirted screw in sub and engaged the fish. Worked on fish for long
interval. The mechanical back off was carried out with more weight this time 560 kips. Observed gain of
1-2 kips. POOH andrecovered 3 joints of HWDP with fully plugged inside. The new fish top 13230 ft
Washover pipe recovery-3 Two runs with the spear assembly was carried out and successfully recovered
the washover pipes.
Mechanical back off-7 Skirted screw sub was lowered. Tagged the top of fish andattempted to engage
the fish. The jarring was carried out on fish. During jarring observed string moved and became free. The
gain of 6-7 kips was observed. After POOH 3 joints of HWDP were recovered with fully plug from inside.
The new top of fish was 13350 ft.and 7 ¾″ liner top at 13294 ft.
Washover Run-4 RIH with 6-1/4″ washover shoe with 5-1/8″ ID X 5-3/4″ OD washover pipes and
washover from 13350 ft to 13443 ft.
Mechanical back off-8 4″ Drill pipes were arranged from other rig and Lowered screw in sub. Engaged
the fish and jarred on the fish. The string was moving up gradually and became free. The gain of 15 kips was
observed. Total 4 joints of 3 ½″ HWDP and 3 joints of 4 1/8″ DC was recovered. Observed fish plugged from
inside and gas trapped was releasing during breaking connection. The new fish top was 13567 ft. Washover
Run-4 Lowered 3 Joints of 5-1/8″ ID X 5-3/4″ OD washover pipes5-1/8″ ID X 5-3/4″ OD washover pipes.
Wash over job was carried out from 13542 ft. to 13645 ft.
Mechanical back off- 9 Lowered screw in sub. Engaged the fish and jarred on the fish. The jarring was
not effective. Attempted to back off many times. String was backed off with 17000 ft-lb torque. There was
no significant gain. After POOH observed the fishing assembly partially left in hole. Fish on top of fish
with new fish top 13189 ft. above the 7 ¾″ liner top. New fish left in hole 3-1/2″ std xt-31 hwdp+ xo +
9 × 4″ tri spiral hwdp + xo + xo + ported sub + 6-1/6-1/2″ Jar + XO + 1x 6-1/2″ DC (383.19’). L/D 1 ×
JT 6-1/2″ DC (BACK OFF JT)
Mechanical back off-10 RIH with the 6 ½″ DC for screw in. Engage the fish and tried to back off
mechanically. The string was not backing off mechanically. Decided to go with the string shot. Schlumberger
wireline tool got held up art 13332 ft. The 12 wrap, 80 grains string shot was lowered. The left hand
torque was transmitted 13000ftlbs in stages. After failure of two string shots from schlumberger third was
successful. Recovered 5 singles of 6 1/2″ DC + Ported sub andJar The last fish top was- 13253 ft. With
Halliburton string shot 3 joints of 4″ HWDP was recovered. The new fish top was13350 ft.

Mechanical back off- 11

This run made to Run in hole with screw in BHA, ran in hole and Wash down, and tagged top of fish at
13350’.circulate string volume, record string data, engage fish, with 20000 ftlbs torque and work on string
between 340k/550k, active jar @520 k. Increase jarring to 600k. Work on string with up jarring between
300-620 k. suddenly observed string became free pressure decreased 50 psi. Recoverd 6 X4″ X T-38 HWDP
+X/O, Observe pin end thread of X/O very badly damaged. Fish left in hole 61/2’ PDC bit+pd475+reciver
+impulse+4-3/4″ NMDC+X/O+6x4-1/8″DC+3 1/2″STDXT-31 HWDP = 306.3″ present fish top@ 13538’.
Lay down fish (6x4″ xt 38 HWDP).
Overshot run:12 This run made to ran in hole with (5 3/4″ overshot dressed with4 1/8″ basket grapple),
wash down from 13287’ to 13531’ tagged top fish, worked on string with jarring between 300 / 600 k. No
progress release the overshot. The decision was made to sidetrack the well. Total 19 runs were done in this
process. This extensive fishing operation was carried out to avoid sidetrack from G complicated formation
with uncertainty.

