Eccentric String Reamer for ECD Reduction in the Depleted Field of Gulf of Thailand GoT
Authors: Tortrakul Nichnita , Pochan Chatwit , Kananithikorn Nardthida , Siripan Thanapong , Ching Basil , Jordnork Duangkamon , Zbaraskiy Vasiliy , Botton Benoit 
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a method of reducing equivalent circulating density (ECD) while drilling using eccentric string reamers (ESR) with adjustable gage stabilizer (AGS) in Gulf of Thailand (GoT). Reduced ECD in slimhole is desirable when drilling depleted reservoirs as reduced borehole pressure can reduce or delay drilling fluid loss events. Delaying losses can allow well depth to be increased with the prospect of penetrating otherwise unrealized pay horizons and increasing reserves capture.

Several methods of reducing ECD were considered but most solutions included changing drill string and/or casing design specifications with prohibitive cost. A low-cost, low operational-impact solution was needed.

Hole-opening is a method of increasing annular clearance, but well delivery requirements of ~4.5 days per well necessitates a one-trip solution without introducing significant ROP reduction or negatively impact bottomhole assembly (BHA) walking tendencies. Further, the preferred solution must be compatible with a high temperature reservoir drilling environment and must not undermine drilling system operational reliability.

A simple but controversial tool for hole opening is ESR. ESR’s are simple in that there are no moving parts or cutter blocks to shift, and operating cost is low. They are controversial due to uncertainty that the tool eccentricity and drilling dynamics will successfully open hole to the desired diameter. Given that the intent of this hole-opening application is limited to creating annular clearance for fluid, not mechanical clearance, the eccentric reamer solution was chosen for field trial and potential development.

A tool design challenge was to create a reamer geometry with the desired enlargement ratio (6⅛-in. to 6⅞-in.) while drilling, and reliably drift surface equipment and casing without complications. The ESR design must efficiently drill-out cement and float equipment as well as heterogeneous shale/sand/mudstone interbedded formation layers without significant vibration. If successful, the enlarged hole diameter will increase annular clearance, reduce ECD, improve hole cleaning, and allow drilling depth to be increased to capture additional reserves

The plug and play functionality of the ESR required no changes to the existing rig site procedures in handling and making up the tool. The ESR drifts the casing and drills cement and shoe track with normal parameters. The ESR is run with standard measurements-while-drilling (MWD)/logging-while-drilling (LWD) AGS BHA and is able to reduce ECD providing the opportunity to drill deeper and increase barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) per each wellbore. Performance analysis has shown no negative effect on drilling performance and BHA walking tendency.

The novelty of this ESR application is its proven ability to assist in increasing reserves capture in highly depleted reservoirs. The ESR is performing very efficiently (high ROP) and reliability is outstanding. In this application, the ESR is a very cost-effective and viable solution for slimhole design.