Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD), with the installation of Rotating Control Device (RCD) and MPD Choke has been identified as an time saving value added technology to two different operators in Vietnam when mitigating well control situations. Conventional well control approach is to shut in the annular BOP and circulate out influx by using either the Driller's or Weight & Wait methods. However, these methods can only be used when the bit is on bottom and circulation is possible. In cases when it is unsuitable to use the standard well control methods, alternative such as: stripping to maintain BHP constant plus Volumetric to control gas migration to surface is considered. Referencing two HPHT wells drilled in offshore Vietnam with MPD equipment; both influxes were encountered when the bit was completely out of the hole and the other when the bit was halfway from bottom of the well. The operators used the RCD bearing assembly and the MPD Choke Manifold to strip the drillstring back to total depth and performed standard well control procedures. The MPD stripping technique allowed the operators to regain well control, enhanced operational safety and significant time savings. This paper will discuss the methodology of MPD well control techniques based on the experience from the two HPHT wells in Vietnam. The main objectives of the paper is to define, document, and develop workflows to successfully implement well control procedures using MPD in future HPHT wells.
High-pressure, high-temperature (HP/HT) environments often present kick and losses scenarios. Bien Dong POC Well-1 serves as an example of such scenarios with a very narrow-pressure operating window. Operational pressure challenges prohibited achieving the objectives. While drilling the Bien Dong Well-1, the well encountered ballooning issues, high pore pressures, and a narrow window. As part of remedial actions when drilling Bien Dong Well-2 & Well-3, the Bien Dong POC drilling team decided to deploy MPD technology with constant bottomhole pressure and early kick-loss detection capabilities. By applying MPD techniques, the team drilled the 12-1/4-in. hole section with the lowest possible mud weight to accommodate the narrow drilling window. Drilling the well sections to total depth (TD) took only 10 days in Well-2 and 14 days in Well-3. MPD also allowed stripping out of the hole with surface backpressure (SBP) instead of pumping out of the hole to minimize swab once in shoe, which reduced trips for considerable rig-time savings. The wells were drilled using MPD technology on a semisubmersible tender-assisted rig. A comprehensive rig survey was conducted during the planning phase of rig construction. The survey outlined the permanent installation of the MPD system, including an automated MPD choke manifold and docking-station rotating control device (RCD). The MPD equipment was integrated into the rig on a flexible plug-and-play basis to enable easy rig up and rig down. The integration also enabled moving the equipment between wells when the rig skids and during the MPD operation. The success of MPD operations came through cooperation with team members, experience from lessons learned, and excellence in rig crew performance on well after well. This paper will discuss how MPD technology led to campaign improvements and cost savings throughout Bien Dong Well-2 and Well-3.
With the surmounting call of cost cutting measures within the oil and gas industry, it is of paramount importance to examine and evaluate the drilling activities during the course of the application of Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) technique for High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) wells globally. The cost reduction has also affected wells drilled in Vietnam. One common discussion amongst operators to decide on MPD system installation for a drilling campaign is the significant upfront cost associated with the technology. However, through detailed cost benefit analysis and carefully examining the previous lessons learned and extract the best practices in order to apply it for future wells; the benefits in operational safety, drilling optimization, NPT reduction through the use of MPD, significantly outweigh its cost. The paper will discuss the lessons learned, best practices and experience of MPD technology based on HPHT wells drilled in Vietnam. Specifically, it will examine what went well on the following: Preparations for MPD in a HPHT environmentMPD equipment requirement and design for the specific MPD applicationRigging upMPD equipmentSelection of sealing element for HPHT wellsHPHT drilling with MPDPumping out of hole vs. pulling out of hole with surface back pressure (SBP)Well control scenario when drill String is out of hole
Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) technology has effectively proven that it can overcome the operational obstacles encountered when drilling difficult and challenging wells. MPD has helped many operating companies reach target depth by accurately managing the annular pressure profile of the wells in which it is deployed. However, well construction operations do not stop when target depth is reached. The well still has to be cased, cemented, and completed in order to produce and returns the initial spend on these investments. In high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) well conditions where very narrow margins between the pore and fracture pressures are prevalent, conventional cementing operations become a complicated task. The tendency of inducing losses is very common, specifically during running of casing or liners, which is then further aggravated during the displacement of the cement slurry. This was the case in one of the HPHT wells in Vietnam where losses were encountered during previous liner running operations. This situation led the operating company to decide to utilize MPD technology to improve, enhance and optimize the cementing operation. Pre-modeling to determine the correct parameters and the utilization of MPD technology allowed the mud weight to be reduced while managing equivalent circulating density (ECD) through the application of surface backpressure (SBP) to stay within the limits of the well. The application of MPD closed loop cementing on this HPHT well proved effective and provided correct parameters to successfully complete the cementing operations. This paper will discuss the application of MPD closed loop cementing on this HPHT well in Vietnam. Specifically, it will examine the following: (1) reasons and concepts associated with MPD closed loop cementing; (2) MPD closed loop cementing pre-planning and engineering; (3) MPD closed loop cementing execution; (4) MPD closed loop cementing challenges; and (5) lessons learned and best practices. The paper will also detail how the MPD closed loop cementing technique can be further refined and improved to be able to address other pertinent concerns experienced by other HPHT operations in Vietnam, thereby realizing the full potential and impact that the technology can help bring about in terms of drillability, efficiency, and above all safety.
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