SPE 152013

Extending Reamer Life and Improving Drilling Performance by Optimizing

Neutral Points in Bottomhole Assemblies
Roxann J Krishingee, SPE, Karl Ulmer, SPE, and Byron Posey, SPE, Baker Hughes
Copyright 2012, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/EAGE European Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition held in Vienna, Austria, 20-22 March 2012.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.


Abstract

With the development in drilling technology, operators are now drilling further into unknown temperature and pressure
regimes, extending the typical well depth to limits never seen before. To deal with these unseen depths, wellbores are being
re-designed with more casing strings. Consequently, under-reamers are being used much more frequently to help achieve the
optimum hole size for casing.

In bottomhole assemblies (BHAs) with under-reamers it is not unusual to have two neutral points in the assembly, creating a
transition zone between both neutral points. To comprehend the effects of placing a reamer in this transition zone, some field
cases with reamers placed in this zone were studied. Based on the findings, the reaming bottomhole assembly was optimized
to eliminate dual neutral points, which resulted in extended under-reamer life.

This paper discusses the benefits of optimizing hole-opener placement in regards to neutral points and the transition zone.
Some precautionary procedures are mentioned that can be implemented to optimize bottomhole assemblies that include
reamers, reduce BHA failures and improve drilling efficiency.


Introduction

In the last decade well designs have been pushed to extreme depths, pressures and temperatures, to accommodate these
designs the typical well casing profile has increased from 3 and 4 casing points to 7 and 8 casing points per well. This has led
to narrow clearance margins for running casing, and hole sizes that have become vastly varied. The use of under-reamers has
become typical practice in these types of wells to achieve a comfortable clearance level between the borehole and outer
diameter of the casing/liner to be run.

The term under-reaming is loosely used interchangeably with hole opening/reaming. For the purpose of this study both
terms refer to operations where an existing borehole is enlarged. Under-reamers are typically run on a dedicated trip after the
pilot borehole has been drilled, whereas reamers/hole openers are included in the drilling BHA. For this paper we will look at
reamers/hole openers included in drilling BHAs, the effect that WOB has on neutral points, and how this adversely affects
reamers and their performance.

This paper will discuss two wells that were drilled with the same directional profile and the bottomhole assemblies (BHA).
We will examine the position of the neutral points in relation to the reamers in these BHAs and see what effect it had on
drilling performance. Some background information on reaming and neutral points is also given. Finally, the tools that were
utilized to optimize these reaming BHAs performance will be examined including its advantages.
2 SPE 152013
Background
The neutral point is usually defined as the point in the drillstring where the axial stress changes from compression to tension.
The location of this neutral point varies with weight-on-bit (WOB) and the buoyed weight of the drilling string and BHA.
The neutral point is considered a point where there is no axial forces, that is, either in compression or tension, hence it is
free and most susceptible to vibrations and forces. In practice, because the WOB fluctuates, the position of the neutral point
changes and the zone where axial stress changes from compression to tension and is referred to the transition zone. Fig. 1
shows an illustration of how a BHAs neutral point is that transitional point from tension to compression.
Drillstring components located in this transition zone can alternately experience compression and tension. These cyclic
oscillations can damage downhole tools. The most common example is drilling jars, whose life may be drastically shortened
if the jars are located in the transition zone. It is also important, as previously explained, to know if any drillpipe is being run
in compression. Therefore it is important to know the location of the neutral point.

Another additional factor that needs to be considered with under-reamers in the BHA is the weight distribution between the
under-reamer and the bit, a fact that affects the position of the neutral point. Baker Hughess drilling diagnostic sub monitors
downhole weight and was included in all of the BHAs of the wells analyzed enabling us to effectively model the BHA
loading accurately. The diagnostic sub is generally placed close to the bit and below the under-reamer, thus with proper hole
conditions plus surface WOB and downhole WOB, the weight on the reamer can be estimated enabling correct modeling of
the BHA loads.




Fig. 1 Weight distribution across a generic bottomhole assembly.


Including an under-reamer in the drilling BHA has given operators the opportunity to optimize casing designs and reduce
drilling costs. Some advantages are the ability to ream a previously drilled hole, hole enlargement for improved casing
running, minimizing surge, and higher flow rates with reduced equivalent circulating densities (ECD). In the past, hole
enlarging was considered risky and avoided, if possible. Today, with the advances in deeper reservoirs and the need to run
unconventional casing/liner strings, the market for under-reaming has grown.

SPE 152013 3
Overview

Once buoyed weight is set, the neutral point varies as a function of WOB. Conventional planning has always been to place
the neutral point significantly above the BHA and typically above the drilling jars. What happens when this criteria is not
met, when the WOB fluctuates so much that the neutral point is always somewhere in the lower BHA? In the cases studied,
there was extensive damage to the reamers. The relationship between the reamer failures and neutral point was found only
after analysis of all drilling data.

