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Oil and Gas Well Engineering: Experimental and Numerical Investigation
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Oil and Gas Well Engineering: Experimental and Numerical Investigation

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 5141

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Zhengming Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Interests: drilling hydraulics; cuttings transport; gas kick; multiphase flow; heat transfer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oil and gas well engineering is a critical area in the energy industry that requires precise experimental and numerical methods to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. Recent advancements in drilling technology, well integrity, multiphase flow, and reservoir management demand robust investigative approaches. Experimental studies, alongside computational simulations, are essential in analyzing and improving the behavior of complex systems under various geological and operational conditions. The integration of these methods provides deeper insights into optimizing oil and gas well operations, from drilling and completion to production and abandonment phases.

This Special Issue on “Oil and Gas Well Engineering: Experimental and Numerical Investigation” seeks high-quality research focusing on innovative experimental techniques, numerical simulations, and hybrid approaches in oil and gas well engineering. Topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Advances in drilling technology and well completion techniques;
  • Multiphase flow analysis and modeling in high-temperature and high-pressure environments;
  • Risk assessment and management for drilling and production processes;
  • Real-time monitoring and control of well operations;
  • Computational fluid dynamics applications in well engineering;
  • Novel materials and methods for enhancing well performance;
  • Experimental and simulation studies in wellbore stability and integrity.

Dr. Zhengming Xu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • multiphase flow modeling
  • drilling technology
  • high-temperature high-pressure (HTHP) wells
  • well integrity and risk management
  • computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
  • oil and gas production optimization
  • real-time monitoring and control
  • enhanced well performance
  • reservoir engineering simulations
  • wellbore stability

