An Innovative Approach to Stuckpipe Reduction in the Niger Delta

Abstract Stuck pipe used to be the major problem resulting in 80% of lost time during drilling operation in Shell petroleum development Company, Nigeria, the major operator in the Niger Delta area. A survey on borehole stability in the Eastern SPDC operations between 1996-1999 showed that eight (8) string months was lost to hole instability problems. During the period, forty (40) stuck pipe incidents were recorded in 70% of the wells accounting for over 80% of the lost time. The alarming rate of reoccurrence of this industry problem made it necessary for management to seek for solution within. Subsequently a Stuck Pipe Risk Factor (SPRF) prediction Tool was developed based on prevailing occurrence and existing data. The tool is being used to predict the inherent risk of getting stuck in well planning and design stages. In addition to that, it is used for change control during drilling, especially when lithological, formation pressure and rock mechanical properties changes are encountered during the execution phase of the well. This paper reviewed the implementation strategy of the SPRF tool in the well engineering Operation of SPDC-Nigeria, both at conceptual and execution stages. The review showed that as a result of strict implementation of SPRF in all stages of well Delivery processes, major stuck pipe incidence dropped to 7 in the year 2000 when a total footage 241,013ft was made compared to 27 incidence in 1999, when 234,814ft was made. This represent 75% drops in stuck pipe incidence in year 2000. Similarly a 58% reduction in Non Productive Time (NPT) was recorded in year 2000 compared to 1999; resulting in 45% reduction in money lost In conclusion, SPRF Tool have come to be accepted in SPDC as a reliable, fast and accurate way of simulating well design with ultimate aim of eliminating potentials for stuck pipe problems. It is also extensively used at the well site for operational monitoring where significant lithological, formation pressure and rock mechanical properties changes have been encountered. It has also earned Shell Nigeria a ‘Center of Excellence’ award by the Shell Group Global Hole Stability (GHOST) Team.