Corrosion is a pervasive issue that affects oil and gas production. It poses a significant threat to the safety and integrity of oil and gas equipment, and it can lead to costly repairs and downtime. Mitigating corrosion is a crucial part of maintaining the productivity and safety of oil and gas operations. The first paper in the Wellbore Tubulars Technology Focus feature, IPTC 21818, explores the prevalence of corrosion in the oil and gas industry and the strategies used to mitigate its effect, including use of alternative materials and their qualification.
The second paper in the feature, SPE 206340, deals with stuck-pipe incidents, a major cause of economic losses, safety hazards, and nonproductive time. With the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques, however, these incidents can be prevented by analyzing drilling data. In recent research presented at the International Petroleum Technology Conference and other SPE conferences, various AI and ML models were developed to predict and prevent pipe-sticking symptoms. The authors of the paper used natural language processing applied to drilling memos to improve the accuracy and robustness of kick and lost-circulation detection.
Finally, paper OTC 31160 discusses the use of microelectromechanical systems technology to embed sensors in tubulars that measure temperature and pressure throughout a well’s life. With low power consumption and an adapted transmission technology, this technology can be used to access previously inaccessible well areas in real time.
Such technological strides in wellbore tubulars are revolutionizing the oil and gas industry by providing real-time data and making new areas of wells accessible. With the integration of intelligent pipe technology, nonmetallic casing strings, and powered wired drillpipe solutions, operators can better monitor their wells, adjust production parameters, and ensure the safety of their installations. These advancements are a significant step forward for the industry and are sure to have a positive effect on well integrity and safety for years to come.
This Month’s Technical Papers
Material Selection and Corrosion Rate Analyzed for CO2 Injection Well
Natural Language Processing Increases Accuracy of Kick, Lost-Circulation Detection
Miniaturized Annular Sensor Aids in Well Integrity, Production Monitoring
Recommended Additional Reading
SPE 202498 No Pipe Body Downgrades—Improved Corrosion Mitigation Coating System Provides Significant Operator Savings by Buck Johnson, Chevron, et al.
SPE 205468 The Environmental Benefits of Repurposing Tubular Steel From North Sea Oil and Gas Fields by Rob William John Holdway, Giraffe Innovation, et al.
IPTC 21455 Performance Improvement of Wells Augmented Stuck-Pipe Indicator by Model Evaluations by Meor M. Meor Hashim, Petronas, et al.
IPTC 22660 First Successful Deployment of Nonmetallic Casing Strings: A Case History by Fauzia Waluyo, Saudi Aramco, et al.
Babatunde A. Salawu, SPE, is a drilling engineering professional currently working with Shell Energy Company. Salawu is a licensed professional engineer registered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. He is also a certified project management professional recognized by the Project Management Institute. Throughout his career, Salawu has made notable contributions to the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He served as a lead technical resource for the Project Management Masterclass for the SPE Lagos Section. Salawu’s research interests and specialties lie in renewable energy technologies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Ahmadu Bello University and an MS degree in well engineering and design from Robert Gordon University.