Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

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Renewable Energy
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/renene

Review of directional drilling design and operation of geothermal

wells in Indonesia
B.T.H. Marbun a, *, R.H. Ridwan b, H.S. Nugraha c, S.Z. Sinaga a, B.A. Purbantanu a
a
Petroleum Engineering Study Program, Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia
b
PT Geo Dipa Energi, Jakarta, Indonesia
c
Directorate General of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Generally, geothermal fields in Indonesia are situated in the mountains, forests, and remote area. The
Received 8 October 2020 surface area, access, environment, license, and permit are limited, so that from a permitted well pad
Received in revised form many wells are designed directionally to reach the reservoir.
15 April 2021
Directional drilling in geothermal wells is challenging due to hard volcanic rocks, the presence of vugs
Accepted 11 May 2021
Available online 19 May 2021
or cavern, and high temperatures leading to massive lost circulation, drilling break, and the difficulty to
turn and control the direction stably during drilling. These cause a critical condition reducing the
wellbore quality: high Dogleg Severity (DLS), tight hole, and stuck pipe occurrence. Besides, this leads to
Keywords:
Directional drilling
higher stress and strain experienced by the casing or liner and causes yield strength reduction and
Dogleg severity (DLS) failure.
Drilling break Thus, it is essential that the directional drilling design and operation, particularly trajectory, be opti-
Geothermal well mized. This research summarized methods to evaluate the actual drilling operation and wellbore con-
Lost circulation dition of wells in Dieng Field. The result is useful to identify the critical conditions caused by drilling and
formation problems setting the maximum load limitations of the design and subsequent operation. It is
recommended that buckling analysis, full-scale testing, and several design and operation scenarios be
conducted prior to the drilling operation.
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction constraints and limitations to establish the directional trajectory

plan. Correction should be made on the planned trajectory to
The term directional well is used for a well that is drilled with a compensate for the effects caused by the bit type, the bit walk due
non-vertical trajectory [1]. Directional drilling is required for to drillpipe rotation, the tendency of the various directional tools,
designing and drilling a wellbore with different horizontal target the hardness of formations and the dip angle, and other anticipated
location from the surface well location. In the geothermal field, a factors. The tendency of various directional tools can be assessed by
directional well allows the drilling to reach more fractures, vugs, analyzing the drilling data from offset or similar wells drilled with
and the producible reservoir parts [2]. similar directional tools and geological conditions. An inadequate
When designing a directional well, both the surface and target amount of such data or analysis can cause miscalculation or
location are mandatory information to be established at the discrepancy between the planned and actual trajectory from the
beginning of the plan [1,3]. The target of the well should be set in offset wells during drilling.
the reservoir section both for production optimization when the In cases when offset or similar wells data are not available, a
purpose is to recover geothermal fluids and for the injection opti- pilot hole drilling can be considered before drilling the main hole of
mization of the injection well. The surface location is connected to a well with complex geological formations. The purpose is to assess
the target location through a particular well path design. Then, the and obtain some preliminary important information, such as for-
well path is adjusted and optimized according to applicable mation rock types, dip and strike angles, as well as risk of wellbore
problems.
With adequate data, the trajectory plan can be prepared prop-
* Corresponding author. Jalan Ganesha 10, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia. erly, and this plan should result in minimum drilling time and cost.
E-mail address: bonar.marbun@tm.itb.ac.id (B.T.H. Marbun). Furthermore, the optimal trajectory plan should consider the hole

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.05.078
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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

geometry selection, casing sizes, casing setting depths, cementing when the formation pressure is less than the hydrostatic pressure
operation, geomechanics and wellbore stability, hole cleaning and of the fluid in the wellbore [6]. This causes the fluid in the wellbore
cutting transports, and anticipated wellbore problems. To accom- to flow into the formation zones. In lost circulation during drilling,
plish this, the cooperation of geoscientists and engineers is the cuttings also flow into the formation with the drilling fluid. Lost
required [1]. circulation in the geothermal environment is frequent and severe
During the drilling operation, the survey instruments are used and can occur either at low or high porosity-permeability forma-
to measure and record the wellbore inclination and azimuth of the tions, and further aggravated by the high temperatures [7]. The lost
directional well and the measured depth (MD) [1]. The wellbore circulation occurring massively and without any return to the
inclination is defined as the angle between the vertical axis and the surface is called total lost circulation. When this happens, all the
wellbore, while the azimuth is defined as the direction angle pro- fluid and cuttings flow into the pores, fractures, vugs, and caverns
jected onto a horizontal plane between the geographic north and of the formations, and it causes the fluid level to decrease suddenly
the wellbore which is measured clockwise. The survey is taken at a [8]. This in turn causes poor hole cleaning that may lead to the stuck
certain depth called the station. The inclination and azimuth angles pipe occurrence. Additionally, the fluid lost causes less pressure to
in the directional well are built with a certain build and turn rates stabilize the problematic formations that present in the geothermal
expressed in degree/30 m (deg/30 m). The change of these angles environment, such as swelling shale and formations with insta-
over a certain length measured at each station is called dogleg bility issues. This condition also increases the risk of stuck pipe
severity (DLS) and expressed in deg/30 m. Fig. 1 shows the dogleg occurrence during drilling.
development in a directional well. Lost circulation is one of the most expensive problems that re-
To calculate the DLS shown in Fig. 1 at each station, the following quires considerable time and materials to combat. The treatment
equation is used [3], cost can reach as high as 15% of total well construction costs [7].
Additionally, lost circulation often leads to other wellbore integrity
n o 30 issues, such as bridging, washouts, sloughing, and caving during
DLS ¼ cos1 ½ðcos I1 x cos I2 Þ þ ðsin I1 x sin I2 Þx cosðA2 A1 Þ x drilling. The lost circulation is usually encountered in the produc-
CL
tion zones. When the lost circulation occurs above or at the pro-
(1)
duction zones, it causes difficulty in casing running to isolate the
with DLS (dogleg severity (deg/30 m)), CL (course length or dis- interval zones and cementing operation.
tance between survey points (m)), I1 (inclination angle at upper Another common problem encountered in geothermal drilling is
survey points (deg)), I2 (inclination angle at lower survey points drilling break occurring when the rate of penetration (ROP) in-
(deg)), A1 (azimuth direction at upper survey points (deg)), and A2 creases abruptly during drilling [9,10]. A drilling break can occur
(azimuth direction at lower survey points (deg)). when the drilling penetrates porous or low-density formation
The difficulty of directional drilling and the magnitude of DLS rocks. This abrupt increase of ROP may indicate formation change
are mainly affected by factors from rock formations, e.g., elastic and during drilling and can be used as confirmation of top and bottom
hydraulic properties, and stress. Generally, the physical properties geological formation layers.
of geothermal formations rocks control these factors [5]. The Lost circulation and drilling break are the two most common
complete description of the stress path and geological control of the problems faced when drilling a directional geothermal well.
geothermal formations may help to avoid drilling problems. These Coupled with the fact that most drilling conditions in Indonesia are
are covered in geomechanics study that should be incorporated in situated in mountains and remote areas, and the surface area, ac-
drilling design before conducting drilling operation. cess, and permit from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of
One of the most common and the most severe problems the Republic of Indonesia are limited [11], the wells are designed
occurring in geothermal drilling is lost circulation. This happens directionally to reach the reservoir. However, studies related to

Fig. 1. The dogleg development in a directional well [4].

