Third spud section drilling technology and pilot test for Xu-2 deep well in West Sichuan

The proven gas reserves of Xu-2 gas reservoir in West Sichuan part is up to 1.211×1 011 m3, and the burial depth of the reservoir is over 4 500 m; the rock is tight, and is characterized by high temperature, high pressure and gas pool containing water. The previous two rounds of optimization led to a 4th spud section wellbore configuration; the average well depth was 5 354.60 m, and drilling cycle was over 252.20 d. So it is of great difficulty to develop the gas pool using conventional drilling technology, hence greatly affecting the process of reserve growth in West Sichuan work area. For this purpose and based on the previous analysis of drilling difficulties, this paper optimized the design of 3rd spud section configuration according to fine understanding of geology and the available drilling technologies in the work area, using the wellbore pressure balance theory and combining the previous practice in drilling of Xu-2 deep well, and provided fast drilling technology and formed a 3rd spud section drilling program for Xu-2 deep well in West Sichuan; the paper also directed and completed drilling design and pilot test for XS1 Well, and compared with previous 4th spud section drilling of the same structure, the drilling cycle was shortened by 68 d, and drilling cost was reduced by over 6 million Yuan. Up to now, the technology has been used in the drilling of Xu-2 exploration well LX1 and marine appraisal well PZ1-1H, providing technical reference for effective development of tight gas pools in the work area in West Sichuan.