BP Amoco Casing Design Manual

BPA-D-003

11.1 Temperature Issues

Enertechs WELLTEMP temperature prediction program is recommended for determining temperature profiles for high temperature casing designs. Most casing designs can make use of the default temperature profiles built into Stresscheck, for high temperatures and pressures the more advanced analysis available in Wellcat may be needed to obtain an economic design. If this program is not available, the procedures described in this section provide sufficient accuracy for most designs. However, when BHST exceeds 250F or water depth exceeds 3000ft (1000m), use of a temperature model is required. Consideration must be given to the yield derating of casing, described later in Paragraph 11.7. Temperature profiles must be determined for each load case. Temperature profiles required for each casing design are listed in Table 11.1.

TABLE 11.1 TEMPERATURE PROFILES

S Cmt CT P

Static Temperature Cemented Temperature Drilling Circulation Temperature Producing Temperature

For converting from Fahrenheit (F) to Centigrade (C) C= F 32 1.8

For converting from Centigrade (C) to Fahrenheit (F) F = 1.8 (C) +32

Changes in temperature result in length changes for unrestrained pipe. Casing is usually held at the wellhead and by cement so that the movement is restrained. This results in forces being generated which must be considered in design. It is the change in temperature that impacts casing designs. T = Average Service Temperature Average Cemented Temperatures The following sections describe how to determine the temperature profiles needed to determine the temperature change T.

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Temperature Considerations 11-1

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BP Amoco Casing Design Manual

11.2 Static Temperature Profile

The static temperature profile (S) is defined as the surface temperature plus the natural geothermal gradient and can be calculated at the depth of interest using E.11.1, assuming a linear temperature versus depth relation: S where ST stg d = = = = ST + stg (d)/100 (E.11.1)

surface temperature (F or C) geothermal gradient in F per hundred feet or C per 30m which is specific to operating area. depth of interest (feet or meters, TVD)

For offshore wells. If the water depth is greater than 500ft (150m), the temperature at the mud line should be considered when determining the static temperature profile. Temperature at the mud line varies with geographic location. The following can be used as a guideline:

Water Depth ST 500ft 1500ft 3000ft+ stg

Gulf of Mexico 80F 50F 45F 40F (1.0 to 1.2F)/100ft

North Sea 60F 45F 40F 40F (1.2 to 1.5F)/100ft

11-2 Temperature Considerations

September 1999 Issue 2 Section C11

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North Sea Well WT TD Stg ST 1500ft 13,500ft 1.4/100ft 60F S = MLT + Stg (d-WD) E11.2 S = 40 + 1.4 (13,500 1,500) 100 S = 208F at TD = BHST

MLT 40F
FIGURE 11.1 STATIC TEMPERATURE
0

2,000

4,000

Depth (ft)

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000 0 50 100 150 200 250

Static Temperature (F)

In order to calculate the static temperature profile for offshore wells, use the mudline temperature (MLT) and the water depth (WD) as shown in E.11.2. S = MLT + (stg/100) (d-WD) at depth of interest, d (E.11.2)

The static temperature profile consists of a minimum of two temperatures (surface temperature and bottomhole static temperature (BHST). Bottomhole static temperature is determined by using E.11.1 or E.11.2 and substituting the well depth for the depth of interest.

11.3 Cementing Temperature Profile

If BHST is less than 165F (75C), the static temperature profile shall be used as the cementing temperature profile. If BHST is greater than 165F (75C), cementing temperature profile (Cmt) must be calculated. The cement temperature establishes the base case that is locked in as the cement sets. All other service load temperatures are compared with the cementing temperature profile in order to determine the T.

September 1999 Issue 2 Section C11

Temperature Considerations 11-3

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BP Amoco Casing Design Manual

The heat transfer history of the well affects the cementing temperature profile. For example, circulation usually cools the lower part of the well and heats the upper part. While these effects can be analysed using Welltemp, a reasonable manual approximation is given below: BHCT = (1.342 0.2228stg) BHST + 33.54stg 102.1 BHCT + (BHST BHCT)/4 ST + 0.3 (BHCMT ST) temperature gradient F/100ft bottom hole circulating temperature, F bottom hole as cemented temperature, F surface as cemented temperature, F (E.11.3) (E.11.4) (E.11.5)

BHCMT = SCMT = where: Stg BHCT BHCMT SCMT

= = = =

Equation 11.3 was developed by I.M. Kutason and A.K. Taighi1 and is based on field measurements taken from 79 deep wells. Comparisons with WellTemp have shown that E.11.3, E.11.4, and E.11.5 provide temperature profiles within 10F. This is adequate for casing design work. Comparisons fell to 20F for water depths in excess of 3000ft. Under these conditions, a WellTemp or WEST temperature analysis should be used to determine the temperature profiles. The CMT Profile can be developed after calculating the SCMT and BHCMT.

11.4 Drilling Temperatures

These temperature increases created by drilling ahead can result in casing elongation above the cement top or in uncemented sections. The elongation can lead to helical buckling if axial compression is created. Section 9 addresses buckling issues. For casing designs above TOC, the average temperature increase created by drilling circulating temperatures (CT) are compared with the average temperature of the cementing temperature profile. Average temperature changes are used in order to compensate for the entire length change.

Kutason, I.M., and Taighi, A.K., Better Deep Hole BHCT Estimation Possible, Oil and Gas Journal, May 25, 1987.

11-4 Temperature Considerations

September 1999 Issue 2 Section C11