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Well Engineering Module

Casing Seat Selection

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Casing Seat Selection

Lecture Contents;
Lecture Objectives,
Why Do we Set Casing?
Exploration Well Casing Setting Depths,
Development Well Casing Setting Depths,
Exploration versus Development (Same Target),
Restrictions on Casing Shoe Depth,
Special Criteria,
Example.

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Lecture Objectives;
At the end of this lecture YOU will be able to:
State the two Drilling related reasons for running casing,
State the difference in selecting casing points for
exploration and development wells,
Describe functions of different type of casings
State restrictions that govern shoe depth selection,
Calculate the minimum conductor setting depth offshore to
enable returns to be taken to the flowline.
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Casing Seat Selection

Why do we set casing?
Casing is set for two Drilling reasons;
Consolidate the hole already drilled (protect sensitive
formations, water sources etc),
Provide pressure control integrity to drill ahead (be able to
safely handle a kick).

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Casing Seat Selection

Exploration Well Casing Setting Depths;
Exploration wells are planned with little offset data,
Each casing should be set as deep as it is safe This is to:
Allow maximum contingency in case extra casings are
needed lower down,
Minimize the number of casing strings run to minimize well
cost,
Each casing string is run as deep as possible based on kick
tolerance, unless other reasons dictate it be run higher.

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Casing Seat Selection

Development Well Casing Setting Depths;
Casings are run as minimum as possible. This to:
Reduce the cost of the well (less time running casings; less
casing)
Run smaller casings to reach the reservoir at a particular
hole size which will also lead to large cost savings (smaller
casings cheaper than larger; same for drillbits etc.)
Each casing string is only set deep enough to enable the next
casing point to be reached,
Contingency is less critical.

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Casing Seat Selection

Exploration vs. Development (same target);
Exploration well 5 casings

Development well 4 casings

Conducr

30

20

Surface casing

20

13-3/8
13-3/8
Intermediate
9-5/8
Intermediate
9-5/8
Intermediate

Reservoir
7 Production casing
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Casing Seat Selection

Restrictions on Casing Shoe Depth;

Kick tolerance:
The hole section should not be drilled deeper than is
possible to safely circulate out a kick, based on formation
pressures, fracture gradients and kick tolerance policies.

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Casing Seat Selection

Restrictions on Casing Shoe Depth;

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Casing Seat Selection

Restrictions on Casing Shoe Depth;
Wellbore Stability:
We may be restricted by
deterioration of the wellbore with
time,
If a formation is stabilized by our
mud system for up to 10 days,
then drilling ahead for 12 days
might prevent us logging the hole
or running casing.

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Casing Seat Selection

Restrictions on Casing Shoe Depth;
Mud Requirements:
We may have formations which
have mutually exclusive
requirements for the mud,
For instance if we have very
reactive shale requiring ideally
OBM at a higher density to drill,
but the mud will cause emulsion
blocking in the reservoir, then we
need to separate the two with
casing.

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Casing Seat Selection

Restrictions on Casing Shoe Depth;
Directional Requirements:
We may anticipate problems
related to torque and drag, or
differential sticking due to
stationary string while using
downhole motors,
The build up section may
need protection before drilling
ahead.

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Casing Seat Selection

Restrictions on Casing Shoe Depth;
Fracture gradient at the shoe:
We need to set our casing in a competent formation for
drilling ahead,
We could drill to the limit for kick tolerance on a hole section;
but if the place where we set the casing is fractured or
underpressured then the shoe will be too weak to drill ahead.

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Casing Seat Selection

Conductor Pipe;
Purpose:
Prevents washing out under the rig,
Provides elevation for flow and bell nipple.

Common Sizes and Depths:

30 - 20 Welded,
20 - 16 Threaded,
30 - 200 (< 100 common).

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Special Criteria;
Conductor Pipe (offshore):
The Conductor needs to be set deep enough in a formation
which allows returns to the flowline,
The minimum depth for the conductor shoe to allow returns
to the flowline can be calculated:
Penetratio n =

( [x+ y ] Returns ) ( y Sea )

Formation Returns

Penetration = depth of shoe from seabed, feet

x = Height of flowline above sea, feet
y = Water depth, feet
Sea = Sea water density, psi/ft
Returns = Returns density, psi/ft
Formation = Formation density, psi/ft.
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Casing Seat Selection

Example;
Calculate the minimum setting depth BRT, on a development
offshore Well:
Height of flowline = 80' MSL,
Height of drill floor = 90' MSL,
Water depth = 100'
Formation density gradient = 0.85 psi/ft,
Seawater in the area = 0.45 psi/ft ,
Expected returns gradient = 0.5 psi/ft.
Penetratio n =

