SPE/IADC 163494

Successful Application of Concentric Casing Nitrogen Injection to

Overcome Drilling Challenges and Deliver a Record Horizontal Well in the
Tecominoacan Field
Reginaldo Rodríguez, Roberto Franco, and Gustavo Gamez/Pemex, Bernardo Blas, Fernando Daniel Gonzalez,
Jose Luis Vasquez, and Hugo Alcudia/Halliburton

Copyright 2013, SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 5–7 March 2013.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE/IADC 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 or the International Association of Drilling Contractors and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not
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storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the International Association of Drilling Contractors is prohibited. Permission to
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Abstract
The Jujo-Tecominoacan field belongs to the Bellota Integral Active in the Pemex South Region. It is located in the state of
Tabasco, northwest of the city of Villahermosa. This field is geologically located in the Chiapas-Tabasco Mesozoic Basin
and is developed to maximize production of fractured carbonate formations from the lower Cretaceous to the Kimmeridgian
Jurassic. Several drilling challenges are presented including horizontal drilling in dolomites with a high compressive strength,
low pressure and high temperature reservoir requiring the use of a biphasic drilling fluid with nitrogen injection through
concentric casing annular space, crossing through Cenozoic members of abnormally high pressure that require managed
pressure drilling, drilling through inverse geologic faults, and proximity to a salt dome.
An interdisciplinary team was formed between the service company and operator to meet the challenges of constructing
the deepest and longest concentric N2 injection horizontal well in the world with a total depth of 6611 m in a Low Pressure-
High Temperature ambient. A horizontal production section was drilled to a length of 862 m and with an average inclination
of 84°. The main objective was to maximize production in fractured carbonate formations from the lower Cretaceous to the
Kimmeridgian Jurassic formation. Managed pressure drilling was implemented in the 6 ½” hole section while drilling
through the upper Jurassic production zone, allowing establishment of commercial production and incorporation of the oil
reserves in these zones.
With 260 days of operation, the Tecominoacan 705 well, is the pioneer example of a combined effort of the operator and
service company with the objective accomplished, setting a worldwide standard of unprecedented execution.

Introduction
The Jujo-Tecominoacan field is known to be a low pressure and high temperature field, so it is necessary to use a biphasic
fluid (drilling mud and N2) to achieve equivalent circulating densities (ECD) within the 0.50 - 0.60 g/cm³ window. The
injection of N2 through the drillstring is a common practice in the region, but exceeding 15% N2 in the mixture typically
resulted in no downhole telemetry to surface which means there is no directional control of the well, so prior to drilling the
Tecominoacan 705 all the wells in this field were destined to be drilled vertically. The drilling challenges for the
Tecominoacan 705 were specifically based on being able to overcome a combination of factors such as proximity to a salt
dome, horizontal drilling through a fracture carbonate section with a high temperature profile and traversing the various
normal fault compartments (Fig. 1).
For the 6 ½” section it was necessary to apply an unconventional drilling technique to maintain the equivalent circulating
density (ECD) within the drilling window in the Jujo-Tecominoacan field (0.52 g/cm³). To maintain the LWD / MWD
telemetry, N2 was injected through a concentric header and mixed at the injection point with drilling mud to control the
bottomhole pressure (BHP). Surface control of backpressure prevents formation damage that can occur due to BHP
variations. The low pressures within the reservoir presented a significant risk of differential sticking if drilled conventionally.
This technique helped to avoid differential sticking when entering the low pressure zone in the Upper Jurassic. It also allowed
continuous communication with directional tools while drilling and steering through the interest zone.
For this project the main challenges which had to be overcome with managed pressure drilling (MPD) in this section
included:
 Maintaining directional control during drilling
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 Packing off caused by hole collapse

 Lost circulation
 Stuck pipe from differential pressure
 Formation fluid migration which affects mud rheology properties, when circulating or drilling
 Maintaining good hole cleaning required at all times
 Improving operational procedures for taking a survey and connections.