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

directional drilling design and operation are found to be scarce, and run into the hole without experiencing additional stress and strain
studies related to the common problems faced by directional due to high bending at the high-temperature geothermal envi-
geothermal wells are found to be scarcer. Thus, the objectives of ronment that can reduce the yield strength of the casing or liner
this study were threefold: to enrich the studies of the stated and the lifetime of the well. Previous studies conducted by Marbun
problems, to evaluate further the cause of the failure happening in et al. (2019) and Marbun et al. (2020) showed that the yield
wells at Dieng Field, and to discuss the methods to use to prevent a strength reduction caused a decrease in the burst, collapse, and
similar failure from happening. tension rating of the casing or liner [12e14,17e20].
This research is a continuation and development of the previous This research took a case study from 18 geothermal wells at
researches related to the geothermal Dieng Field as shown in Dieng Field. The available data were limited; therefore, not all as-
Table 1. pects shown in Fig. 2 were analyzed and evaluated in this study. The
According to Table 1, the topics of the previous researches were aspects that were not discussed in this study were as follows:
related to the casing and liner design of the geothermal production logging while drilling (LWD), completion planning, cement plan, bit
and injection wells in Dieng Field. This research was focused on the program, drillstring design, rig size and selection, and time pro-
directional drilling design and operation and the impact on the jection, and cost. The directional drilling design and operation of
borehole quality. The borehole quality significantly affects the these wells were analyzed and evaluated, particularly the drilling
casing and liner running operation and eventually the well quality operation problems: lost circulation, drilling break, and DLS. The
and production. causalities of the three problems were evaluated, including the
effect of the additional stress and strain experienced by the casing
or liner during running in hole operation. From the 18 wells, the
2. Methodology & overview of the well
result analysis of the three wells was further shown in this study
because of the following consideration: the close proximity among
2.1. Methodology
the three wells, the same drilling campaign, the similar type and
capacity of the rig and equipment, the similarity of well configu-
The methodology used in the study follows the flow path of
ration, casing and liner setting depth, and geological stratigraphy.
directional geothermal well, consisting of the concept, design
operation, and evaluation. To design a directional geothermal well,
the following data are required: surface coordinate, subsurface 2.2. Overview of the wells
target coordinate, and subsurface data. Furthermore, a directional
borehole parameter is set, including the preparation of the survey In this research, 18 geothermal wells at Dieng Field were stud-
instrument plan. Then, the drilling design and operation are pre- ied. The data of these 18 wells were obtained from the same sources
pared. During the drilling operation, a detailed summary list of as in previous researches [12e15]. One well is located relatively
drilling operations measurements is recorded appropriately, farther away from the 17 wells. Fig. 3 shows the actual 3D trajectory
continuously, and completely. These will further be used to analyze of 17 geothermal wells.
and evaluate the drilling design and operation, particularly the From the 18 wells, the data of the three wells was further shown
drilling operation problems and DLS. The complete flow path of a in this study: well HCE28A, HCE29, and HCE30A.
directional geothermal well can be seen in Fig. 2. Table 2 shows the distance of the surface and target coordinates
Fig. 2 shows all the mandatory aspects required to design, drill, of these three wells.
and evaluate a geothermal well effectively and efficiently. Based on In this study, well HCE28A, HCE29, and HCE30A according to
the analysis and the evaluation as shown in Fig. 2, the result of Table 2 were selected to be shown in this study based on the
improvement found in this study can be proposed for future following consideration:
geothermal well drilling design and operation. All of the processes
are then stored and verified in data inventory for future utilization. 1. The wells were located relatively close to each other.
A good drilling design and process are of great importance to 2. Well HCE28A and HCE30A were drilled and completed at the
generate a high quality wellbore having a DLS value which is as low same drilling campaign with the same rig, while well HCE29 was
as reasonably achievable. This is to ensure the casing or liner can be drilled and completed with a different rig. Fig. 4 shows the rig

Table 1
Previous research publication.

Nu. Researches Topics

1. Casing failure identification of long-abandoned geothermal wells in This research discussed the identification and evaluation of casing failures in two abandoned
Field Dieng, Indonesia [12] wells and the methodology to assess the current casing conditions and their integrity in other
wells. Suggestion for future research: evaluation and calculation design of casing and liner in
geothermal well.
2. Design of injection liner of high-temperature vapor-dominated This research is a continuation of research 1, discussing the evaluation and re-calculation of
geothermal reservoir [13] injection liner design and loads of a geothermal well which is characterized by a vapor-
dominated geothermal system and the injection loads modification according to the actual
condition of the liner. Suggestion for future research: evaluation and calculation design of
liner in geothermal production well.
3. Casing setting depth and design of production well in water-dominated This research is a continuation of research 1, discussing the evaluation and re-calculation of

geothermal system with 330 C reservoir temperature [14] casing setting depth and design of a geothermal well that is characterized by a water-
dominated geothermal system. Besides, this research established a methodology of casing
setting depth and design for future wells. Suggestion for future research: casing setting depth
and design a geothermal well that is characterized by a vapor-dominated geothermal system.
4. Improvement of loads calculation of the perforated liner in a This research is a continuation of research 1 and 2, discussing the evaluation and calculation
geothermal production well [15] of dynamic loads of the perforated liner in a geothermal production well during drilling until
injection phases. Besides, this research improved the NZS2403:2015. Suggestion for future
research: drilling design and borehole quality of a geothermal well.

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

Fig. 2. Flow path of directional geothermal well: concept, design, operation & evaluation [1,3,9,16].

used and drilled as well as completed time in days of the three relatively similar configuration and setting depths of the casing and
wells. liner.

Both rigs (Rig A and B) shown in Fig. 4 were a similar type of rig 4. The actual well schematic and casing and liner setting depths
with the same capacity, while well HCE28A was drilled and were relatively similar as shown in Fig. 5.
completed earlier than well HCE29 and HCE30A. The start of the
drilling time of well HCE28A became the reference for the start and Therefore, the analysis comparison could be performed better in
completion of the drilling time of the other two wells. this study.
The complete information of hole diameter, interval depth,
3. The geological stratigraphic were relatively similar. casing, and liner shown in Fig. 5 can be seen in Table 3, added with
the information related to maximum inclination, type and range of
Fig. 5 shows that the wells were drilled and completed with density of the drilling fluid, and information of aerated mud and/or

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

Fig. 3. Actual well trajectory of 17 geothermal wells.

Table 2
Summary of the distance calculation result of the surface and target coordinates of well HCE28A, HCE29, and HCE30A.

