Numerical Simulation of Water and Sand Blowouts When Penetrating Through Shallow Water Flow Formations in Deep Water Drilling

In this study, we applied a two-phase flow model to simulate water and sand blowout processes when penetrating shallow water flow(SWF) formations during deepwater drilling. We define ‘sand' as a pseudo-component with high density and viscosity, which can begin to flow with water when a critical pressure difference is attained. We calculated the water and sand blowout rates and analyzed the influencing factors from them, including overpressure of the SWF formation, as well as its zone size, porosity and permeability, and drilling speed(penetration rate). The obtained data can be used for the quantitative assessment of the potential severity of SWF hazards. The results indicate that overpressure of the SWF formation and its zone size have significant effects on SWF blowout. A 10% increase in the SWF formation overpressure can result in a more than 90% increase in the cumulative water blowout and a 150% increase in the sand blowout when a typical SWF sediment is drilled. Along with the conventional methods of well flow and pressure control, chemical plugging, and the application of multi-layer casing, water and sand blowouts can be effectively reduced by increasing the penetration rate. As such, increasing the penetration rate can be a useful measure for controlling SWF hazards during deepwater drilling.

Simulation of Shallow Gas Invasion Process During Deepwater Drilling and Its Control Measures

Shallow gas is considered one of the most serious geological hazards in deepwater drilling because it has the characteristics of suddenness and is difficult to deal with.To perform a quantitative evaluation of shallow gas risk during deepwater drilling,a numerical model for calculating gas invasion volume is established based on gas-water two-phase flow theory.The model considers the effect of the dynamic drilling process,and the influencing factors which affect the gas invasion volume are analyzed.Results indicate that the gas invasion rate and accumulated gas invasion volume increase with increasing bottom-hole pressure difference.A linear relationship exists between gas invasion volume and bottom-hole pressure difference.The duration of gas invasion increases as the shallow gas zone thickness increases,and the accumulated gas invasion volume grows as shallow gas zone thickness increases.The increase in formation permeability,water depth,and rate of penetration will enhance the gas invasion rate.However,these three factors can hardly affect the accumulated gas invasion volume.The gas flow rate increases significantly with increasing burial depth of shallow gas.On the basis of influencing factor analysis,a series of methods that consider different risk levels is proposed to control shallow gas,which can provide a reference for the prevention of shallow gas disasters during deepwater drilling.

Leak-Off Mechanism and Pressure Prediction for Shallow Sediments in Deepwater Drilling

Deepwater sediments are prone to loss circulation in drilling due to a low overburden gradient. How to predict the magnitude of leak-off pressure more accurately is an important issue in the protection of drilling safety and the reduction of drilling cost in deep water. Starting from the mechanical properties of a shallow formation and based on the basic theory of rock-soil mechanics, the stress distribution around a borehole was analyzed. It was found that the rock or soil on a borehole is in the plastic yield state before the effective tensile stress is generated, and the effective tangential and vertical stresses increase as the drilling fluid density increases; thus, tensile failure will not occur on the borehole wall. Based on the results of stress calculation, two mechanisms and leak-off pressure prediction models for shallow sediments in deepwater drilling were put forward, and the calculated values of these models were compared with the measured value of shallow leak-off pressure in actual drilling. The results show that the MHPS(minimum horizontal principle stress) model and the FIF(fracturing in formation) model can predict the lower and upper limits of leak-off pressure. The PLC(permeable lost circulation) model can comprehensively analyze the factors influencing permeable leakage and provide a theoretical basis for leak-off prevention and plugging in deepwater drilling.

The movement age of hidden fault and analysis on width of its effect zone from shallow seismic sounding and drilling data

Field experimental seismic sounding permitted us to obtain optimal shallow seismic reflection sounding parameters.In process of data processing,we obtained a high-qualitative shallow seismic reflection sounding profile by using the techniques such as filtering,edition surgical blanking,prediction deconvolution,fitting static correlation of first arrival time,and velocity analysis.Comprehensive analysis on the information of reflection wave groups along the seismic sounding profile and the stratigraphic and neogeochronological data obtained from many drills near the sounding line reveals that the upper termination of the detected fault zone is located at depth of 75~80 m,in the Middle Pleistocene deposits dated to be about 220 ka BP.The continuity,discontinuity,increasing and decreasing amount of reflection wave groups and change of their configurations,in combination with geological columns of drills,permitted us to know that the width of upper termination of the fault zone is 100 m.It can be inferred from the variation of number of reflection wave groups along the profile that the scarp of hidden fault is 200 m wide and the fault is a synsedimentary active fault in the Early Pleistocene and the early stage of Middle Pleistocene.No tectonic movement,which offset the covering deposits,had occurred since the late stage of Middle Pleistocene.

