Real-time drilling rate prediction method of reaming while drilling based on mechanical specific energy

Abstract Reaming while drilling (RWD) is a drilling technique that uses a reamer and a pilot bit to expand the size of an open hole segment to be larger than the inner diameter of an upper casing string while fully drilling, especially in deep wells. This technique reduces the number of trips and is highly efficient and widely used in deep wells, ultra-deep wells, small clearance wells, and side-drilling and complex well conditions. However, in the actual operation process, the mismatching between the pilot bit and reamer often leads to slippage, string vibration, and low-quality borehole.In this paper, based on the mechanical specific energy model and the RWD weight distribution model, combined with the drilling weight, torque, and formation confined compressive strength at the interface of the pilot bit and reamer, a real-time rate of penetration (ROP) prediction model suitable for RWD is derived. Through the analysis of the downhole condition of the RWD operation, reasonable drilling parameters are determined and a set of real-time RWD performance prediction and optimization algorithm is proposed.Studies show that during the RWD operation, the size of the pilot bit and reamer and the shape of the cutter have an enormous influence on ROP. When drilling in different formations, the excellent cooperation among the pilot bit, reamer, and formation is the key to improve ROP and bottom hole assembly stability. How to optimize the bit and reamer to drill with the same ROP and predict the ROP is the focus of this paper.Field logging data test the ROP prediction model and real-time optimization method, and the results indicate that the ROP prediction model has high precision, small error, and high timeliness, which can fully meet the requirements of field engineering. This model can guide the selection of the bit, reamer, and drilling parameters in RWD, which is of considerable significance to RWD.