UNDERBALANCED OPERATIONS OFFER PLUSES AND MINUSES

Underbalanced drilling, when properly designed and executed, minimizes or eliminates problems associated with the invasion of particulate matter into the formation. Invasion damage often greatly reduces the productivity of oil and gas reservoirs, particularly in open hole horizontal well applications. Underbalanced drilling can also minimize numerous other problems, such as adverse clay reactions, phase trapping, precipitation, and emulsification. These problems can be caused by the invasion of incompatible mud filtrates in an overbalanced condition. The conclusion of this two-part series covers screening criteria for selecting formations suitable for underbalanced drilling. Additional benefits of underbalanced drilling include a reduction in drilling time, greater rates of penetration (ROPs), increased bit life, a rapid indication of productive reservoir zones, and the potential for dynamic flow testing while drilling.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00301388
• Corporate Authors:

  PennWell Publishing Company

  1421 South Sheridan, P.O. Box 1260
  Tulsa, OK  United States  74101
• Authors:
  • Bennion, D B
• Publication Date: 1996-1-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 33-40
• Serial:
  • Oil and Gas Journal
  • Volume: 94
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: PennWell Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 0030-1388

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boreholes; Drilling; Oil pools; Pendulum tests; Wells
• Old TRIS Terms: Drilling methods
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I25: Design of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00715494
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 25 1996 12:00AM