Abstract
This study presents the challenges and success of drilling in the Colombia's northeastern fields, where static temperatures reach approximately 315°F. The objective was to complete the drilling operations within a time frame of 85 days, across four distinct sections, using a specialized downhole tool qualified for high temperatures. These tools were not just standard equipment; they underwent local qualification to verify their operation at high temperatures. Strategic bottomhole assembly (BHA) design, aided by simulation, ensured drilling stability. Post-drilling analysis using data analytics improved operational efficiency and progression rates.
The initial well, Well 1, achieved a depth of 22,350 ft measured depth (MD) (22,058 ft true vertical depth, TVD), which is the deepest well in Colombia's onshore drilling history. Subsequent drilling operations, particularly in Well 2, demonstrated notable operational efficiencies. One of the key successes of this project has been the improvement in tool reliability and the optimization of resources. The incidence of BHA failures decreases to zero events, attributed to more stable drilling dynamics. A critical component in managing the high temperatures was a mud cooling strategy, which reduced the downhole temperature by approximately 14°F on average (with a maximum reduction of 20°F) at the surface. This study offers a benchmark addressing the engineering complexity of high-temperature and deep wells, enhancing tool reliability under harsh conditions, leveraging a calibrated temperature model, the efficiency of mud cooling procedures, and the application of data analytics to enhance BHA design and execution.