Sidetracking Operation
The sidetracking from 7 ¾″was not feasible option as it was coming in 7 ¾″ liner overlapandthe extra casing
was not available to reach to the target. Finally it was decide to sidetrack from 10 3/4″ casing through G
formation to cover whole G section in one casing. Due to this design the G bottom was covered with 7
18 SPE-186918-MS

¾″ casing and the same hole size in NJ formation. The risk assessment and hydraulics werecalculated. A
cement plug was placed and dressed to 50 ft. above the liner top with placing the bridge plug as a secondary
barrier for the high pressure zone NJ formation.
The whipstock was arranged from the smith 10 ¾″ trackmaster plus whipstock. The mud weight was
reduced to 18.9 ppg. There were two options for bypassing the flow to the whipstock. High flow by pass
valve and multicycle bypass valve. The high flow bypass valves are commonly used in the industry. Due to
the heavy mud it was decided to use advancing multicycle bypassvalve. It bypasses the flow after 5 pressure
cycle and gives clear indication. Also it will reset after 6 cycle to its original position to operate second
time to make sure for setting the whipstock. The whipstock set at 13225 ft. to enable window exit in salt.
The window sidetrack was successfully carried out into third salt. After dressing up the window, directional
assembly with motor and MWD was lowered to drill the rest of G formationup to NJ top. In this process,
a mild s-curve was formed. The lateral distance from the main bore at shoe level is 37 ft. while max DLS
was 3.24 deg/100 ft. Lowered the 7 ¾″ liner to 13922 ft.
The total time lost here to come to this point is 77 days.

Sidetrack 6 ½″ hole

Summary of section
The subsequent drilling in NJ-SR proved extremely challenging as intense natural fractures along the entire
length of section including UM formation limited the drilling margin to a very narrow window 18.4 to 18.6
ppg. An increase or decrease of 0.1 ppg in mud weight caused losses or gains. The above was repeated till
the end of the section in order to make meaningful progress while sustaining copious losses and ensuring
safety of operations. Any pressures/flow was aptly dealt with by circulation methods of well control or bull
heading based on the situation. Initially, MW was being regulated to stem the losses but observed that at
18.3 ppg, the well was kicking, at 18.4 ppg the well was recording gas units while at 18.5 ppg, the well
was under losses. When the severity of losses increased, cement was pumped through EZSV/Fasdrill. After
every squeeze cement job, subsequent drill indicated the losses are cured only till further drill into fracture
corridor where the losses recurred again. Due to the frequency and severity of these losses, drilling progress
was badly hampered. Thus, a conscientious decision was made to formulate a strategy of drilling sizable
footage with partial to no returns which primarily involved the following:

• Ensure while drilling or tripping, the mud level in annulus is visible or confirmed to be at shallow
depths with mud caps.
• Involved meticulous logistics plan to render heavy OBM mud supply to meet the requirements of
severe losses/well control situations.
• The frequency and magnitude of losses put a definite strain on logistic planning but the Team
tapped on all mud service providers to keep the well adequately stocked with heavy mud.
• A balanced approach was adopted to drill a sizable interval while limiting losses to the extent
possible and eventually deciding for effective cement job after drilling 100 to 200 ft. when mud
tank volumes dipped to minimum safe levels. This process resulted eventually in 11 no squeeze
cementing jobs till we reached TD. The volume of cement was progressively increased after an
initial 40 bbls, from 100 bbls to 700 bbls (Ref App-III)
• To mitigate losses, drilling flow rate was at minimal side of 160 gpm. The loss rate generally as
and when it occurs is at +/- 125 bbls/hr. Most of the time, the MW was +/- 18.5 ppg. Though the
mud was used with 15 ppb CaCO3 and umpteen no. of LCM sweeps were pumped and a few were
spotted, there was no let up on the formation losses. In fact the Team had tried twice (first time) a
new formulation Form-a-blok pill which seemed to be of little help (primarily due to the fact that
the well is swabbing after placement).
SPE-186918-MS 19

• The shut-in pressures following losses was verified for ballooning and breathe back phenomena
but mostly proved otherwise as casing pressures would not deplete and on bottoms up spewed oil
and gas. Any pressures/flow was aptly dealt with well control methods. While circulation methods
of well control (Driller/WandW) was preferred, due to the severity in losses, bull heading was the
only option. Also, while PO string inside liner, swabbing was a usual occurrence - either we had to
pump out or in case of flow, bull heading was resorted to. On some occasions, we had bull headed/
pumped out at periodic intervals up to a depth of +/- 3000 ft. when the slim string surfaced.