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 1510 KiB  
Article
Effects of Geological and Fluid Characteristics on the Injection Filtration of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid in the Wellbores of Shale Reservoirs: Numerical Analysis and Mechanism Determination
by Qiang Li, Qingchao Li, Fuling Wang, Jingjuan Wu, Yanling Wang and Jiafeng Jin
Processes 2025, 13(6), 1747; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061747 - 2 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 281
Abstract
To mitigate the influence of wellbore heat transfer on the physicochemical properties of water-based fracturing fluids in the high-temperature environments of low-permeability shale reservoirs, this study investigates the fluid filtration behavior of water-based fracturing fluids within the wellbore under such reservoir conditions. A [...] Read more.
To mitigate the influence of wellbore heat transfer on the physicochemical properties of water-based fracturing fluids in the high-temperature environments of low-permeability shale reservoirs, this study investigates the fluid filtration behavior of water-based fracturing fluids within the wellbore under such reservoir conditions. A wellbore heat-transfer model based on solid–liquid coupling was constructed in order to analyse the effects of different reservoir and wellbore factors on fluid properties (viscosity and filtration volume) in the water-based fracturing fluids. Concurrently, boundary conditions and control equations were established for the numerical model, thereby delineating the heat-transfer conditions extant between the water-based fracturing fluid and the wellbore. Furthermore, molecular dynamics theory and microgrid theory were utilised to elucidate the mechanisms of the alterations of the fluid properties of the water-based fracturing fluids due to wellbore heat transfer in low-permeability shale reservoirs. The findings demonstrated that wellbore heat transfer in low-permeability shale reservoirs exerts a pronounced influence on the fluid viscosity and filtration volume of the water-based fracturing fluids. Parameters such as wellbore wall thickness, heat-transfer coefficient, radius, and pressure differential introduce distinct variation trends in these fluid properties. At the microscopic scale, the disruption of intermolecular hydrogen bonds and the consequent increase in free molecular content induced by thermal effects are the fundamental mechanisms driving the observed changes in viscosity and fluid filtration. These findings may offer theoretical guidance for improving the thermal stability of water-based fracturing fluids under wellbore heat-transfer conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oil and Gas Well Engineering: Experimental and Numerical Investigation)
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12 pages, 1944 KiB  
Article
An Experimental Study on Mud Adhesion Performance of a PDC Drill Bit Based on a Biomimetic Non-Smooth Surface
by Ming Chen and Qingchao Li
Processes 2025, 13(5), 1464; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13051464 - 10 May 2025
Viewed by 417
Abstract
In recent years, polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bits have seen significant advancements. They have replaced over 90% of the workload traditionally handled by roller cone bits and have become the predominant choice in energy drilling due to their superior efficiency and durability. [...] Read more.
In recent years, polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bits have seen significant advancements. They have replaced over 90% of the workload traditionally handled by roller cone bits and have become the predominant choice in energy drilling due to their superior efficiency and durability. However, PDC drill bits are susceptible to adhesion of rock cuttings during drilling in muddy formations, leading to mud accumulation on the bit surface. This phenomenon can cause drill bit failure and may contribute to downhole complications, including tool failure and borehole instability. The adhesion issue between PDC drill bits and mud rock cuttings underground is primarily influenced by the normal adhesion force between the drill bit surface and the mud rock cuttings. Therefore, biological non-smooth surface technology is applied to the prevention and control of drill bit balling. It is an optimal selection of biomimetic non-smooth surface structures with reduced adhesion and detachment properties. A non-smooth surface model for the PDC drill bit body is established through the analysis of the morphological characteristics of natural biological non-smooth surfaces. An experimental platform is designed and manufactured to evaluate the adhesion performance of non-smooth surface specimens. Indoor experiments are conducted to test the normal adhesion force of non-smooth surface specimens under varying morphologies, sizes, and contact times with clay. Finally, the anti-adhesion performance of the non-smooth surface unit structures is then analyzed. The normal adhesion force with a contact time of 12 h is as follows: 340 Pa of big square raised, 250 Pa of middle square raised, 190 Pa of small square raised, 315 Pa of big circular groove, 280 Pa of middle circular groove, 200 Pa of small circular groove, 225 Pa of big dot pit, 205 Pa of middle dot pit, and 130 Pa of small dot pit. Compared with the normal adhesion force of 550 Pa for smooth surface specimens with a contact time of 12 h, the anti-adhesion properties of the three non-smooth surface unit structure specimens designed in this paper were verified. We analyzed the anti-adhesion performance of non-smooth surface unit structures. At the critical contact time when the adhesion force tends to stabilize, the adhesion forces of different specimens are as follows: 330 Pa of big square raised, 237.5 Pa of middle square raised, 175 Pa of small square raised, 290 Pa of big circular groove, 250 Pa of middle circular groove, 160 Pa of small circular groove, 210 Pa of big dot pit, 185 Pa of middle dot pit, and 115 Pa of small dot pit. The results indicate that the anti-adhesion effect of small dot pit structures is the most effective, while the anti-adhesion effect of large square convex structures is the least effective. As the size of the unit structure decreases, it becomes more similar to the surface size of the organism. Additionally, a shorter contact time with clay leads to a better anti-adhesion effect. These findings provide new insights and research directions for the effective prevention and control of mud wrapping on PDC drill bits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oil and Gas Well Engineering: Experimental and Numerical Investigation)
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12 pages, 2680 KiB  
Article
Optimization and Practice of a High-Strength Acoustic Wave Indirect Penetration Enhancement Scheme for the Drilling of Structural Coal Seams
by Cunqiang Chen, Yongmin Zhang, Chao Li, Kexiang Li, Youzhi Zhao, Shuo Zhang, Jing Ren, Yong Qin and Wenxiao Chu
Processes 2025, 13(1), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010149 - 8 Jan 2025
Viewed by 545
Abstract
The structural coal seam drilling process often faces challenges such as shallow drilling depth, low hole formation rate, and the presence of blind areas in gas control. To address these issues, this study proposes a novel high-strength acoustic penetration approach and optimization design [...] Read more.
The structural coal seam drilling process often faces challenges such as shallow drilling depth, low hole formation rate, and the presence of blind areas in gas control. To address these issues, this study proposes a novel high-strength acoustic penetration approach and optimization design method under in situ conditions. Field tests were conducted at the Yunnan Bailongshan Coal Mine and Huainan Xieqiao Coal Mine to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique. The results demonstrate that the coal seam or its roof can act as an acoustic energy converter to generate high-intensity acoustic waves that penetrate the coal seam, and the field test results confirm the efficacy of this method in increasing gas extraction. This study proposes a novel ‘hole replaces seam’ technique, optimizing the extraction process and reducing the risk of explosions and providing a more efficient and safer method for gas control in structural coal seams. Accordingly, a new technical method for replacing the bottom (top) extraction lane is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oil and Gas Well Engineering: Experimental and Numerical Investigation)