Limit analysis of extended reach drilling in South China Sea

Extended reach wells （ERWs）, especially horizontal extended reach well with a high HD （horizontal displacement） to TVD （true vertical depth） ratio, represent a frontier technology and challenge the drilling limitations. Oil and gas reservoir in beaches or lakes and offshore can be effectively exploited by using extended reach drilling （ERD） technology. This paper focuses on the difficult technological problems encountered during exploiting the Liuhua 11-1 oil field in the South China Sea, China. Emphasis is on investigating the key subjects including prediction and control of open hole limit extension in offshore ERD, prediction of casing wear and its prevention and torque reduction, φ244.5mm casing running with floating collars to control drag force, and steerable drilling modes. The basic concept of limit extension in ERD is presented and the prediction method for open hole limit extension is given in this paper. A set of advanced drilling mechanics and control technology has been established and its practical results are verified by field cases. All those efforts may be significant for further investigating and practicing ERD limit theory and control technology in the future.

Structural Design and Performance Analysis of a Deep-Water Ball Joint Seal

To overcome the current difficulties of high-precision machining and the high manufacturing and maintenance costs of spherical seals for deep-water drilling ball joints,a new spherical seal technique is proposed in this paper.The spherical seal is mainly composed of silicone rubber and polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE).Rational structural design makes the seal independent from the ball and other components,making it easy to replace if leakage occurs at its surface.PTFE can elastically deform over a certain deformation range,which guarantees that two sealing surfaces fit tightly together.O-Ring and PTFE elasticity makes up for any lack of accuracy during spherical machining and decreases the machining precision requirements for spherical surfaces.Using a finite element technique and nonlinear theory,the performance of the spherical seal under the influence of various factors is determined.The results show that the spherical seal designed in this paper exhibits excellent sealing performance under lowtemperature and high-pressure conditions.The spherical seal,a combination of an O-ring and PTFE,has the advantages of cheap manufacturing and maintenance costs and excellent sealing performance.

ESR and U-series ages of coral reef samples from shallow drill holes in the South China Sea

The ages of coral reef samples from several shallow drill holes in the South China Sea are determined by ESR and U-series (230Th/234U) methods. The experimental results show ideal agreement between ESR and U-series ages and that the coral reefs were formed in the early Holocene. In the determination of natural total dose of coral reef by use of the additive dose method good results can be obtained by exponential fitting, no matter how the effect of dose saturation is. It was found that the ratio of the natural ESR signal intensity ( I0) to the ESR signal intensity at dose saturation ( Imax) of sample can reflect the significance of a irradiation efficiency-k value. Using the k value of sample determined by the formula given in this paper, the precision of ESR dating of marine carbonates can be improved.

Managed Pressure Drilling Technology:A Research on the Formation Adaptability

Existing pressure drilling technologies are based on different principles and display distinct characteristics in terms of control pressure and degree of formation adaptability.In the present study,the constant-bottomhole-pressure(CBHP)and controlled-mud-level(CML)dual gradient drilling methods are considered.Models for the equivalent circulating density(ECD)are introduced for both drilling methods,taking into account the control pressure parameters(wellhead back pressure,displacement,mud level,etc.)and the relationship between the equivalent circulating density curve in the wellbore and two different types of pressure profiles in deep-water areas.The findings suggest that the main pressure control parameter for CBHP drilling is the wellhead back pressure,while for CML dual gradient drilling,it is the mud level.Two examples are considered(wells S1 and B2).For S1,CML dual gradient drilling only needs to adjust the ECD curve once to drill down to the target layer without risk.By comparison,CBHP drilling requires multiple adjustments to reach the target well depth avoiding a kick risk.In well B2,the CBHP method can drill down to the desired zone or even deeper after a single adjustment of the ECD curve.In contrast,CML dual-gradient drilling requires multiple adjustments to reach the target well depth(otherwise there is a risk of lost circulation).Therefore,CML dual-gradient drilling should be considered as a better choice for well S1,while CBHP drilling is more suitable for well B2.

