Abstract
Among the challenges generated by the drilling of wells in the unconventional Neuquén basin, where increasingly extensive horizontal sections are required and with a continuous improvement of operating times, the need to have methodologies for the design of trajectories that, depending on the formations and their level of drillability, ensure an execution that positively impacts the construction progress of the curved sections. These methodologies must face other challenges such as the instability of the Tool Face (TF), the transfer of weight to the drill bit (WOB), optimal design of the Bottomhole Assembly (BHA) that meets the demands of the designed plan overcoming the complexity of Quintuco, Vaca Muerta and transition zones, achieving the objective of reaching total depth (TD) in a single run.
Offset well analysis emerges as a crucial tool to get these challenges. The first step consists of the generation and analysis of the Motor Yield (MY) graph, which when correlated with the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) profiles and Gamma Ray (GR) logs, allows the identification of the areas of better drillability, with which once identified, the design of customized curves is proposed with optimal positioning of the kickoff point (KOP) and segmenting the dogleg severity (DLS) according to the previous analysis, generating trajectories adjusted to the observed performance by area.
This document provides a comprehensive and customized method for the design of trajectories and modeling of BHA for the execution of directional wells in the Neuquén basin, with measurable results that demonstrate its potential to optimize operating times during the construction of curves, better positioning of the well, improvement in weight transmission and achievement of well length objectives. Respecting the limits of the BHA components, ensuring their integrity, and minimizing the risk of operational failures; this collectively increase the productivity of hydrocarbons in this region, adding value to the client's assets.