Disminución de la probabilidad de ocurrencia de pega diferencial en la Arenisca M1 de la plataforma Tiputini C mediante el uso de diésel.

Abstract

Drilling on Tiputini Field, located on the Oriente Basin, started on March 28th, 2016, with the first exploratory well drilled. Pressure tests performed on M1 sandstone on Napo Formation, determined that the average reservoir pressure (Pr) was 1921 psi, which matches an equivalent density (DE) of 8.11 ppg. However, by January, 2017, Pr averaged 846 psi, with DE surrounding 3.55 ppg. This increased the probability of occurrence of differential sticking; event that occurred while drilling the well TPTC-016. The first approach to a solution implied the use of the “Bow-Tie” methodology, as a predictive tool that describes danger, risk, the critical event (differential sticking), its causes, barriers, controls and consequences. Using this diagram, and taking into account preliminary studies that describe the phenomena, a solution of stablishing an additional barrier with the use of diesel on the drilling fluid was found. Diesel was used in order to extend the “half sticking time” value and for lowering the friction coefficient between mud cake and pipe. The hypothesis of this work stated: “The use of diesel on drilling mud, will constitute a barrier that will allow the reduction of the probability of occurrence of differential sticking on M1 sandstone, at Tiputini C platform.” Once experimental testing was performed, and references were made to the “Bow-Tie” diagram, the hypothesis was proved valid, while effective reduction on probability of occurrence was determined.