Case Studies
DRILLING: Solving casing installation issues: centralizers
17 Mar 2021Client
Thai oil and gas producer
Project location
Thailand
Product
Max-R 7” x 8 ¼” spiral slim blade, “Pioneer”, advanced polymer centralizer
Time period
2013 - 2015
CHALLENGE
Our client had experienced high levels of frictional drag when installing their 7” casing into various wellbores resulting in the need to work the string to the bottom. In some cases, total depth (TD) was not attained.
SOLUTION
In conjunction with the client, Matrix conducted an extensive review of the field data collected from a number of problematic wells. Following the review, Matrix was able to identify the appropriate low friction polymer centralizer that would reduce axial drag to acceptable levels. Matrix subsequently undertook an analysis to locate the optimal placement of the centralizers along the casing string. Once established, the casing string was dressed with Matrix’s Low Friction “Pioneer” Centralizers and the well data compared with previously sourced data.
OUTCOME
As a consequence of installing Matrix 7” x 8.1/4” Pioneer centralizers, the client reported a significant increase in the available hookload when installing their 7” casing.
Following an analysis of the field data, it was established that Open Hole friction had decreased by over 50 per cent compared to previously drilled wellbores. Total depth was also reached with no recorded issues. So successful were the Matrix Low Friction “Pioneer” Centralizers in 7” that the client has expanded their use of Matrix centralizers to include the 4.1/2” completion and 9.5/8” intermediate strings.
Publications
Case study: Solving casing installation issues - centralizers