Directional Drilling Issues

It was challenging to maintain the required profile given the well situation. In fact, in the first 200 ft.,
preferred to drill blind and slick as lot of LCMs were required. Ascertaining by gyro the inclination is
holding and azimuth is within the range, used directional tools so as not to drift away and if possible to
reduce inclination to reach TD early. Used RSS or motor and even succeeded in sliding to correct the azimuth
marginally. By all accounts, realized the toughest trips in this section - Pump out 6 ½″ PDC bit with MWD
tools to 15093 ft. Observed well was flowing. Shut the well SIDP-0 SICP-260 psi. Bullhead 400 bbl. of 18.5
ppg mud. The bull heading with 18.5 ppg had to be resorted (cum vol. 260 bbl.) during PO at 2 more depths
to reduce the casing pressures and stem the flow. Pre-planned all operations and requirement of mud cap was
continuous for PO and RI with EZSV @ 2 bpm. (Non-stop supply was ensured as the level was not visible).
While RIH with EZSV to 8337 ft observed well flowing. Shut the well SIDP-0, SICP=50 psi, Bullhead
1370 bbl. observed SIDP −110 SICP-150 psi. Circ by increasing mud weight to 18.9 ppg, observe returns
came to 10%. Open the well and RIH with EZSV. Carried out cement squeeze job with 700 bbl slurry.

Detailed Operations
Shoe track was cleared with the cleanout assembly and mud weight was reduced from in stages from 18.9
to 18.1 ppg.
Wellcontrol-1 During drilling ahead to 13929 ft sudden loss of returns was observed. LCM of 100 ppb
was pumped and soaked for some time. While going down to bottom, increased in flow was observed. Shut
the well with SIDP- 40 psi SICP – 460 psi. Tried to circulate with driller's cycle but observed loss of returns
during circulation. It was decided to switch to bullhead method with bull heading with 1025 bbls of 18.6
ppg mud, bullheaded and kill the well.
During POOH well was swabbing. POOH with controlled speed 25 FPM. At 8500 ft the well was flowing.
Shut the BOP with SIDP-40 psi and SICP-50 psi. The pressure was not increasing. Suspected that it was
a trap pressure. Release through no chokes no build up again. POOH to 6900 ft but well was swabbing.
Bullheading was carried out with 42 bbl. 1.5 times the 10 stands. Every 10 stands POOH and bullhead 1. 5
times at 7900 ft 7000 ft, 5095 ft and 3202 ft. The well was having loss and gain situation. Due to the losses
it was decided to go for the cement squeeze job.
Cement Squeeze job -1 Carry out cement squeeze job with setting 7 ¾″ Fasdrill at 13770 ft. carry out
1st cement squeeze job with 103 bbl. Slurry(40 bbl. 15.8 ppg and 63 bbls 19ppg) Stin out under pressure
180 psi. The slick assembly with 6 ½″ bit was lower. Drill out cement (WOB 13790-13880-5-7 kips, 13880
−13914- 1-3 kips, 13914 - 13929 ft-5-7 kips) and reduce mud weight to 18.5 ppg. Observe full returns.
Further drilled down to 13962 ft with 100% returns and observed sudden total loss of returns. Pump 60
bbl. of LCM pill of 100 ppb concentration. Observed loss and swabbing. After soaking tried to circulate
but no returns. Pump out of hole to 7 ¾″ liner top to avoid swabbing. POOH with losses 3 bph. Cement
Squeeze job −2 Set EZSV and carried out cement squeeze job with 280 bbl. (200bbl. 15.8 ppg and 80 bbl.
19 ppg slurry) of cement slurry. Reduced mud weight to 18.4 ppg. After WOC sting in with stinger inside
EZSV and check injectivity. Lowered the cleanout assembly and during cleanout observed less cement
below the shoe. (13778-13788-20 kips, 13788-13905soft cement, 13905-13929-medium to hard cement,
20 SPE-186918-MS