Coordinates Distance between wells (m)

HCE28A and HCE29 HCE28A and HCE30A HCE29 and HCE30A

Surface 2,378 945 2,191

Target 1,234 77 1,218

blind drilling utilization at well HCE28A, HCE29, and HCE30A.

The type of WBM used in the drilling operation of the three
wells included polymer and mud with some additives e.g., lime and
lignosulfonate.
The casing and liner hole section as shown in Table 3 are the
focus of analysis in this study.
The lithology and drilling parameter (ROP, weight on bit (WOB),
Fig. 4. Rig utilization and drilled and completed time of well HCE28A, HCE29, and
HCE30A. and torque) of well HCE28A, well HCE29, and well HCE30A can be
seen in Fig. 6 until Fig. 8.

Fig. 5. Actual schematic and casing and liner setting depths of well (a) HCE28A (b) HCE29 (c) HCE30A.

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

Table 3
Summary of hole, casing/liner, and drilling fluid data of well HCE28A, HCE29, and HCE30A.

Well Hole diameter Interval depth Casing/liner Maximum inclination Drilling fluid

Type Outer diameter Depth Type Density

(mm) (m MD) (m TVD) (mm) (deg) (m MD) (kg/m3)
HCE28A 444.5 448-1,571 448-1,520 Scab liner 273 30 448-1,571 WBM 1,030
Production casing 339.7
311.2 1,571e2,570 1,520e2,461 Production liner 244.5 30.75 1,571e2,029 WBM
2,029e2,086 Aerated mud 900
2,086e2,324 WBM 1,030
2,538e2,570 Water (blind drilling) 1,000
HCE29 444.5 458-1,573 458-1,538 Production casing 339.7 24.5 458-1,573 WBM 1,030
311.2 1,573e2,641 1,538e2,502 Production liner 244.5 28 1,573e1,993 WBM
1,993e2,641 Aerated mud 900
HCE30A 444.5 552-1,515 552-1,485 Tieback casing 339.7 24 552-1,515 WBM 1,030
Production liner 339.7
311.2 1,515e2,588 1,485e2,465 Production liner 244.5 29 1,515e1,613 WBM
1,613e2,588 Aerated mud 900

WBM: Water-based mud.

Nowadays, the subsurface information during drilling, including 3. Result and discussion
the directional survey (e.g., inclination, azimuth, and tool face) and
downhole drilling parameter (e.g., WOB) can be sent to the surface Equation (1) was used to calculate the maximum DLS of each
through the mud pulse telemetry system during the drilling oper- hole section drilled at the 18 wells at Dieng Field. Table 4 shows the
ation [1]. Due to limited available data, the drilling parameter example calculation results of the maximum DLS using equation (1)
shown in Fig. 6 until Fig. 8 for well HCE28A, HCE29, and HCE30A based on directional survey data at the liner section of well
were only those of ROP, WOB, and torque. HCE28A.
The pressure and temperature survey data after the drilling There were three hole sections with three different diameters
operation of well HCE28A, HCE29, and HCE30A can be seen in Fig. 9. defined according to the hole of the diameter drilled: 444.5 mm,
The pressure and temperature survey data of the three wells 311.2 mm, and 215.9 mm. Table 5 shows the calculation result of the
shown in Fig. 9 were limited, particularly well HCE28A and maximum DLS and the distance calculation of the hole sections for
HCE30A. the 18 wells at Dieng Field.

Fig. 6. Data of lithology and drilling parameter of well HCE28A.

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

Table 4
Example of calculation results of the maximum DLS using equation (1) based on directional survey data at the liner section of well HCE28A.

The table shows that the maximum DLS were mostly above 2 casing or liner running operation may occur due to this aspect
deg/30 m at zones with the diameter of 444.5 mm, 311.2 mm, and [12e14,21e25]. This condition worsens when the high DLS occurs
215.9 mm. A more complete DLS figure on each station's depth over a relatively short distance of well path.
(from 500 m to total depth) of the three wells e HCE28A, HCE29, During the drilling operation, the torque and drag increase in
and HCE30A e can be seen in Fig. 10. the high DLS area [3,23]. This is because in a high DLS area,
According to Fig. 10, 2 deg/30 m is defined as a limit of high DLS particularly over a relatively short distance, the friction between
in a geothermal drilling [12,21]. Various problems in drilling and the tubular and borehole wall increases, therefore increasing the

Table 5
Summary of maximum DLS calculation result of hole sections.

