Michael L. Doster

Development of Steerable Ream While Drilling Technology and Its Application in High Angle Wells in GOM

Newly developed technology that allows simultaneous reaming and drilling with steerable assemblies has dramatically improved the economics of an extended reach program in the Gulf of Mexico. This paper details the development and application of this unique technology. The technology development phase comprised laboratory and field tests which examined the dynamic stability and steerability of prototype technology. Laboratory tests confirmed that the pilot stabilization pad (PSP), which is a key feature of the reaming tool, provided enhanced stability in the drilling mode, and expedited the transition from pass-through to drill diameter in the hole opening mode. Field tests proved that the increased length of the reaming system (compared to a bit alone) did not have a negative impact on directional performance of steerable assemblies. The technology was applied in two intervals in an extended reach well in the Gulf of Mexico. The first interval utilized a 17 in. steerable ream while drilling (SRWD) system with a 9.875 in. roller cone pilot to build inclination at 3 deg/100 ft to 65 deg. The second interval used 9.875 in. SRWD equipment with a 6.5 in. polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) pilot bit to hold angle near 62 deg over a 8,371 ft interval. Combined, the application of SRWD technology in these intervals reduced drilling time by 17 days, and saved

Drill bits with reduced exposure of cutters

1,190,000 in drilling cost.