First automated MPD in Mexico GoM cuts drilling days

MPD operations began with a lower-density mud than the offsets and averaged a lower weight throughout the drilling. The inverse emulsion mud weight ranged from 1.58 to 1.96 gr/cc in the first offset well and from 1.05 to 1.96 gr/cc in the second. In the MPD well, it averaged 1.49 to 1.68 gr/cc.

Kick and loss mitigation benefited from real-time detection and management of very small volume influxes.

Operational highlights

The MPD operation began with a pressure test of all of the MPD surface equipment. The bottomhole assembly (BHA) – consisting of an 8½-in. polycrystalline diamond compact drill bit, 6 ¾-in. x 8 ½-in. stabilizers, 6½-in. drill collars, a 5-in. heavyweight drill pipe and a 5-in. drill pipe – was lowered into the well.

Once the assembly was 50 m above the shale, the automated system was tested inside the casing before lowering the accessories. The objective of this procedure was to calibrate the response of the system to influxes, losses, equivalent circulating density (ECD) control, swabbing, and surging. The casing shoe was drilled out when the calibration was complete.

Drilling of the 8½-in. section began at 4,375 m with a mud density of 1.65 gr/cc and a flow rate of 330 gpm, for an ECD of 1.70 gr/cc. The mud density selected for the MPD operation was 0.15 gr/cc lower than the conventional figure of 1.80 gr/cc.

The automated system began in standard mode, with the chokes fully open, monitoring the entrance and exit flow to respond to any unexpected event. Essentially, the strategy was to wait until the well “spoke” before making decisions in accordance with the density and bottomhole circulating pressure (BHCP).

One of the events that demonstrated the significant benefit of the automated system was the early identification of a very small influx. At a measured depth of about 4,400 m, the automated system detected an influx of only 1.5 bbl. The influx was controlled in less than 2 min.

The system identifies a gas influx while drilling at 4,426 m. Because of the early kick detection capabilities of the system, the pit gain was only 1.5 bbl.

The Microflux system detected an increase in outflow compared to inflow. Based on internal algorithms, the system indicated to the MPD choke to adjust automatically. The application of back pressure equalized the inflow and outflow.

The influx that had been incorporated into the mud system was then circulated out by applying 650 psi back pressure. Drilling continued while back pressure was increased to 750 psi, which addressed the safety factor required by the operating company.

This response contrasts with the inevitable NPT resulting from conventional well control procedures and maneuvers that are the only available response when a high-pressure formation is conventionally drilled.

Conventionally, an influx is typically confirmed after a gain of many barrels (typically 10 to 20 bbl). With the constant bottomhole pressure method of MPD, downhole influxes are detected typically at a few barrels and managed quickly before they escalate into a well control event.

After evaluating the situation, it was determined that the options were to continue drilling with this back pressure or to increase the drilling fluid density to reduce it. Considering the risk of finding a new interval with higher pore pressure, it was decided to increase the mud weight from 1.65 gr/cc to 1.68 gr/cc. Back pressure was reduced by 500 psi to continue drilling.

The MPD connection was made at 4,435 m MD to keep the bottomhole pressure constant and to replace the friction losses with back pressure. Drilling continued with a density of 1.68 gr/cc and at a depth of 4,480 m MD, total circulation losses were detected.

In the lower part of the section, the outflow curve moved to the left, indicating total losses. The behavior of the system once gas was detected on the surface is seen in the accompanying illustration. An erroneous reading was seen in the exit flow, which is typical of gas passing through the system. The system generated an alert, signifying the presence of gas on the surface.

Both monitoring and management capabilities are based on the behavior of the incompressible drilling fluid contained within a pressurized closed-loop system. In this environment, a change in bottomhole pressure due to an influx or loss is detected in seconds by surface instruments monitoring the flow and pressure.

Conversely, a change in annular pressure (back pressure) effected by closing an MPD choke or adding fluid via a pump is quickly felt at the bottom of the hole. Small, fast changes in ECD are made easily without changing the mud system or delaying drilling.

In automatic mode, the MPD systems detects rapid fluctuations in downhole pressure, algorithmically processes them and immediately translates the data into changes in annular back pressure necessary to maintain a balance within the drilling window. In this manner, the MPD system manages bottomhole pressure even when the pumps are off while making pipe connections.

MPD technology also reduces the risk of hazardous gas production. Gas influxes are limited by MPD procedures, along with the risk of sour gas release. Any gas getting into the system is small and easily circulated in a controlled manner. The closed-loop system also contains the gas and directs it away from the rig floor.

The MPD equipment spread chosen for the GoM well consisted of several relatively common rig equipment components integrated by the Microflux control system.

A 135⁄8-in. rotating control device (RCD) with a double sealing element was specified for the well. An RCD is the defining component of an MPD operation. Installed on top of the BOP in land or offshore surface applications, the RCD effectively encloses the circulation loop with an elastomeric seal that closes the annulus and redirects the mud system returns. This creates a pressurized closed-loop system that is highly sensitive to pressure changes initiated either downhole or at the surface.

Within this closed-loop system, pressure is managed accurately through application of annular back pressure.

On the GoM well, this back pressure was provided two ways – an automated MPD choke system located downstream from the RCD and ahead of the mud handling system, and an auxiliary annular pump (in this case achieved by connecting the cementing pump already on the platform).

The choke package also includes metering to measure mass flow and pressure. This data helps inform the control system, which applies proprietary algorithms to monitor, analyze, and manage downhole pressure.

The data is used for conventional well control as well as manual and automatic MPD applications. Automation speeds the time from information receipt to action being taken. In difficult wellbore environments, this enhances the ability to proactively manage influxes and losses before they become well control events.

The flowline used in the GoM application was carbon steel piping with 4-in. connections and 5,000-psi maximum allowable working pressure. It was tested at the maximum static working pressure of the rotating head.

The particular formation characteristics and the confirmed presence of large volumes of gas in kick-loss situations necessitated use of a higher-capacity fluid separator independent from the drilling equipment separator. A vertical, two-phase atmospheric separator was used to manage possible influxes. The separator had sufficient capacity and residence time to ensure the complete release of gases returning from the well. The objective was to minimize the possibility of these gases being released into the shale shaker or mud tanks.