Running Casing in Stands with Automate Casing Drive System - Case Studies

Escalating rig rates in recent years have resulted in operators looking for faster and safer well construction techniques for all aspects, including casing-running operations. With current trends of wells design pushing the casing seat deeper, reduction of total casing-running time plays a crucial role in minimizing total drilling cost. One performance improvement objective is running casing in double-joint or triple-joint stands. Conventional casing running is known as a high-risk process, involving considerable manual handling on the rig floor. Casing running in stands using the conventional side-door elevators and manual handling by the derrickman on the stabbing board are less efficient and raise safety concerns. An automated casing-running system has been introduced that can solve the problem of long casing-string handling. This powerful tool minimizes both the rig crew’s involvement near the rotary table and personnel working at heights. Casing handling via automation results in a safer casing-running operation and reduces total casing-running time. This versatile system also provides the extra capability of rotating, reciprocating, circulating, and pushing down the casing string through problematic zones to ensure successful installation of the casing at total depth (TD). This paper will introduce the successful implementation of casing running with double-joint and triple-joint stands using the automated casing-running system, and detail the performance improvements of tripping casing in stands.