Drilling & Well Completion

Kelly Down

Kelly Down: The Crucial Transition in Drilling Operations

In the realm of oil and gas exploration, drilling operations involve the careful and precise insertion of drill pipe into the wellbore. One critical phase in this process is known as "Kelly Down," a maneuver that marks the transition from a single string of drill pipe to a longer one, adding additional pipe to reach deeper depths.

Understanding the Kelly:

The Kelly, a long, heavy pipe with a square cross-section, acts as the interface between the top drive and the drill string. It is a crucial component of the drilling rig, connecting the rotating mechanism to the actual drill pipe. The Kelly's square shape allows it to fit snugly into the Kelly bushing, a square opening in the rotary table, preventing slippage during rotation.

The Importance of Kelly Down:

During drilling, the drill string gradually extends as more pipe is added to reach deeper formations. When the existing drill pipe reaches its maximum length, a new joint needs to be added. This is where Kelly Down comes into play.

The Kelly Down Procedure:

  1. Reaching the Rotary Table: The drilling operation continues until the Kelly, connected to the drill pipe, reaches the rotary table.
  2. Disconnecting the Kelly: The Kelly is then disconnected from the drill string, carefully removed, and placed on the floor.
  3. Adding a New Joint: A new joint of drill pipe is connected to the existing string at the top.
  4. Reaconnecting the Kelly: The Kelly is then reconnected to the newly extended drill string, ensuring a secure connection.
  5. Resuming Drilling: Drilling operations resume with the extended drill string, allowing the drilling bit to continue its descent.

Safety Considerations:

Kelly Down is a delicate maneuver requiring meticulous attention to safety. Here are some key points:

  • Clear Communication: A clear communication channel between the driller and the crew is essential to ensure the smooth execution of the procedure.
  • Proper Lifting Equipment: Heavy lifting equipment should be used to safely remove and re-install the Kelly, minimizing risks of accidents.
  • Visual Inspection: The Kelly and the drill pipe connections should be thoroughly inspected for any damage or wear before and after the Kelly Down procedure.

Conclusion:

Kelly Down is a fundamental step in drilling operations, essential for extending the drill string and reaching deeper formations. This seemingly simple maneuver requires meticulous planning and execution, ensuring both the safety of the crew and the smooth progress of the drilling process. A well-executed Kelly Down procedure contributes to the successful exploration and production of oil and gas resources.


Test Your Knowledge

Kelly Down Quiz

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the primary purpose of the Kelly Down procedure?

a) To disconnect the drill string from the top drive b) To replace the drill bit with a new one c) To extend the drill string by adding a new joint of pipe d) To lower the drilling rig for maintenance

Answer

c) To extend the drill string by adding a new joint of pipe

2. What is the Kelly's role in drilling operations?

a) To connect the top drive to the drill string b) To lubricate the drill bit c) To measure the depth of the well d) To stabilize the drilling rig

Answer

a) To connect the top drive to the drill string

3. Why is clear communication crucial during Kelly Down?

a) To ensure the crew understands the drilling plan b) To avoid confusion during the lifting process c) To coordinate the actions of the crew d) All of the above

Answer

d) All of the above

4. What is the primary safety consideration during Kelly Down?

a) Ensuring the Kelly and drill pipe connections are secure b) Monitoring the drilling fluid flow c) Maintaining the drilling rig's stability d) Preventing the drill string from collapsing

Answer

a) Ensuring the Kelly and drill pipe connections are secure

5. When is Kelly Down typically performed?

a) At the beginning of the drilling operation b) When the existing drill string reaches its maximum length c) Before changing the drill bit d) When the wellbore is nearing completion

Answer

b) When the existing drill string reaches its maximum length

Kelly Down Exercise

Scenario: A drilling crew is preparing to perform a Kelly Down procedure. The current drill string is 10,000 feet long, and the crew needs to add a 30-foot joint of drill pipe.

Task:

  1. List the steps involved in the Kelly Down procedure (refer to the information provided in the text)
  2. Calculate the length of the drill string after the Kelly Down is complete.

Exercice Correction

1. Steps involved in Kelly Down:

a) Reaching the Rotary Table b) Disconnecting the Kelly c) Adding a New Joint d) Reconnecting the Kelly e) Resuming Drilling

2. Length of the drill string after Kelly Down:

  • Current drill string length: 10,000 feet
  • New joint length: 30 feet
  • Total length after Kelly Down: 10,000 feet + 30 feet = 10,030 feet


Books

  • Drilling Engineering: Principles and Practices: This comprehensive book by John A. Z. M. Naidu provides in-depth information about drilling operations, including sections on Kelly Down.
  • Petroleum Engineering Handbook: This widely used handbook includes chapters on drilling, well completion, and production. It offers a good overview of the Kelly Down procedure and its significance in drilling operations.
  • The Petroleum Engineer's Guide to Drilling Operations: This book by Charles E. Friedel and David W. Miller focuses specifically on drilling operations and provides detailed explanations of various procedures, including Kelly Down.

Articles

  • "Drilling Operations: An Overview" by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE): This article provides a basic overview of drilling operations, including Kelly Down and its importance.
  • "The Importance of Safe and Efficient Drilling Operations" by The American Petroleum Institute (API): This article discusses the importance of safety and efficiency in drilling operations, which is highly relevant to the Kelly Down procedure.
  • "Kelly Down: A Critical Step in Drilling" by RigZone: This article provides a specific focus on the Kelly Down procedure, covering safety considerations and best practices.

Online Resources

  • The Oil & Gas Engineering Hub: This online platform offers a wealth of information on drilling operations and related topics, including detailed explanations of Kelly Down.
  • The American Petroleum Institute (API) website: API provides comprehensive guidelines and standards for drilling operations, including sections on Kelly Down procedures.
  • Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) website: SPE offers resources and publications on drilling and production, including articles and papers related to Kelly Down.

Search Tips

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