Replacing rotary steerable systems with downhole motors for horizontal drilling

Introduction. Rotary steerable systems (RSS) allow to drill longer horizontal section, reduce risks and drill faster. Some Russian companies work on RSS creation, however it will take for a while till start of RSS commercial production.

Difficulties with the supply of RSS are forcing a reconsideration of the horizontal drilling approach. RSS availability on the market has led to wide RSS implementation, even when RSS was not the only available option, when lower tier technology — downhole motors (DHM) could be used.

Objective. Such topics as technical possibility of drilling with DHM, potential risks and economical effect are described in the article.

Methods. In order to make proper decision on replacing RSS with DHM that is necessary to estimate technical possibility, potential risks and economical effect.

Results. Technical possibility of drilling with DHM should be estimated by using special software, but the software can’t take in account such factors as stiffer pipes in high dogleg severity intervals, azimuth turn, reverse horizontal displacement and others. That’s why the local experience is also very important and should be taken in the consideration.

Apart from the technical possibility, such potential risks as wellbore quality, hole cleaning, differential stuck of bottom hole assembly (BHA), pack off BHA, sensors offset also should be assessed.

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