Engineering and Operational Solutions to Drill a Challenging Hpht Exploratory Well Through a Salt Dome in Mca

Abstract Due to the continuous growth of high demand for energy within the oil and gas industry in Mexico, the research for new reservoirs have led to exploring zones with high pressure and high temperature conditions (HPTH), demanding construction of wells over 150°C and 10,000 psi at their deepest point. Along with that, exploration drilling always deals with geological uncertainty, which has an impact in well placement, well trajectory, casing setting depths, geomechanics drilling fluid window, etc. which are translated mostly in an increase in costs for the project, reducing its feasibility. Some of the most successful reservoirs in southeastern Mexico correspond to Upper Jurassic Kimmeridgian dolomites (naturally fractured reservoirs). The work presented here aims to share the challenges faced to drill a HPHT well through a salt dome to reach Upper Jurassic Kimmeridgian, and the solutions executed to overcome them.