Abstract
Different oil operators have faced technical and economic challenges while drilling in Neuquén basin. Drilling in a tectonic active setting creates problems ranging from influxes and stuck pipe incidents to circulation losses. The presence of natural fractures with an abnormally high pore pressure environment in Quintuco formation increases the gas kicks risks during drilling. Drilling nearby wells has evidenced many severe events, like many days to control a hydrocarbon influx with simultaneous losses. Stuck pipe is the responsible for lost BHAs and considerable NPT spent on freeing the pipe, performing additional wiper trips and hole cleaning. Minimizing non-productive time associated with wellbore instability reduces the risk of dangerous accidents at the wellbore site and it is required to complete the well on time and within the budget. This article describes a methodology to reduce drilling risks, in complex pore pressure conditions at Quintuco formation in Neuquén Basin. The proposed method is based on two main assumptions: the 3D pore pressure characterization based on elastic wave velocities on two different levels in Quintuco formation; and the intensity of the influx events is characterized by the presence of fracture corridors. The value added by the integrated team's efforts was demonstrated by drilling the next two wells with significant reductions in costs and nonproductive time.