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12 pages, 6604 KiB  
Article
Study on the Influence of the Type of Groove on the Inner Surface of the Casing on the Gas Sealing Performance of Sn58Bi Alloy Plugs
by Chunqing Zha, Tengfei Cui, Wei Wang and Gonghui Liu
Processes 2025, 13(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010103 - 3 Jan 2025
Viewed by 599
Abstract
Aiming at the problem of the cement hydration shrinkage phenomenon, which occurs when cement seals downhole casing in the process of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology, this paper proposes a method of sealing the casing by combining threaded casing with bismuth–tin [...] Read more.
Aiming at the problem of the cement hydration shrinkage phenomenon, which occurs when cement seals downhole casing in the process of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology, this paper proposes a method of sealing the casing by combining threaded casing with bismuth–tin alloy. The effect of different types of grooves (square-, trapezoidal-, and screw-threaded grooves) set on the inner surface of the casing on the gas sealing performance of the alloy plug was analyzed. And the effect of the overlay pressure on the gas sealing performance of the alloy plug during the molding process was analyzed. The experimental results show that under 0.2 MPa overlay pressure, the gas breakthrough pressure values of alloy plugs in square-threaded, screw-threaded, trapezoidal-threaded, and smooth hole casings are 5, 3.7, 2.9, and 1 MPa, respectively. When the pitch in the screw-threaded casing is half of the original, the gas breakthrough pressure value of the alloy plugs in the casing is 4.7 MPa. And after the application of 0.2 MPa overlay pressure, the gas sealing performance of the alloy plugs in the screw-threaded, trapezoidal-threaded, and light hole casings was improved by 220%, 230%, and 100%, respectively. The experimental results show that when the grooves are set on the inner surface of the casing, the gas flow path per unit length of the alloy plug-casing interface is prolonged, and the grooves increase the degree of zigzagging on the inner surface of the casing. The gas sealing performance of the alloy plugs is greatly enhanced. This research can provide theoretical support for the application of downhole Carbon Storage using Sn58Bi in casing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oil and Gas Well Engineering: Experimental and Numerical Investigation)
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27 pages, 7372 KiB  
Article
Wellhead Stability During Development Process of Hydrate Reservoir in the Northern South China Sea: Evolution and Mechanism
by Qingchao Li, Qiang Li, Jingjuan Wu, Xianzhong Li, Hongbin Li and Yuanfang Cheng
Processes 2025, 13(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010040 - 27 Dec 2024
Cited by 65 | Viewed by 1276
Abstract
Natural gas hydrates represent a promising clean energy source with vast reserves. Their efficient development is crucial for ensuring the sustainable advancement of human society. However, wellhead instability occurred in the long-term development, which poses a significant challenge that impacts its commercial development. [...] Read more.
Natural gas hydrates represent a promising clean energy source with vast reserves. Their efficient development is crucial for ensuring the sustainable advancement of human society. However, wellhead instability occurred in the long-term development, which poses a significant challenge that impacts its commercial development. In the present work, the properties of hydrate-bearing sediments were experimentally investigated. It was found that the elastic modulus, cohesion, and internal friction angle of hydrate-bearing sediments exhibit an increase with the effective stress. As an example, when the effective stress increases from 0 MPa to 25 MPa, the normalized elastic modulus exhibits a rise from 1.00 to 1.36. Conversely, the Poisson’s ratio, permeability, and porosity demonstrate a decline in accordance with this trend. As an example, both normalized porosity and permeability decrease to values below 0.40 as the effective stress increases to 25 MPa. Based on the experimental results and previous work, a comprehensive model for describing the effect of both hydrate saturation and effective stress on physical parameters was obtained. Subsequently, a multi-field coupled investigation methodology was developed to evaluate wellhead stability during the long-term development of hydrate-bearing sediments, and the evolution characteristics and mechanisms of wellhead instability were numerically explored. It reveals that development operation using the vertical wellbore decomposes hydrates in the surrounding sediments only within a radius of 19.52 m, which significantly undermines the wellhead stability. Moreover, the wellhead system not only sinks with sediment subsidence but also experiences additional sinking due to the failure of bonding between the wellhead system and sediments. Furthermore, the latter accounts for a significant portion, amounting to approximately 68.15% of the total sinking under the research conditions. This study can provide methodological prerequisites for exploring the impact of various factors on wellhead stability during the long-term hydrate development process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oil and Gas Well Engineering: Experimental and Numerical Investigation)
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23 pages, 4661 KiB  
Article
Automated Gas Influx Handling Model and Mechanisms During Deep High-Temperature and High-Pressure Well Drilling
by Yanbin Zang, Wenping Zhang, Zhengming Xu, Jiayi Lu and Zhilu Deng
Processes 2024, 12(11), 2558; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12112558 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1234
Abstract
The exploration and development of oil and gas resources in deep formations is a key strategic priority for national energy production. However, manual methods for handling gas kicks suffer from low operating accuracy and inefficiency during high-temperature and high-pressure deep well drilling. To [...] Read more.
The exploration and development of oil and gas resources in deep formations is a key strategic priority for national energy production. However, manual methods for handling gas kicks suffer from low operating accuracy and inefficiency during high-temperature and high-pressure deep well drilling. To address the need for real-time bottomhole pressure prediction and control, an efficient gas–liquid–solid computing model was developed based on the gas slip model and cuttings settling velocity model. By integrating this model with an automatic choke adjustment system, an automatic gas kick attenuation model for deep well drilling was established. Results show that, compared to the driller’s and wait-and-weight methods, the automatic gas kick attenuation method significantly reduces peak choke pressure due to its larger frictional pressure drop and higher cuttings hydrostatic pressure. The automatic attenuation method not only leads to an average reduction of 28.42% in maximum choke/casing pressure but also accelerates gas removal, achieving gas kick attenuation ten times faster than the driller’s method and seven times faster than the wait-and-weight method. The study also investigates the influence of gas solubility, well depth, gas influx volume, formation permeability, and drilling fluid volumetric flow rate on gas kick attenuation characteristics. The findings provide a solid foundation for improving the efficiency of gas kick management in deep well drilling operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oil and Gas Well Engineering: Experimental and Numerical Investigation)
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