A Discussion On Geothermal and Petroleum Drilling Stuck-Pipe Incident Mechanism: What Are The Differences?

Stuck-pipe nowadays became one of major complicated problems in drilling operations worldwide. As a result of this problem, petroleum & geothermal industry is suffered major incremental cost to overcome this problem because it can significantly contribute and become top non-productive time (NPT) contributor during drilling operations

This research aims to study about the difference of stuck pipe incident mechanism that happen during petroleum & geothermal drilling operation based on comprehensive overview of environment characteristics of both field operation, like several major differences from geothermal environment that include average temperature and pressure reservoirs, rock formation types, fluid characteristics, surface conditions. In order to achieve the objectives of this research, the authors of this study pursue to analyze actual both petroleum & geothermal drilling data in Indonesia. That accompanied by direct survey to several oil and gas, also geothermal practitioners especially that involved in drilling teams. As the result, from this research the common stuck pipe that occur in oil and gas wells is differential pipe-sticking and for geothermal wells is hole-pack off / bridge.

Finally, this paper presents extra insight about the difference of stuck pipe mechanism both oil & gas and geothermal during drilling operation. Moreover, this research can be a guideline in preparation for future drilling engineer or even for oil and gas industry drilling engineer that want to have transition or shifting their job to geothermal drilling engineer. So, this research is very beneficial to engage future drilling engineers to become more aware about the complexity of geothermal environment in order to implementing integrated efforts & approach to prevent stuck pipe event in geothermal drilling.