不同勘探方法对浅层小断距隐伏断裂探测效果

采用浅层地震勘探、钻孔联合剖面勘探、槽探3种方法联合探测临汾盆地郭家庄断裂的空间位置,并研究其活动特征。结果表明,不同探测方法对断层信息的揭示存在很大差异,浅层地震勘探在探测具有一定断距的断层,同时地层存在一定物性差异的情况下能取得理想的效果,且不同的工作参数探测效果不相同;钻孔联合剖面勘探能提高对小断距断层的分辨率,但受地形及地层主观认别等因素的影响,可能会遗漏断距小、标识层薄的断层;槽探能较好地识别地表断层的微小断距,但受施工深度和施工条件影响。3种方法相结合,可以精确确定断裂的空间位置和活动特征。

龙门山双复杂区表层结构调查方法研究

龙门山山前带地表地质条件复杂,浅表层速度及厚度差异大,给激发、接收和静校正等工作带来较大困难。表层调查工作直接影响到地下介质成像效果。为使该地区进行的地震勘探攻关能够获取准确的静校正量数据,给井深设计提供依据,研究适合该区域的表层调查方法,结合地质剖面、浅震、小层析、地面微测井、钻井取心、高密度电法、三分量共振表层调查方法的工作原理,分别应用不同方法做比对,分析了不同调查方法的应用效果。通过不同表层调查的比对,分析了不同方法的适用范围,为该区选择合适的表层调查方法及方法参数选取提供依据,同时为其他地表复杂区域进行表层调查提供参考。

基于多层次探测研究茅山断裂带北延段空间展布特征及第四纪活动性

本文介绍了从深至浅完成对茅山断裂北延立体式综合探测方法。使用重力场资料解译和大地电磁勘探初步定位断裂,随后通过浅层地震勘探进行精确定位,最后根据跨断点的小间距钻孔联合地质剖面探测法捕获了上断点并研判其第四纪活动性。研究发现:①茅山断裂带继续向北延伸入镇江市区,茅山断裂带北延段切割深度至少延伸至中地壳区域;②茅山断裂带北延段浅部区域表现出正断性质,倾向东,走向北东,视倾角约为60°,视断距约为3~5 m;③钻孔联合地质剖面探测结果显示,断点两侧基岩面落差较小,上覆第四纪地层未发现较大的起伏,未见第四纪有明显活动迹象,综合判断茅山断裂带北延段为前第四纪断裂。本项研究初步表明,茅山断裂在地理空间上可能与江苏陆域历史上两次显著的地震事件存在联系。这一发现为进一步研究该地区的发震构造特征和地震活动规律提供了新的视角,并可能对今后的相关研究有所启发。

多维度深水浅层建井方式优选方法研究

深水钻井作业具有海洋环境多变、地质条件复杂、作业风险大和日费率高等特点,深水浅层建井的方式难以选择。针对海底土质强度、建井质量、作业时效、经济性、风险控制等因素,根据现场作业工程数据,分别对不同建井工艺的适应性进行了分析,建立了单维度的适应性分级机制,并借助雷达图进行定量可视化,形成了多维度深水浅层建井方式优选方法。研究结果表明,水深500~1500 m的南海北部海域,单井作业时,喷射法一般为浅层建井最优方法,作业效率相比钻入法可提高50%以上。该方法已在中国南海几十口深水井取得良好应用效果,可为深水复杂地层建井方式选择提供定量评价方法。

