IADC/SPE 156183

Application of Cluster Well Drilling Technology in Sulige Gas Field

Zongqiang Zhou, Changqing oil field,Petrochina; Longlian Cui, SPE,Drilling Research Institute, CNPC; Jianmin Li,
Changqing oil field,Petrochina; Fucheng Zhang, Drilling Research Institute, CNPC; Xuesheng Wu, Changqing oil
field,Petrochina; Haige Wang,SPE,Drilling Research Institute, CNPC; Mancheng Ju, Yong Ouyang, Changqing oil
field,Petrochina
Copyright 2012, IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition

This paper was prepared for presentation at the IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition held in Tianjin, China, 9–11 July 2012.

This paper was selected for presentation by an IADC/SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not
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Abstract
Advantages of cluster well are that the technology can save land resources, reduce development costs. Sulige gas field is a
typical low porosity, low permeability and low abundance. The advantages can meet the requirement of developing and
constructing a “scientific, harmonious and environmental friendly” Sulige gas field. There are some difficulties in cluster
wells drilling operation in Sulige gas field as following: strong abrasive formation, difficult in trajectory control, low ROP
and high drilling costs.
To address these difficulties and promote the application of cluster well, the following researches were carried out: (1)
Optimization the numbers of wells under different cluster well network conditions. Combined average horizontal
displacement, anti-collision, trajectory control and integrated the cost, the number of wells were calculated, analyzed and
optimized. (2) Optimization casing profile. Casing section was optimized into the current "straight - slow bulid – hold-slow
drop"; (3) Optimization the well trajectory control mode. A practical and efficient directional well trajectory control
technology were explored, and BHAs were developed; (4) Individual design PDC bits. "Spiral knife-wing, short outside the
parabolic shape of the crown, double cutting structure, spiral gage" structure of the PDC bits were designed for Sulige
formation.
Through innovative research and field integration applications, cluster well drilling supporting package technology have
primarily matured in Sulige gas field. The drilling cycle of cluster well was reduced by 35%, with 17.4d drilling cycle in
2011; the ROP was improved by 106.1%, with 14.9m/h ROP in 2011. By the end of 2011, total 468 cluster well grops have
been completed and 750 hectares land were conserved. Through the application of cluster well drilling in Sulige field, the
development costs were reduced significantly. Cluster well technology has become one of the major development models in
Sulige gas field.
Introduction
Sulige gas field located in north-central of the Ordos Basin. The total exploration area is 4! 104 Km2, and the total resource is
3.8 ! 1012 m3 gas. By end of the "11th Five-Year", the proven reserves reached 2 trillion cubic and the annual output reached
100! 109 m3. In the end of "12th Five-Year", the annual production wills reach200! 109 m3. Upper Paleozoic Shihezi Group -
Shanxi Group is the gas-bearing bed in Sulige gas field. Reservoir is mainly contains dissolved pores, intergranular holes and
porous. The porosity is 5% ~ 12% and the permeability is 0.06 ~ 2 ! 10-3µm2, which is typical of low porosity and low
permeability gas reservoirs. The reservoir fluid is dominated by methane content of about 92.5%, condensate content
2.15g/m3-4.93g/m3, which is an unsaturated-containing low condensate dry gas reservoir. The evaluation showed that the
Sulige gas field belongs to the low permeability, low pressure, low abundance gas reservoirs. It is difficult for using
traditional vertical well to obtain high individual well producing rate. For the commercial exploitation the gas reservoirs in
the region, the drilling costs should be reduced significantly. So, the demand for low-cost drilling technology is urgency.
The small inter well distance and fragile ecological environment are suitable for promotion the cluster well technology. The
technology can reduce pre-drilling costs, save ground investment and facilitate gas field maintenance and management. This
also is important for response to national land policy and energy conservation. Long construction period, the higher costs of
drilling affect the promotion of cluster well. By the end of 2007, the Sulige gas field has been completed 8 cluster well of 24
wells which include 18 directional wells with a 3529m average measurement deep.
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Meanwhile, cluster well constructions have exposed a number of technical problems which has not been completely resolved.
The casing program as in Fig.1, there are some difficulties in cluster well drilling operation in Sulige gas field: strong
abrasive formation, difficult in trajectory control, low ROP and high drilling costs. 1) Upper strata. In 700m-1100m, the well
