TX 75083-3836 U.S.A., fax 1.972.952.9435. AbstractOne of the main constraints facing many offshore platforms is the shortage of accommodation. The balance between continuing field development and maintaining existing production and platform integrity inevitably requires a compromise in the crew allocation for well engineering activities. This paper will discuss the challenge faced on Shell's Gannet Alpha platform in conducting a coiled tubing managed pressure drilling (CTMPD) operation with a 20% reduction in crew numbers over the previous CTMPD operation. The key enabler of this reduction was the use of a supplier's established onshore control centre located in Norway for remote support. A two-way real time data connection from the platform was established that allowed two key roles to be removed from the platform -drilling data acquisition and quality control, and control of a dynamic annular pressure control system. This implementation of remote support was unique as the main drilling supplier not only used this facility to reduce his rig-site presence but also facilitated other third party suppliers to remotely operate their equipment by providing space and IT infrastructure within the facility.As well as the principle benefit of reducing personnel on board required to run the CTMPD, additional benefits were realised through the dissemination of real-time data throughout the operator and supplier organisations. By utilising the WITSML data protocol, the operators reservoir model and well-planning programs were populated in real-time enabling subject experts to participate in the decision making process. Additionally, onshore technical support and engineering personnel were able to utilise the two way connection to access the offshore systems in real-time in order to troubleshoot problems, perform software upgrades and carry out diagnostics on surface hardware and downhole tools as required.This paper will describe the upfront preparation both in terms of the IT infrastructure and the personnel multi-skilling. It will then describe the ways in which the data was transmitted and used during the operation, and the contingency procedures that were developed in the event of loss of communication. Finally, the future of real time operations will be discussed and how the learnings from this operation can be used in the ongoing development of this technology.
Today's reserves are often stranded in deep, complex reservoirs and, due to economic or environmental constraints, sometimes have to be connected from a single drill site, resulting in wellbore construction methods such as extended-reach drilling (ERD) and multilaterals. Casing exits often play a crucial part in these types of wellbore construction methods. Milling a long window with low dogleg severity is the key to success since every subsequent run into the wellbore - rotary steerable system, liner and completion systems - will have to pass through the window unobstructed. The successful execution of a casing exit based on surface parameters alone becomes more and more challenging as depth and deviation of the application increases. A system has been developed that measures all the physical parameters downhole at the window-milling assembly itself, and transmits them to surface for rig-site and remote viewing, enabling real-time control of casing exit operations. The system captures and processes all the milling parameters downhole and then uses measurement-while-drilling mud pulse telemetry or stiff-line / wired pipe to send selected and critical information to surface. The window-milling process can be enhanced by monitoring dynamic behavior such as mill vibration, weight on bit and bending moment to make real-time decisions and reduce risk and nonproductive time (NPT). This paper describes the downhole performance sub technology and closed-loop control system, and demonstrates by a number of case histories the risk-reduction value of monitoring the downhole parameters in real time. The case histories presented includeboth drillpipe-deployed as well as coiled-tubing-deployed casing exit systems. Introduction Most casing exit systems in the marketplace today are capable of and expected to deliver a one-trip high-quality window; however, as well complexity and depth of the application increases, the operations are becoming increasingly ambitious in both their objectives and risk profile. The casing exit is a critical success factor for any re-entry operation; as this provides the only entrance into the sidetrack for all future operations, therefore it is essential that a window of the correct size and length is created in the desired orientation in one trip.
One of the main constraints facing many offshore platforms is the shortage of accommodation. The balance between continuing field development and maintaining existing production and platform integrity inevitably requires a compromise in the crew allocation for well engineering activities. This paper will discuss the challenge faced on Shell's Gannet Alpha platform in conducting a coiled tubing managed pressure drilling (CTMPD) operation with a 20% reduction in crew numbers over the previous CTMPD operation. The key enabler of this reduction was the use of a supplier's established onshore control centre located in Norway for remote support. A two-way real time data connection from the platform was established that allowed two key roles to be removed from the platform - drilling data acquisition and quality control, and control of a dynamic annular pressure control system. This implementation of remote support was unique as the main drilling supplier not only used this facility to reduce his rig-site presence but also facilitated other third party suppliers to remotely operate their equipment by providing space and IT infrastructure within the facility. As well as the principle benefit of reducing personnel on board required to run the CTMPD, additional benefits were realised through the dissemination of real-time data throughout the operator and supplier organisations. By utilising the WITSML data protocol, the operators reservoir model and well-planning programs were populated in real-time enabling subject experts to participate in the decision making process. Additionally, onshore technical support and engineering personnel were able to utilise the two way connection to access the offshore systems in real-time in order to troubleshoot problems, perform software upgrades and carry out diagnostics on surface hardware and downhole tools as required. This paper will describe the upfront preparation both in terms of the IT infrastructure and the personnel multi-skilling. It will then describe the ways in which the data was transmitted and used during the operation, and the contingency procedures that were developed in the event of loss of communication. Finally, the future of real time operations will be discussed and how the learnings from this operation can be used in the ongoing development of this technology. Introduction Background The Gannet 'A' platform is located in the central North Sea, approximately 120 miles East of Aberdeen. As well as the Gannet 'A' field, there are a further 6 subsea fields tied back to the platform. A requirement for infill drilling was identified in order to continue the development of the field. Drilling Methodology The original Gannet A wells were drilled with the assistance of a tender vessel which primarily provided pumping, fluids handling, solids control and accommodation services. An infill drilling feasability study concluded that re-instatement of the existing platform drilling equipment was not viable and that coiled tubing drilling was the most economic option for accessing the stranded reserves.
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