Double Gradient Drilling Technology: An Effective Solution for Developing Challenging Wells in Eastern Siberia
摘要
Drilling wells on the Siberian Platform is challenged by complex geological and technical conditions. A distinctive feature of reservoirs containing voids, fractures, and caverns is their tendency to expand and enlarge when wellbore pressure surpasses levels that can induce hydraulic fractures in the formations. This creates a range of difficulties during drilling, including circulation loss, differential sticking, and the challenge of reaching the planned depth. To prevent and address these issues, various inert fillers are incorporated into the drilling fluid (DF). However, this negatively impacts well productivity and only slightly reduces the volume of absorbed DF. In recent years, oil companies in Eastern Siberia have begun employing different types of managed pressure drilling (MPD) technologies with nitrogen injection into the drilling fluid. This approach has partially resolved the issue of DF absorption and increased the productivity of wells where the technology was applied. This research examines traditional drilling methods and their enhancement through innovative techniques such as MPD and Double Gradient Drilling Technology (DGDT) in the context of developing complex wells in the Eastern Siberian region.