Article

Research and Application of Safe and Rapid Drilling Technology for Ultra-Deep Wells in Northwestern Sichuan

CNPC Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited, Chuanxi Drilling Company, Chengdu Sichuan, 610500, China

https://doi.org/10.58531/ijest/3/3/2

Received: 3 September 2025 / Accepted: 9 October 2025 / Published: 11 October 2025

Ultra-deep well drilling in the Zhebachang Structure and Suining-Santai Qixia Formation Slope Structural Belt of northwestern Sichuan is confronted with a harsh environment characterized by high temperature, high pressure, and high stress. The geological conditions are complex, variable, and difficult to predict accurately. In the early drilling stage, widespread challenges were encountered, including the limited adaptability of existing drilling technologies, low drilling efficiency, and extremely high operational risks. Specifically, the regional ultra-deep wells suffered from a long drilling cycle (average 487 days), low rate of penetration (ROP, 2.35 m/h), and high complexity rate (14.21%).To address these issues, systematic research was conducted on engineering geomechanics, bottom hole assembly (BHA) optimization, drilling fluid system innovation, and parameter enhancement, which initially resolved the regional drilling technical bottlenecks and yielded four key insights:Innovative application of a bi-diameter bit (pilot hole Ø95–110 mm + reaming hole Ø455 mm) combined with a high-torque positive displacement motor (PDM, Ø286 mm) increased the specific water power by 25%. For the Φ455 mm wellbore, the ROP reached 4.05 m/h, representing a 52.83% improvement.Optimized trajectory control technology: A double-stabilizer pendulum BHA (Φ448–452 mm spiral stabilizer + Φ448–450 mm spiral stabilizer) was designed, integrated with an eccentric stabilizer. The well deviation was controlled within 0.15°–0.42°, a 60% reduction compared to adjacent wells.Narrow density window control technology was developed based on managed pressure drilling (MPD) and dual-density technology. This solved the safety density window challenge (≤0.05 g/cm³) in the Xujiahe Formation (pressure coefficient 2.37) and Jialingjiang Formation (coexisting lost circulation and well kick), reducing the complexity rate to 6.36%.Two high-performance drilling fluid systems were developed: (1) a "three-low" water-based drilling fluid (low permeability, low activity, wettability reversal) and (2) a high-sealing oil-based drilling fluid (rigid-flexible particle gradation). Both systems withstand temperatures up to 200°C and show a 40% improvement in contamination resistance.Field trials verified the effectiveness of these technologies: the average ROP increased by 17.45%, the drilling cycle shortened by 12.26%, and the failure/complexity rate decreased by 55.24%.

ultra-deep well; large-diameter wellbore; bi-diameter bit; managed pressure drilling (MPD) ; narrow density window; Northwestern Sichuan

Gao L. Research and Application of Safe and Rapid Drilling Technology for Ultra-Deep Wells in Northwestern Sichuan. Int. J. Eng. Sci. Technol., 2025, 3(3), doi: 10.58531/ijest/3/3/2

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