Modern Well Design

Covering key subjects and issues, this book sets out a systematic approach to improve the planning and design of wells, and suggests presentation of well design for easy verification and modification.

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Modern Well Design provides a systematic approach to improve the planning and the design of petroleum wells, and it contains a number of new and original contributions. Borehole stability issues are presented in a simple and understandable manner. Methods to estimate in-situ stresses and fracturing gradients are given. Also simple correlation methods to evaluate borehole collapse are given. In particular time-dependent hole problems are analysed.


One of the most important chapters deals with a new method to define to optimal mud weight used to drill a new well. Field cases demonstrate improvements in a number of wells using this method. Hydraulic optimisation is also treated. For long reach wells new flow criteria are derived, which ensure good hole cleaning.


The complete casing design process is reviewed, and the direct application of geomechanics is shown. This includes casing design and pressure testing. A complete design example is given, structured for easy verification and modification. A separate chapter is included on high-pressure-high-temperature (HPHT) wells. In addition, in order to supply a complete well design, a number of related issues are treated like operational problems and mud ballooning.


To a large extent, the book covers application of geology and geomechanics into the well design process. In addition to serving as a text book, it is a good reference book for practising geologists and petroleum engineers. Rock mechanics specialists will find it an important tool for finding information on borehole stability problem modelling and in-situ stress determination.