A Simplified Method to Estimate Peak Casing Pressure during MPD Well Control

Chirinos, Jose Eduardo; Smith, John R.; Bourgoyne, Darryl A.

doi:10.2118/147496-ms

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The model described in Section 3.1 was validated on an experimental data set obtained from a well control test conducted at Louisiana State University. The test setup, illustrated in Figure 3, was detailed by Chirinos et al (2011). An 11-bbl gas kick was simulated by injecting natural gas inside the 1.25-in tubing while water-based mud was continuously pumped through the annulus formed by the 3.5-in drill pipe and the 1.25-in tubing, with returns taken through the annulus between the 9.625-in casing and the 3.5-in drill pipe.…”

Section: Validation Of Reduced Dfmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real-time estimation of reservoir influx rate and pore pressure using a simplified transient two-phase flow model

Ambrus

Aarsnes

Vajargah

et al. 2016

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

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The ability to perform accurate pore pressure and reservoir inflow estimation during a kick incident is necessary, particularly when drilling in formations with narrow pressure margins. Currently available techniques for pore pressure estimation and reservoir characterization either rely on empirical correlations requiring access to well logging data and other petrophysical information, or require downhole pressure sensing and advanced flow metering capabilities. This paper introduces a model-based estimation technique which uses surface measurements commonly available in a Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) system, coupled with a simplified transient two-phase model. This model is capable of representing essential dynamics during a gas kick with reduced computational overhead, but without sacrificing significant modeling accuracy. First, the model is validated in a gas kick scenario against experimental data, showing good agreement between key measured parameters and the model predictions, and thereby justifying the model applicability to field operations. Next, data generated from a commercial simulator test case is used to evaluate the proposed estimation methodology. The estimated pore pressure and reservoir productivity are close to their respective values from the commercial simulator, and the flow out rate and surface back-pressure predicted by the simplified two-phase model yield very good match against the simulator results.

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Section: Validation Of Reduced Dfmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real-time estimation of reservoir influx rate and pore pressure using a simplified transient two-phase flow model

Ambrus

Aarsnes

Vajargah

et al. 2016

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

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“…Santos et al (2011) addressed kick tolerance misconceptions and their consequences to well design. Chirinos et al (2011) presented a simplified method to estimate the maximum casing pressures during MPD well control. Dokhani et al (2013) investigated annular pressure profile calculation models using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).…”

Section: Analysis Of the Conventional Kick Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Case Study: First Field Application of Fully Automated Kick Detection and Control by MPD System in Western Canada

2014

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Detection and control of gas kicks in OBM/SBM while drilling through narrow pore -fracture windows has always been a challenge due to gas solubility and mud compressibility. Continuous closed loop monitoring of the well and automated early kick detection and control helps to keep the influx volume at a minimum before it reaches the "well control" threshold margin in the kick tolerance matrix.This paper presents a case study and detailed analysis of the event through advanced simulations to examine the benefits of automated influx detection and control using MPD system in comparison to conventional well control method. In the case study, an automated MPD system successfully detected and controlled a gas influx in OBM while drilling onshore Western Canada. The analysis employed dynamic well control simulations to regenerate the event and a close match with the field data was achieved. A sensitivity analysis was then conducted to study the effect of total response time on pressures at the surface and at the casing shoe during the application of conventional Driller's method of well control.The findings from the study demonstrate how automated early kick detection and control minimizes influx volume and increases operational safety. The implementation of MPD system with such capabilities significantly reduces NPT by enabling influx circulation at full rate and eliminating the need for flow-check, BOP closure and operational delays inherent in conventional well control.

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“…This results in preventing further influx to the wellbore and keeping the annular pressure within integrity limits of formation, weak zones and surface equipments (Chirinos et al, 2011b;Watson et al, 2003). This results in preventing further influx to the wellbore and keeping the annular pressure within integrity limits of formation, weak zones and surface equipments (Chirinos et al, 2011b;Watson et al, 2003).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taking the Proper Action to Gas Influx during Constant Bottom-Hole Pressure Technique of Managed Pressure Drilling

Vajargah

Miska

et al. 2013

All Days

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Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) techniques rely on precisely controlling annular pressure profile and hence enabling us to overcome challenges due to narrow mud window in offshore and deep-water drilling. In a Constant Bottom-Hole Pressure (CBHP) MPD the bottom-hole pressure is kept relatively constant which allows circulating small influxes out of the well without shutting in. However, during circulation, annular pressure must not exceed the fracture pressure of the weak zones and maximum allowable surface pressure. Therefore, accurate prediction of the annular pressure profile is vital in the decision making process. It enables us to decide whether to continue drilling, shut in the well or take another action such as increasing the pump rate or mud weight.Most of the annular pressure prediction methods during entrance of an influx rely on simplifying assumptions that can cause a significant error and a faulty well design. This issue becomes more important during drilling with Synthetic Based Mud (SBM) in which solubility of gas in the mud cannot be ignored.We attempt to present a transient model for an accurate prediction of annular pressure profile during well control operations in CBHP technique of MPD. The presented model is developed based on the conservation equations and it takes the solubility of gas in synthetic based mud into account. The validity of the model has been tested against the available experimental data from the field scale low-pressure flow loop (8" X 4.5", 90' long) available at The University of Tulsa.Annular pressure profile and maximum surface pressure (casing peak pressure) during circulation of a gas influx are calculated by the introduced transient two-phase model. A chart based methodology and a simple algorithm are developed by which, the proper action could be taken according to the simulation results. This provides a powerful decision making and design tool in MPD operations that ensures delivery of safer wells with lower Non Productive Time (NPT).

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A Simplified Method to Estimate Peak Casing Pressure during MPD Well Control

Cited by 11 publications

References 13 publications

Real-time estimation of reservoir influx rate and pore pressure using a simplified transient two-phase flow model

Real-time estimation of reservoir influx rate and pore pressure using a simplified transient two-phase flow model

A Case Study: First Field Application of Fully Automated Kick Detection and Control by MPD System in Western Canada

Taking the Proper Action to Gas Influx during Constant Bottom-Hole Pressure Technique of Managed Pressure Drilling

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