13929-13933 ft-10-14 kips, 13933–13962-0-2 kips). Drilled down further cement and observed dynamic
loss rate 160 BPH with 120 GPM.
Wellcontrol-2 The gain of 6bbl in active system was observed by mud logger… (total 9 bbl. gain)
recorded pressure SIDP-0 SICP-50 psi. Bleed the pressure through choke. Flow check. Observed gain of 7
bbl. in 10 mints. Shut well and recorded pressure SIDP −0 psi, SICP 110 psi. Circulated w/ 18.4 ppg mud
thru full open both choke 125gpm, 770 psi with losses: 6-10bph. During further drilling observed dynamic
loss 160 bph, decided to POOH for another squeeze job. Static loss 40bph.
Squeeze job 3- Set FasDrill inside 7 ¾″ casing 150 ft above the shoe. It was decided to pump 400bbl.of
cement slurry slurry (100 bbl HFL 15.8 ppg slurry+ 300 bbls Gas block 15.8 ppg slurry) Squeeze cement
with displacing 50 ft. below the fasdrill BP. After WOC sting in back and tried for injectivity. It was 0.5
bpm/910 psi. Lower cleanout assembly with PDC bit and clear to 13962 ft. with no cement. (13759-13865
−0-3 Kips 13865-13962-0 kips)Drill 6 ½″ hole from 13962 to 14020 ft. with 100% returns. While drilling
observed increased in trend of connection gas and mud weight drop to 17.9 ppg from 18.4 ppg.
Well Control-3 Shut the well. Record SIDP −80 psi and SICP-150 psi Mud weight out varies from 17.3
ppg – 18.2 ppg Direct circulate with 18.5 ppg observed dynamic losses 150-130 BPHContd. Drilled 6 ½″
hole from 14020 ft. to 14053 ft. with 60% returns Decided to pump MI FORM a block pill for curing losses.
During pumping the solution an increased in flow was observed.
Well Control-4 Shut the well observed SIPCP and SIDP −110 psi. Circulate out the 18.4 ppg mud.
Further drill down to 14070 ft. with 30% returns reduced to 15 % in next 9 ft.and no returns from 14076
ft. to 14079 ft. Pump 2nd Form a block pill and waited for 1.5 hours tried to circulate observed dynamic
losses 190 bph.
Cement Squeeze job −4 POOH, Set Fasdrill and carried out cement squeeze job of 490bbl. slurry15.8
ppg slurry with the 15.8 ppg mud. Sting out under pressure 1775 psi. Reversed out the low density fluid.
RIH with slick assembly reduced mud weight to 18.4+ ppg wash-down to 14079 ft. (13780-13924-5-20
kips13924-14079-soft cement). Drill down from 14079 ft. to 14167 ft. with 100% return with slick assembly
without any directional tool. It was planned to do drop in gyro as well was drilled blindly in 6 ½″ section
but before gyro tried to pump out to check the behavior of well. Observed gain of 20 bbl.
Well Control-5 Shut the well observed SICP −760 psi SIDP-0 psi. Circulate out kick with drillers’ cycle
observedlosses. Circulate without any returns. SICP-820 SIDP160 Increased the mud weight to 18.6 ppg.
Bulheaded total 1030 bbl. Min mud weight out was 11.7 ppg. Drill from 14167 ft. to 14184 ft. with 50%
return with loss rate of 80-120 bph POOH with static loss15 bph. Observed swabbing during pooh. Bullhead
at different depth 8370 ft., 7073 ft,6693 ft. 5560 ft.
Cement Squeeze job −5 Set EZSV and carry out cement squeeze job with cure loss slurry which
is the patent of Napesco cementing for curing the losses with the preflush and actuator with 12.5
ppg slurry and 100bbl.of 15.8 HFL cement slurry. Wash down to bottom reduced MW to 18.5
ppg only two small patch of cement each 2-3 ft. hard cement were observed.(13780’-13921’ (1-2
K), 13921’-13926’ (8-15K),14007’-14014’ (20K), 14014’-140353 (1-5 K),14053’-14060’ (5-10K),
14060-14068’ (20K),14068’-14111’ (1-3 K), 14111’- 14113’ (15K),14113’-14182’ (1-3 K).)RIH with PDC
bit and carried out wireline gyro. Drilled own to 14259 ft with 100% return further drill down to 14259
ft. to 14280 ft.reduced return to 0-20%.ns. Pumped 50 bbl. FORM A block pill. Wait for some timeand
observed static loss of 18 bph. Drilled down to 14406 t with 5-10 %returns with loss rate of 160-180 bph.
POOH observed well was swabbing.
Well Control 6 While RIH with Fasdrill observed well was flowing Shut the well observed SIDP-50 psi
SICP- 100 psi with 11 bbl. in in 10 min. Bullheaded 150bbl. of 18.5 ppg mud
Cement Squeeze job −6 Set Fasdrill and pumped cure loss solution from Napesco and cement 250 bbl.
RIH with slick BHA and drill hard cement from 13770 ft. to 13859 ft.medium hard cement from 13859 ft.
to 14185 ft. soft cement from 14185 ft. to 14403 ft. reduced mud weight to 18.4 ppg but during flow check
observed well was trickling increased again to 18.5 ppg Drill fresh formation from 14406 to 14408 ft. with
SPE-186918-MS 21

