CFS v. MPD- Revolutionary Technology to Outshine Industry Leader?

Abstract

As the industry-wide adoption of managed pressure drilling (MPD) continues, the recent emergence of reliable continuous flow systems (CFS) are right on its heels, offering many parallels in wellbore pressure control and protection. The question then presents itself-does continuous flow outperform conventional MPD? Will the industry's adoption of CFS lead to the ultimate obsolescence of the current offerings, or will both coexist? This paper will examine the pros and cons of each system and their respective abilities to mitigate hazards and optimize drilling efficiency.Conventional MPD systems utilize a rotating control device (RCD) and a choke manifold system to create a closed loop circulation system and achieve precise control of a wellbore's pressure profile during drilling and completion. CFS also works to achieve greater control of wellbore pressure through continuous circulation of drilling fluids. A large percentage of all drilling hazards related to wellbore pressure occur when mud pumps are cycled off and on during connections, which causes fluctuations in equivalent circulation densities (ECD) and downhole pressure spikes. This paper examines and compares two state-of-the-art technologies for enhanced pressure control and drilling efficiency; CFS and choke-based MPD systems. The conclusions will highlight the directions of the two techniques and determine if they will coexist or will forever compete in the industry to be the most widely-adopted choice.