基于绿色勘查的浅层钻探技术方法研究与实践

绿色勘查是新一轮找矿突破战略行动的主要模式,是统筹找矿突破与生态环境保护的有效手段。钻探技术作为直接获取地下实物信息的唯一手段,在新一轮找矿突破行动中具有不可替代的作用。成矿带浅覆盖区资源潜力巨大,是国家资源能源战略保障的重要前沿阵地,利用浅钻“剥离”覆盖层,采集残积层、新鲜基岩等实物样品,通过分析测试确定矿体埋藏深度、品位和储量,是覆盖区找矿的有效方法。本文在收集和总结国内外浅钻设备研究进展基础上,梳理我国基于绿色勘查的浅钻技术研究与实践进展,分析浅钻技术发展趋势,提出构建高效率、小扰动、少污染、低碳排的浅层绿色钻探技术装备体系,推进我国地质矿产勘查行业的绿色可持续发展。

邯东断裂浅部特征及第四纪活动性分析

邯东断裂为太行山山前断裂以东的一条隐伏断裂,是华北平原坳陷区内邯郸凹陷的东界断裂,位于邯郸东部新区规划建设范围内。研究其空间分布特征和活动性对于地震危险性评价及城区重大工程项目选址具有重要意义。本文采用浅层地震勘探、钻孔联合剖面探测和年代学测试方法,对邯东断裂的展布特征及第四纪活动性进行系统研究,共布设跨断裂浅层地震勘探测线6条、钻孔联合地质剖面3条。综合分析表明,邯东断裂为一条近NNE-SSE走向的高角度正断层,倾向W,视倾角约50°~75°。断裂上断点埋深南浅北深,最新活动时代为中更新世晚期。中更新世早期,南段与北段相比较为活跃。

Conventional Geothermal Systems and Unconventional Geothermal Developments: An Overview

This paper provides an overview of conventional geothermal systems and unconventional geothermal developments as a common reference is needed for discussions between energy professionals. Conventional geothermal systems have the heat, permeability and fluid, requiring only drilling down to °C, normal heat flow or decaying radiogenic granite as heat sources, and used in district heating. Medium-temperature (MT) 100°C - 190°C, and high-temperature (HT) 190°C - 374°C resources are mostly at plate boundaries, with volcanic intrusive heat source, used mostly for electricity generation. Single well capacities are °C - 500°C) and a range of depths (1 m to 20 Km), but lack permeability or fluid, thus requiring stimulations for heat extraction by conduction. HVAC is 1 - 2 m deep and shallow geothermal down to 500 m in wells, both capturing °C, with °C are either advanced by geothermal developers at <7 Km depth (Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), drilling below brittle-ductile transition zones and under geothermal fields), or by the Oil & Gas industry (Advanced Geothermal Systems, heat recovery from hydrocarbon wells or reservoirs, Superhot Rock Geothermal, and millimeter-wave drilling down to 20 Km). Their primary aim is electricity generation, relying on closed-loops, but EGS uses fractures for heat exchange with earthquake risks during fracking. Unconventional approaches could be everywhere, with shallow geothermal already functional. The deeper and hotter unconventional alternatives are still experimental, overcoming costs and technological challenges to become fully commercial. Meanwhile, the conventional geothermal resources remain the most proven opportunities for investments and development.

南海东部浅层大位移井聚合物钻井液优化研究与应用

南海东部恩平油田浅层大位移井钻遇层位浅,地层胶结疏松,泥岩含量高,钻井过程中存在钻井液增稠、井壁失稳、循环当量密度升高诱发井漏、摩阻扭矩大等问题。优选了低分子量酰胺基聚合物PF-BIOCAP、胺基聚合物PF-UHIB和硼酸酯复合植物油PF-EXLUBE以改善聚合物钻井液包被抑制性、造浆抑制性和润滑性。评价结果表明,优化后钻井液泥岩滚动回收率达到96%,经(w)15%泥岩钻屑污染后表观黏度上升率明显下降,摩擦系数和泥饼黏滞系数均低于0.1,表现出优异的抑制性和润滑性,且流变性能满足井眼清洁要求。该聚合物钻井液体系在恩平油田浅层大位移井中取得了良好的应用效果,解决了泥岩井壁失稳、泥岩岩屑造浆和高摩阻扭矩等技术难题,对海上浅层大位移井的推广应用具有指导意义。

