WO2015081398A1

WO2015081398A1 - Valve and line arrangement, method for mounting a drilling assembly and initial, single-phase well drilling method

Info

Publication number: WO2015081398A1
Application number: PCT/BR2014/000414
Authority: WO
Inventors: Augusto Borella HOUGAZ; Danilo Signorini GOZZI
Original assignee: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
Priority date: 2013-12-06
Filing date: 2014-11-21
Publication date: 2015-06-11
Also published as: BR102013031415B1; BR102013031415A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for drilling oil wells in the seabed in a single phase of operation, using a valve and line arrangement (LV) to allow the implementation and mounting of an entire drilling assembly (CP) at the sea surface. The valve and line arrangement (LV) basically comprises a flow control valve (1) and flow lines (2, 3), and is coupled to the drilling assembly (CP) when the latter is mounted. After being lowered together with the drill string (P) into the well, the entire drilling assembly (CP) rotates together with the drill string. Both drilling fluid and, afterwards, cementing fluid, flow through the valve and line arrangement (LV).

Description

VALVE AND LINE ARRANGEMENT, PUNCH SET ASSEMBLY METHOD AND SINGLE PHASE INITIAL WELL DRILLING METHOD

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention finds its field of application among the methods for starting drilling of deep-sea oil producing wells in a single phase of operation. More particularly for wells that have a large surface coating drilling requirement. More specifically, employing a valve arrangement and lines to enable the execution of this drilling method and the mounting of the entire drilling assembly to the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Offshore oil production with ever-increasing water depths has become a real accomplishment challenge with traditional techniques. For the new scenario known as the pre-salt, the difficulties posed by it make conventional drilling and exploration operations virtually unviable or extremely costly.

Much research has been done to simplify the so-called critical path of an operation so that a reduction in the cost of drilling wells can be achieved.

Traditionally, wells are drilled using a technique known by the English expression "Top Hole Drilling" and comprise two main phases: a first phase which is the laying of the conductor and a second phase which is the laying of the surface coating.

As research continued, another technique known as the English expression "Casing Drilling" emerged, which deals with a drilling operation along with the coating. This way, one step The removal of the drill string with subsequent mounting, lowering and installation of the surface covering is eliminated.

However, in order to achieve depth advancement using the above mentioned technique, it is necessary that an associated equipment known as a high pressure housing be rotated with the assembly until the final depth of the surface coating is reached. This precludes the use of this technique in the surface phase. The reason is that near the final depth of this phase, there can be no relative rotation between the high pressure housing and other associated equipment, known as the low pressure housing, so that the latter equipment can be connected and locked.

US 7,234,546 discloses a steel drill string attached to a drill during a rotary drilling operation typically employed in drilling oil and gas wells, is used for a second purpose, namely as a coating, which is cemented at the final location during the typical completion operation. Methods of operation are described whereby an efficient coating installation is made and in which the drill string and drill are cemented in place in a single drilling step. During the execution of the operating methods, at least one geophysical parameter is measured by means of a sensor located inside the drill string. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill string drill to allow the cement to distribute efficiently under ambient hydrostatic pressure, while the drill string and drill are cemented in place during a single drilling step. . This document refers to the "casing drilling" technique and performs drilling with the casing, which is cemented in sequence. However, it is the addition of only one coating. US 2004/060736 discloses an improved method for drilling the initial phase of deepwater oil wells with an underwater wellhead, which consists of positioning and cementing the conduit pipe and anchoring the shell by a single phase. drilling A tapered hole (with a double diameter) is drilled using a drill string. In this method the two coatings are lowered and cemented simultaneously, however, the drilling is performed previously. On the other hand, the proposed method requires cement to be returned from the bottom of the well to the bottom of the sea to cement the annulus of the conductor. In this method the cement paste rises simultaneously through the two annular spaces. However, in the case of large wells, such as pre-salt wells, the return of the cement paste from the bottom to the bottom of the sea may not be guaranteed.

From what can be inferred from the above representative examples of the state of the art, the technique suffers from a method for suppressing conventional steps in the drilling operation of a large subsea oil well to simplify the drilling operation. , settlement and cementation of well casings reducing the intervention time and, consequently, resulting in cost reduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for drilling deep-sea oil producing wells in a single operating phase, which employs a valve arrangement and lines to enable their execution and the assembly of the entire drilling rig in the surface.

The valve and line arrangement basically comprises a flow control valve which can be chosen from: a three position control valve and a two position control valve; a first flow line connected to a flow control valve outlet at one end and connected to the annular space access between the conductor and the surface covering; and a second flow line connected to the other outlet of the flow control valve at one end and connected to a stinger operating mandrel, if any, or to the drill string at its other end.