Directional Trajectory
The well’s trajectory was designed with a kick-off point (KOP) at 4100 m in the Eocene formation with a build rate of 2°/30
m dogleg severity (DLS) until reaching 60° at 4984 m, the 9 ⅞” casing point. After drilling out of casing the build rate was
dropped to 1.2°/30 m until reaching 74.5° where the 7 ¾” liner was set at 5748 m in the Tithonian 5 Upper Jurassic. Drilling
continued in the 6 ½" hole with nitrogen injection through concentric casing, building with a DLS of 1.3°/30 m until 5943 m
and then steering a tangent section to 6611 mMD (5196 m TVD).

Drilling Optimization
In order to minimize unplanned events related to directional drilling it was necessary to use special modeling tools to predict
drilling conditions, to measure actual hole conditions, and to rapidly react to problems manifested. The flow modeling and
the recommended MPD practices kept the hole entirely clean without cuttings beds in the lower side of the hole.
To improve performance it was necessary to identify and eliminate vibration which is a source for wasted energy, design
both optimal hydraulics, and recommended drilling parameters such as RPM and weight on bit for each bottomhole assembly
(BHA).
This prewell modeling minimized the risk of operating in damaging conditions which can cause premature failure in
equipment and that may lead to hole collapse, packing off and stuck pipe events. A range of specialized models helped
determine the expected drilling conditions and BHA dynamics. For example, modeling tools were used to evaluate torque,
drag and expected ECD conditions, determine optimal ROP for avoiding overloading the annulus with cuttings and determine
the location and severity of cutting beds. Hole cleaning efficiency was monitored in real time using the pressure-while-
drilling (PWD) sensor.
Torque and drag was monitored using road maps that were built prior to the BHA run (Fig. 2). During the planning
phase, torque and drag simulations were performed with different friction factors. The resulting road maps defined the
operational limits. In the drilling phase these values were compared with the real-time parameters, including hookload and
torque.
For the torque and drag simulations, the models took into account different factors such as: tortuosity of the hole, DLS,
points of contact between the BHA and the hole, drillstring geometry, rheological properties of the drilling fluid, hardness of
the rock and well conditions at the UJK level (high temperature and low pressure gradient).
The operation was monitored 24/7 with measurement / logging while drilling (MLWD), directional drilling (DD) and
drilling optimization engineers working together with the field engineers. In order to maintain drillstring integrity and prevent
overload and mechanical damage, the drillstring and drilling parameters were designed to prevent fatigue, excessive shocks
and vibration. This was accomplished by predicting the expected conditions in which the drillstring will be operated, using a
“model, measure and optimize” approach.
 Modeling BHA forces and natural frequencies of vibration.
 Measuring downhole forces and mitigating the vibration in real time
 Optimizing the drillstring design and drilling parameters to prevent premature failures of string components.
 Comparing BHA performance to determine the most efficient bit selection and design.

The bottomhole assemblies used on the Tecominoacan well were modeled to determine natural resonant frequencies that
could result in extreme vibration levels or excite vibration modes such as whirl. Modeling efforts included the axial forces
acting through the BHA, the bending magnitudes and the expected operative conditions needed to achieve the best
performance of the tool. The model produces sensitivity analysis that provides operational windows for drilling parameters to
avoid resonant frequencies (Fig. 3)
Vibration sensors were included in the BHA to measure the intensity and identify vibration modes when there was an
occurrence. Once the vibration modes were identified, mitigation procedures were utilized to avoid damage and protect BHA
component integrity (Fig. 4). The identified vibration modes during drilling were torsional resonance and stick slip. A Whirl
vibration episode was identified from downhole measurements when RPM/WOB parameters fell in range of the model thus
validating the model predictions and drilling parameter windows. Drilling parameters affecting vibration were monitored and
real-time recommendations were made to reduce or mitigate the observed vibration modes.
Since this was the first directional well to be drilled in the field with biphasic fluids, it was important to maintain two-way
communication with the directional and logging tools. Since the use of N2 attenuates pulse signals, it was necessary to
increase the pressure drop in the drillstring. To increase the pressure drop, two flow restrictors were added to the drillstring.
SPE/IADC 163494 3

The first was installed between the rotary steerable system (RSS) and the bit and the second was installed between the LWD
and MWD, obtaining a 2300-psi pressure drop which allowed the two-way communication. In order to achieve the main
objective of the MPD technique (injection of N2 through concentric casing) it was necessary to design a variety of flow
restrictors from 14/32” to 16/32” allowing communication with the tools and navigating across the pay zone. This opened the
opportunity for operators to drill horizontal wells that before were considered undrillable.

