Constant Bottomhole Pressure: Managed-Pressure Drilling Technique Applied in an Exploratory Well in Saudi Arabia

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paco Vieira ◽  
Maurizio Antonio Arnone ◽  
Iain Cook ◽  
Keith Moyse ◽  
Howard Wu Haojie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Managed Pressure Drilling ◽  
Drilling Technique ◽  
Bottomhole Pressure

First Oman Implementation of Pressurized Mud-Cap Drilling Improves Drilling Efficiency and Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cesar Orta ◽  
Mohanad Al Faqih ◽  
Bader Al Gharibi ◽  
Mohammed Al Shabibi ◽  
Ali El Khouly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Device ◽  
Total Loss ◽  
Managed Pressure Drilling ◽  
Drilling Technique ◽  
Drilling Technology ◽  
First Time

Abstract Drilling with a gas cap over the Natih formation in Oman often results in excessive flat time. Using the current dynamic fill equipment to deal with kick and loss scenarios leads to extensive nonproductive time on the rig. Managed pressure drilling (MPD) is a well-established drilling technology, and diverse variants exist to suit different requirements. All those variants use the rotating control device (RCD) as a common piece of equipment, but their procedures are different. The pressurized mud-cap drilling (PMCD) technique in the Natih formation replaces the need for traditional dynamic filling technology. The PMCD application enhances the drilling and completion processes by reducing flat time when total downhole losses are experienced. This paper elaborates on PMCD as a proven drilling technique in total loss scenarios when drilling with it for the first time in the Natih formation in Oman. It describes the PMCD process, the associated equipment, and the results of the inaugural application in the Qalah field.

Elastic Pipe Control and Compensation for Managed Pressure Drilling Under Sea Wave Heave Conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robello Samuel ◽  
Randy Lovorn
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Pressure Profile ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Static State ◽  
Managed Pressure Drilling ◽  
Downhole Tool ◽  
Drag Models ◽  
Bottomhole Pressure

Managed pressure drilling (MPD) was developed as a group of technologies to more precisely control the annular pressure profile for which accuracy of the estimation of the bottomhole pressure is important. Particularly, under severe wave heaves in deepwater environments, the estimation based on static state pipe movement models can result in underestimation/overestimation of bottomhole pressures. The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamic axial response of the drillstring with friction to applied heaving velocity, with particular interest to the effect at the bottomhole pressure. The paper presents an efficient and accurate method for solving the dynamic axial drillstring with friction and it allows it to be applied to heave velocity at the surface. The model that couples the pipe motion solves the full balance of mass and balance of momentum for pipe and annulus flow, considering the compressibility of the fluids, the elasticity of the system, and the dynamic motions of pipes and fluids. Also considered are surge pressures related to fluid column length below the moving pipe, compressibility of the formation, and axial elasticity of the moving string. Fluid properties are adjusted to reflect the effects of pressure and temperature on the fluids. The modeling takes into account the pipe elasticity under different combinations of heave and pipe velocities. Furthermore, the real-time torque and drag models are calibrated to actual hole conditions in real-time using survey, temperature, pressure, and downhole tool data to calculate friction factors in a wellbore. It has been observed that different conditions exist, some resulting in velocity reversal; thus causing surge or swab pressures. It has also been observed that heave amplitude has significant influence on bottomhole pressure. The different conditions observed for periodic or time function of displacements include (1) surface pipe velocity attributed to wave heave is in phase with the bottom movement of the string; (2) surface velocity of the pipe is out of phase with the bottom velocity of the pipe; (3) wave velocity and surface pipe velocity can be out of sync, and the bottom pipe velocity can be in phase with the surface velocity; and (4) wave velocity and surface pipe velocity can be out of sync, and the bottom pipe velocity can be out of phase with the surface velocity. The results of these calculations can be coupled to a real-time hydraulics model to determine a setpoint pressure for the MPD choke system. (SPE 173|005)

Geomechanics in Partnership – A Holistic Approach to Solving Drilling Challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Omer ◽  
Tosin Odunlami ◽  
Carlos Iturrious
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Skin Damage ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Managed Pressure Drilling ◽  
Bottomhole Pressure

