riserless drilling

Offshore Technology ConferenceMay 2, 2005

Riserless Drilling - Applications of an Innovative Drilling Method and Tools

Greg CarterNautilus Offshore Company, Inc.

Bill BlandWeatherford International, Ltd.

Mitchell PinckardVeriDAQ, LLC

22Offshore Technology ConferenceMay 2, 2005

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

I.I. Riserless / Dual Gradient MethodsRiserless / Dual Gradient Methods

II.II. EdREdR MPD Method MPD Method

III.III.Primary EnablersPrimary Enablers

IV.IV. ConclusionsConclusions

3

Dual Gradient Deepwater Drilling

Pressure (psi)Pressure (psi)

TVD

(ft

)TV

D

(ft)

Water DepthMudline

8.6 ppgDensityEquivalent

16 ppgMud

30003000 60006000000

50005000

1000010000

1500015000

000

90009000

Pore Pressure

8.6 ppg Equivalent

Fracture Gradient

Mud Weight


RisersRisers


Maurer – Glass Bead LiftSMDC – Mud Lift System

Texaco - DeepVision

Shell - SSPS


30” Csg(700 ft)

20” Csg(2,000 ft)

16” Csg(6,000 ft)

13-3/8” Csg(12,000 ft)

9-5/8”Csg(20,000 ft)

7” Csg(22,000 ft)

EdR-MPDE-Ductor Return ManagedPressure Drilling System

Pump & DumpModified EdR

or Other Method

Casing StringTargetsUsing

EdR-MPD


Drillpipe

MODU

Eductor Return Line

Active Control Station

Rotating Control Device

Primary EnablersPrimary Enablers

Active Control StationActive Control Station

Eductor Return LineEductor Return Line

InIn--line Multiline Multi--Phase Pump Phase Pump

SubseaSubsea Rotating Control Rotating Control DeviceDevice

Inline Multi-Phase

Pump


ManagedManagedPressurePressureDrillingDrilling

Drilling technique preciselyDrilling technique preciselycontrols the annular fluidcontrols the annular fluidpressure profile within a pressure profile within a wellborewellbore..

ROTATING HEADROTATING HEAD


Rotating Control DeviceRotating Control Device

TO SUB SEASURFACE

APPLICATION


SubSeaSubSea Production Production flowlinesflowlines

& & jumpers jumpers

Return Line TechnologyReturn Line TechnologyDeployment UnitsDeployment Units

Return LinesReturn Lines


ACTIVE ACTIVE CONTROL CONTROL SYSTEMSYSTEM


Process Control PrinciplesProcess Control Principles

ShewhartShewhart Control Charts Control Charts for variables.for variables.


PROBABILITYPROBABILITYOF A POINTOF A POINTOUTSIDEOUTSIDE

ADJUSTMENTSADJUSTMENTSMADEMADE

NORMALNORMALDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDETERMINEDDETERMINED

POINT OUTSIDEPOINT OUTSIDECONTROL LIMITSCONTROL LIMITS

CONCLUDECONCLUDEPROCESSPROCESS

HAS SHIFTEDHAS SHIFTEDAND UNSTABLEAND UNSTABLE


Active Control ProcessActive Control Process


Key Advantages of Key Advantages of EdREdR MPDMPDCost Savings

• Mitigates Capital Costs of Riser Pipe.

• Eliminates Riser Tensioning & Maintenance.

• Reduced Installation Time.

• Less Mud Volumes to Fill Riser.

• Lower Inspection & Handling Costs.

• Selection of Lower Cost Drilling Vessels.

• Less Handling = Enhanced Safety Benefits.


Key Advantages of Key Advantages of EdREdR MPDMPDE-Duct Return Line Advantages:

• Mitigates Riser Fatigue and Joint Leaks.

• Enables Reverse Circulation.

• Increases Riser Angle Limits.

• Minimizes VIV Issues.

• Greater Degree of Vessel Drifting.

• Quicker Emergency Break-Away .

• Potential Elimination of “Pump and Dump”.


Key Advantages of Key Advantages of EdREdR MPDMPD

Managed Pressure Drilling Allows:

• Drilling with Annular Control at all Times.

• Fewer Casing Strings.

• Improved Kick Tolerance.

• Reduced Risk of Lost Returns.


•• STEP CHANGESSTEP CHANGESare needed in deepwater drilling systems, particularly are needed in deepwater drilling systems, particularly as we continue to explore in greater water depths.as we continue to explore in greater water depths.

•• EVOLUTIONEVOLUTIONThere are various competing step change There are various competing step change technologies regarding riserless drilling. These technologies regarding riserless drilling. These various programs continue to evolve as the enabling various programs continue to evolve as the enabling tools and new technologies come in to play.tools and new technologies come in to play.

ConclusionsConclusions



•• EXISTING TECHNOLOGYEXISTING TECHNOLOGYTremendous cost savings when drilling in Tremendous cost savings when drilling in deepwater can be achieved using existing deepwater can be achieved using existing technologies.technologies.

•• COMBINGCOMBINGexisting technology and tools that are cost existing technology and tools that are cost effective and provide a safe means of effective and provide a safe means of deepwater drilling will be the essential key to deepwater drilling will be the essential key to enabling large step changes.enabling large step changes.


•• CHAMPIONSCHAMPIONS

Step changes occur slowly in our industry when Step changes occur slowly in our industry when no no empoweredempowered champions take the lead. champions take the lead.

Challenges to current drilling techniques in Challenges to current drilling techniques in deepwater must be made or the high associated deepwater must be made or the high associated costs will continue to be a barrier to future costs will continue to be a barrier to future deepwater exploration.deepwater exploration.



Riserless Drilling Riserless Drilling -- Applications of an Applications of an Innovative Drilling Method and ToolsInnovative Drilling Method and Tools

Greg CarterGreg CarterNautilus Offshore Company, Inc.Nautilus Offshore Company, Inc.Bill BlandBill BlandWeatherford International, Ltd.Weatherford International, Ltd.Mitchell PinckardMitchell PinckardVeriDAQ, LLCVeriDAQ, LLC

THANK YOU

riserless drilling

Documents