70% returns, 14408 ft. to 14420 ft. with 100% returns. Drill from 14420 ft. to 14592 ft. with 5-10 % returns
loss rate 200bbl/hr. Pump out till 10000 ft.and POOH to surface
Cement Squeeze job −7 pump 500 bbl. cement slurry Decided to run Schlumberger low flow mud
motor with MWD. Drill fasdrill and cement medium hard to 14088 ft. observed SCh MWD not sending
signals. Drilled hard cement from 14088 ft. to 14545 ft. Observed soft cement from 14545 ft. to 14580 ft.
Observed losses at 14580 ft. at 40-50 bph Continue drilled down to 14712 ft. blind drilling and POOH for
Schlumberger tools. Tried twice again with slim pulse tool but pressure shoot up. Decided to run Gyro for
survey. Carried out gyro which was showing azimuthal turn 20 degrees. Drilled down from 14712 ft. to
14765 ft. with 60% return.
Cement Squeeze job −8 RIH with Fasdrill Carry out cement squeeze job with 500 bbl.of 15.8ppg cement.
M/U Halliburton mud motor and MWD assy. with flow range 140-170 gpm. Drill out moderate to hard
cement to 14755 ft. Drill formation from 14765 ft to 14906 ft with 100% return. Direction tool was not
responding. POOH and RIH with RSS assembly. Drill down from 14906 ft. to 14909 ft. observed sudden
loss of returns. POOH directional assembly. Drill with slick assembly from 14909 ft. to 15023 ft. with 30
% return Mw out observed 18 ppg. Pump out of hole up to 3251 ft due to swabbing.
Cement Squeeze job −9 Set Fasdrill and carry out cement squeeze job with 700 bbl. of 15.8 ppg slurry
RIH with Halliburton pony collar 5 7/8″ S stab and MWD assy. Reduced mud weight to 18.4 ppg Drill
down hard cement from 13729 ft. to 14825 ft. Reduce again to 18.3 ppg no cement from 14825 ft. to 15033
ft. Drilled down 6 ½″ hole to 15417 ft. with 100%return. Drilled down from 15417 ft. to 15423 ft. with
75% returns. Drilled down 6 ½″ hole from 15423 ft. to 15462 ft. with 100% returns. Observed total loss of
returns 15462 ft. Spot LCM and pump out to shoe. RIH and drill from 15462 ft. to 15465 ft. with 90% return
Well Control-7 Flow check and observed +ve flow. Shut the well observed SIDP – 00 SICP- 1200 psi.
Bullheaded annulus with 18.5 ppg mud 555 bbl. Pump out6 ½″ PDC bit with MWD tools Pump out 15093 ft.
Well Control-8 Observed well was flowing. Shut the well SIDP-0 SICP-260 psi Bullhead 400 bbls of
18.5 ppg mud
Well Control-9 Pump out of hole to 14264 ft. observed well was flowing .shut the well SICP −140 psi.
Bullhead 60bbl.
Well Control 10 Pump out of hole to 13389 ft. observed well was flowing .shut the well SICP −190
psi. Bullhead 200 bbl.
Well Control 11: Cement Squeeze job - 10RIH with EZSV to 8337 ft. observed well was flowing. Shut
the well SIDP =0 SICP=50 psiBullhead 1370 bbl. observed SIDP −110 SICP-150 psi Increased mud weight
to 18.9 ppg when 18.9 ppg entered into annulus loss rate increased and return came to 10%. Open the well
and RIH with EZSV. Carried out cement squeeze job with 700bbl.slurry.
Drill Moderate to hard cement 13820 to 13915 ft. collect junk reduced mud weight to 18.5 ppg and POOH
RIH with PDC bit and Halliburton MWD. Drill out soft -medium cement to 14715 ft. Observed string
not taking weight from 14715 ft. to 14745 ft. Drill out soft –medium cement from 14745 ft. to 15366 ft.
reduced mud weight to 18.4 ppg. Observed returned dropped to 10%. Reduced mud weight to 18.3 ppf Drill
soft cement from 15366 ft. to 15382 ft. with 100% return
Well Control −12 flow checkObserved well was flowing, Shut the well SIDP = 00 SICP-190 psi Circulate
with driller first cycle with 25-40 % choke Attempt to kill by 18.5 ppg in second cycle of drillers method
unable to hold the pressure constant. Decided to bullhead the well Bullhead string volume and annulus
volume. Final SICP – 390 psi. Attempt to kill with 18.5 ppg mud observed gain 80 bbls. SIDP- 280 and SICP
−320 psi. Increase mud weight to 19 ppg bullhead 1240 bbl. mud. SICP reduced to 80 psi. Tried to bleed
to release the pressure 5 bbl. in stages but pressure regained to 80 psi. Prepare 19.3 ppg mud Bullhead 805
bbl. in annulus. Observed casing pressure to 0 psi. Pump out 6 ½″ PDC bit to 3286 ft. observed continuous
swabbing. POOH to surface
22 SPE-186918-MS

