• In the modern oil field, extended-reach drilling has become more and more commonplace due to continued advances in technology. Though longer laterals provide an economic advantage with an increased reservoir contact, challenges have remained with setting casing strings at target depth. Wells where the horizontal section is longer than the vertical section have higher frictional forces due to larger contact surfaces. Rotating the casing has traditionally helped with reducing frictional forces in the wellbore, but this increases the requirement in both casing quality and connection strength.

    Another method to address these issues is to place a buoyancy barrier within the casing string to trap lighter fluid in the horizontal section and reduce friction. This proven solution, which frequently uses a bursting ceramic disc, improves casing running efficiency, but also requires specialized equipment to catch the additional debris from ruptured disc. Landing sub equipment may also be required. To combat these operational challenges, we deploy an innovative new ultra-reach flotation collar (URFC) that incorporates an embedded glass barrier. The glass barrier ruptures more easily than the ceramic one, and the smaller particles that can be pumped through standard float equipment without risk of damage.

    To learn more about our URFC and how we're using the tool to help companies around the world improve casing running times and reach target depth more efficiently, read our feature article in the July edition of World Oil magazine.

    Published Date: 2019-07-24
    Source: National Oilwell Varco