覆盖区矿产调查钻探查证技术方法研究

覆盖区矿产勘查是新一轮找矿突破战略行动的重要内容之一.采用更加绿色和有效的钻探技术,快速获取隐伏基岩信息与样品,是覆盖区找矿亟待总结和推广的工作.本研究基于绿色勘查理念,采用便携式浅层钻探装备与技术,以及空气反循环钻进工艺,在大兴安岭东南缘宝山浅覆盖区铜多金属矿勘查中开展钻探试验,实现了快速穿透覆盖层获取隐伏基岩信息、查证物探异常并采集地球化学样品的效果,同步结合孔内成像等技术,为填制覆盖区隐伏岩石地层单元分布范围和界线等提供了基础资料.试验结果表明,基于浅层绿色钻探技术,结合孔内成像,并为野外地球化学快速分析提供测试样品的多方法组合,可以有效解决浅覆盖区找矿难题,在矿产勘查过程中具有很好的推广价值.

TGQ-200RC型多工艺自动化钻机的研制与应用

新一轮找矿突破战略行动对钻探技术提出更高要求,利用浅钻技术在浅覆盖区进行快速查证是重要的技术手段。多工艺钻探可以为复杂地层钻探施工提供绿色高效的钻探技术支撑。围绕这一需求研制了TGQ-200RC型多工艺自动化钻机,制定了钻机的总体方案,研制了多工艺动力头、夹持拧卸装置、6自由度移摆管机构、车装集成式液压储杆库、电液控制及参数监测系统等钻机主要部件,规划了自动加减钻杆过程中多机构协同动作控制流程。实钻试验表明,TGQ-200RC型钻机钻进效率高,取样质量好,具有多工艺、机动化、自动化、数字化等特点,单次自动加减钻杆平均用时约90 s,配合无线遥控可实现孔口无人操作,有效降低劳动强度,提高施工安全性。TGQ-200RC型多工艺自动化钻机可以为构建绿色、高效、经济的快速查证钻探技术体系提供坚实支撑,为推动国内浅层钻探装备自动化升级提供有益借鉴。

华北平原中南部聊城-兰考断裂的第四纪晚期活动性探测——兼论1937年菏泽7.0级地震发震机制

华北平原是中国人口最多、经济最为发达的地区之一,也是受地震灾害影响最为严重的地区之一。对于该地区断裂活动性和大地震发震机制的研究有利于探索板内地震的发震规律、减轻地震灾害所造成的损失。聊城-兰考断裂是华北平原中南部一条重要的隐伏深大断裂。结合浅层地震勘探、钻孔勘探和第四纪测年方法,对聊城-兰考断裂的活动性进行了精细的研究。坝城寺钻孔揭示聊城-兰考断裂南段错断了全新统底界,为全新世早期活动断裂,揭露出该断裂晚更新世以来造成了4次古地震事件,单次事件的垂直位错为1.2±0.2~3.7±0.2 m。根据钻孔揭示的地层落差计算出该断裂晚更新世早期的平均垂直滑动速率约为0.1±0.05 mm/a,晚更新世晚期—全新世中期的平均滑动速率为0.35±0.04 mm/a。根据1937年菏泽7.0级和6(3/4)级地震的等震线和地表破裂分布特征认为,小留-解元集断裂和东明-成武断裂为该地震的发震断裂;聊城-兰考断裂对于该地区应力的积累、地震的发生具有很好的控制和约束作用,为区域控震构造。

渤海浅层油气藏高效钻完井技术现状及发展趋势

渤海浅部主力含油气层系逐渐步入开发的中后期,为实现浅层油气藏的高效开发,钻完井作业面临作业再提速、井漏、防碰及劣质储层产能释放等新难题。通过科技攻关和技术创新,形成马达深钻一趟钻提速技术、钻井风险高效管控技术、储层产能释放增产技术、水下井口及采油树系统等关键技术体系,基本实现浅层油气藏钻完井技术的第三次突破。总结了渤海浅层油气藏高效开发钻完井技术,并分析了渤海油田钻完井面临的在生产油气田稳产、新发现油气田高产、受限区油气田开发等难点,探讨了渤海浅层油气藏高效开发钻完井技术的发展趋势及技术研究方向,可为渤海油田可持续高质量发展提供参考。