is easy deflection. There is a prominent contradiction between the anti-hole deviation and fast drilling. 2) Middle strata.
Gravel layer in deflecting segment results in low sliding drilling speed and accelerating the PDC bit damage early. 3) Lower
strata. The strata is strong abrasive, which caused the bit, BHA and down hole tools wear seriously. 4) Long whipstocking
and hold section. Strata drift law and BHA control the well trajectory is not fully grasp, which resulted in frequent adjust the
inclination and azimuth in sliding drilling and lower ROP, higher cost.
To address these difficulties and promote the application of cluster well, the following researches were carried out: (1)
Optimization the numbers of wells under different cluster well network conditions. Combined average horizontal
displacement, anti-collision, trajectory control and integrated the cost, the number of wells were calculated, analyzed and
optimized. (2) Optimization casing profile. Casing section was optimized into the current "straight-slow bulid-hold-slow
drop"; (3) Optimization the well trajectory control mode. A practical and efficient directional well trajectory control
technology were explored, and a BHA was developed; (4) Individual design PDC bits. "Spiral knife-wing, short outside the
parabolic shape of the crown, double cutting structure, spiral gage" structure of the PDC bits were designed for Sulige
formation.
Through innovative research and field integration applications, cluster well drilling supporting package technology have
primarily matured in Sulige gas field. The drilling cycle of cluster well was reduced by 35%, with 17.4d drilling cycle in
2011; the ROP was improved by 106.1%, with 14.9m/h ROP in 2011. By the end of 2011, total 468 cluster well grops have
been completed and 750 hectares land were conserved. Through the application of cluster well drilling in Sulige field, the
development costs were reduced significantly. Cluster wells technology has become one of the major development models in
Sulige gas field.
1 Overall optimization of cluster well
1.1 Well network layout optimization
The well network in Sulige gas field wells is parallelogram, which conducive to the balanced exploitation, control the
formation pressure decline, and maximum contact reserves. According to the results of the assessment, it is recommended
that the use of 600m ! 800m well network. It is more compatible with the current construction technology under 600m !
800m well network. The actual drilling cycle of the cluster well are similar with vertical wells. Using a 600m ! 800m well
network development, engineering, safety and cost control are effective and feasible.
1.2 Optimization wells number
1.2.1 Calculation horizontal displacement
In accordance with the minimum displacement and whipstocking segment and well recovery, the displacements of directional
wells were calculated in the case of 600m ! 800m well network (shown in table 1).It can be seen from table 1 that the
average displacement is 560m for 5 wells in a cluster well group, and at least two well displacements reach up to 1000m for
over 7 wells in a cluster well group. According to analysis of the actual drilling results in the Sulige gas field, more wells in a
platform results longer borehole. As the whipstocking segment increase, trajectory control is more difficult. Especially the
horizontal displacement of well over 800 meters, the operation difficulty increase sharply. The drilling cycles and cost are
also increased. Therefore, it is recommended that the well numbers should be less than 7 in a cluster well group.
1.2.1 Economic Analysis
Compared with vertical wells, cluster wells increase directional drilling cost. As the well depths increase, the costs for
drilling, logging and casing are also increased. However, cluster well can save costs, which includes land, road and rig
relocation et al. cluster well can reduce surface gathering system and post-management costs. At the same time, it is great
significance for protect the ecological environment. Detailed cost calculation results shown in table2.
It can be seen from table 2, for economic analysis, under 600m ! 800m well net, 4-6 wells in a cluster well group are
appropriate. To sum up from drilling process, economic evaluation and gas production, it is recommended 4-6 wells in a
cluster well group.
2 Optimization casing profile
2.1 Optimization principles
First, meeting the requirements of direction drilling. For cluster well on fixed platform, the design for each well must meet
the requirements of oil field development. In order to avoid the borehole cross, the well trajectory was designed into three-
dimensional. Second, using layer deflecting law. The natural deflecting law of different strata is distinct. Taking advantages
of reliable geological information identify and use the natural deflecting law, which can reduce workload for deflecting.
IADC/SPE 156183 3

