Drill String Fatigue Failure and Lockup Risks Assessment in Tortuous Trajectory Well in Algeria

Abstract

Failure due to fatigue and lock up risks for drilling pipes in tortuous trajectory is a very costly problem in oil and gas industry, since the cyclic loading which occurs while rotating bent drill pipes in a dog leg are more dangerous than rotating buckled drill pipes. This study is aimed to assess these risks and determine whether by integrating 2024 aluminium alloy drill pipes in drilling string, it is possible to extend the drilling operation without having detrimental impact on the drilling string integrity. Accordingly, the obtained results showed that, even though steel drill pipes have better mechanical properties, compared to 2024 aluminium alloy drill pipes, the latter have a better fatigue resistance even in the simultaneous presence of high applied torque and axial load, and severe dog-legs, beside good resistance to wear and corrosion even at high temperature, thereby reducing environmental trash and full consumption in order to minimise pollution.