Generating Optimal Operating Conditions

In order to achieve the constant required BHP for the Tecominoacan field (0.52 g/cm³), it was necessary to design and
maintain the flow rates (drilling mud and N2) to reach a nearbalance state with the formation pressure. With such a narrow
drilling window, the BHP design had to consider fluid losses mitigation, formation damage avoidance and hole cleaning. An
operating window was built considering different boundaries: maximum liquid flow rate through the steerable BHA, the
minimum horizontal velocity in the open hole section and the necessary N2 flow rate to maintain the stability of the system
(Fig. 5).
Hole Cleaning. Two criteria were applied to hole cleaning: annular velocity (AV) and the cuttings transport ratio (CTR).
The AV is subject to the liquid flow rate and since the liquid flow path was through the drill pipe and nitrogen’s flow path
was through the concentric annulus the AV in the open hole section resulted from the pump rate. For the horizontal section
(>45˚) the limit is 150 ft/min and for the vertical section (<45˚) the limit is 120 ft/min. The CTR is the relationship of the slip
velocity of the cuttings and the velocity of the drilling mud. The limits also depend on the inclination of the well, 70% and
90% for the vertical and horizontal section respectively.
To simulate and predict hole cleaning effectiveness, it is necessary to take into account the rate of penetration (ROP), size
of the cuttings and the mud rheology. The charts shown in Figs. 6 and 7 demonstrate the behavior of the CTR and annular
velocity to assure hole cleaning in the annulus for horizontal wells. Critical real-time measurements included surface and
downhole pressure measurements (standpipe pressure, annular pressure and borehole pressure with PWD), flow rates and
volume monitors to identify returns or losses in the mud system. Real-time monitoring of ECD behavior was performed by
the PWD sensor, and a stable behavior at 2-3 m/h was indicated. Cuttings accumulation in the annulus space was not
observed, indicating good hole cleaning efficiency (Fig. 8).
N2 injection. In order to achieve the planned conditions it was necessary to install a high rate N2 generator that warrants
the nitrogen supply quality, utilize a three-phase vertical separator, and 5K choke manifold. The complex but flexible rig up
allowed communications between concentric casing and primary annulus. As a contingency plan, capability was established
for N2 injection to the drillpipe and at the same time to the concentric casing (CC) (measuring both rates) (Fig. 9).

Results
8 ½-in. Hole Section. Drilling was performed using a combination of rotary drillstring designs, using both polydiamond
crystalline (PDC) and tricone bits. Tricone bits were used to drill the upper Cretaceous Agua Nueva formation due to the
presence of chert (up to 20%). Once the chert was crossed, drilling continued with PDC bits until the hole section was
complete. Drilling from 5193 m to 5617 m was performed with average conditions of 130 revolutions per minute (rpm), 10-
12 tons weight on bit (WOB) and 450 gallons per minute (gpm). The penetration rate was 4 m/h and drilling was controlled
to produce the required build rate of 3°/30m. The rotary steerable system deflection remained at 100% to achieve the build
required due to the inclination drop tendency of the formation. The formation index was determined to be 18 (formation
tendency to decrease the angle of the trajectory). Total depth for the section was reached and casing set at 5748 m at an
inclination of 76°.

