Pressure Managed Drilling
Dr. Biltayib Misbah
Assistant Professor, ACK
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Outline
Introduction
Overview on conventional drilling technique
Overview on underbalanced drilling technique
Introduce Managed Pressure Drilling technique
MPD Equipment and Techniques
Conclusion
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Introduction
Source: weather ford
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1. In Conventional ( overbalanced)
Drilling
BHP = Phyd + Pcirc 4
BHP Pf
Conventional Surface
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Drilling Window
Theoretical well profile straight lines
Well Depth
Fracture pressure
Pore pressure Drilling window
Pressure 6
Connections
Theoretical well profile straight lines
Connections While drilling:
BHP = Phyd + Pcirc
Drill pipe
When stopping circulation
Well Depth
for Connections:
Fracture pressure Rotates and
BHP = Phyd
Drilling window
Pore pressure
Pressure 7
Real Life Well Diagram
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Typical Scenario in Conventional Drilling
Source: Air Drilling Associates Inc.
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2. Underbalanced Drilling Technique
Underbalanced
drilling is achieved
when the pressure
exerted on the well
is less than
reservoir pressure
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Good Candidates for UBD
Pressure depleted formations
Areas prone to differential pressure sticking
Lost-returns zones
Re-entries and workovers (especially pressure
depleted zones)
Zones prone to formation damage
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Underbalanced Drilling Method
Source: Air Drilling Associates Inc.
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Concerns of Underbalanced Drilling
Techniques
Well bore stability
Economics - Too expensive
Large number of equipment ( offshore areas)
Environmental questions
Influx
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[Link] Definition
IADC defines MPD as:
an adaptive drilling process used to precisely control the annular
pressure profile throughout the wellbore*
Source: weatherford 2016
* Frink, P. (2006). Managed pressure drillingwhats in a name? in Drilling Contractor, Mar-Apr. p. 36-39
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Objectives of MPD
1. To ascertain the down hole pressure environment limits
2. To manage the annular hydraulic pressure profile accordingly
The intention of MPD is to:
Prevent influx if you do not want it
Allow influx if you want it
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MPD Techniques
There are four main techniques of MPD:
1. Constant Bottom Hole Pressure (CBHP)
Friction Management Method
Continuous Circulation Method
2. Mud Cap Drilling (MCD)
Pressurized Mud Cap Drilling (PMCD)
Controlled Mud Cap (CMC)
3. Dual Gradient Drilling (DG)
Annulus Injection Method
4. Return Flow Control (RFC) or HSE Method
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MPD Techniques
1. Constant Bottom Hole
Pressure (CBHP)
Maintaining wellbore pressure
Going from static balance to
dynamic (balance without
either losing returns or taking a
kick)
Rig up for CBHP Applications
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Friction Management Techniques
Extended Reach wells
Where the annular
pressure is maintained to
keep the bottom hole
pressure as constant as
possible
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Continuous Circulation System(CCS)
CCS enables a driller to
make connections without
stopping fluid circulation
maintain a constant ECD when
making connections.
CCS is used to prevent
cuttings settling in extended
reach horizontal sections of
the wellbore
CCS is useful in preventing
pressure spikes
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Pressure Gradient Profile For Constant
Bottom Hole Pressure (CBHP)
Pressure gradient 20
Source: Reform Energy Services 2017
2. Pressurized Mud Cap Drilling (PMCD)
PMCD is used when dealing
with reservoirs that could result
in a severe loss of circulation
A lighter mud is used to drill the
depleted section and the
heavier mud forces the fluid
into the loss zone.
Drilling process is continuous
and all lighter mud and any
influx is forced into the
depleted zone.
This method keeps the well
under control even though all
returns go to the depleted zone
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Pressure Gradient Profile for Pressurized
Mud Cap Drilling Method
Source: SPE 22
Controlled Mud Cap System
This system is similar to the
pressurized mud-cap system,
except that the level of the
mud cap is adjusted by a mud
pump to better manage the
bottom hole pressure.
This system is unique in that it
can be operated as either an
open or closed system
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[Link]-Gradient Drilling Method
Dual-Gradient drilling
refers to drilling with
two different fluid-
density gradients
Using a single density
fluid will cause lost
circulation
A lighter fluid is used in
the upper portion of a
wellbore and a heavier
fluid at the lower
portion
Source: SPE 24
4. Return Flow Control (RFC) / HSE Method
To prevent any gas, including and especially H2S from spilling
onto the rig floor
It does not control any annular pressure
The use of the rotating control device (RCD) avoids the need
for the closing of the BOP
For RFC operations, two hydraulic valves, a conventional flow
line to the shakers and a flow line to the rig choke manifold
are installed
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Conclusion
1. This technique resolves many traditional drilling problems and
hazards. Some of the benefits include:
Elimination of a casing string
Instantaneous reduction/increase in bottom hole pressure
(Well control)
MPD enables drilling of undrillable wells
MPD reduces the disposal expense
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Questions?
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