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

torque and the drag [26]. 3. Casing or liner setting depth area, so that the DLS effect can be
When passing the high DLS area, the tubular wall/tube that is evaluated and the stress that will be experienced by the casing
put in tension has the tendency to straighten the borehole, and the or liner can be estimated.
tension keeps increasing as it passes below the high DLS area. Due 4. Formation and drilling problems occurrence area, e.g., lost cir-
to the rise of the tension, both the lateral force and the torque and culation and drilling break.
drag increase. This situation also happens when the drill string is
rotated during drilling, and while entering the high DLS zones, the More consistent and more detailed survey measurement tech-
increase in the lateral force will cut into the wellbore wall [23]. nology that can measure less station length (less than 9 m) should also
Depending on factors such as drilling parameters, directional tra- be considered. Therefore, the DLS can be calculated in detail and
jectory, and the formation rocks, the lateral force may form inho- further used in stress evaluation when running in hole the casing or
mogeneous wellbore geometry [27]. A softer formation requires liner.
less lateral force than a harder formation. The inhomogeneous When a significant change of inclination and/or azimuth and an
wellbore geometry can lead to a stuck pipe occurrence when increase of DLS are identified, a precaution should be taken during
running a logging tool or a bigger diameter of tubular (e.g., drill drilling and running casing or liner operation. One of the best
collar/DC and bottom hole assembly/BHA). practices when encountering a high DLS area is to not force the drill
Furthermore, inhomogeneous wellbore geometry can also set off a string during drilling, but instead to perform reaming to reduce the
series of problems when operators run the casing or liner, and it can severe DLS effect and to avoid problems such as the deteriorating of
cause wear of casing or liner connection joint although this depends the wellbore until stuck pipe occurrence. During running in hole
on the diameter of the casing or liner. This situation causes additional the casing or liner, the tripping in load should be recorded,
stress to the casing or liner leading to the yield strength decrease and particularly the restriction due to wellbore conditions, such as in
collapse eventually may occur [21e23]. The high temperature of the high DLS area. The load restriction can be used to roughly analyze
geothermal environment also aggravates the condition. and estimate the stress experienced by the casing or liner and yield
High DLS also can cause casing or liner fatigue and this fatigue is strength reduction.
cumulative [3,26,28,29]. One of the ultimate causes of casing or liner According to the DLS calculation in Fig. 10:
failure is fatigue coming from minor to major irregularities and
cracks. The casing or liner experiences more stress due to high DLS 1. well HCE28A: the high DLS zones were identified at approxi-
and, together with the wear, causes the yield strength of the material mately 700e900 m TVD and 1500e1850 m TVD. Based on the
to decrease, and eventually, this can lead to more fatigue experi- drilling parameter in Fig. 6, at these high DLS zones, the ROP was
enced by the casing or liner. The amount of fatigue cycles that can relatively stable below 10 m/h. The WOB and torque at these high
cause failure depends on factors including the material yield DLS zones seemed to decrease compared to the other zones.
strength of the tubular, wall thickness, tensile load, degree of 2. well HCE29: the high DLS zones were identified at approxi-
bending, and degree of temperature. The degree of bending is mately 900e1000 m TVD, 1050e1250 m TVD, and 1850e1900 m
affected by the high DLS and the diameter of the tubular. At high DLS TVD. Based on the drilling parameter in Fig. 7, the ROP was
areas, the level of maximum bending stress before fatigue failure on relatively stable below 10 m/h at 900e1000 m TVD and
the tubular decreases as the tension load increases. Another factor 1850e1900 m TVD. But the ROP increased and fluctuated at
that significantly affects the amount of fatigue cycle of the tubular 1050e1250 m TVD. The WOB decreased at these high DLS zones
before failure is tensile loading. The higher the tensile load, the more compared to the other zones. The torque decreased and unde-
stress is experienced by the tubular, and the fewer the number of tected at 900e1000 m TVD and 1850e1900 m TVD, but the
fatigue cycles is before failure. Therefore, when a higher tension load torque increased and fluctuated at 1050e1250 m TVD.
is applied to the tubular, only lower DLS or DLS that is close to the 3. well HCE30A: the high DLS zones were identified at approxi-
bottom of the wellbore can be tolerated without causing fatigue mately 950e1150 m TVD and 2250e2400 m TVD. Based on the
failure on the tubular. In the geothermal environment, due to the drilling parameter in Fig. 8, at these high DLS zones, the ROP was
high temperature, the maximum DLS that can be tolerated decreases. relatively stable below 10 m/h. The WOB decreased at these high
When the casing or liner is passed and/or rotated at the severe DLS zones compared to the other zones. The torque fluctuated at
DLS area, a part of its endurance life is used [3]. The casing or liner 950e1050 m TVD, but the torque slightly increased and then
joint might not fail when passing this severe DLS area; however, it became relatively stable at 2250e2400 m TVD.
might fail when passing the subsequent part of the wellbore even
though the area has a lower DLS value. The accumulated fatigue Based on the brief analysis of the drilling parameter and DLS
damages on the casing or liner cannot be inspected and measured calculation of the three wells, the drilling parameter trend was not
with conventional technique unless there is a presence of cracks. correlated with the DLS trend. Even though well HCE28A, HCE29,
When the directional drilling program is designed appropriately and HCE30A were located relatively close to each other with similar
and correctly, the casing or liner fatigue can be avoided. The well- geological stratigraphic, the drilling parameters varied. Despite the
bore resulted from drilling with this appropriate and correct pro- similarity of the rig type and equipment, the drilling parameter
gram will help to avoid problems during running casing or liner between the three wells could not be analyzed and evaluated. In
that is designed conventionally. particular, well HCE28A and HCE30A were drilled with the same
According to Table 5, based on the analysis in well HCE28A, rig. However, the ROP, WOB, and torque trend between both wells
HCE29, and HCE30A, the station distance for survey measurement were difficult to compare and analyze. Besides, further analysis
in these wells varies between 9 and 58 m. The following should be showed that the drilling and formation problems, including DLS,
considered in the measurement of the survey station: drilling break, and lost circulation, were also extremely different.
This showed that the physical properties of the three wells were
1. The complexity of the trajectory and the purpose of the drilling diverse and varied greatly despite the relatively close proximity and
well [1]. geological stratigraphic similarities among these wells [5]. The
2. Section change, e.g., build-up inclination, drop-off inclination, physical rock properties, such as porosity, alteration degree, pore
and azimuth change. space geometry, mineral components, and fluid content, affected
the elastic properties of the formation rocks.
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Fig. 7. Data of lithology and drilling parameter of well HCE29.

Were the drilling parameter and drilling problems recorded data had to be corrected before analysis could be performed, and a
continuously in real time and in detail, further analysis, such as cost valid conclusion could be addressed. However, the required data for
per foot (CPF), mechanical specific energy (MSE), and preliminary correction were also not available.
stress evaluation for a geomechanics study, could be performed. Cuttings, drilling parameter, lost circulation, drilling break, and
Additionally, the produced cuttings during drilling could be pre- other drilling problems should be monitored and recorded appro-
dicted with a geomechanics study and drilling parameter simula- priately, continuously, completely, and in detail. In particular, the
tion. Therefore, the cuttings that were lost into the formation drilling parameter should be recorded continuously and precisely
during lost circulation could also be estimated. Additionally, based in real time per second. Cuttings are important information to
on the complete and more detailed data of WOB, ROP, torque, dull directly identify and characterize the subsurface geological for-
bit grading, and lithology, the compressive strength of the forma- mation rock samples during drilling [33]. Even though cuttings are
tion rocks could be roughly evaluated and approximated, or at usually in small fragments and are mixed and contaminated with
minimum, the compressive strength of the different formation drilling fluid and other matters, the cuttings are relatively low cost
zones could be roughly compared. and less complicated to obtain than other methods, such as coring.
The changes of the wellbore angle and direction during drilling Besides, in certain circumstances, cuttings are the only possible
can be caused by the various ROP applied in hard-soft anisotropic method to gather the available geological downhole information
formation with different dip angles [22,30e32]. Assuming the when other methods cannot be conducted due to associated
weight and force are distributed uniformly onto the bit during downhole and technical problems during drilling.
drilling, the bit drills the hard formations relatively more slowly A subsurface geological formation rocks characterization from
than the soft formations that lead to deflection. When drilling into cuttings evaluation requires the knowledge of drilling technology
the hard formation rocks, the bit tends to deviate up-dip, and and in-situ geology [7,33]. Additionally, the cuttings samples,
conversely, the bit tends to deviate down-dip when drilling into including the cuttings that stick to the BHA, should be carefully
soft formation rocks. The complete description of the stress path collected, prepared, stored, and examined to identify the lithology
and geological control of the geothermal formations were not accurately and to correlate the formation rock types [34,35].
enough to avoid drilling problems occurrence in these wells. However, the cuttings, including the mineral and alteration from
However, due to the limitation of available data, including the re- the geothermal environment may be difficult to differentiate due to
cord of cuttings, drilling break, and lost circulation (shown in the appearance in fragments that may look similar and due to the
Fig. 11), the drilling parameter (shown in Fig. 6 until Fig. 8) and effect from the fluid and borehole contaminants. The cuttings can
pressures (e.g., pump pressure and annulus pressure) during the be compared with the available geophysical and well logs as well as
lost circulation and drilling break, a complete analysis was unable the simulated cuttings database from the representative surface
to be performed. This was because the data quality of cuttings, rocks. Other analysis methods, such as metamorphic mineralogy
drilling break, and lost circulation had to be checked further, the and rounding and sorting of associated sedimentary rocks, may also

