Improved Well Drilling Simulation With Transient Thermal Model For Predicting Wellbore Temperatures

Resumo

Drilling simulators have been utilized as a key for drilling optimization and cost reduction for the drilling
process. Supporting the drilling simulator with realistic and accurate models can enhance the simulation processes

leading to a more efficient drilling operation. This paper presents the implementation of a newly developed tem-
perature model in the software simulator at Drilling Simulator Celle (DSC). The model can simulate and predict

the temperature of the wellbore fluids, drill string, casing, cement, and the surrounding formation for depth and
time. The model is also able to simulate both the flowing condition of the drilling fluids and the static condition or

the so-called thermal recovery period. The model is embedded into the drilling simulator through an application-
programming interface (API) which allows the communication between each model and the drilling simulator

itself. The user of the simulator can monitor the wellbore system temperature at each depth in real-time or even in
accelerated mode. This allows the pre-drilling of the well on the simulator in the design and planning phase. For
application and demonstration purposes, a case study has been conducted for a geothermal well in the Hanover
(Germany) area. The historic data has information about the formation, drill string, and bottom hole assembly, as
well as operational parameters. Different simulation runs have been conducted using the drilling simulator, and
the transient behaviour of the wellbore temperature is analyzed during circulation and shut-in periods.