Decision Point: Though the original plan was to go to F3 level in MM formation the precarious situation
of the well (unreliable kicks, prolific losses) compelled team to make a decision to lower the 5 1/2″liner at
this depth. To avoid losses during cementing planned to clear cement up to 15454 ft. and lower liner.
Cement Squeeze job −11 Set Fadrill and Carry out cement squeeze job with 700 bbl. Cleanout and
Observed soft/medium cement from 13820 ft. to 15455ft. Decided to do wiper trip prior to liner. Pump out
to 15180 ft. observed tight spots at various depths. Back ream to 14889 ft. observed 3 bbl. gain. Observed
minor flow 5 bph. SICP 60 psi. Bleed off trap pressure SICP become zero. POOH to 14015 ft. F/C observe
minor flow 3.5 BPH. Raise mud weight to 18.6 ppg. Carried out wiper trip. Pump out from bottom to 3327
ft.and POOH to surface. RIH 5 ½’ liner to bottom circulate with 100% return. Drop 1 ½″ phenolic ball
circulate with 55 bph loss. No pressure increase. Drop another 1 ½″ brass ball. Set the liner hanger and
release the setting tool. Carried out cement job with no returns. While setting the packer observed gain in
trip tank. Shut the well SICP-90 psi SIDP −40 psi. Attempt to bullhead no success confirming packer is set.
Deduced packer is set. Circulate with 19 ppg mud. In two instances, requirement of mud cap was continuous
for PO and RI with EZSV @ 2 bpm. (Non-stop supply was ensured as the level was not visible). This is
in contrast to an earlier well in other field MN-159 where at a given depth 14 cement jobs were conducted
before they could progress.
Total OBM lost to formations in this section is 55,613 bbls.
Total Cement Pumped-5430 bbl. (As shown in Table-3)

Drilling of 4 ½″ Ultra Slim Hole

The shoe was opened cautiously with 17 ppg MW, drilled 5 ft. and cut MW in steps of 1 ppg to 15 ppg. Found
no loss/no gain. Since the cement in the shoe track was soft, it was prudent to check for integrity of shoe.
The shoe integrity was tested to 18 ppg. While drilling, the MW was reduced in well-judged steps to 12.7
ppg maintaining healthy drilling rate while mitigating risks of differential sticking. Recorded back ground
gas and connection gases over 100 units which prevented further reduction of MW. Employed adequate use
of 3 ppb Nano shield and 15 ppb CaCO3 to give mitigate chances of differential sticking. This helped in
drilling to TD of 16000 ft.

