he hydraulic extended limit of mega-extended-reach well atLiuhua Field in South China Sea

In order to evaluate the capacity of existing hydraulic equipments and avoid drilling risks, the hydraulic extended limit of mega-extended-reach well at Liuhua field in South China Sea is analyzed based on the established model. The study shows that the safe mud density window and the maximum allowable total pressure loss are the main two objective constraints. Under the conditions of the existing equipments, the hydraulic extended limit of mega-extended-reach well at Liuhua Field in South China Sea is determined mainly by the pump pressure limit when drilling the angle holding segment, of which the extended limit is from 6500 to 7200 m. If upgrading existing equipments, its hydraulic limit is affected mainly by the factors of formation outside horizontal section and the total extended limit is 8000 to 9800 m. The analysis of the hydraulic limit can be also used as an important reference of well structure design.