How do you reduce drilling friction and wear?

1 Understand the sources

The first step to reduce drilling friction and wear is to understand the main sources and factors that contribute to them. Drilling friction and wear can be influenced by various aspects of the drilling system, such as the wellbore geometry, the drill string configuration, the bottom hole assembly (BHA) design, the drill bit type and size, the drilling fluid properties, and the operational parameters. By analyzing the wellbore trajectory, the drill string dynamics, the bit-rock interaction, the fluid flow, and the drilling data, you can identify the potential areas of high friction and wear and evaluate their impact on the drilling performance.

2 Select the appropriate tools

The second step to reduce drilling friction and wear is to select the appropriate tools and equipment for the drilling operation. Depending on the wellbore profile, the formation characteristics, and the drilling objectives, you may need to choose different types of drill bits, BHA components, drill pipe, casing, and liners to optimize the drilling efficiency and reliability. For example, you may use polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits for hard and abrasive formations, roller cone bits for soft and sticky formations, or hybrid bits for mixed formations. You may also use stabilizers, reamers, centralizers, or other BHA devices to improve the hole quality and reduce the contact between the drill string and the wellbore wall.

3 Optimize the drilling parameters

The third step to reduce drilling friction and wear is to optimize the drilling parameters, such as the weight on bit (WOB), the rotary speed (RPM), the flow rate (Q), and the mud weight (MW). These parameters can affect the amount of friction and wear generated by the bit-rock contact, the drill string rotation, and the fluid circulation. By adjusting these parameters according to the drilling conditions and the tool specifications, you can achieve the optimal balance between the penetration rate, the bit life, the torque and drag, and the hole cleaning. You can also use drilling optimization software or models to help you determine the best combination of parameters for your operation.

4 Apply friction reducers

The fourth step to reduce drilling friction and wear is to apply friction reducers, which are additives or agents that can modify the properties of the drilling fluid or the wellbore surface to lower the coefficient of friction. Friction reducers can be classified into two main categories: internal and external. Internal friction reducers are mixed with the drilling fluid and act as lubricants, surfactants, or viscosifiers to reduce the friction between the fluid and the pipe or the formation. External friction reducers are applied directly to the wellbore wall or the drill string and act as coatings, films, or encapsulators to reduce the adhesion, abrasion, or corrosion of the metal or the rock.

5 Use friction reduction tools

The fifth step to reduce drilling friction and wear is to use friction reduction tools, which are mechanical or hydraulic devices that can create a separation or a movement between the drill string and the wellbore wall to lower the contact force. Friction reduction tools can be classified into two main types: passive and active. Passive friction reduction tools are fixed or spring-loaded components that can provide a radial or axial clearance between the pipe and the hole, such as non-rotating drill pipe protectors (NRDPPs), bow spring centralizers, or casing centralizers. Active friction reduction tools are movable or rotating components that can generate a radial or axial force or motion to overcome the friction, such as drilling jars, shock subs, or drill string oscillators.

6 Monitor and evaluate the results

The sixth step to reduce drilling friction and wear is to monitor and evaluate the results of your drilling optimization strategies. By collecting and analyzing the drilling data, such as the torque, the drag, the weight on bit, the rotary speed, the penetration rate, the bit wear, the tool condition, and the hole quality, you can assess the effectiveness of your methods and techniques to minimize drilling friction and wear. You can also use key performance indicators (KPIs), such as the mechanical specific energy (MSE), the rate of penetration (ROP), the bit cost per foot (BCF), or the trouble time (TT), to measure and compare your drilling performance and identify the areas of improvement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?