Overview: Wellbore Tubulars (May 2007)
Authors: Baker David A. 
Published: February 2015

In this corner last year, we explored our continually evolving understanding of tubular performance. At the 2006 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition and the 2007 SPE/IADC Drilling Conference, we again were presented with outstanding investigations on several fundamental issues such as buckling and fatigue. However, as you well know, we cannot just stop here. Fundamentals must evolve into technology and then be extrapolated to design, application, and eventually implementation in the field. This implementation must bring business value through additional access to resources, savings in time, or savings in money.

Applications of technology also can evolve. For example, vacuum-insulated tubing initially was used for steam injection, and now also is used to manage hydrate formation and annular fluid expansion. Such evolution also is visible with solid expandable tubulars. This technology has been highlighted in this feature since 2000 with applications focusing on remediation (e.g., sealing off problem zones or repairing corroded intervals). However, increasingly during the past few years, solid-expandables technology has been integrated into the design process to eliminate casing strings and provide a larger wellbore cross-section for subsequent drilling and production.

Connection technology continues to evolve and meet the increasing demands placed upon tubulars. Long, extended-reach wells pose numerous drilling challenges. To reach desired targets, drillpipe stability, torsional strength, and hydraulic performance are required. Implementation of appropriate connection designs can allow for larger, more-rigid drillpipe, alleviating additional hydraulic and downhole torque concerns.

In an effort to reduce the environmental effect of thread compounds, connection manufacturers are working to meet regulatory requirements to reduce, and even eliminate, pipe-dope discharge. Through a fundamental understanding of thread-compound benefits (e.g., ease of makeup, galling avoidance), multiple technologies have been developed. In conjunction with achieving "zero discharge," these technologies can improve rig handling and running speeds by eliminating thread-compound application.

Field deployment of technology is not limited to product installation, but includes implementation of design concepts and tools. With a thorough understanding of the risks, reliability-based design methodologies, or other design tools coupled with appropriate material selection and equipment, can reduce overall development costs by identifying alternatives to standard approaches.

Wellbore Tubulars additional reading available at the SPE eLibrary: www.spe.org

SPE 100628 "Improving Drilling Performance Using Advanced Drillpipe With Streamline Connections" by M.J. Jellison, SPE, Grant Prideco, et al.

SPE 105855 "First Gas Field Developed Using Exclusively Dope-Free Casing and Tubing Connections—Statoil Snøhvit" by Gabriel Carcagno, SPE, Tenaris, et al.

SPE 100386 "Failure Analysis of String Corrosion and Its Protection During Constructing and Operating Gas Storage Facility in Bedded Salt Deposit" by Yuan Guangjie, PetroChina, et al.

SPE 104055 "Rigless Tubing Repair Using Permanent and Retrievable Patches at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska" by J.Y. Julian, SPE, BP plc, et al.

SPE 102150 "Development and Commercial Deployment of an Expandable Monobore Liner Extension" by C.F. Stockmeyer, SPE, Baker Oil Tools, et al.