A Numerical Investigation of Conductor Casing Installation Using Material Point Method

Resumo

The initial phases of well drilling projects involves the crucial step of installing conductor casing, which can be achieved through various methods, including conductor driving. This operation consists by three distinct stages: self-weight penetration, suction, and hammering. Given the often-challenging environmental conditions, conducting experimental analyses of drilling parameters becomes impractical. Consequently, numerical modeling emerges as a feasible and reliable alternative for process control. In this study, the open-source software ANURA 3D was adopted, which utilizes the Material Point Method (MPM) in its solutions. Therefore, this research aims to explore the impact of numerical parameters associated with computational modeling on problem solution. For this purpose, a two-dimensional axisymmetric computational model of self-weight penetration was employed. This model facilitated the necessary modifications to deeply understand the problem while optimizing computational cost. This approach enabled an understanding of how the analyzed parameters influence not only the displacement of the conductor casing but also the behavior of soil stresses.