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Cavings Analysis
Cavings Rate Monitoring Cavings Morphology
Interpretation of cavings morphology
• helps determine cause of wellbore failure
• helps determine optimal remedial action Splintered
Angular
Bedding Planes
Natural Fractures
Remedial Action
• raise mud weight
RAB while-drilling Image • reduce rate of penetration
A B B A
180°
RAB while-drilling image UBI after-drilling image
Borehole images illustrating damage on high side of wellbore. RAB
S image (left) damage (dark region) is centered on high side (u). UBI
image (right) high side damage is oriented 330°.
Schematic borehole cross section Note: High side damage is well developed when wells are deviated
(looking down hole) showing locus along bedding or fracture dip direction.
UBI* after-drilling Image of shear failure where angular
cavings originate (A and B).
Remedial Action
• maintain mud weight
Remedial Action • minimize fluid loss coefficient of drilling mud
• if mud weight close to Pp: raise mud weight • use crack blocking additives
• if mud weight close to fracture pressure • avoid back reaming
– maintain mud weight • manage hole cleaning
– decrease fluid loss • avoid excessive rpm and drillstring vibrations
– manage hole cleaning • employ gentle drilling practices