Forage et complétion de puits

Slips

Maintenir le tuyau en place : Les glissières dans le forage et l'achèvement des puits

Dans le monde exigeant du forage pétrolier et gazier et de l'achèvement des puits, la fixation du tuyau en place est primordiale. Les glissières, des pièces métalliques en forme de coin avec des dents ou des griffes, jouent un rôle crucial dans ce processus. Elles fonctionnent comme des pinces géantes, empêchant le tuyau de glisser dans le trou de forage et assurant l'intégrité du puits.

Types de glissières :

Il existe deux principaux types de glissières utilisés dans les opérations de forage :

  • Glissières rotatives : Celles-ci sont les plus courantes, conçues pour s'adapter autour du tuyau de forage et se coincer contre le butoir principal, un composant de la table rotative du derrick de forage. Elles fournissent le soutien principal pour le tuyau pendant les opérations de forage, empêchant ainsi qu'il ne glisse sous le poids du train de forage.
  • Glissières motorisées : Ces dispositifs innovants utilisent une activation pneumatique ou hydraulique, éliminant ainsi le besoin de manipulation manuelle. Cela offre plusieurs avantages :
    • Sécurité accrue : La réduction des efforts manuels minimise le risque de blessures lors de la pose et du retrait des glissières.
    • Efficacité : Les glissières motorisées accélèrent le processus de connexion, contribuant ainsi à des cycles de forage plus rapides.
    • Contrôle amélioré : Un contrôle précis de l'engagement et du désengagement des glissières permet une manipulation plus efficace du tuyau.

Au-delà du forage :

Les glissières ne sont pas seulement utilisées dans les opérations de forage. Elles sont également essentielles dans divers processus d'achèvement des puits. Les packers, cruciaux pour isoler différentes zones dans un puits, sont fixés en place à l'aide de glissières qui s'engagent sur le tuyau depuis la surface. Cela garantit que le packer reste fermement positionné, empêchant la migration de fluides entre différentes zones du puits.

Les glissières : Un fondement pour le succès :

La fiabilité et les performances des glissières sont essentielles au succès des opérations de forage et d'achèvement des puits. S'assurer que le bon type de glissière est choisi pour l'application spécifique et qu'elles sont correctement entretenues est crucial pour éviter des temps d'arrêt coûteux et des accidents potentiels. Leur capacité à maintenir le tuyau en sécurité sous une pression immense et dans des conditions diverses en fait un outil indispensable dans l'industrie pétrolière et gazière.


Test Your Knowledge

Quiz: Keeping the Pipe in Place

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the primary function of slips in drilling and well completion?

a) To prevent pipe from rotating. b) To secure pipe in place, preventing it from sliding down the borehole. c) To connect different sections of pipe. d) To lubricate the drill string.

Answer

b) To secure pipe in place, preventing it from sliding down the borehole.

2. Which type of slip is commonly used during drilling operations?

a) Power slips b) Rotary slips c) Packer slips d) Hydraulic slips

Answer

b) Rotary slips

3. What is the main advantage of power slips compared to rotary slips?

a) They are more affordable. b) They are easier to install. c) They provide increased safety and efficiency. d) They are more durable.

Answer

c) They provide increased safety and efficiency.

4. How are slips used in well completion processes?

a) To connect the drill pipe to the casing. b) To secure packers in place. c) To lubricate the wellbore. d) To measure the depth of the well.

Answer

b) To secure packers in place.

5. Why is proper maintenance of slips crucial in drilling and well completion?

a) To prevent corrosion. b) To ensure the longevity of the equipment. c) To prevent costly downtime and potential accidents. d) All of the above.

Answer

d) All of the above.

Exercise: Choosing the Right Slips

Scenario: You are working on a drilling rig, preparing to drill a well. The well depth is estimated to be 12,000 feet, and the drill pipe weighs approximately 20 pounds per foot. You are choosing between rotary slips and power slips for this operation.

Task:

  1. Considering the weight of the drill string and the depth of the well, which type of slip would be more appropriate for this operation?
  2. Justify your choice, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each type of slip in this specific scenario.

Exercice Correction

In this scenario, **power slips would be more suitable.** Here's why: * **Weight of the drill string:** The heavy drill string at 12,000 feet deep poses a significant load on the slips. Power slips offer better control and engagement under such high weight, reducing the risk of slippage. * **Safety:** The high weight also increases the risk of injury during manual slip handling. Power slips minimize manual effort, enhancing safety. * **Efficiency:** With a deep well, efficient drilling cycles are crucial. Power slips offer faster connection times, speeding up the process. While rotary slips are generally cheaper and suitable for shallower wells, their performance under high load and the risk of manual handling make them less ideal for this specific scenario.


Books

  • "Drilling Engineering" by Robert F. Stewart: This comprehensive textbook covers various drilling aspects, including pipe handling and slip usage.
  • "Well Completion Engineering" by J.A. Clark: This book delves into the intricacies of well completion, including the role of slips in packers and other completion equipment.
  • "Oil Well Drilling and Production" by Harold L. Williams: A classic reference on the oil and gas industry, featuring chapters on drilling operations and the mechanics of slips.

Articles

  • "Rotary Slips: A Critical Component in Drilling Operations" by [Author Name]: Search for articles specifically on rotary slips, their design, and functionality.
  • "Power Slips: Revolutionizing Well Completion Efficiency" by [Author Name]: Look for articles discussing the advantages and applications of power slips.
  • "Packer Design and Installation: A Comprehensive Guide" by [Author Name]: Articles on packers will highlight the role of slips in securing and maintaining them.

Online Resources

  • Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE): This professional organization hosts a wealth of publications, technical papers, and conference presentations on drilling and well completion, including information on slips.
  • American Petroleum Institute (API): API develops industry standards, including specifications for slip design and safety practices.
  • Oilfield Glossary: This online glossary defines numerous terms related to oil and gas operations, including "slips" with detailed descriptions and explanations.

Search Tips

  • "Rotary slips drilling" OR "Power slips well completion": Use specific keywords to narrow your search and focus on relevant content.
  • "Slip design specifications API": Combine relevant keywords with specific industry standards like API to find technical documentation.
  • "Slips in wellbore stability": Include keywords related to the impact of slips on wellbore stability and operational challenges.

Techniques

Termes similaires
Gestion de l'intégrité des actifs
Forage et complétion de puits
Les plus regardés

Comments


No Comments
POST COMMENT
captcha
Back