6 ½-in. Hole Section with N2 Injection through Concentric Casing Drilling. This section was drilled through the
productive dolomites of the Tecominoacan field. Two faults were crossed at UJK 5 (±5173 m TVD msl) and UJK 6 (±5218
m TVD msl) levels. The presence of these structural events represents complexity in maintaining hole trajectory. The
problem had been observed on previous wells which did not have directional control and had inclinations that dropped up to
50° in this section (e.g., Tecominoacan 507), and the formation complexity included a lost circulation zone.
The MPD equipment, including the concentric casing nitrogen injection system, provided the benefit of controlling losses
while still maintaining downhole communication with the MWD telemetry system for directional control of the well. The
conventional circulating system was used to drill 16 meters from 5748 m – 5764 m, pumping fluid of 0.96 g/cm³ gradient
though the drillstring. At 5764 m drilling with biphasic fluid started before lost circulation was encountered. The remaining
847 m were drilled with the RSS using a high temperature mud motor (Fig. 10) and MPD with nitrogen injection through
concentric casing. The objective was to avoid fluid loss to the formation due to formations with low pressure gradient.
Drilling was performed with an ECD of 0.52 g/cm³ (simulated), which was obtained with an N2 flow rate of 150 m3/min
and drilling mud flow rate of 183 gpm. This measurement was compared with the PWD and the results were accurate (Fig.
11) and no mayor oscillation on the BHP were observed (PWD) even when the circulation stopped for taking a survey or
making connections (regular behavior in operations with N2 injection through CC). Precise directional control by the RSS
was critical to maintain the build rate inside the objective, due to continuous changes in the directional tendency. Directional
control was achieved by maintaining constant telemetry with the MWD system. Flow restrictors were used inside the rotary
drillstrings to enable two-way communication between the surface and downhole. The telemetry was achieved between the
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surface and downhole tools improving performance in last 3 runs (Fig. 12). Internal mud velocity and time required to turn
on and off directional tools was also reduced. This helped stabilize flows more quickly, reducing connection time and survey
time. The final mechanical configuration is shown in Fig. 13. The injections ports were installed from 4862 to 4874m, 52°.

Conclusions
In order to maintain drillstring integrity, it is important to predict expected operating conditions. Establishing the operating
window as well as modeling hydraulics, torque and drag is fundamental to achieve good hydraulics management. Flow
restrictors used inside the directional tools allowed pressures to stabilize faster and improved two-way telemetry. Modeling
software, MPD methods, sensors for drilling optimization and real-time monitoring services are required to achieve the best
results.
Through these techniques and with a multidisciplinary team comprising specialists from both the client and service
company, the world’s deepest concentric casing nitrogen injection horizontal well was successfully drilled. The well reached
a total depth of 6611 m (5196.61 m TVD msl) with an 862-m horizontal section in the high temperature / low pressure
reservoir (Fig. 14).

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank members of senior management from Pemex Exploracion y Produccion region Sur (Mexico),
Sperry Drilling Mexico and Halliburton Mexico for supporting the team during the development of this new drilling system
and for permission to prepare and present this paper.

Nomenclature
ECD = Equivalent Circulating Density
N2 = Nitrogen
BHP = Bottomhole Pressure
MPD = Managed Pressure Drilling
KOP = Kick off Point
DLS = Dog Leg Severity
TVD = True Vertical Depth
PWD = Pressure While Drilling
BHA = Bottomhole Assembly
MLWD = Measure-Logging While Drilling
CTR = Cuttings Transport Ratio
ROP = Rate of Penetration
PDC = Polycrystalline Diamond Compact
CC = Concentric Casing
WOB = Weight on Bit
TD = Total Depth
RSS = Rotary Steerable System
UJK = Upper Jurassic Kimmeridgian
SPE/IADC 163494 5

Figures

Fig. 1—Tecominoacan 705 structural section South–North.

Fig. 2—Drag route map friction factor values 0.1-0.2 on open hole.
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Fig. 3—Whirl free vibration operational window and drillstring analysis.

Fig. 4—Real-time vibration mode analysis.

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Fig. 5—Hydraulic operating window.

Fig. 6—Cuttings transport ratio vs. measured depth.

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Fig. 7—Annular velocity vs. measured depth.

Fig. 8—Real-time drilling parameters of ECD by PWD.

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Fig. 9—Process Flow Diagram.

Fig. 10—Assemblies used to reach the objective.

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Fig. 11—Measured depth vs. ECD and ROP.

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Meters drilled by BHA used in 6 ½" Hole Section

250

200

150

100

50

0
Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Mud Run 4 Mud Run 5 Run 6 Run 7
Drillout RSS Motor Motor RSS RSS RSS

Fig. 12—Improved performance of assemblies.

Fig. 13—Measured depth vs. ECD and ROP.

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Fig. 14—Real temperature (circulation). Injection ratio nitrogen and drilling fluid vs. measured depth.