Abstract With rising energy demand, operators in the Middle East are now focusing on developing unconventional resources. To optimize hydraulic fracture stimulation, most of these deep gas wells are required to be drilled laterally and in the direction of the minimum horizontal stress. However, this poses an increased risk of stuck pipe due to hole instability, differential sticking and skin damage due to high overbalance pressures, which makes drilling these wells challenging and costly. Another major challenge in the Middle East is lost circulation due to natural fractures in carbonate reservoirs. Lost circulation currently accounts for loss of approximately $850-900 million USD per year globally across the industry (Marinescu 2014). This paper presents a case study where a holistic approach; combining geomechanics and drilling technologies were employed to address the drilling challenges specific to unconventional and naturally fractured reservoirs. Ultimately, this approach helped the client to mitigate stuck pipe issues, while proposing a physics/engineering-basedmethodology to reduce losses by sealing fractures, hence providing a roadmap to optimized drilling and mitigation of hazards with associated Non-Productive Time (NPT). The paper demonstrates a holistic approach, combining wellbore stability analysis, managed pressure drilling (MPD) and proposes a novel physics/engineering-based methodology for addressing lost circulation challenges. A 1-D wellbore stability model is initially developed to determine the safe operating downhole pressure limits and to effectively assess the drilling risks associated with the planned wellbore orientation. By accurately determining the required bottomhole pressure to prevent wellbore stability problems, managed pressure drilling technology can be implemented to provide improved drilling hazard mitigation by enabling reduced overbalance pressures, constant bottomhole pressure, and faster reaction time by instantaneously adjusting downhole pressures. A bi-particulate bio-degradable system is used as a lost circulation material (LCM). The bigger size cylindrical particles flowing at a pre-defined rate will form a bridge or a plug across the fracture aperture, providing mechanical stability and the smaller spherical particles will seal the gaps in the bridge there by providing an effective sealing of the fracture opening. From experience, implementing these methodologies and technologies in isolation has not provided satisfactory results. This indicates that a partnership which leverages the strengths of the individual disciplines from the early planning stages is necessary to effectively address the drilling challenges posed by unconventional and naturally fractured reservoirs. For the case study highlighted in this paper, the well was drilled to TD in a timely manner, while maintaining the integrity of the hole, hence confirming the viability of this approach. In addition, the physics and engineering design workflow for bi-particulate bio-degradable LCM demonstrates how it can be effectively deployed to mitigate lost circulation without skin damage to the formation

Successful Cementing of Ultra HTHP Wells under Managed Pressure Drilling Technique

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farid Wahid ◽  
Ahmad Firdaus Ahmad Tajalie ◽  
Salim Taoutaou ◽  
Wing Keat Woo ◽  
Jose Fernando Gallo Zapata
Keyword(s):  
Managed Pressure Drilling ◽  
Drilling Technique

Successful Implementation of Managed Pressure Drilling and Managed Pressure Cementing Techniques in Fractured Carbonate Formation Prone to Total Lost Circulation in Far North Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhanna Kazakbayeva ◽  
Almas Kaidarov ◽  
Andrey Magda ◽  
Fuad Aliyev ◽  
Harshad Patil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Integrity Test ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Far North ◽  
Carbonate Formation ◽  
Managed Pressure Drilling ◽  
Geological Conditions ◽  
Minor Losses ◽  
Bottomhole Pressure

Abstract Drilling reservoir section in the oilfield located in Far North region is challenged with high risks of mud losses ranging from relatively minor losses to severe lost circulation. Numerous attempts to cure losses with traditional methods have been inefficient and unsuccessful. This paper describes implementation of Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) and Managed Pressure Cementing (MPC) techniques to drill 6-1/8″ hole section, run and cement 5″ liner managing bottomhole pressure and overcoming wellbore construction challenges. Application of MPD technique enabled drilling 6-1/8″ hole section with statically underbalanced mud holding constant bottom hole pressure both in static and dynamic conditions. The drilling window uncertainty made it difficult to plan for the correct mud weight (MW) to drill the section. The MW and MPD design were chosen after risk assessment and based on the decisions from drilling operator. Coriolis flowmeter proved to be essential in deciphering minor losses and allowed quick response to changing conditions. Upon reaching target depth, the well was displaced to heavier mud in MPD mode prior to open hole logging and MPC. MPD techniques allowed the client to drill thru fractured formation without losses or gains in just a couple of days as compared to the months of drilling time the wells usually took to mitigate wellbore problems, such as total losses, kicks, differential sticking, etc. This job helped the client to save time and reduce well construction costs while optimizing drilling performance. Conventional cementing was not feasible in previous wells because of risks of losses, which were eliminated with MPC technique: bottomhole pressure (BHP) was kept below expected loss zones that provided necessary height of cement and a good barrier required to complete and produce the well. Successful zonal isolation applying MPC technique was confirmed by cement bond log and casing integrity test. Throughout the project, real-time data transmission was available to the client and engineering support team in town. This provided pro-active monitoring and real-time process optimization in response to wellbore changes. MPD techniques helped the client to drill the well in record time with the lowest possible mud weight consequently reducing mud requirements. The MPD system allowed obtaining pertinent reservoir data, such as pore pressure and fracture pressure gradients in uncertain geological conditions.

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