Stuck pipe and fishing of 2 7/8″ string

In the course of wiper trip during connection break out after pulling a stand, the string got differentially stuck.
Efforts to reduce head by cutting down MW to 12.4 ppg resulted in flow from upper zones but failed to free
the pipe. The well was shut in with high pressures due to the 57 bbl. gain and recorded SIDP-1030 psi and
SICP-3650 psi. Resorted to well control operation with 17.8 ppg mud and stabilized the well. Subsequent
to that, pipe lax was spotted and with the pipe lax inside the BHA, observed flow and shut in the well. The
stabilised pressures detected and circulation attempted but found string plugged. Bleed and monitor cycles
eventually asserted well is stable. Opened BOP and resorted to fishing which basically narrowed down to
mechanical back off only. After initial mechanical back off at 15173 ft, circulated and conditioned with 18
ppg mud to prevent any concern of swabbing. During mechanical back off, pipe backed off from 12517 ft.
The 3 1/2″ XT31 string and slim hole 2 7/8″ HT-PAC pipe proved unreliable in transmission of torque in
the undulating curved hole (56 deg) and multiple back offs became a common occurrence. This involved
making up the pipe again cautiously and then re-attempting mechanical back off. Non Availability of slim
drill pipe fishing tools is the main concern. The service companies did not have a string shot which could
be lowered in 2 7/8″ DP TJ. Frantic enquiries and surveys revealed that the industry is woefully ill prepared
in having pipe recovery mechanisms for such small passage diameters (1 3/8″ OD). Various strategies of
pull load attempted but unable to back off at intended depth.
A decision to replace the upper 3 ½″ XT31 string with stronger 4″ XT38 DP was taken which resulted
in recovering all 3 ½″ DPs and in subsequent runs with difficulty, could recover 75 DPs to uncover NJ to
top MM formations up to a depth of 14847 ft. Even 4″ DP though made at considerable higher torque, the
SPE-186918-MS 23

inadequacy in transmitting the torque at deeper depths in this well came to the fore. While asset agreed to
complete the well with 100 ft. clear below the 5 ½″ shoe, it was becoming virtually difficult with no progress
and risky to fish. Thus, the matter discussed and it was agreed upon to salvage the existing reservoir. Thus
the fish is isolated to test and produce from NJ-SR.
Several attempts were made as summarize in below table-4:

Table 4—Mechanical Backoff in 4 1/2″ section

Conclusion
The well is highly unusual in more ways than one. In completing these wells valuable experience has
been gained which can be applied to similar deep wells. In existing field areas drilling problems can
significantly increase or become more severe as wells are produced and reservoir pressures decline. The
methods traditionally used after well control or stuck pipe situations had to be revisited and modified for
operations to continue. While the double G formation could be construed as geological anomaly, the fracture
corridor in NJ SR was drilled in a very tight window amidst losses and gains which probably is best dealt with
Managed Pressure Drilling. In such geological settings where 180 days has been logged as NPT (Figure-10
& 11) The loss of a hole size due to the double G recurrence proved detrimental and contributed in a large
way to NPT.
✓ The extended complication involving mechanical back-offs has brought in to focus the following
issues:
✓ The industry is will prepared in providing adequate pipe recovery mechanisms which can be conveyed
through 1 3/8″ drift ID for recovering 2 7/8″ HT-PAC DP. In KOC and the region, only Halliburton
24 SPE-186918-MS

has a severing tool suiting this drift which is recommended in open hole only. Special tools need to
be developed.
✓ 3 ½″ XT-31 conn DP needs to be phased out at the earliest as these pipes prematurely back-off and
is a source of concern in mechanical back-offs of pipes at deeper depths.
✓ The OMRON system in Rig is a source of consternation as the release of torques by Top Drive is a
muchlabored effort and requires shutting off VFD system time and again.

Figure 10—NPT time

Figure 11—Days Vs Depth

SPE-186918-MS 25

Lessons Learnt
Planning

• Proper and in-depth geophysical analysis to be done for identifying top of NJ and to eliminate
possible re-occurrence of G sequence.
• Use MWD in G formation of AB wells to stay on planned well path.

• Use PWD to know the exact hydrostatic head(ECD) and detect influx

• MPD should be used for drilling narrow window pressure

• The contingency for covering pressurized layer of F 3 formation with 5 /2″ liner and drilling well
of MM in 4 ½″ hole.

Wireline and CT interventions

• Drill pipe puncher (perforation) to be used at as deep a depth as possible for better handle on well
control with lesser MW. There is absolutely no risk of damaging the outside casing. Recommend
to use higher intensity tool.
• Ensure the surface hook up is compatible for W/line operation

• Try to clear up to the deepest depth possible inside DOP with CT as settling occurs fast in DP
with heavy mud.

Drilling Operations

• Rheology of drilling fluid alters very quickly in deep and slim passages.