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

Fig. 8. Data of lithology and drilling parameter of well HCE30A.

help to evaluate the cuttings and identify the lithology. Moreover,

the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy
(EDS) analysis can be used to characterize the cuttings and mineral.
The more data are recorded, the more analysis, evaluation, and
options can be prepared. All the data and experiences gathered
during geothermal well drilling are useful to prepare and improve
the next drilling design and operational plan more comprehen-
sively. Chronologically, because well HCE28A was drilled and
completed before well HCE29 and HCE30A, the data and experi-
ences from well HCE28A should have been used to improve the
drilling of well HCE29 and HCE30A [34].
The parameter mudflow in and out during drilling should be
monitored and used as lost circulation diagnostics [7]. The mud
logs are used to help to define the permeable and lost circulation
zones. In a drilling operation, the mud logs are firstly used to re-
cords various data, such as drilling parameters, gas shows, ROP,
cuttings, and formations rock type, before any other means (e.g.,
logging). The quantity of lost fluid is recorded by the driller and in
mud logs. The drilling parameter, particularly the pump pressure
and annulus pressure, nodal analysis principle, and lost circulation
(volume, time, and rate) can be used to analyze the anisotropic and
approximate roughly the porosity-permeability of the formations
(pores, fractures, vugs, or cavern). To be more precise, the tem-
perature information can be used to measure the permeable frac-
tures [36]. A negative anomaly of the temperature indicates the
cooling permeable fracture during drilling, while a positive
anomaly of the temperature indicates the circulation of hot
geothermal fluid through the permeable fracture. The lost circula-
Fig. 9. Pressure and temperature survey data after drilling of well HCE28A, HCE29, and
tion data are required by the reservoir and production teams for
HCE30A.
updating and decision making. Furthermore, in addition to the rock

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

Fig. 10. Calculation of DLS based on survey data of well (a) HCE28A (b) HCE29 (c) HCE30A.

Fig. 11. Drilling process of the 444.5 mm hole section and 339.7 mm production casing installation of well HCE28A.

petrophysics analysis, the zones classification can be established to HCE28A drilling, including total and partial lost circulation, drilling
differentiate the low, medium, and high-risk zones according to the break, stuck pipe, and tight hole. From these figures, it can be seen
lost circulation, drilling break, and other drilling problems occur- that among the three wells, the analysis of well HCE28A shows
rences during drilling. more challenges, thus, more lessons could be learned in this study.
Fig. 11 shows a brief of the drilling process of the 444.5 mm hole The identification of the lost circulation and the causes is
section and 339.7 mm production casing installation of well important when it occurs so that the proper handling method can
HCE28A. be selected and prepared [7,8,37]. Mainly, the lost circulation can be
Fig. 12 shows a brief of the drilling process of the 311.2 mm hole categorized into the following based on the causes and
section of well HCE28A. circumstances:
Figs. 11 and 12 show the problems occurring during well

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

Fig. 12. Drilling process of the 311.2 mm hole section of well HCE28A.

 Lost circulation occurring during the drilling surface hole should also be recorded in detail. In particular, the data should be
section recorded since the start of the lost circulation that is referenced as
time zero. Therefore, the important parameters such as, but not
The formation rocks at the surface are usually weak. The rela- limited to, hydrostatic and formation pressure, standpipe pressure,
tively normal drilling fluid weight of water (1000 kg/m3) and the flow rate, lost rate, and mud loss volume can be put in a time-based
contained solid may cause high enough pressure to break the for- plot for further analysis and evaluation. The lost circulation infor-
mation rocks causing drilling fluid to flow into the formation zones. mation during drilling will be helpful to estimate and control the
lost circulation that may be encountered during running the casing
 High ROP drilling or liner and cementing operation. This is important since the
wellbore quality should be monitored closely all the time during
The high ROP during drilling generates more cuttings that fill the drilling process to make sure that casing or liner can be run into
the borehole. This may lead to rheology and hydraulic issues, the hole without experiencing restriction and additional stress and
particularly when the flow rate is not adequate to clean the hole. strain that can lead to the yield strength reduction. In addition, it is
This in turn will lead to high equivalent circulating density (ECD) in also important to make sure the casing can be cemented without
the annulus that increases the hydrostatic pressure, and eventually the lost time and additional cost [38]. With the better quality and
causes the drilling fluid and cuttings to flow into the formation quantity of data recording, both in real time per second and in
zones. detail, the data processing can also be performed in real time.
Hence, the wellbore condition and quality can also be simulated in
 Abnormal formation pressure real time and the analysis and evaluation can be performed in
detail. Furthermore, the operational decision making can be made
When encountering high formation pressure zones, the drilling based on this analysis and evaluation.
fluid weight is normally increased. However, the drilling may When the lost circulation occurs, particularly the total lost cir-
further encounter the zones with normal or even low formation culation, the fluid level in the wellbore falls significantly. This can
pressure trends that can lead to lost circulation. According to the lead to the free-fall of the drilling fluid when it is pumped down that
best engineering practices and common standard operating pro- causes a water hammer effect. This also results in pressure pulses
cedure (SOP), a casing or liner should be set to cover the high for- along the drillstring in the wellbore. In the directional well, these
mation pressure zones before drilling subsequent zones. effects push the drillstring on the wellbore wall at some downhole
locations, particularly at the bottom of the drillstring. This may cause
 Fractures and vugular formations stuck pipe, particularly at the high DLS area with 2 deg/30 m, as
shown in Fig. 11 when lost circulations occurred at 1299e1513 m
In the geothermal environment, the drilling usually encounters TVD and stuck pipe occurred at 1438 m TVD and 1464 m TVD.
fractures and vugular formations that may lead to lost circulation. The lost circulation does not always occur at the bottom of the
According to Figs. 6 and 11, when encountering the lost circu- wellbore, but it can also occur at the upper depth during drilling as
lation zones at approximately 1299e1513 m TVD at well HCE28A, encountered when drilling well HCE28A. A cross flow can occur
the ROP trend was relatively stable below 10 m/h, the WOB trend during lost circulation, particularly when encountering several
decreased, and the torque trend was relatively stable with insig- permeable lost circulation zones that are close to each other with
nificant changes. According to Figs. 6 and 12, when encountering different formation pressure [38,39]. Some zones have lower for-
the lost circulation zones at approximately 1542e1562 m TVD, the mation pressure than the other zones that cause the fluid from
ROP trend was still relatively stable below 10 m/h, the WOB trend higher formation pressure zones to flow into the lower formation
further decreased, and the torque trend reduced to zero. When lost pressure zones during lost circulation.
circulation occurs, the tendency of WOB and torque trend should The lost circulation at well HCE28A particularly occurred at
increase. The lost circulation occurred at various rates up to total pyroclastics intercalated with thin andesite lavas and andesite
lost circulation; however, the drilling parameter trend showed complex/microdiorite formations. Besides, the presence of the
uncorrelated relationships. Therefore, further analysis of lost cir- fractures with relatively small size may pull more the drilling fluid
culation and drilling parameter was difficult to perform. to flow into the fractures [40]. One of the key factors to achieve
Based on the lost circulation analysis of the three wells, the successful wellbore integrity is to differentiate between cross flow
following decision-making flow chart and diagnostic technique and lost circulation. Figs. 11 and 12 show several close lost circu-
when encountering lost circulation are proposed (Fig. 13). lation zones were encountered during drilling production casing
According to Fig. 13, when drilling encounters lost circulation and liner zones at well HCE28A. However, the available data were
zones, the drilling parameters should be recorded continuously and too limited to analyze and to evaluate the cross flow during lost
precisely in real time per second and the other actual data (for- circulation. A cross flow can be analyzed and evaluated based on
mation rock types, hydrostatic pressure, and formation pressure) the pressure difference between hydrostatic and formations during

