under balanced & managed pressure drilling

Underbalanced & Managed Pressure Drilling

ByTim Tønnessen

Europe Eurasia Regional Manager

GeoBalanceTM

Presentation Overview� Introduction & Definitions� UBD & MPD Differences� UBD / MPD Technology Drivers � General Range of Services & Equipment (MPD/UBD)� Rig up Schematics Manual and Automated MPD� Projects to Date in Norway� Challenges in Implementation� Current Technology Drive� Discussion/Questions

Definition of MPD (IADC)

“An adaptive drilling process used to precisely control the annular pressure profile throughout the wellbore.

The objectives are to ascertain the down hole pressure environment limits and to manage the annular hydraulic pressure profile accordingly”.

UBD VS MPD What’s the Difference?

� Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD)•This is a drilling process where a surface choke and rotating control device or similar is used tocontrol bottom hole pressure

•Normally drilling at or above formation pressure, without any influx from the formation

� Underbalanced Drilling (UBD)•Similar to above, but requires more equipment including separation unit allowing drilling while having a controlled production from the well, achieved using a lighter drilling fluid column combined with surface backpressure control

Common Drivers for MPD� Solve drilling related problems such as lost

circulation•Depleted reservoirs, •Abnormally pressured formations•Unstable formations

� Increased safety•Early influx detection / Improved well control

� Cost efficient•Quick change of downhole pressure without any changes to mud system

•Increased ROP•Potential decreased formation damage

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Technique “Manages” wellbore differentials

•Reduce - Washouts, Breakout, Drilling Induced Fractures, Lost Circulation •Improve - Logging Conditions, Casing Runs, Cement Jobs, Productivity

Maximize Hydrocarbon Recovery�Reduced Formation Damage (Skin)

�Increase productivity and ultimate recovery�Elimination of Reservoir Stimulation

�Early Reservoir Evaluation�Early Production – Increase Revenue

Reduced Hole Problems�No Differential Sticking�Minimize Lost Circulation�Increase Penetration Rate

Common Drivers for Underbalanced Drilling

Less focus for the Norwegian sector at

the moment

General MPD/UBD range of services

Example General MPD Layout

Advanced MPD System Overview

Norway UBD/MPD Projects� Gullfaks UBO/MPD (SH)� Grane MPD (SH)� Kristin MPD (SH development)� Kvitebjørn MPD (SH)� Tommeliten (Cop)� Ula(BPA)� Valhall (BPA)� Njord, Norne, Ekofisk, Oseberg,

Gyda, Huldra, and more

Recent

Past

Potential/Study

Gullfaks UBD/MPD Project

� Start-up using UBD equipment in 2004� Drilled 3 MPD/UBD wells to date� 12.1/4”, 8.1/2” and 6” sections� The first MPD project where a liner was

run and cemented utilizing controlled backpressure and modelling same

� No release of Hydrocarbons to the environment – Full platform tie in

� New automated MPD equipment builtfor the next well in Jan 2009

Gullfaks rig up for automated MPD

Grane MPD Project� Drilled first MPD well in 2007� Reservoir challenges:

•Unstable shale sections•Lost circulation

� Currently project on hold until closer evauation of shale stability has been determined Upper Lista shales

Lower Lista shales

Heimdal reservoir sands Oil zone

Water zone

Injected gasW E

Perched water basin

Upper Lista shales

Lower Lista shales

Heimdal reservoir sands Oil zone

Water zone

Injected gasW E

Perched water basin

Upper Lista shales

Lower Lista shales

Heimdal reservoir sands Oil zone

Water zone

Injected gasW E

Perched water basin

Statoil Kristin MPD Project� Rapid depletion of reservoir� Qualify MPD technology for safe

use on a floater� First pilot well potentially in

2010� Joint development project with

SH for developing riser solution allowing safe and efficient MPD from floater

Challenges Implementing MPD in Norway� Lack of knowledge to the technology� Comfort factor (Experience level)� Establish confidence that “removal” of conventional

drilling primary well control barrier element (Mud weight) would not result in reduced safety

� Prove that RCD and Choke technology is dependable for extended drilling operations

� ATEX and NORSOK Equipment requirements – High cost to design/build vs Global

� Continuous work scope to be present

Drivers for Increased Use of MPD in Norway

� Depletion of existing fields and more challenging new projects are natural drivers for increased use of MPD – “Limited other options”

� Evaluate MPD option when doing platform upgrades & new builds� Need to increase business “comfort factor”

�Personnel competency & knowledge�Equipment robustness and accuracy�Success Stories – Need to drill more MPD wells�Full scale local onshore testing capability (IRIS)

� Minimize need for specialist personnel offshore through RTO centers and automation

Current Technology Drive� Fully automated control systems with true

predictive capability

� Combined MPD/Casing drilling

�Wired Drill Pipe – high speed data transfer – fastermore accurate MPD control options

�New generation MPD riser & RCD systems for floaters

� Increased capacities of systems and smaller footprints

� Plug & play systems (Less Personnel)

� RCD optimalisation & Robustness

�Downhole trip valve & chemical plug solutions

Thank You!

Questions?