An overview of Extended Reach Drilling: Focus on design considerations and drag analysis

Abstract

Extended Reach Drilling is one process that is almost being used in every drilling operation. Since most of the reservoirs contain hydrocarbons that are either very deep into the formation or are covered with very troublesome formations, sidetracking would be necessary to reach these areas. Using Extended Reach Drilling in the correct way would be more economical to companies since they can replace the need to drill several vertical wells. To build an extended reach well, some designs related to the drill string, casing and hydraulics should be considered. However, Extended Reach Drilling is not a simple method since many parameters can influence the success of the operation such as the hole condition, Equivalent Circulating Density, Torque and Drag trends. Main factors affecting the Drag trends are analyzed.