J.A.

"Jim" Short

~~~~!n~g~~y
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Copyright @ 1983 by
PennWell Publishing Company
1421 South Sheridan Road/P.O. Box 1260
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101
Library of Congress cataloging in publication data
Short, J. A.
Drilling: a source book on oil and gas well
drilling from exploration to completion.
1. Oil well drilling.
I. Title.
TN871.2.S5368 1983
ISBN 0-87814-242-8

2. Gas well drilling.

622' .338

83-13314

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed
in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and recording,
without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America

12345

87 86 85 84 83

DEDICATION

The drilling industry was created by pioneers. Two of them were a rancher's son
and a merchant's daughter who joined together and spent a lifetime in the effort.
This book is dedicated with.love and respect to Mother and Dad.

Margaret A. and Arthur E. "Slim" Short

CONTENTS
Dedication

Preface

Acknowledgments
Introduction

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF DRilliNG

Types of drilling methods
CHAPTER 2: GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION
History
Geological cycle
Origin, migration, and accumulation of oil and gas
Oil and gas traps
Exploration operations
Problem formations

xi
xii

1
1
17
18
19
36
44
53
55

CHAPTER 3: RESERVOIRS AND RESERVES 59

Well logs
59
Fluid flow
81
Producingmechanisms
99
Secondary,tertiary, and enhancedrecovery
104
Volumes
105
Oil reservoir
106

CHAPTER 4: DRilLING PROSPECTS,

PROGRAMS, AND
PROCEDURES
Drilling prospects
Prospect submittal
Drilling programs and procedures
General information on the drilling program
Geological prognosis
vii

117
117
121
126
127
134

viii

Contents

Casing and cementing program

Bit program
Mud program
General equipment specifications
AFE and contracts

134
149
155
162
163

CHAPTER 5: DRilLING PERSONNEL AND

EQUIPMENT.
Personneland services
Drillingequipment
Rig classifications
Rig parts and functions(componentsystems)
Marinerigs

169
169
173
173
175
232

CHAPTER 6: MOVING IN, RIGGING UP,

AND DRilLING THE
CONDUCTOR HOLE

241

Activities before move-in

Moving the rig
Move-in and rig-up procedure
Drilling the rathole and mousehole
Spud-in and conductor hole section
Drilling problems
Running and cementing conductor casing
Nippling up and drilling out
Air-gas mist drilling operations
Helicopter rig operations
Marine operations

242
250
253
262
265
279
283
286
287
289
290

CHAPTER 7: SURFACE HOLE SECTION

295

Drillingprocedure
Trippingthe drillpipe assembly
Surfacehole drilling problems
Landingcasing and nipplingup
CHAPTER 8: INTERMEDIATE HOLE
SECTION

295
306
321
342

Daily operations and crew duties

347
347

ix

Contents

Drilling the section

Tripping and related activities
Drilling problems
Stuck assemblies and fishing
Logging, running, and cementing casing

352
361
369
382
403

CHAPTER 9: PRODUCTION
HOLE SECTION 407
Drilling the section
407
Drilling problems
413
Deviated holes
427
Obtaining reservoir and productivity information
433
Plugging and abandoning a dry hole
451
Production casing and liners
454

CHAPTER 10: COMPLETIONS

463

H~ry
Factors affecting completions
Types of completions
Tools and equipment
Completion design and procedures
Operations
Surface equipment

~
464
466
467
486
503
535

Appendix

555

Bibliography and Suggested Readings

Index

569
573

PREFACE

Where does oil come from? How do you find it and get it out of the ground? I
have been asked these questions numerous times over the years by many people
both in and out of the industry. Those in the industry ask for both general and
detailed information to find out how their work fits into the overall picture. The
answers to these questions invariably lead to other questions searching for more
information.
These questions indicate a widespread interest from a variety of people.
They also emphasize the need for one source that (I) covers the entire industry,
(2) contains detailed, specific information and answers, (3) allows the reader to
select and review areas of special interest, and (4) presents the material in a clear,
understandable manner for anyone interested in the industry.
The purpose of drilling is to drill and complete a commercial oil and
gas well. The purpose of this book is to explain, describe, and illustrate the
process.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Coastal Corporation's permission to publish this text is gratefully appreciated. Blocker Drilling Company, Four Flags Drilling Company, San Patrico
Corporation, and Loffland Brothers Drilling Company gave permission to photograph and publish pictures of their drilling rigs and equipment. Various service
and supply companies supplied material and information. These and others have
made a major contribution that is sincerely appreciated.
Many people have contributed to this text by teaching, guiding, and helping me throughout my career. I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge their
help and to express my sincerest thanks.

'.

xi

Drilling started as the simple process of digging a hole. This text begins with a
historical review. Oil and gas hydrocarbons formed from organisms in the geologic past. Natural geological processes created favorable conditions for migration and accumulation in underground reservoir traps. Areas where these traps
occur are located by various methods of exploration. The right to drill wells and
produce oil and gas is obtained from the landowner. Then a drilling program
containing information about the prospect and instructions on drilling the well is
prepared.