Third, Conductive to poster-drilling work carried out. In order to meet the requirements of the oil production, pumping
process, the hole curvature should not be too large, especially in the reservoir or gas reservoir, the axis of the borehole best
horizontal segment or the inclination is very small, which will help to improve the pumping , pumping rod packer seat seal
and take other measures to increase production. Finally, contribute to drill fast. In order to drill fast, the hole curvature,
length, kick off point, maximum deviation angle, et al. should be optimized.
2.2 Defect of current casing profile
Sulige area drilling analysis shows that current casing profile is straight - increase - stable three segment profile with a kick
off point depth ranging 1500 m -1700 m. The two main problems encountered in the drilling operation. First, the upper layer
above 1000m is easy deflect and layer lower 2000m natural drop oblique trend is clearly. It is difficult for traditional BHA to
achieve hold effect. Second, long hold section causes drifficutls in inclination and azimuth control. The slide drilling speed is
low. Low lateral cutting capacity of PDC bits result in PDC bit failure fast and seriously affect the drilling cycle.
2.3 Optimization casing profile
According to the above difficultly and the potential for drill fast, the casing profile is optimized.A "straight-slow bulid-hold-
slow drop" section was designed(Fig.2). This section is especially useful for hole azimuth drift serious strata. Put bulid-up,
hold and drop section operation in upper steady strata. The kick off point location should be rise as possible. The problems of
twist azimuth in lower part poor drillability strata were overcome. The drilling cycle was shortened and the ROP was
increased. (1) Kick off point selection. According to the Sulige strata and operation, the kick off point locations was raised
450-550 m. Shorten the length of the upper part of easy inclined formation, you can greatly release the drilling WOB to
overcome the anti-deflection and fast drilling, which is conducive to the upper wells anti-collision. It also may be appropriate
to shorten the spacing between the wells, reduce the area to facilitate ground construction and management. (2) Build-up,
drop slope options. Based on conventional directional well principle and well depth and displacement, preferred build-up
slope and drop ranges 2.0 - 3.0°/30m and 1.5- 2.5°/30 mrespectively.
3 The well trajectory control and anti-collision technology
3.1 Wellbore trajectory control principles
Using formation natural deflecting law as much as possible, using the downhole motor + BHA control trajectory.
Comprehensive analysis of formation information, the rule of the asymmetric lateral cutting of the bit caused by the regional
stratigraphic characteristics and the law of the deviation or azimuth drift should be revealed. In drilling process, it had to
accurately predict the extension direction of the well trajectory at any time, select the appropriate drilling assembly and
parameters, to ensure the actual drilling trajectory near the design track. The borehole direction can be adjusted and
forecasted accurately and timely with drill motor and MWD. The trajectory can be adjusted without change the BHA. The
slide drilling mode was applied in deflecting, build-up, drop and twist azimuth. In hold section drilling, the composite drilling
mode was used. Not only does it reduce the number of drilling the work of intermittent, but also to avoid tripping, which can
greatly reduce drilling costs.
3.2 BHA optimization
Open straight section The main technical measures are anti-oblique and drilling fast. Packed hole BHA: "311.2mm bit +
"203mmNMDC!1 + "203mmDC!2 + "165mm DC!12 + "127mm DP. In the drilling process, the large flow rate (45 l/s),
high rotary speed of turntable (100rpm) and 40-60KN WOB were used to ensure a straight open hole section. The inclination
was managed within 1 degree.
Two open straight, build-up and hold section This section is the key to well trajectory control. Preferred BHA: "Four in
One". "215.9mm drill bit+ "172mm motor (1.25 ° to 5 °) + "211mm stabilizer + "165mm NMDC!1 + "165mmDC!12 +
"127mm HWDP!12 + "127mm DP+ Kelly. Vertical section (450m-550m): The composite drilling mode was used with low
WOB (4-6KN), and strictly control hole deviation within 1 degree. Deflecting segment (450m-650m): To ensure the azimuth
quickly and accurately, the slide drilling mode with low WOB (20-40KN) was used in begins of the process of deflecting.
Accurate grasp the downhole motor anti-twist angle, adjust the tool face timely. Inclination to 10 degrees, azimuth was
stabilized gradually. According to mastered formation drift law, a reasonable azimuth was reserved. And then start the
composite drilling to increase the ramp until it increased to the design of well deviation value. Hold section (650m-2500m).
After the hole Inclination increased to the design values, the composite drilling and slide drilling were used alternately.
According to the actual wellbore trajectory and design track to adjust the drilling parameters, ensure that the borehole
deviation and direction changes in the expected range and the well bore trajectory to meet the design requirements .
Drop segment (- finish): Drop BHA, consider the role of drill hole deviation force and azimuth, its performance was decided
by inclination, WOB, and the pendulum length. BHA: "215.9mm drill + "165mm NMDC + "165mm DC + the "211mm
stabilizer + "165mm!12 + "127mm HWDP!9-12 + "127mm DP+Kelly.
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3.3 Anti-collision technique

