Reduction of Drill String Torque and Casing Wear in Extended Reach Wells Using Non-Rotating Drill Pipe Protectors

1. Abstract Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) is increasingly becoming the means of expanding production of aging oil fields. With ERD also come problems associated with high drilling torque and excessive casing wear. This paper addresses the issues of casing wear protection and drill string torque reduction with the use of Non-rotating Drill Pipe Protectors (NRDPP). The design. principle of operation, and operational limitations of NRDPP are discussed. Analysis methods for placement and typical applications are discussed. Analysis results typically include the determination of contact loads of the drill string to the casing and application of loading criterion based on design performance. Placement recommendations limit the side wall contact loads to an experimentally determined criterion for safe NRDPP operation. Four operational experiences are discussed to allow comparison of various types of applications and field problems. Operational experiences include cases in Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, North Sea and New Zealand. Other related considerations associated with the use of NRDPP include drill string vibration and hot hole environments. This report concludes that properly placed NRDPP can substantially reduce drill string torque by 10-30% and that casing wear is prevented where the protectors are applied.