Table 1 Well A 13!-in. x 16-in. Run Summary



Table 1 show the run summary for the 13!-in. x 16-in. section for Well A, the directional profile for this well was vertical and
as noted in the summary there were three reamer failures in this section. The BHA design utilized for this hole section can be
seen in Fig. 2, this was a rotary steerable system (RSS) with a pre-contoured modular motor above the RSS. The pre-contoured
motor is run above an RSS to provide higher operating torque capabilities and power output, and its design also enables
maximum effective rate of penetration (ROP). The reamer and the bit for all BHAs in this section were also identical. The most
pronounced difference occurred in BHA 7, where the WOB was quite low with the highest ROP and distance drilled.


RSS Pre Contoured Motor Stab MWD/LWD/Power Section Stab. Stab Reamer

Fig.2- Well A- RSS BHA (BHA no. 7-10) configuration used below the reamer.


Table 2 Well A 12"-in. x 14#-in. Run Summary



Table 2 shows the run summary for the 12"-in. x 14#-in. section for Well A, there were two reamer failures associated with
this section. BHA 11 was a pendulum design as seen in Fig.3; this change in BHA was done as a result of the failures in the
13!-in. x 16-in. section. The ROP dropped to the lowest seen in Well A and when the BHA was pulled, the reamer structure
was completely destroyed. In an attempt to increase the ROP, BHA 12 was switched to the Motor RSS BHA as used in the
previous section, with no improvement to ROP and resulted in another reamer failure.



MWD/LWD/Power Section Stab Reamer

Fig.3- Well A- Well A- Pendulum BHA (BHA no 11) configuration used below the reamer.
4 SPE 152013
Based on the low ROP and reamer failures in these two sections discussed, another well with shoe-to-shoe runs and no
reamer failures was analyzed. Well B was drilled previous to Well A and had achieved the wells objective of no reamer
failures and good average ROP.

The well run summary as shown in Table 3 shows all sections were drilled in one run and with very good ROPs. This well
was a good comparison to Well A because the directional profile was also vertical and the BHAs used were the same Motor
RSS design.

Table 3 Well B Run Summary



Rock strength analysis of the 13!-in. x 16-in. and the 12"-in. x 14#-in. sections confirmed that the unconfined compressive
strength (USC) of these two sections in both wells ranged from 10 to 25 kpsi and showed the formations as relatively
medium inter-bedded formations. This confirmed that a comparison of these two wells in the 13!-in. x 16-in. and 12"-in. x
14#-in. sections would be applicable.

The bits for the 13!-in. x 16-in. section for both wells were also confirmed to be the same in terms of features and design.
For the 12"-in. x 14#-in. sections, the bits were identical for each well, eliminating the bit as a potential reason for the
differences in performance.



Fig.4- Root Cause Analysis for Reamer Failure.

SPE 152013 5
Based on Fig.4, the causes of the reamer failure were eliminated one by one, and further analysis into the drilling parameters
resulted in two composite plots for each section as seen in Figs. 5 and 6.



Fig.5- 13!-in. x 16-in. Section Composite Plot.




Fig.5- 12"-in. x 14#-in. Section Composite Plot.

The combined best of plots 5 and 6 show for both hole sections that highest ROP occurred with low WOB, and those runs
also coincided with having no reamer failures. The runs with higher WOB resulted in shorter run life and much lower ROPs.

Bit and reamer synchronization was often questioned, but it always put to rest when the data studied showed that both wells
deployed the same bits and reamers. Some notables from Well A were little or no damage to the bit, extensive damage to the
reamers cutting structure, and signs of high lateral vibrations none of which were present in Well B. In summary, for both
wells abrasive formations were absent and runs with low WOB were more successful than runs with high WOB.


6 SPE 152013
13!-in. x 16-in. BHA Modeling

The obvious question was how low WOB affects the BHAs performance in such a manner. Engineering/modeling analysis
of the BHA was then performed. A clear relationship between the reamer failures and position of the neutral point became
quite apparent.

The modeling package considers a finite element code specialized to optimize Baker Hughes BHA components in both 2D
and 3D wellbores with varying borehole diameters. This feature enables static and dynamic modeling of reaming BHAs. One
advantage of this modeling package is the ability to apply weight to both cutting structures on the BHA, i.e., the bit and the
reamer. The output is a plot of distance against force, the value below the zero force line represents the weight applied at the
bit while the force above the zero line represents the weight on reamer.

Well As BHA 7 in the 13!-in. x 16-in. section drilled 3,236ft with low WOB, and when modeled as can be seen below
showed one neutral point far away from the reamer. (Fig.6)


Fig.6- Well A-13!-in. x 16-in. Motor RSS BHA

Well As BHA 8-10 on the 13!-in. x 16-in. all resulted in short run life, were drilled with high WOB, and when modeled as
can be seen below showed two neutral points creating a transitional zone across the reamer (Fig.7).



Fig.7- Well A-13!-in. x 16-in. Motor RSS BHA


SPE 152013 7
12#-in. x 14#-in. BHA Modeling

Well As BHA 11 in the 12"-in. x 14#-in. section drilled 142 ft with high WOB and when modeled, as can be seen below,
showed two neutral points creating a transitional zone across the reamer ( Fig.8). From studying this BHA, eliminating the
motor resulted in increasing the surface WOB to increase ROP and ultimately led to the reamer taking all the weight. This
created a transition zone resulting in the destruction of the reamer.


