Field Trial of Well Control Solutions with a Dual Gradient Drilling System

Cohen, J.H.; Stave, Roger; Hauge, Espen; Molde, Dag Ove

doi:10.2118/173822-ms

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Dual-gradient drilling technology is an unconventional drilling technology, which changes the annular pressure gradient of the riser through the pump or changes the fluid density. This technology can address some issues related to formation pressure in deepwater drilling [4][5][6][7][8]. Riserless mud recovery drilling (RMR) [9] is an implementation solution for dual-gradient drilling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of the Relationships among the Reverse Torque, Vibration, and Input Parameters of Mud Pumps in Riserless Mud Recovery Drilling

He,

Xu,

Chen

et al. 2023

Applied Sciences

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Compared with traditional deepwater drilling, riserless mud recovery (RMR) drilling technology has the advantages of improving drilling efficiency, reducing risks, and minimizing environmental effects. Therefore, RMR drilling technology has been widely applied in recent years. This study primarily investigates the relationships among reverse torque, vibration, and input parameters of mud pumps in riserless mud recovery drilling. Firstly, the operating principle and the structure of the mud pump module are analyzed, and an analytical model for the reverse torque and the vibration of the mud pump is established. Secondly, relevant data are derived from theoretical calculations and experiments, and the relationships among the reverse torque, vibration, and input parameters of the mud pump are analyzed using ANSYS (Version 2020 R1) software. Furthermore, the SVR (support vector regression) algorithm is employed to predict and analyze the amplitude of the mud pump’s vibration. Finally, the conclusions are drawn based on the findings of the relationships among the reverse torque, vibration, and input parameters of the mud pump. The findings show that the reverse torque of the mud pump increases approximately linearly with an increase in rotational speed, and the vibration of the mud pump increases and then decreases with an increase in rotational speed. The predicted values obtained through the prediction algorithm closely match the actual values. The findings provide a valuable reference for the application of RMR technology.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of the Relationships among the Reverse Torque, Vibration, and Input Parameters of Mud Pumps in Riserless Mud Recovery Drilling

He,

Xu,

Chen

et al. 2023

Applied Sciences

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“…However, deepwater oil and gas resource development involves a narrow safety density window between the formation pore pressure and fracture pressure. Dual-gradient drilling technology is a necessary technical means by which to solve this problem [2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on the Stability of the Spacer Fluid Interface in Dual-Layer Pipe Dual-Gradient Drilling

Wang,

Li,

Zhong

et al. 2023

Processes

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Dual-layer pipe dual-gradient drilling technology is an emerging technology for solving the problem of the narrow safety density window in deepwater drilling. The unstable spacer fluid interface in this technology directly affects the dual-gradient pressure system in the annulus, causing changes in the drilling mud performance and affecting the control of bottom hole pressure and rock removal with drilling mud. Therefore, the key to the stable operation of dual-layer pipe dual-gradient drilling technology is to maintain the stability of the spacer fluid interface. Based on this, a seawater-spacer fluid-drilling mud annular flow model was established in this study, with a bottom hole pressure control step of 0.2 MPa, and the spacer fluid height after a single control was used as the evaluation index to study the influence of annular flow velocity, the spacer fluid properties, and the drill string rotation speed on the stability of the spacer fluid interface. The results show that in the determined conditions of the seawater and drilling mud system, the annular fluid flow rate and the physical parameters of the spacer fluid are the main factors affecting the stability of the spacer fluid interface. When the annular fluid flow rate increased within the range of 0.04~0.2 m/s, the liquidity index of the spacer fluid increased between 0.5 and 0.9, the consistency coefficient increased in the range of 0.6 to 1.4 Pa⋅sn, and the stability of the spacer fluid interface decreased. However, the stability of the spacer fluid interface increased with the increase in its density in the range of 1100~1500 kg/m3. The results obtained in this study can provide a reference for selecting the operating parameters to ensure the stable operation of dual-gradient pressure systems.

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“…During the engineering and planning phase of the project, several well control / kick circulation methods were developed. This effort is documented in [2] and [3]. The method select for testing and demonstration at the Field Trial was a variation of Drillers Method; upon detecting a kick it was assumed that the BOP Annular would be closed as normal and therefore a bypass line from below the BOP Annular was established and the kick circulated to surface through the Subsea Pump Module (SPM).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Field Trial Well Control Results with a Dual Gradient Drilling System

et al. 2015

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This article presents results from the Controlled Mud Pressure (CMP) field trial that encompassed well control on a rig equipped for dual gradient drilling. The tests were carried out after successfully drilling three laterals with a partly evacuated riser with a controlled mud level. The paper focus on analysis of the results to quantify the ability to: detect in-/out-fluxes of gas and liquid; circulate out gas with both an open and closed annular preventer; suppress migration of drilled gas into the evacuated part of the riser during drilling.The CMP test objective is to verify the ability of the CMP equipment to detect and controllably circulate out simulated influxes. Five tests are documented: one with liquid in-and out-fluxes introduced through the choke line using the cement pump, and four with gas introduced through the drill string. Nitrogen was used to emulate gas kicks, which were circulated out of the well with both an open riser and with a closed annular preventer and a dedicated return line, connected to the subsea pump module and a topside-mounted choke. To address the challenge with drilled gas accumulating in the evacuated part of the riser, small portions of Methane were injected into the drill string while circulating. Gas sensor readings at the shakers and in the flow-line were used to monitor gas concentration in the mud and above the mud mirror, respectively.The main findings from the field trial are: volume imbalances due to abrupt changes in flow rate into the well are quickly detected; it is possible to circulate small gas kicks out of the well through the subsea pump module and dedicated well control equipment when closing in the well with the annular preventer, given that the pump handles a mixture of mud and gas, and can withstand a high differential pressure to sea; it is not advisable to vent large gas kicks into the evacuated part of the riser without closing the blowout preventer (BOP). In addition, gas migration velocities in water-based mud with varying flow rates and gas content are reported.The article directs attention to deep water well control using specialized equipment for dual gradient drilling. It also contains valuable analysis of field trial results, which contribute to the understanding of gas migration, and the possibilities and restrictions, introduced with dual gradient drilling.

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Field Trial of Well Control Solutions with a Dual Gradient Drilling System

Cited by 5 publications

References 2 publications

Study of the Relationships among the Reverse Torque, Vibration, and Input Parameters of Mud Pumps in Riserless Mud Recovery Drilling

Study of the Relationships among the Reverse Torque, Vibration, and Input Parameters of Mud Pumps in Riserless Mud Recovery Drilling

Research on the Stability of the Spacer Fluid Interface in Dual-Layer Pipe Dual-Gradient Drilling

Analysis of Field Trial Well Control Results with a Dual Gradient Drilling System

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