Determination Method of Suitable Mud Density While Drilling through Confined Aquifer and Its Application

Woon Sang Yoon; Yoosung Kim; Hyeongjin Jeon; Yoonho Song; Changhyun Lee

doi:10.9720/kseg.2024.2.217

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2024 Vol.34, Issue 2 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

Determination Method of Suitable Mud Density While Drilling through Confined Aquifer and Its Application 피압대수층을 통과하는 대심도 시추 중 적정이수밀도 결정 방법 및 적용 사례

30 June 2024. pp. 217-228

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Abstract

During deep drilling, confined aquifers can present various challenges such as the inability to remove cuttings, rapid groundwater influx, and mud loss. Particularly in flowing well conditions, it is essential to apply the suitable mud density since the aquifer can generates an overpressurized condition. This paper proposes a method for determining the suitable mud density while drilling (SMD) through confined aquifers using mud window analysis and applies it to a case study. The minimum mud density at each depth, which represents the lower limit of the mud window, is determined by the equivalent mud density pore pressure gradient (or by adding a trip margin) at that depth. The pore pressure gradient of a confined aquifer can be calculated using the piezometric level or well head pressure of the aquifer. As the borehole reaches the confined aquifer, there is a significant increase in pore pressure gradient, which gradually decreases with increasing depth. The SMD to prevent a kick can be determined as the maximum value among the minimum mud densities in the open hole section. After entering the confined aquifer, SMD is maintained as the minimum mud density at the top of the aquifer during the drilling of the open hole section. Additionally, appropriate casing installation can reduce the SMD, minimizing the risk of mud loss or invasion into the highly permeable aquifer.

Keywords

confined aquifer

deep drilling

mud window

minimum mud density

flowing well

pore pressure gradient

피압대수층은 이를 통과하는 대심도 시추에서 암편 배출 불능, 지하수의 급격한 공내 유입, 이수 손실 등의 문제를 야기한다. 특히 자분 조건일 경우 과압 공극압이 발생하여 적절한 이수 밀도의 적용이 필수적이다. 이 논문에서는 이수창 분석을 이용하여 피압대수층을 통과하는 시추 중 적정이수밀도(SMD)의 결정방법을 제시하고 이를 사례에 적용하여 적용성을 검토하였다. 심도별 이수창의 하한인 최소이수밀도는 해당 심도의 등가이수밀도 공극압 구배 또는 이에 이송 마진을 더하여 산정되며, 피압대수층의 공극압 구배는 피압지하수위 또는 정두압의 측정으로 구할 수 있다. 시추공이 피압대수층에 도달하면 공극압 구배가 급격히 증가하고, 심도가 증가할 수 록 점차 감소한다. 킥 발생을 방지하기 위한 SMD는 굴진 중인 공저 심도와 그 상부 나공 구간의 최소이수밀도 중 최대값으로 결정할 수 있으며, 피압대수층 진입 이후 SMD는 피압대수층 최상부의 최소이수밀도로서 나공 구간 시추 중 이를 유지하여야 한다. 또한 적절한 케이싱의 설치는 SMD를 낮출 수 있어 고투수성 대수층에 대한 이수 침입 또는 이수 손실의 위험을 감소시킬 수 있다.

키워드

피압대수층

대심도 시추

이수창

최소이수밀도

자분정

공극압 구배

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Information

Publisher :Korean Society of Engineering Geology
Publisher(Ko) :대한지질공학회
Journal Title :The Journal of Engineering Geology
Journal Title(Ko) :지질공학
Volume : 34
No :2
Pages :217-228
Received Date : 2024-05-22
Revised Date : 2024-06-07
Accepted Date : 2024-06-14
DOI :https://doi.org/10.9720/kseg.2024.2.217

The Journal of Engineering Geology ISSN:1226-5268(Print) 2287-7169(Online) 지질공학

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