• Use of 4″ DP instead of 3 ½″ DP for deviated and horizontal wells to have more torque and
clearance inside.
• In case of concern of hydraulic liner hanger setting post ball drop, consider setting pop-off of
pumps 300 psi lesser than the seat shear value to be sure sudden seating (in process of pumping
at higher rate for setting hanger)and accidental pressure rise will not cause shear out of ball seat
and possible losses.
• Liner top packer forms an effective barrier. 5-1/2″ liner cementation carried out without return and
well started to flow while setting the process of top packer.
• In case of trip outs, invariably tripped out up to top of 7 ¾″ liner and then took stock of well
situation. On many occasions either had to pump out or bull head till nearly 3 ½″ drill pipe surfaced
i.e.up to 3000 ft. when normal metal displacement was being taken up. Ensure at all times level
is at surface or visible.
• Fasdrill used for squeeze job pumping pressures up to 5300 psi abd easily drilled with PDC bit

• HTHP blind drilling is a desperate measure to make meaningful progress while weighing is
calculated risks and is not the desired choice.
• Keep the hole full or maintain a visible level by pumping mud caps at regular intervals

• MW to drill and mud caps to be of uniform density and desired properties

• Pre-decide what an acceptable ROP is.

• Monitor mud volumes and fix minimal level.

• While accounting minimal mud level, take into account trip out volumes and contingency volume
required.
26 SPE-186918-MS

• Do not drill in new formation.

• Do not drill faster than necessary to ensure cuttings cleaning at bit and monitor torque.

Well Control Operations

• In case of positive gain in fractured reservoirs or where gains are rapid, shut-in well rather than
flow check and invite more gain.
• If pit gain is significant and the mud weight in use is high, after shut in well, immediately circulate
out the kick by drillers method 1st circulation to avoid any barite sagging / settling.
• The efforts to bleed off pressures post losses considering ballooning and breathe back was not
useful in effectively killing the well.

Fishing Operations

• For mechanical back off, never pull to the max limit and apply very high left hand torque due to
inadvertent back-offs in upper string. For safe pulls, give 10 to 15 % over and above the pickupwt.
to the string where we want to back off and apply left hand torque in stages max up to the makeup
torque of the string and work on the string to transmit the torque.
• Found that it is difficult to back off mechanically from screw in sub in a deviated well with heavy
mud.
• Do not spot pipe lax even for differential sticking in heavy muds of 17 ppg and above as the chances
of plugging and losing circulation can complicate the situation.
• It is virtually impossible to back-off mechanically 2 7/8″ DP with heavy mud. Try twice and seek
an alternate measures.

Results
Well was successfully drilled to target andtested with a successful result with very promising production
at high WH pressure.

Acknowledgement
The authors would like to express their appreciation to Deep Drilling and WO Team –I, KOC WK team,
for successful job execution. The authors also wish to thank supervisors, sevice providersand rig UPDC
870 (WDI) crew for their efforts.

Nomenclature
BHA- Bottom Hole assembly
OD- Outside diameter
BPM- Flow rate barrel per minute
CT- Coil tubing
ECD- Equivalent Circulating density
ID- Internal diameter
POOH- Pulled out of hole
RIH- Running In hole
Ft- foot/feet
POOH- Pull Out Of hole
SF- Safety Factor
BHP- Bottom hole pressure
SPE-186918-MS 27

MWD- Measurement while Drilling

LWD Logging While drilling
PCE- Pressure control Equipment
ADN- Azimuthal Density Neutron
HWDP- Heavy weight Drill Pipe
PWD- Pressure While Drilling
″– inch
Bbls– Barrels
CACO3– Calcium carbonate
LCM– Lost circulation material
MWE– Mud weight equivalent
OBM– Oil based mud
Ppg– Pounds per gallon
Psi– Pounds per square inch
TD– Total Depth

Reference
KOC Deep Drilling group operating guidelines
KOC Deep Drilling Well Control Procedures.
KOC Drilling Fluid Guidelines
SPE Paper 113267 ″Sand Cleanout with Coil Tubing: choice of Process, Tools or Fluid″ Li J.J Misselbrook &J. Seal BJ
services.
SPE Paper IPTC-Error! Reference source not found.-MS Application of Coil Tubing In High Density Mud in Deep HPHT
well
BJ Coil tubing Program
SPE/IADC 148341Control of Severe Loss and Kick Situations - A Case History of West Kuwait Wells DF-15 AND
MN-159
SPE Paper IPTC 11716 Complex and Unconventional Wells Addressing Difficult Reservoir Development – A Case Study
of West Kuwait Jurassic Reservoirs.