A drilling contractor has drilling rigs with operating personnel. The rig has
a rotating system to turn the drilling bit to drill the hole, a tower and hoisting
system to run tools in the hole and pull them out of the hole, and other equipment
needed to drill the well. Then the rig is moved to the drillsite and assembled.
A large-diameter hole is drilled by rotating a joint of drillpipe with a bit
fitted on the bottom end. Fluid is circulated down the inside of the pipe and up the
outside to remove the pieces of earth drilled by the bit. Additional joints of
drillpipe are connected to drill the hole deeper. Large pipe or casing is placed in
the hole with cement around the pipe. A slightly smaller hole is drilled deeper
through the casing. Slightly smaller casing is placed in this hole and cemented.
The sequence is repeated using successively smaller sizes until the last, smallest
casing is run through the oil trap thousands of feet below the surface.
Many drilling problems occur such as loose pieces of formation falling in
the hole and sticking the drill tools. A particularly dangerous problem occurs
when the hole is drilled into high-pressure formations. Fluids from the reservoir
can flow up the wellbore and blow hundreds of feet into the air causing a blowout.
These types of problems must be handled to drill the well successfully. Tests
provide information about the oil and gas in the formations and are taken during
and after drilling. Many holes are drilled that do not encounter oil and gas. These
dry holes are plugged with cement and abandoned. Wells with good oil and gas
potential are completed.
xii

xiii
Introduction

The well is completed by perforating holes through the casing into the
formation. Natural forces cause the oil and gas to flow from the reservoir through
the perforations into the casing where they flow upward to the surface. Other oil
traps in the well can be perforated to make multiple completions. Contaminating
agents in the reservoir may cause a low flowrate from the well. The flow rate can
be increased by removing these with special treatments. Different kinds of treatments are used to improve low flow rates. Oil production from reservoirs with
low pressures can be increased by placing a pump in the well. The top of the
casing is fitted with valves that control pressures and flow rates. Impurities are
removed, and produced volumes are measured in surface facilities. Gas is piped
to market; oil is piped or hauled in tanker trucks.
The text expands this abbreviated summary explaining why the procedures
are needed and how the operations are performed. Over 200 photographs and
illustrations provide additional clarification and information. The material is presented in a building-block manner following the natural sequence of events.
Basics are covered first, followed by more advanced subjects in a stepwise fashion. This serves a dual purpose. The novice can start at the beginning, laying a
foundation and building upon it. The more advanced reader can go directly to
topics of interest. Many special and sometimes colorful terms are used in the
industry. These are.defined as they are encountered and then are used as common
terminology.
A complete list of contents provides easy, quick access to sections of interest. Specific topics can be located in an expanded index. The appendix also
contains listings of additional sources of information.

142

DRILLING

SIZE
1,

1312

DEPTH
8,000 ft

MUD WEIGHT
9,6 Iblg.1 x 0.0519 0.4982psilft
, CASINGDESCRIPTION
TOPTO BOTTOM

'lI,m 3 has. 13\2.in.00,

Driftin designis 12.250in.
SIZE
DEPTH

9 in.
11,000 ft
MUOWEIGHT
12,0Ibla.1 x 0.0519- 0.6228psilft
CASINGDESCRIPTION
TOPTO BOTTOM

COLlAPSE'

GRADE
&
LBI END SETTING
NO. SECTION FOOTFINISHDEPTH LOAD
1
3,700 68.00 N808TC 3,700 1.843
2
2.300 72.00 5958TC 6.000 2.989
3
2,000 81.40 5958TC' 8.000 3.986

ITEM FEETI

8URST'

DESIGN
STRENGTH FACTORLOAD
1.133 3,986
2.089
1,132 3,986
3.385
1.219 3.986
4.860

Outsidepressuregradient

(Zero for productionstrings. 0.500 for intermediatesurfacestrings)"

Inside pressuregradient

(Zero)"

(Bottomcollapsepressure)"

Wellheadshutin pressure
3. Buoyancynot considered"

COLlAPSE1

8URSr2

DESIGN
STRENGTH FACTORLOAD

7.600 43.50 595LTC 7.600 4.733

5.346

2.400 47.00 595LTC 10,000 6,228

7.018

1.127 6,851

1.000 53.50 595LTC 11,000 6,851

8.850

1.292 6,851

14.71blg'l

DEPTH
16.500

x 0.0519 = 0,7629psilft

CASINGDESCRIPTION
TOP TO BOTTGM
GRADE&
LBI
ENO SETTING
ITEM FEETI
NO, SECTIONFOOT
FINISH DEPTH
1
2
3
4

Insidepressure
gradient
--.!L (Zero)"
Wellhead
shutinpressure
(Bonom
cOllapse
pressure).
3. Buoyancy
notconsidered"

COLlAPSEI

LOAD

STRENGTH

32,00 L5125 LTC 3.300

2.518
32,00
595 LTC 8.200 6,256
32,00 L5125LTC 13.200 10,071
35.00 L5125LTC 16.500 12,588

3.300
4.900
5.000
3.300

TENSION'

DESIGN ACCUMSTRENGTH DESIGN

STRENGTH FACTORWEIGHT1 000L8 FACTOR
960
1.096 496.900 1.193
1.932
7.510
1.053
1.190 166.300 1.289
6.332
8.150
1.235
9.410
1.374 53.500
23.08
1.477

1. Tension
effectoncOllapse
considered
2. Burstload= wellhead
pressure
plusdepthx (Insideminusoutsidepressure
gradient)
Outside
pressure
gradient
-.!. (Zero
forproduction
strings.
