Hole cleaning and wellbore instability remain key challenges while drilling highly deviated or horizontal wells. Inadequate hole cleaning or excess cuttings generated due to wellbore instability leads to incidents like stuck pipes due to well packing off and increasing Non-Productive Time (NPT). In addition, problems such as premature bit wear, high torque, and drag due to improper hole cleaning reduce the drilling rates and increase drilling costs.
The two case studies presented in this paper demonstrate the use of the advanced hole-cleaning monitoring approach in the horizontal section of Maximum Reservoir Contact wells across the Lower Cretaceous horizon. Data acquired in real-time from the hole-cleaning equipment provided actionable information that permitted timely optimization of drilling parameters for improved hole condition. These remedial actions avoided unplanned events such as hole pack-off and excessive reaming. The wells were drilled efficiently within the schedule, with the minimal risk associated with cuttings loading of the well due to improper hole cleaning.
