Study on horizontal completion with composite tubular string in coal reservoir with complex coal structure

Aiming at the problems such as large deformation difference of coal structure, strong heterogeneity of physical properties, complex coal structure during horizontal drilling, single completion & stimulation technology and so on, a completion technology with composite tubular string for coalbed methane (CBM) horizontal well is proposed. Completion tools, inner operation tubing and outer completion string are designed. The outer completion string is composed of casing and screen pipe. The mechanics and hydraulics calculation model of dual tubular string are optimized. A field test of this completion technology had been accomplished in No. 15 coal seam in Yangquan, Shanxi Province, China. A dual tubular string of 659.5 m was run into the depth of 1591 m, and the horizonal well section in coal seam is divided into four sections by external casing packers (ECP). The tests of dual tubular string running, hydraulic circulation removing dual tubular string blocking and sticking, well washing, ECP expansion sealing and segmental completion in coal seam were accomplished. Based on the engineering data of this well, the force of dual tubular string was calculated by finite difference method, and the related hydraulic calculation was carried out. The results show that the inner tubing increases the lateral force of completion string, and the friction resistance on downhole tubular string increases by 5642.75 N. The pressure of completion tubular string is mainly affected by hydraulic loss of inner tubing and nozzles. The recommended displacement of hydraulic circulation is 16~20 L/s to remove rock and cuttings and maintain wellbore stability during completion string running. The displacement is increased to 20~24 L/s to eliminate the damage of drilling fluid to shaft wall during well washing operation. The research and field test verified the feasibility and innovation of the completion technology with composite tubular string for horizontal well, which provides a reliable basis for horizontal well diversified and adaptive stimulation in coal reservoir with complicated structure.