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

Fig. 13. Simplified decision-making flow chart and diagnostic technique when encountering lost circulation (modified from Mansure and Westmoreland) [7,38].

lost circulation occurrence, particularly at the zones which are very decrease the production. Blind drilling design and operation should
close to each other, and the lost volume and rate. This can also be be carefully designed based on thorough calculation and offset well
used to evaluate and estimate the preliminary porosity- experiences. The water and cuttings flow mechanism into the for-
permeability or porous formation rocks [39]. The geological prog- mation is important to be predicted and modelled to avoid associated
nosis and cuttings provide further verification. blind drilling problems [41]. During blind drilling implementation, all
Drill ahead without problems is another factor to maintain data should be recorded in detail and in real time.
wellbore integrity, even when drilling the massive lost circulation One of the factors affecting a successful drilling operation is
zones. Upon the evaluation of the lost circulation zones and cross drilling fluid performance. The gelling parameter of the drilling
flow occurrence, drill ahead with air, foam, or blind drilling is often fluid affects the drilling fluid performance, particularly when
used in geothermal fields [7,38]. If a significant cross flow occurs, the encountering lost circulation zones. The gelling time modelling of
drilling parameter should be adjusted or reduced to decrease the the drilling fluid, as well as other associated drilling fluid problems
formation damage in the reservoir formation section. A limit of such as coagulated and blocking the circulation inside the drill-
significant or insignificant cross flow should be based on the analysis string that can lead to stuck pipe, must be carried out before drilling
and evaluation of various data, such as cross flow and lost circulation operation [34]. Therefore, the performance of the drilling fluid,
in offset wells, drilling parameter, formation type and reservoir, and particularly related to the hydraulic, cutting transport, minimum
hydrostatic and formation pressure. However, the risk of drilling flow rates for adequate hole cleaning, and pumping circulation
problems, such as stuck pipe, must be considered when the drilling longer than the gelling time behavior during lost circulation can be
parameter, particularly the drilling fluid flow, is reduced signifi- predicted and the lost circulation can be controlled [38,41]. How-
cantly. The optimum drilling parameter during lost circulation ever, the gelling parameter of drilling fluid and its effectiveness
should be planned and simulated before drilling operation. data in these three wells were not available.
Drill ahead with air or foam means drilling with reduced drilling The drilling fluid and cement that are lost into the formation
fluid density compared to ordinary WBM. Drill ahead with blind during drilling and cementing operation may return into the
drilling means drilling without any return to the surface. The cuttings wellbore during production operation. The lost fluid also includes
produced during blind drilling will flow into the fracture or permeable the production fluid that flows into the lost zones or other forma-
formations zones and may plug the lost area. Blind drilling is less tion zones with lower formation pressure that may also return
complicated than drilling with air or foam. However, a stuck pipe can during the later production phase. This return flow of the lost fluid
occur, and blind drilling can damage the formation if the water is may harden due to high temperature and may plug the wellbore.
pumped massively. The water and cuttings that flow into the forma- This circumstance should be accounted for in the reservoir simu-
tion reduce the reservoir effective permeability and eventually lation and production study since this decreases the reservoir

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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