Anti-collision techniqure is the key technology for the cluster well drilling, it relates to the successes and failures of the entire
project. The main anti-collision technology measure in Sulige area cluster well construction as follows:
In accordance with the horizontal displacement, the well with long displacement and shallow kick off point location should
be drilled firstly, and then drill the well with short displacement and deeper kick off point. The space of well heads range 6-
8m.
Optimizing well trajectory design. Strictly follow the kick off point depth should be staggered over 50 meters, azimuth non-
intersecting principle in the case of 4-6 well in each cluster group. Inclined section minimum distance on the design orbit
space: vertical depth within 2000 m, the space is greater than 30 m; vertical depth greater 2000m, the space is great than 40
m.
Pre-drilling, collecting relevant well wellhead coordinate and borehole trajectory data. In drilling processing, the anti-touch
scanning of wells were calculated, the anti-collision diagrams were made and indicating the anti-collision wells. In marked
anti-collision section, the inclinometer pitch was shortened. End of construction, each well must have all measurement and
trajectory data.
4. Individual design PDC bits
4.1 Rock drillability
Selecting 20 cores of 6 wells in Sulige gas field, using the effective stress state of triaxial rock mechanics parameters tester
analog core under the burial depth, mechanical parameters rock were determinate in laboratory, including the reservoir rock
Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio coefficient of volume compressibility, matrix compression coefficient, fracture gradient and
other parameters The core drillability of Sulige gas field was measured in laboratory, and the results in table 3. Rock
drillability values are around 5.5, belonging to middle-hard formation. Testing results of mechanical parameters and
drillability provide a scientific basis for optimizing bit selection.Logging data in the vertical have good continuity, so using it
to explain the formation rock drillability can be drilled with good practice. Using logging data combined with laboratory test
results, wells drillability profile were established (Table 3). Over ten wells logging data were used to analysis the rock
drillability. The results shown that in vertical, as well depth increasing, the rock drillabilitys range 4-6, the rock drillabilitys
are relatively poor; in horizontal, the rock drillabilitys change is little in the same depth or the same stratum in different
tectonic position.
4.2 Individual design PDC bits
According to the research results of rock drillability and formation characteristics in inclined hole, the individual design PDC
bits focused on enhance bit hydraulic horsepower in upper strata, conducive to build up, side cutting ability and gauge
protection performance in lower part of formation. For the Sulige region formation with hardness and soft staggered, it is
high require for impact toughness of the cutting teeth. Chosen PDC cutting tooth and carbide tipped cutting teeth as support
to form a double cutting structure. Sulige area stratum is relatively hard, shale hydration swelling and balling trend is not
strong, and hydraulic structure design considering effective cleaning, cooling and lubrication of the PDC bit cutting teeth, the
design uses sub-knife wing arrangement of the nozzle cleaning, large deep rowflute to increase the cleaning effect.
Considered to improve ROP and footage, the spiral knife wing was selected to improve the stress state of the cutting teeth. In
order to improve the role of gage block, the centralizer block was designed spiral gage, which is benefit to improve the drill
bit stability, extend bit life and increase the footage. Compared with the straight knife wing, spiral knife wing and spiral gage
design can avoid the knife wing and gage segment direct collision with the sidewall and the well bottom. Bits with spiral
knife-wing and spiral gage design can cut the formation more stable, gage section and the borehole wall contact is more flat.
Considering the cutting teeth cleaning, cooling and lubrication requirements, wear-resistant, shock and gage, the crown of the
drill bit was designed for short outside the parabolic crown shape, which can improve the comprehensive performance of the
drill bit. Individual design PDC bits performance was shown in Fig .3. The bits have higher ROP and longer footage. 216m-
A2C was used in 2400m upper formation, and M665 was used in lower 2400m formation.
5 Results of application and dissemination
Through innovative research and field integration applications, cluster well drilling supporting package technology have
primarily matured in Sulige gas field. Compared with innovative research, the drilling cycle of cluster well was reduced by
65%, and 19.4 drilling cycle in 2011; the ROP was improved by 106.1%, with 14.9m/h ROP in 2011. The numbers of cluster
well group increase year by year. By the end of 2011, total 468 cluster well groups were completed. The maximum number
of wells was 9 in a cluster well pad. Over 750 hectares land was conserved.
6 Conclusions
In order to address the difficulties and promote the application of cluster well in Sulige gas field, the research in optimization
cluster well pad, optimization casing profile, optimization the well trajectory control mode and individual design PDC bits
IADC/SPE 156183 5