(180 0 .5 ) (100 0 .45 )

= 129 '
0 .85 0 .5

Therefore;
The casing shoe will be at 129 + 100 + 90 = 319 below the rotary table.
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Special Criteria;
Conductor Pipe:
Example:
Height of flowline = 80 MSL,
Water depth = 100,
Formation density gradient = 0.85 psi/ft,
Seawater in the area = 0.45 psi/ft,
Expected returns gradient = 0.55 psi/ft,
Calculate the required minimum penetration for the
conductor shoe.
Penetratio n =

(180 0 .55 ) (100 0 .45 ) 54

=
= 180 '
0 .85 0 .55

0 .3

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Casing Seat Selection

Surface Casing;
Purpose:
Protects surface fresh water formation,
Case-off unconsolidated or lost circulation areas,
Support subsequent casing strings,
Provide primary pressure control,
Common sizes and depth:
20 - 9 5/8 threaded,
100 - 3000 (or more).

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Casing Seat Selection

Surface Casing:
The Surface Casing is usually set in the first competent
formation which is strong enough to close in on a kick,
The setting depth is selected to allow a BOP to be nippled up
for drilling ahead.
Other considerations:
Isolation of surface water,
Unconsolidated formations.
On a multi well platform, the well may be kicked off in surface
hole and surface casing will also protect the build up section
while drilling for the next hole section.

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Casing Seat Selection

Intermediate Casing (also called Protection);
Purpose:
Separates hole into workable sections,
Lost Circulation,
Salt Section,
Overpressured Zones,
Heaving Shales.

Common sizes and depths:

13 3/8, 10 3/4, 9 5/8,
3000 to 10,000.
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Casing Seat Selection

Intermediate Casings:
The Intermediate Casing is set as deep as possible to allow
sufficient shoe strength for drilling ahead,
The intermediate casing is often planned to be set in a
pressure transition zone, where pore pressures and fracture
gradients are increasing,
Care must be taken to not drill so far into the transition zone
that the well kicks.
Other considerations:
Directional or wellbore stability reasons,
Reduce torque and drags in an extended reach hole,
Case off troublesome zones prior to drilling ahead.
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Casing Seat Selection

Production;
Purpose:
Isolates the pay zone from other formations and the fluids in
them,
Protective housing for production equipment,
Subsurface artificial lift,
Multiple zone completion,
Screens for sand control,
Covers worn or damaged intermediate string.

Common sizes:
4 1/2, 5, 7, & 9 5/8.

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Casing Seat Selection

Production Casing;
The Production Casing is set through or just above the
reservoir, depending on the type of completion to be used,
The completion type will dictate the production casing setting
depth:
If a production liner is run, then generally the production casing
will be set somewhere above the reservoir,
If the completion calls for the production casing or liner to be
perforated, it will be set through the reservoir,
In a non-cemented completion (such as a prepacked screen in
a horizontal well) then the casing may be set just inside the
reservoir.

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Casing Seat Selection

Liners;
Drill pipe
Wiper Plug

Prime reason:
Save money,
Cover Corroded/Damaged Casing,
Cover:
Lost circulation zones,
Shales or plastic formations,
Salt zones.

Deep Wells:

Liner
Hanger
Running
Tool
Shear
Pin

Liner
Wiper
Plug

Rig unable to lift long string of

casing.

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Casing Seat Selection

Liners;
Types of Liners;
Production Liners:
Most common,
Save $$,
Slotted liner.

Drilling Liners:
Cover problem zone in order to be able to continue drilling,
Cover worn-out casing etc.

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Casing Seat Selection

Liners;
Tie-Back (Liner Complement);
The integration of the liner with
casing from top of existing liner
to surface,

TIE BACK
STINGER WITH
SEALS

To further up casing to cover

corroded or damaged zone,
This is often done if production
is commercially viable or there
is damage to casing above the
liner.

LINER

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Casing Seat Selection

Casing String Types;
To Conclude;
Drive Pipe,
Conductor Pipe,
Surface Casing,
Intermediate Casing,
Production Casing:
Liner,
Liner & Tieback,
Full String.
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Casing Seat Selection

Now You should be able to:
State the two Drilling related reasons for running casing,
State the difference in selecting casing points for exploration
and development wells,
Describe functions of different type of casings
State restrictions that govern shoe depth selection,
Calculate the minimum conductor setting depth offshore to
enable returns to be taken to the flowline.

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