effective permeability. By knowing the lost circulation fluid (i.e., the After the 311.2 mm hole was drilled, the 244.5 mm production
volume and rate) and location (which formation zones it flows), the liner was run into the hole. Fig. 14 shows the stress and strain
effective permeability reduction can be analyzed and the formation experienced by the liner due to the high DLS area in the well HCE28A,
damage can be estimated and controlled. In particular, the lost particularly when passing the bend area. More detailed DLS infor-
circulation during drilling and cementing at the same zones should mation that is measured consistently with less station length,
be analyzed and compared, since this reflects the effective particularly at the bending area, is required to calculate the stress
permeability of those specific zones. The geological and reservoir and strain accurately and to estimate the bending and buckling loads
model can be updated according to the information of the lost [43]. Besides, the real time data of the parameters (e.g., depth and
circulation zones and other drilling and formation problems. hookload) and other drilling problems, such as lost circulation,
During the drilling of a geothermal well, lost circulation and dril- drilling break, tight hole, and stuck pipe, are also required for the
ling break may occur at the same time at fracture, vugs, or cavern calculation and estimation. This is important since knowing the lost
formation [7,42]. Fig. 12 shows that the lost circulation and drilling circulation diagnostic technique can help to predict and to control
break occurred at the same time, including the tight hole at the the actual wellbore condition, then the casing or liner running, and
adjacent time during drilling 311.2 mm hole section of well HCE28A at casing cementing can be prepared according to the current wellbore
approximately 1542e1633 m TVD. However, this was difficult to quality. During the running in hole casing or liner, the stress and
evaluate due to the lack of data for the analysis. Moreover, a well kick, strain experienced can be calculated and evaluated in real time.
usually steam kick, can also occur simultaneously with a lost circu- From Fig. 5 and Table 3, the configuration of well HCE28A,
lation and drilling break. During the drilling of well HCE28A at HCE29, and HCE30A mainly consisted of a conductor casing, a
approximately 2236e2359 m TVD, blow out occurred. While drilling surface casing, a production casing, and a production liner. The
at a similar depth at well HCE29 and HCE30A, kick or blowout did not conductor casing was driven, and the production liner in the form
occur. According to Fig. 9, the pressure and temperature survey data of of a perforated liner was not cemented, while the surface and
well HCE28A and HCE30A were limited compared to well HCE29. The production casing were cemented. According to previous studies
pressure profile of the three wells was different up to approximately conducted by Marbun et al. (2020), the burst and collapse failure
5.5 MPa. While the temperature profile showed there was an insig- occurred at the surface and production casing and production liner
nificant difference among the three wells at the production liner of well HCE29. The other studies showed a similar failure occurring
section below approximately 1500 m TVD. The lithology of the three at the other wells in this field investigated by Marbun et al. (2019)
wells was relatively similar and the location was relatively close to and Marbun et al. (2020) [12] [13]. The well configuration, the
each other; however, this showed that a different pressure gradient casing and liner types, and the drilling design and operation of well
profile existed at the reservoir section of well HCE28A. These types of HCE28A and HCE30A were the same as the investigated wells in
formations, fracture, vugs, or caverns in the geothermal environment previous studies. The load calculation was also performed on well
are difficult to identify during the logging operation. Unfilled or empty HCE28A and HCE30A showing a similar failure occurring at the
cavern may be identified with slow ROP that is less than 6 m/h, casing and liner of both wells. The material strength rating of the
borehole enlargement, and the occurrence of lost circulation and casing and liner decreased, and the higher operational loads caused
drilling break [42]. the failure. This was affected by various factors, including high
According to Fig. 11, based on best engineering practices and temperature, high DLS, production and injection loads, and well
common SOP, it is mandatory that the 339.7 mm production casing intervention loads during the lifetime of the wells.
be set shallower before entering several lost circulations and stuck Lost circulation during cementing operation may occur differ-
pipe zones at approximately 1299 m TVD. From Fig. 12 it can be ently with, and in some cases worse than, lost circulation during
seen that additional casing or liner is mandatory to be set to cover drilling. This leads to less than optimum cementing operation,
the problematic zones to reach the target depth of the well. These causing some parts of the casing to not perfectly cemented. This is
two practices should be considered to improve the quality of the aggravated by the high inclination and DLS area where the eccen-
well. After the additional casing or liner is set, the drilling fluid can tricity of the casing may be compromised. These uncemented areas
be changed to water to drill the reservoir zones with full circulation will expose the casing to the open formations and possible for-
to the surface [2]. Drilling fluid containing solid materials will plug mation fluids. In turn, the casing will experience high thermal
the fractures and reservoir zones, while water will prevent this stress and additional collapse pressure due to the formation fluids
from happening. The temperature of the return water is controlled pressure. Furthermore, the presence of cemented and uncemented
with the mud coolers at the surface. When lost circulation zones are
encountered, aerated water can be considered to continue drilling.
After the target depth is reached, the wellbore integrity is re-
established after drill ahead by methods such as filling [38].
Because of the unpredictability of geothermal drilling, several
scenarios should be prepared in the drilling design and operation
plan. These include the various chances of casing or liner setting
depth as well as the number of additional hole sections and casing
or liner to reach the target depth by considering anticipated drilling
operation and formation problems, particularly experiences in
offset wells. However, according to the analysis of well HCE28A,
HCE29, and HCE30A, different drilling and formation problems are
expected despite the close location and geological stratigraphic
similarity. This should also be taken into consideration. Therefore,
the drilling can be adaptive to the required immediate changes and
problems encountered during the drilling operation due to the
extreme environment of geothermal.
Fig. 14 illustrates the 244.5 mm production liner running in well
HCE28A. Fig. 14. 244.5 mm production liner running in well HCE28A.

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areas will cause unequal support loads from the cement around the calculation, modelling, simulation, and evaluation should be carried
casing [8,29,44]. The overburden loads may also lead to the casing out before conducting drilling and casing or liner running operation.
buckling at the uncemented areas. Therefore, the operational decision making can be based on this
Thermal stress and loading process are important aspects to be buckling calculation, modelling, simulation, and evaluation.
considered in the first phase of the proper geothermal well casing or Table 6 shows the summary of the improvement results of the
liner design [45,46]. In a geothermal well, the casing or liner will three wells and methods to prevent failures based on the analysis in
undergo fatigue loading during low-high temperature changes, this research.
including periodic plastic tension and compression. This can lead to
casing or liner material failure when the accumulation of strain in- 4. Conclusion
creases and exceeds its plastic limit. The plastic deformation under
compressional and tensional loading is the main cause of the This paper summarized methods to evaluate the drilling oper-
geothermal well casing or liner damages. To address this issue, the ation result and the actual wellbore condition. Previous studies
strain-based method should be considered in a geothermal well showed that casing and liner failure occurred at several wells at
casing or liner design. Dieng Field. This study evaluated further the cause of the failure
The cumulative strains in all cases during drilling and later op- and discussed the methods to use to prevent a similar failure from
erations in the life cycle of a geothermal well should be taken into happening.
consideration to design the geothermal well casing or liner correctly.
The elongation rate of the casing or liner material is determined by 1. The critical condition that is caused by significant drilling
the uniaxial tensile test. The total design strain should not exceed the operation and formation problems can be evaluated and the
limit of casing or liner material plastic strain. Besides, the amount of critical condition sets the maximum load limitations of the
the working-load cycle should be designed to be less than the esti- drilling design and operation.
mated fatigue life of the casing or liner. The following equation 2. The DLS resulted from the drilling operation should be as low as
shows the strain design during compressive loading [45]: reasonably achievable to prevent the high torque and drag
during drilling and running casing or liner operation. The high
εd ¼ εt þ εc þ εb þ εr  εa ¼ d=A (2) DLS area should be established as the weakest point in the
associated hole section and the casing or liner design and
where εd, εt, εc, εb, εr, εa, d, and A are design strain, thermal strain, creep operation should be based on this limitation. All the related load
strain, bending strain, rock strain, strain criteria, elongation rate, and design of the subsequent operations should not exceed this
coefficient between the material and structural strains, respectively. maximum limitation to prevent failure.
The thermal strain occurs due to temperature changes along the 3. Drilling parameter and other drilling data should be evaluated
casing or liner and wellbore. The creep strain is related to the creep and analyzed during drilling operation, and monitored and
rate and time of the material when the temperature increases. The recorded appropriately, continuously, completely, and in detail.
bending strain is related to the strain induced by the compression and When all drilling parameter and data, including problems, are
tension caused by high DLS in the wellbore. The bending strain can be analyzed and evaluated, then the appropriate drilling design,
determined according to the method in ISO 13679:2002 [47]. The rock devices, and operation can be optimized engineering and
strain is related to the changing experienced by the formation rocks economically.
due to the drilling process including lost circulation and other well- 4. Because of the unpredictability of geothermal drilling, several
bore problems. The rock strain also changes during later production scenarios should be prepared in the drilling design and opera-
and/or injection operation. In a strain-based geothermal casing or tion plan. These include the various chance of casing or liner
liner design, the rock strain can be assumed to be constant. The co- setting depth as well as the number of additional hole sections
efficient A is determined as the conversion of the strain of the material and casing or liner to reach the target depth by considering
to the strain of casing or liner. The equation assumes that the strains anticipated drilling operation and formation problems, partic-
are independent of each other so that it can be added up in a linear ularly experiences in offset wells.
way. Equation (2) can be used to design strain during tensile loading, 5. The appropriate geothermal drilling decision making should be
but the sign of the soil strain is negative. based on these factors: geological stratigraphic, pressure
Lubinski et al. (1962) proposed a buckling analysis by assuming gradient profile, and drilling and formation problems. Therefore,
a helical configuration in a vertical hole and the calculation of helix the drilling can be adaptive to the required immediate changes
pitch was based on the axial force and bending stiffness [48e50]. and problems encountered during the drilling operation due to
Two fundamental aspects related to the casing or liner buckling in a the extreme environment of geothermal.
geothermal well are the critical load that can cause buckling and
the configuration of post-buckled tubular [50]. However, the situ-
ation is more complex in directional well in which the aspects Recommendation
include the critical load in the curved trajectory, the effect of torque,
tapered strings, the configuration of buckling in an inclined hole, The following are recommendations for future drilling
and the effect of boundary condition to the configuration. campaign in this field:
The development phases of buckling theory, calculation, and
model parameter are shown in the Appendix. The principle of the 1. A more detailed and more consistent survey measurement
buckling discussed in this study can be applied to the buckling technology that can measure with less station length (less than
analysis and evaluation in geothermal well casing or liner. However, 9 m) should be considered in the drilling operation so that the
other factors of the extreme geothermal environment should be DLS can be calculated and evaluated in detail.
taken into consideration: high temperature, hard formation rocks, 2. A buckling calculation, analysis, and evaluation are recom-
massive lost circulation zones, and drilling problems related to stuck mended to be conducted before conducting a drilling operation.
pipe, tight hole, and drilling break. In this study, the buckling 3. A full-scale testing, or at minimum simulation and mathemat-
calculation was not conducted due to limited available data. ical analysis modelling, should be performed before conducting
Regardless of the equipment and tools qualification, the buckling drilling operation. This testing needs to consist of the following:
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Table 6
Improvement results and methods to prevent failures.

