Drilling Problems

Murtahda Rawhdan
Reyam odeh
Ali Kareem
Mohammed Abeed
University of Thi-Qar
College of engineering
Petroleum engineering Dep.
 Drilling Engineering
Oil well drilling is one of the most important branches of petroleum industry.
Drilling is widely used in exploration for oil and natural gas in the early stage of
a search for oil. When a seismograph surveying method is used to discover
geological structure favorable for oil and gas accumulation, it is necessary to
drill shallow to make explorations. There are many indirect methods of
prospecting for oil and natural gas, but such methods indicate that certain
possibilities exist for oil gas accumulation. These methods cannot prove
presence of oil in favorable area. They give no possibility for estimation of
deposit that is supposed to be discovered.
 Stuck pipe
When apart of the drill pipe or collars are stuck in the hole if pipe cannot be
Rotated and circulation is good then pipe is pipe is probably wall stuck.

Causes of stuck pipe

1)Key seating
2)Pack off from poor hole cleaning
3)Shale swelling
4)Well bore collapse
5)plastic-flowing formation(i.e salt)
 Preventing stuck pipe can require close monitoring of early
warning signs, such as:
1)Increase in torque and drag.
2)Excessive cuttings loading.
3)Tight spots while tripping.
4)Loss of circulation while drilling.
 Lost circulation
Partial or complete loss of drilling fluid during drilling, circulating or running
casing. Occurs when hydrostatic pressure of mud exceeds breaking
Strength of the formation.

Types of lost circulation

1)Those types inherent in the formation:
a)porous, permeable & unconsolidated formation.
b)Cavernous or irregular formations.
c)Natural fractures in formation(faults , joints , fissures).
2)Those opening caused by poor drilling particles: induced fractures
Caused by high mud weight or pressure surges.
Lost circulation illustration
Hole Deviation
is the unintentional departure of the drill bit from a preselected
borehole trajectory. Whether drilling a straight or curved-hole section
Hole deviation causes
1)Heterogeneous nature of formation and dip angle.
2)Drill string characteristics.
3)Stabilizers (location, number and clearness).
4)Applied weight on WOB.
5)Hole inclination angle from vertical.
6)Drill bit type and its basic design.
7)Improper hole cleaning.
8)Hydraulic at the bit.
 Blowout
Blowout: Uncontrolled flow of formation fluids from the well bore.

In general drilling fluid is the first line of defense against blowout

1)Well full of mud that weights the right amount or proper density will not blow
But some times the unexpected occurs.
2)The second line of defense against blow out is blow out preventer(BOP).
When closed the BOP form a pressure tight seal at the top of the well and
Prevent the escape of fluids.
BOP