Fig. 8- Well A-12"-in. x 14#-in. Pendulum BHA

The 12"-in. x 14#-in. Well Bs BHA 5, drilled 3,490 ft with low WOB and when modeled showed one neutral point (Fig.9).
The use of the pre-contoured motor kept the surface WOB relatively low to avoid possible stalling of the topdrive. This
combination of RSS motor BHA and low WOB resulted in a long vibration-free section with good ROPs.


Fig.9- Well B-12"-in. x 14#-in. Motor RSS BHA

Typical practice dictates keeping the upper BHA in tension while keeping the neutral point there as well, but in BHAs
containing hole openers, this proves very difficult. Consider an additional factor that the drilling rig has topdrive limitations
and increasing WOB causes the topdrive to stall, as seen in many jack-up rigs. The best way to optimize such a BHA can be
seen from the data and modeling shown above.


8 SPE 152013
The key to the eliminating reamer failures in such an environment would be to optimize neutral point placement but ideally
eliminating the transition zone created by having two neutral points around the reamer. The result of this transition zone
across a reamer results in having the lower part of the reamer in compression while the upper part of the reamer is in tension,
resulting in reamer failure.


Execution

Extensive planning into the execution of Well C had to been done and exhaustive BHA modeling with considerations to rig
surface WOB limitations due to stalling of the topdrive. The rock strength was studied initially to confirm that a good
comparison could be made with previous wells A and B, while the bits and BHA designs remained the same. All sections
were drilled to optimize the weight on reamer/bit and keep the neutral point away from the reamer. The runs that followed
these principles were all successful with no reamer failures, as seen in Table 4.

Table 4 Well C Run Summary



BHA 6-8 and 10 were all RSS Motor BHAs with an average of 12klb WOB measured at surface. The drilling diagnostic sub
showed a 70/30 split of weight between the bit and reamer. Modeling this scenario and looking at the static loading of this
BHA highlighted one neutral point away from the reamer as seen in Fig. 10.


Fig.10- Well C-12"-in. x 14#-in. Motor RSS BHA


SPE 152013 9
With the removal of the motor on BHA 9 (Fig.11), the surface WOB was increased in attempts to achieve the same ROP as
the previous run putting the reamer in the transition zone which was accompanied by and increase in lateral vibration, as seen
in Fig.12.



Fig.11- Well C-12"-in. x 14#-in. RSS BHA

The problem was quickly rectified and BHA 10 reverted to a Motor RSS BHA. The section was TDed with higher ROP and
no reamer failure.

The log highlighted below shows while increasing WOB in BHA 9, the ROP dropped and was accompanied by an increase in
lateral vibrations.


Fig.12- Well C- Composite log highlighting parameters from BHA 8 to BHA 9






10 SPE 152013
Conclusion

Best practices for BHA planning typically suggest that the neutral point should be kept high in the BHA away from the
drilling jars. In ideal situations, this is the most desirable location. However, as examined in special cases, the maximum
surface weight is dictated by rig limitations such as topdrive stalling. Further limitations by including a reamer in the BHA
cause a split in weight distribution. Under these circumstances, another approach has to be taken. This approach would be to
eliminate dual neutral points in reaming BHAs, especially about the reamer. The occurrence of dual neutral points can lead to
the lower portion of the reamer being in compression while the upper portion is in tension, leading to reamer failure.

Utilizing a high-performance motor in these cases can help optimize the rig limitations to increase torque capabilities and
increase the ROP. Careful consideration when planning BHAs needs to be given, and modeling of the load distribution to
avoid downhole failures is recommended.

Although weight distributions shown in the previous graphs were reasonably consistent throughout all runs, both with and
without motors, the root cause of these distributions is out of the scope of this study. The neutral point characteristics and
effects on performance remain the focus of this analysis and the results are irrefutable. BHA modeling combined with
downhole measurements produce the location of these neutral points and was the key to the solution under these
circumstances.

The objective for Well C was to eliminate reamer failures and increase ROP. This was achieved by proper BHA modeling,
selection, and optimizing drilling parameters.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Baker Hughes for permission to publish this paper. The authors also wish to thank the operations
and engineering teams in the Gulf of Mexico for their support.

Nomenclature

BHA = bottomhole assembly
MD = measured Depth
ROP = rate of penetration
RSS = rotary steerable system
WOB = weight on bit
WOR = weight on reamer
TD = downhole failure
DTF = downhole tool failure
UCS = unconfined compressive strength
MWD = measurement while drilling
LWD = logging while drilling
TVD = true vertical depth
ECD = equivalent circulating densities

References
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Exhibition, Washington, DC.

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3.Heisig, G., Sancho, J., Robnett, E. 2007. Achieving Shoe to Shoe Drilling Performance in Hole Opening Applications with
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