Nu Aspects Improvement results and methods to prevent the failures

1. Directional trajectory and survey instrument  More consistent and more detailed survey measurement with consideration on:
o the complexity of the trajectory
o purpose of the well
o less station length
o section change
o setting depth area of casing or liner
o formation and drilling problems
 Action in high DLS area:
o precaution and best drilling practices during downhole operation.
o data and related problem occurrence record during tripping.
2. Borehole, drilling design, and drilling operation  Real time data and problems record
measurement  Decision-making flow chart and diagnostic technique analysis:
o cross flow
o anisotropic and porosity-permeability of loss zones
 Complete data availability:
o real time evaluation and prediction can be performed (e.g. CPF, MSE, formation rock strength, stress, and
wellbore quality).
o improvement of the next drilling design and operational plan.
 Analysis and evaluation of buckling calculation and full-scale testing/modelling/simulation before drilling
operation
 Laboratory research of drilling fluid.
 Several scenarios should be prepared in the drilling design and operation plan.
 Further research of technology.

the borehole and formation rock types modelling, the formation Appendix A. Supplementary data
temperature, the in-situ stress and formation pressure, the
porosity and permeability of formation rocks including fractures Supplementary data to this article can be found online at
and vugular, the fluid temperature, the circulation at various https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.05.078.
flow rates, and wellbore and hydrostatic pressure. A laboratory
research is recommended to investigate the fluid and rock
properties and downhole conditions of the wellbore.
List of Abbreviations and Nomenclature
4. Further research related to adapted drilling technology, partic-
ularly for drilling in high-temperature geothermal environment
API: American Petroleum Institute
needs to be conducted.
B: Build-up rate (s)
BHA: Bottom hole assembly
CPF: Cost per foot
CRediT authorship contribution statement DB: Drilling break (m/hr)
DC: Drill collar
B.T.H. Marbun: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Deg: Degree
Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, DLS: Dogleg severity (deg/30 m)
Writing e original draft, Writing e review & editing, Visualization, ECD: Equivalent circulating density (kg/m3)
Supervision, Project administration, and, Funding acquisition. R.H. EDS: Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy
Ridwan: Resources, and, Project administration. H.S. Nugraha: FMI: Formation micro scanner image logging
Resources, and, Project administration. S.Z. Sinaga: Software, H: Horizontal turn rate (s)
Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing e original draft, HDT: Horizontal departure of target (m)
Writing e review & editing, Visualization, Supervision. B.A. Pur- KOP: Kick off point (m)
bantanu: Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, LWD: Logging while drilling
Writing e original draft, Writing e review & editing, Visualization, MD: Measured depth (m)
Supervision. MSE: Mechanical specific energy (MPa)
MWD: Measurement while drilling
NZS: New Zealand Standard
Declaration of competing interest
PLC: Partial lost circulation (m3/hr)
ROP: Rate of penetration (m/hr)
The authors declare that they have no known competing
SEM: Scanning Electron Microscope
financial interests or personal relationships that could have
SOP: Standard operating procedure
appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
T: Turn rate, T (s)
TLC: Total lost circulation (m3/hr)
Acknowledgment TOL: Top of liner (m)
TVD: True vertical depth (m)
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to PT VDT: Vertical depth target (m)
Geo Dipa Energi for giving the permission to publish this project. WBM: Water-based mud
The authors would also like to express their gratitude to Halli- WOB: Weight on bit (kg)
burton Landmark for the permission to use the Compass™ software XRD: X-Ray Diffraction
in this research study. XRF: X-Ray Fluorescence
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B.T.H. Marbun, R.H. Ridwan, H.S. Nugraha et al. Renewable Energy 176 (2021) 135e152

Appendix vol. 12, 2011, pp. 625e676.

[10] W. Lyons, Working Guide to Drilling Equipment and Operations, first ed., Gulf
Professional Publishing, Houston, Texas, 2009.
[11] Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia, Ministerial Decree Number
P.4/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/1/2019: Utilization of Geothermal Environmental
Services in the Area National Park, Forest Park, and Natural Tourism Park,
Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta,
DKI Jakarta, 2019.
No Equations References [12] B. Marbun, R. Ridwan, S. Sinaga, B. Pande, B. Purbantanu, Casing failure
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi identification of long-abandoned geothermal wells in field Dieng, Indonesia,
1 4EIwbp sinf [50,51] Geoth. Energy 7 (31) (16 October 2019).
Fc ¼ [13] B. Marbun, R. Ridwan, S. Sinaga, B. Purbantanu, Design of injection liner of
rc
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi high-temperature vapor-dominated geothermal reservoir, Renew. Energy 150
2 wc ¼ ðwbp nz  Fb kÞ2 þ w2bp b2z [52]
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Fc ¼ depth and design of production well in water-dominated geothermal system
rc
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi with 330  C reservoir temperature, Energy Rep. 6 (November 2020) 582e593.
4
wc ¼ ðwbp sinf þ Fb f0 Þ2 þ ðFb sinfw0 Þ2 [15] B. Marbun, S. Sinaga, B. Purbantanu, R. Ridwan, Improvement of Loads
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Fc ¼ Approach, Pennwell Books, Tuls, Oklahoma, 1985.
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Fc ¼ 2 þ Geoth. Resour. Counc. 1984-May (1984) 23e26.
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