For the method there is basically a first stage of assembly, still on the sea surface, of the whole set of drilling equipment, valves and flow lines, the descent of the whole set of equipment along with the drilling column. It is then drilled by applying weight, rotation and flow of drilling fluid through the drill string. Once drilling is completed in a first preferred embodiment, the surface and conductor are simultaneously cemented. In a second embodiment, the position of the flow control valve is altered to cement the surface coating and subsequently the conductor coating. Finally, the valve arrangement lines and lines are disconnected, the descent tool is disconnected and the drill string is disassembled by removing the last mentioned equipment to the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a representation of the drilling set coupled to the valve and line arrangement employing a three position flow control valve in an oil well drilling and cementing situation.

Figure 2 is a representation of the drilling assembly coupled to the valve and line arrangement employing a three position flow control valve in a final drilling well cementation situation in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a representation of the perforation assembly coupled to the valve arrangement and lines employing a Two position flow in a drilling and cementing situation of the surface coating of an oil well.

Figure 4 is a representation of the drilling assembly coupled to the valve and line arrangement employing a two position flow control valve in a cementing situation of the oil well conductor of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a representation of the drilling set coupled to the valve and line arrangement employing a three position flow control valve in a final drilling oil well cementation situation in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a representation of the drilled oil well in Figures 2 and 3 after removal of the drill string.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for drilling deep-sea oil producing wells in a single operating phase, which employs a valve arrangement and lines to enable their execution and assembly of the entire assembly. drilling on the surface.

The present invention can be applied to the beginning drilling of marine wells that are in a scenario in which the water depth is greater than the surface coating length.

The present invention represents a technological advance over the aforementioned casing drilling technique as it allows the drilling of two process steps simultaneously.

However, this advance alone would require the return of cement to sea level during cementation of the surface coating. This requirement cannot be met in wells with large surface lining extensions, which is in the scenario of wells in pre-salt regions.

In order for this requirement to be made possible, a valve lines and flow lines to permit cementation of both a conductor (C) and surface coating (RS) immediately after simultaneous drilling in a well (F).

The valve and line arrangement, which can be seen within the dotted area (LV) in Figure 1, comprises:

- a flow control valve (1) which may be chosen from: a three position control valve and a two position control valve;

first flow lines (2) each connected to an outlet of the flow control valve (1) at one end and connected to the annular space access between conductor (C) and surface liner (RS); and

- a second flow line (3) connected to the other outlet of the flow control valve (1) at one end and connected to a stinger operating mandrel (not referenced in any of the figures), if any or to a drill string (P) at its other end.

When a three position flow control valve (1) is employed, it permits fluid flow distributed by the surface coating (RS) and the annular between the conductor (C) and the surface coating (RS) simultaneously.

When a two position flow control valve (1) is employed, it allows flow exclusively through the surface coating (RS) in a first position and allows flow exclusively through the annular between the conductor (C) and the surface coating (RS). ) in a second position.

The method of assembling a drilling set, which can be seen inside the dotted area (CP) in Figure 3, with the components for drilling the well (F) in a single phase, is made on the sea surface and comprises the following steps:

- assemble the conductor joints (C);

- mounting on the end of the first conductor joint (C) an annular shoe (10) with a piercing capacity;

- mounting a low pressure housing (11) to the mounted conductor (C);

- mounting the surface covering (RS) inside the conductor (C) and the annular shoe (10);

- mounting on the end of the first joint of the surface liner (RS) a shoe (12) with a drilling capacity with an outside diameter equal to the diameter to be drilled (F);

- connect to the surface coating (RS) a high pressure housing (13);

- seating the high pressure housing (13) to the low pressure housing (11);

- assemble the operating shutter mandrel, if any, inside the surface covering (RS);

mounting a lowering tool (14) to the high pressure housing (13);

- connect the flow control valve (1) and the second flow line (3) to the lowering tool (14) and the first flow lines (2) to the low pressure housing (11).