were carried. Through innovative research and field integration applications, cluster well drilling supporting package
technology have primarily matured in Sulige gas field. Compared with innovative research, the drilling cycle of cluster well
was reduced by 65%, and 19.4 drilling cycle in 2011; the ROP was improved by 106.1%, with 14.9m/h ROP in 2011. By the
end of 2011, total 468 cluster well groups were completed. The maximum number of wells was 9 in a cluster well pad. Over
750 hectares land was conserved. Through the application of cluster well drilling in Sulige field, the development costs were
reduced significantly. Cluster well technology has become one of the major development models in Sulige gas field.
Reference
[1] Li Shunming, Sun Guo, Liu Zhi Hong. Applying cluster horizontal wells to the development of complicated f ault- block reservoirs.
Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2002, 29(6): 81-83.

[2] Ge Yunhua, Yan Aimin, Gao Yongrong, et al. Drilling pad optimization for oilfield development by cluster horizontal wells. Petroleum
Exploration and Development, 2005, 32(5):94-100.
[3]Liu Xiaoqing, Yan Wenjun, Xu Xianjun , et al. Drilling technology of cluster horizontal well and extended reach well in Dongfang1-
1gas field. Drilling & production technology, 2006, 29(1): 27-28.
[4]Zhang fucheng, Wang Weizhong, Hu Dongyong, et al. Cluster wells technology and its application in Sulige gas field. Oil drilling &
production technology, 2009, 31(4):36-39.
[5] Wu Hongjun, Ling Wenxue, Chu Yongtao. Trajectory control technology for shallow cluster horizontal wells in Jilin oil field.
Petroleum drilling techniques, 2011, 39(5): 31-34.
[6]Zhang Lichun, Chen Hongliang, Zeng Qingfeng, et al. The shallow layer cluster and horizontal well drilling technology in the Jilin oil
field. Inner Mongolia petroleum chemical engineering, 2010, 2:95-98.

Table 1 Calculation horizontal displacement in 600m!800m well net

Different program horizontal displacementm Well numbers Average horizontal displacementm

600 1

3 wells 800 1 467

vertical well 1

600 2

4 wells 800 1 500

vertical well 1

600 2
5 wells 800 2 560
vertical well 1

600 2

800 2
6 wells 633
1000 1

vertical well 1

600 2

800 2
7 wells 686
1000 2

vertical well 1

600 2

800 2
8 wells 725
1000 3
vertical well 1
6 IADC/SPE 156183

Table 2 Entirety save costs for600!800m well net

Category 3 wells 4 wells 5 wells 6wells 7 wells 8 wells 9 wells 10 wells

Additional costs
148.4 219.6 296.5 379.7 462.4 545.4 627.6 715.6
(ten thousand )
save costs
220.4 303.8 387.3 470.8 554.2 637.7 721.1 804.6
(ten thousand)
Entirety save costs
72.0 84.26 90.8 91.1 91.8 92.3 93.5 89.0
(ten thousand)

Table 3 Results of rock drillabiliy from Laboratory test and Logging interpretation

Formation Fuxian Yanchang Zifang Heshanggou Liujiagou Shiqianfeng Shihezi Shanxi Taiyuan

laboratory test 4.68 5.52 4.75 4.97 5.52 4.56 4.37 3.9 5.4

Log interpretation 4-5 5-6 4-5 5.5-6.5 5.5-7 4-6 4-5.5 4.5-5.5 5-6.5

Fig.1 Typical casing profile Fig.2 Optimization casing profile

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Fig.3 Individual design PDC bits performance