Underbalance Drilling of an Above Sea Level, Sub-Hydrostatic Reservoir; Recompenses – A Case History

Abstract

During this period of energy crisis in Pakistan every effort is being made to produce every molecule of subsurface hydrocarbons. Particularly, the gas reservoirs which were not brought on production, due to low well deliverability or lack of required technology in the past are being explored and exploited. These include Tight, Low BTU, Sour and Acidic gas reservoirs. Such reservoirs pose specific problems related to drilling, production and development aspects.This paper depicts drilling and testing of a reservoir which is above sea level and its initial reservoir pressure is approximately 1000 psi below the normal hydrostatic pressure. It is one of the lowest pressure reservoirs of the world which has been drilled with successful flow of gas. Underbalance drilling technology was chosen to drill this challenging reservoir. Primary objective of under balance Drilling (UBD) was to establish reservoir potential by acquiring virgin reservoir characteristics.Historically, three wells have been drilled to test this reservoir. First two wells were drilled using conventional drilling methodology, both the wells experienced heavy mud loses during drilling and it was difficult to evaluate the production potential of this low pressure reservoir. Afterwards, pay zone of SML in third well X #02 was drilled and tested using Underbalance Drilling technique. This paper further describes the problems faced by the operator to drill first two wells in terms of mud losses and evaluation of production potential of low pressure reservoir of SML. In conclusion, it was a successful application which happened due to exceptional team work from all project parties. This application has opened new horizons of exploration and production of such reservoirs particularly in Baluchistan and generally in Pakistan.