In turn, the one-stage drilling method for starting oil wells comprises the following steps:

- lowering the drilling assembly (CP) with the drilling column (P) where, if a two position flow control valve (1) is employed, the latter descends into the surface liner cementing position (RS). );

- drill the well (F) by applying weight, rotation and fluid flow of drilling through the drill string (P) to a depth greater than expected which may range from 0 m to 10 m below the lower end of the surface covering (RS);

lift the entire drilling set (CP) to the definitive position so that cementation can be performed;

cement the surface finish (RS) and conductor (C) as follows:

- If a three position flow control valve (1) is employed, stop the flow of drilling fluid and pump cement paste in order to cement both the annular between the well (F) and the surface casing (RS). ) the annular between the conductor (C) and the surface coating (RS) and the annular between the conductor (C) and the well (F); (Figures 1 and 2)

- If a two position flow control valve (1) is employed, stop the drilling fluid flow, keep the valve in the same down position and pump cement paste to cement the annulus between the well (F ) and surface coating (RS); change the position of the flow control valve (1) so that the cement paste flow through the first flow lines (2) and cement the annular between conductor (C) and surface liner (RS) as well as ringing between conductor (C) and well (F) until returning to the seabed; (Figures 3, 4 and 5)

wait for the cement to cure;

disconnect the first flow lines (2) from the annular access between the conductor (C) and the surface casing (RS), remove the lowering tool (14) from the high housing pressure (13);

- raise the lowering tool, flow control valve (1) and first flow lines (2) and second flow line (3) by disassembling the drill string (P).

Figure 6 shows the completely cemented well.

The rig drilling rig applies torque and rotation to the drill string (P), which is transmitted to the drill set (CP) and the valve and line arrangement (LV) so that all components rotate solidly with the drill string. perforation (P).

In the case of a drilling and cementing, and the flow control valve (1) is three position, the drilling fluid is pumped from the probe to the drilling rig and then passes through the drilling column (P) and flow control valve (1) into which the drilling fluid flow is divided. This path (TJ) can be followed in Figure 1 by the aid of dashed and arrowed lines, and the aspect of the final cementation in Figure 2.

A portion of the drilling fluid flow when drilling, and cement paste when cementing, goes to the descent tool (14) connected to the high pressure housing (13), to the operating shutter chuck (stinger) if for the surface casing (RS) through the drill shoe (12) and up the annular between the surface casing (RS) and the well (F).

The other part of the drilling or cementing fluid flow follows the first flow lines (2) connecting the flow control valve (1) to the conductor annular (C) access with the surface casing (RS) through conductor ring (C) with the surface casing (RS), through the conductor drilling ring (10) and up the annular between conductor (C) and the well (F) to the bottom of the sea.

In the case of drilling and the flow control valve (1) is two position, the position of the flow control valve (1) allows the drilling fluid only through the surface coating (RS).

For cementation, initially the flow control valve (1) remains in the same drilling position during cement pumping, the latter passes through the drilling column (P), flow control valve (1). , by the high pressure housing (13), by the operating shutter chuck (stinger), if any, by the surface coating (RS), its drilling shoe (12) and rises by the annular between the surface coating (RS) and the well (F) perforated. This path (TJ) can be followed in Figure 3 by the aid of dashed and arrowed lines.

At the end of the displacement of the cement by the surface coating (RS), the flow control valve (1) is actuated remotely and this time it is in a position that allows flow only by the first flow lines (2) that connect the flow control valve (1) to conductor annular (C) with surface casing (RS) access located in low pressure housing (11), by conductor annular (C) with surface casing (RS) and the conductor perforating annular shoe (10) (C).

In this way, during the pumping of cement for the cementation of the conductor, the latter passes through the drill string (P), the flow control valve (1), the first flow lines (2), and the conductor annulus. (C) with the surface casing (RS), the annular conductor drilling shoe (10) and the conductor annular (C) with the well (F) perforated by the conductor drilling shoe (12) ( C) until returning to the bottom of the sea. This path (TJ) can be followed in Figure 4 by the aid of dashed and arrowed lines.

Figure 5 shows the aspect of the final cementation.

The present invention makes it possible to drill and cement two stages at one time, with the elimination of 2.5 complete shear operations. water, a maneuver to withdraw from open-pit and water-hole drilling equipment, eliminates the relative rotation between the low-pressure housing (11) and the high-pressure housing (13) that precludes the use of the casing technique. drilling "in the surface phase and proposes the technique to allow conductor cementation even in wells where surface coating cementation does not return to the seabed ensuring the necessary conditions for structural strength of the wellhead.

Additionally, according to studies, this technique estimates a time reduction in well drilling interventions of around five days. With the reduction of time in the construction of wells, there is also the consequent anticipation of schedules and acceleration of production.

Although the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, the main concept underlying the present invention is a method for drilling deep-sea oil producing wells (P) in a single operating phase which employs a valve and line arrangement in order to enable its execution, is preserved as to its innovative character, where those usually versed in the art will be able to glimpse and practice appropriate, compatible variations and modifications to the working environment without, however, departing from the scope of the spirit and scope of the invention, which are represented by the following claims.