0.500for intermediate
surface
strings).

MUD WEIGHT

1.129 6,851

DESIGNCONDITIONS

Driftin designis8.500in.

TENSION'

DESIGN ACCUMSTRENGTH DESIGN

STRENGTH FACTORWEIGHT1,000 LB FACTOR
1.259 580.000 1.585
2.733
5.020
5.892
1.603 328.400 1.935
6.390
11.579
1.791 162.800 1.885
7.140

1. Tension
effectoncollapse
consideredDESIGNCONDITIONS
2. Burstload= wellhead
pressure
plusdepthx (Insideminusoutside
pressure
gradient)

GRADE
&
ITEM FEET! L81 END SETTING
NO.SECTIONFOOTFINISHDEPTH LOAD

SIZE
7 in.

BURSr2

DESIGN
FACTGR LOAD
3,987
9.660
1.451 10.747
1.128 11.856
1.138 12.588

9.811
9.077
11,364
14.330

STRENGTH

14.160
10.760
14,160
14,440

DESIGN
FACTOR
1.466
1.001
1.194
1.147

TENSION'

DESIGN
ACCUM STRENGTH
WEIGHT 1.000 LB FACTOR
537.900
432.300
275.500
115.500

996
779
996
1.106

DESIGNCONDITIONS
1. Tensioneffect on collapseconsidered
2. Burst load '" wellheadpressureplus depth x (Insideminus outside pressuregradient)
Outsidepressuregradient-.!.. (Zero for productionstrings. MQQ....for intermediatesurfacestrings)"

Drift in design is 5.879in.

Inside pressure

(ero).

gradient

Wellheadshutin pressure
12.588 psi

(Bonomcollapsepressure)"Basedon 0.6 sp gr gas columnand BHPof

3. Buoyancynot considered"

.
. pipe is perfeclly vertical

In collapse:

inside

of casing

is empty

. buoyancy has not been considered for tension effect on collapse

In burst:

Prodoctlon casldg

.burst load (production string)

.no external gradient
inside

of casing

contains

a 0.6

specific
=

gravity

gas

column

internal gas gradient x depth plus the wellhead pressure

Surface and Intermediate casing

. bottom-hole

In tension:

. buoyancy

hydrostatic
is

not

pressure

burst load

considered

.Unlessotherwise
specified

FIG.4-6

1.852
1.802
3,615
9.576

Casing design program (courtesy Lone Star Steel)

TABLE 6-1

Move-In and Rig-Up Procedure*

FirstCrew

Unload, position, and level pit-side substructure. InstL

stairs for access.
~

Third Crew

removal.equipment; and mud shed or house. Begin

connecting water lines and water storage.

Inst~" floor-level

Pos~ionand connectmud pumps,

connect pump suctions to mud pits

dogh~use,

and mud line, and finish connecting

engine shed, safety ralls, and

Unloa
for mo
includ

with cross-member bracing.

standp

..

Pos~ion and connect flow lines; shale shaker; mud p~s;

mud storage; mud-mixing, mud-treating, and solids

Split Crew

Unload, position, and level driller's

side substructure. Pin subs together

*'

Position and co nect drawworks,

compound, and engines. Install and
raise A-frame. Position rotary ng on

Unloa
and p

floor.
~
Connect engines, compounds,
drawworks, rotary, air compressor,

Lift m
crown

andfuel andwaterlinesto the rig

floor.Startandtest engines.

S Ii C
p t

rew

'..

mud-mixing equipment, water lines,

Install pipe rack,

standpipe, and m

miscellaneous
equipment.
andwaterstorage.Startfillingwater
Unloadandpositionlightplant, storage.

Stringup dnlllnglinebetweencrown
linesonto drawworksdrumand clam

BOP accumulator un~, and

remote BOP control unit. Lay
BOP lines to the substructure.
Install now or after spud-in-

Test run mud pumps. Pressure

test mud lines to the rig floor
and mud-mixing lines. Begin

end of the substructure. Inspect and c

the traveling block hook to the base o
inspection. Then raise mast and pin
Note: Most masts are damaged whil

flow line, separator, degasser,

and choke manifold.

filling mud tanks with water

and/or spud mix and/or

~
Remove mast lifting line, connect standpipe and rig

Remo

begin mixing spud mud.

lights, hook drillpipe tongs to the tong lines, and finish

miscellaneous floor and mast hook-up work. Pick up
swivel and connect to the kelly, place kelly-drive
bushings on the kelly, and connect the kelly hose.

catwa
shea.t
on pip
drillpip

..

Break Tour

Break' Tour
Drillthe ratholeand mouseholeif not drilledbeforemovingin.

Spu~ In
Begin drilling.

'Mechanical

rig with tail-driven

pumps

racks.