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Collaborating Authors
Backhaus, Oliver
Kick Isolation While Drilling - First Field Test of an Innovative Risk Mitigation Technology
Salomone, Andrea (Eni) | Burrafato, Sebastiano (Eni) | Ricci Maccarini, Giorgio (Eni) | Poloni, Roberto (Eni) | Molaschi, Claudio (Eni) | Huse, Arve (Lundin Norway) | Tangen, Geir Ivan (Lundin Norway) | Regener, Thorsten (BHGE) | Backhaus, Oliver (BHGE) | Grymalyuk, Sergiy (BHGE)
Abstract Uncertainty in predicting formation integrity as well as pressure regimes poses significant risks to drilling operations. Several technologies can predict downhole environments in terms of formation strength, kick detection etc., but no solution currently exists for kick isolation. This paper presents an innovative well control and risk mitigation technology that is deployed while drilling and the result of a field test offshore Italy. The new system is integrated in the bottom hole assembly (BHA), and in case of a kick can shut-in the annulus and the drillstring on demand to confine the influx at the well bottom below the sealing elements. A bypass port that establishes communication with the drillstring and annulus can be opened above the sealing elements to allow adjusting of the mud weight. Downhole pressure above and below the annular seal and inside the string can be monitored in real time. The system is deployed in combination with Wired Drill Pipe to ensure activation and bi-directional communication that is independent of any fluid flow. The system was run on top of the directional rotary steerable BHA while drilling an 8½-in. hole section. The field test was conducted after drilling more than 500 m of new formation and 90 hours in hole. Prior to the test, the system was pulled to surface for visual inspection. No irregularities were observed. The system was then run back in open hole, activated according to operating procedures and tested by applying pressure into the annulus. The well was monitored and no leakage was observed concluding a successful test. Finally, the bypass was opened, circulation was re-established, and the system was deactivated and then pulled out of hole. This paper describes the technology features and summarizes the first field test results of a new risk mitigation technology for well control situations. This document also shows how deploying new solutions can help E&P operators improve well control through a cost-effective solution and reduce operational risk in case of formation fluid influx into a wellbore.
- Well Drilling > Pressure Management > Well control (1.00)
- Well Drilling > Drilling Operations (1.00)
- Well Drilling > Drilling Fluids and Materials (1.00)
- Well Drilling > Drilling Equipment (1.00)
Successful Implementation of First Closed Loop, Multiservice Control System for Automated Pressure Management in a Shallow Gas Well Offshore Myanmar
Fredericks, Paul Douglas (At Balance) | Reitsma, Don (At Balance Americas LLC) | Runggai, Tom (Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd) | Hudson, James Neil (Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd) | Zaeper, Ralf (Baker Hughes INTEQ) | Backhaus, Oliver | Hernandez, Maximo (Grant Prideco)
Abstract In plans to explore the shallow gas potential of the Nagar prospect offshore the southern coast of Myanmar, PETRONAS had to contend with a number of potentially high risk issues. The shallow nature of the hazardous prospect made kick detection speed and pressure control accuracy essential to avoid losing returns. Concerns about a weak casing shoe, a narrow drilling margin, the inability to control bottom hole pressure (BHP) while circulating out gas, and the short response time needed, demanded a solution before the shallow gas-bearing sands could be drilled safely from the available moored drill ship with its conventional subsea equipment. From flow modeling it was estimated that within 3 minutes the system and procedures would have to detect and shut-in a gas influx, then commence circulating it out, all while controlling the BHP of a flowing, multiphase fluid within extremely narrow safe limits. It was concluded that the Nagar well could only be safely drilled with a pressure management system that could maintain BHP within +/− 15 psi while drilling and +/− 45 psi during connections and well control. In an industry search, PETRONAS learned that no system existed with the functionality needed, but by electing to combine new and existing technologies from three separate providers they were the first to develop one that did. This industry-first solution involved integrating elements of the technology developed for automated pressure control, pressure while drilling (PWD), and high speed, drill string telemetry. Modifications had to be made to a number of elements, including the pressure control and PWD systems, to obtain the necessary functionality. Given the safety critical nature of the drilling hazards, the modifications and system integration were first tested during simulated kicks with downhole nitrogen injection, before drilling out the casing shoe. During testing on the rig and subsequent drilling operations, the integrated system proved its ability to maintain a near constant BHP, with the accuracy and speed needed to safely and successfully drill the Nagar prospect. Introduction The Nagar-1 well is an exploration well located in block M16 in the Andaman Sea under more than 400 meters of water. A map of the area and the location of the well are shown in Figure 1. PETRONAS identified this prospect from seismic surveys as a possible source of gas production from several shallow gas bearing sands lying between 260 and 400 m below the sea floor. As a wildcat well the drilling objective was to confirm the presence of hydrocarbons in the target zones and like other wildcat areas there are no offset wells in close proximity to the proposed well location. The closest offset wells were over 100 km away in less than 200 m of water.
- North America > United States (1.00)
- Asia > Myanmar (0.70)
- Asia > Malaysia (0.67)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- Government > Regional Government > Asia Government > Malaysia Government (0.67)
- Well Drilling > Pressure Management > Well control (1.00)
- Well Drilling > Drilling Operations > Drilling operation management (1.00)
- Well Drilling > Drilling Measurement, Data Acquisition and Automation > Measurement while drilling (1.00)
- Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability > Safety > Operational safety (1.00)