Claims

VALVE AND LINE ARRANGEMENT, characterized by comprising:

- a second flow line (3) connected to the other outlet of the flow control valve (1) at one end and connected to an operating mandrel, if any, or to a drill string (P) at its other end;

and allowing drilling and cementing of both a conductor (C) and surface coating (RS) in a well (F) simultaneously.

ASSEMBLY METHOD OF A DRILLING ASSEMBLY, characterized by being made on the sea surface and comprising the following steps:

- assemble the conductor joints (C);

- mounting a low pressure housing (11) to the mounted conductor (C);

- mounting on the end of the first joint of the surface liner (RS) a shoe (12) with a drilling capacity with an outside diameter equal to the diameter to be drilled (F); - connect to the surface coating (RS) a high pressure housing (13);

- seating the high pressure housing (13) to the low pressure housing (11);

- assemble the operating shutter mandrel, if present inside the surface covering (RS);

- mounting a lowering tool (1) to the high pressure housing (13);

connecting said flow control valve (1) to the lowering tool (14) and the first flow lines (2) to the low pressure housing (11).

3- Single-phase well start drilling method, comprising the following steps:

- drilling the well (F) by applying weight, rotation and flow of drilling fluid through the drilling column (P) to a depth beyond the expected range which may vary in a range between 0 m and 10 m below the lower end of the surface finish (RS);

- raise the entire drilling set (CP) to the final position so that cementation can be performed; - cement the surface coating (RS) and the conductor (C) as follows:

- if a three position flow control valve (1) is employed, interrupt the flow of drilling fluid and pump cementitious slurry to cement both the annulus between the well (F) and the surface casing. (RS) as for the annular between conductor (C) and surface coating (RS) and annular between conductor (C) and well (F);

- If a two position flow control valve (1) is employed, stop the drilling fluid flow, keep the valve in the same down position and pump cement paste to cement the annulus between the well (F ) and surface coating (RS); change the position of the flow control valve (1) so that the cement paste flow through the first flow lines (2) and cement the annular between conductor (C) and surface liner (RS) as well as ringing between conductor (C) and well (F) until returning to the seabed;

- wait for the cement to cure;

- disconnect the first flow lines (2) from the annular access between the conductor (C) and the surface covering (RS), remove the lowering tool (14) from the high pressure housing (13);

Single-phase well start drilling method according to claim 3, characterized in that the rig drilling rig applies torque and rotation to the drill string (P), which is transmitted to the drilling set (CP). and to the valve and line arrangement (LV) so that all components rotate integrally with the drill string (P).

Single phase well start drilling method according to claim 3, characterized in that in the case of drilling and cementing, the flow control valve (1) is three positions, the drilling fluid will be pumped through the drill rig probe and thereafter through the drilling column (P) and the flow control valve (1) into which the drilling fluid flow is divided; a portion of the drilling fluid flow when drilling, and cement paste when cementing, proceed to the descent tool (14) connected to the high pressure housing (13) to the operating shutter chuck (stinger) if there is, for the surface coating (RS), the perforating shoe (12) and the surface coating (RS) and well (F) rise through the eritre annular; and the other part of the drilling fluid flow follow the first flow lines (2) connecting the flow control valve (1) to the conductor annular (C) access with the surface liner (RS) by the annular from the conductor (C) to the surface casing (RS), through the annular drilling shoe (10) of the conductor (C) and up the annular between the conductor (C) and the well (F) to the bottom of the sea.

Single-stage well start drilling method according to claim 3, characterized in that in the case of drilling and the flow control valve (1) is two-position, the position of the flow control valve ( 1) allow the drilling fluid to pass only through the surface coating (RS); For cementation, initially the flow control valve (1) remains in the same drilling position during cement pumping, the latter then passes through the drilling column (P), the flow control valve (1). , by the high pressure housing (13), by the operating shutter chuck, if any, by the surface casing (RS), its drilling shoe (12) and rising through the annular between the surface casing (RS) and the well (F) perforated; At the end of the cement displacement by the surface coating (RS), the flow control valve (1) is remotely actuated and in position that allows flow only through the first flow lines (2); and thus, during the cementation of cement for the conductor cementation, it will then pass through the drill string (P), the flow control valve (1), the first flow lines, the conductor annulus (C ) with the surface casing (RS), the annular conductor drilling shoe (10) (C) and the annular conductor (C) with the well (F) perforated by the conductor drilling shoe (12) (C) until you return to the bottom of the sea.