Intro to Manage

Pressure Drilling
RAO Mubarak Ali
mubarik.ali43@yahoo.com
international member of
SPE 4353073
Introduction to Manage Pressure Drilling
(MPD)

 Drilling operations have always been challenging, wells are getting deeper,
temperature and pressures are getting higher, and the industry is starting to
focus on more remote and complex reservoirs such as in the arctic regions.
Proper procedures for remedial actions are essential to keep drilling risks
controlled and minimized. Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is a drilling
process that enables accurate control of the wellbore pressure faster than by
conventional methods.
Objectives

 The objectives are to ascertain the down-hole pressure environment limits

and to manage the annular hydraulic pressure profile accordingly. The
intention of MPD is to avoid continuous influx of formation fluids to the
surface. Any influx incidental to the operation will be safely contained using an
appropriate process”.
Definition of MPD

 MPD is defined by a subcommittee of the International Association of Drilling

Contractors (IADC) as;
 “An adaptive drilling process used to precisely control the annular pressure
profile throughout the wellbore”.
 Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is a drilling process that enables accurate
control of the pressure faster than by conventional methods. Pressure
variations can thereby be reduced, influx and losses handled at an early stage
thereby reducing the subsequent challenges, and wellbore stability can be
improved.
Uses

1. MPD allows for drilling into narrow pressure margins in a safer and more
cost effective manner while mitigating drilling hazards and thereby reducing
Non--‐Productive Time (NPT).
2. MPD can be used for specific purposes such as drilling into depleted
reservoirs, narrow Mud-Weight (MW) windows or sections with massive
losses where other drilling methods are inadequate.
Advantages

 Drill through Narrow Drilling Windows

 No loss in Bottom Hole Pressure during connections
 Increased visibility of unfavorable well conditions
 Greater control of down bottom hole pressure
 Early kick detection
Different Managed Pressure Drilling
Techniques

 The four main MPD variations and providers are the following
1. Constant Bottom Hole Pressure Profile [Schlumberger, Weatherford,
Halliburton]
2. Mud Cap Drilling [Schlumberger, Weatherford, Halliburton]
3. Dual Gradient (with and without a riser) [AGR, Clean Drill, Reel Well]
4. Return Flow Control method
1. Constant Bottom Hole Pressure (CBHP)

 CBHP is a MPD method whereas the annular pressure is kept close to

constant at a given depth. The method is based on maintaining control of the
annular back pressure.
Objective: The objective for this method is to eliminate cycles of kicks/losses
that are common in deep wells where fracture gradient are close to the pore
pressure.
2. Mud Cap Drilling

 Mud cap drilling is employed when normal techniques have difficulties to

maintain circulation. To prevent and control kicks and lost circulation while
drilling in fractured or layered (different pressures) formations, drilling fluid
together with water and cuttings are pumped into the wellbore and drill pipe.
3. Dual Gradient (with and without a riser)

 Dual Gradient Drilling is an MPD technique that employs two different annulus
fluid gradients to find a closer match to the natural pressure regime; one
above the seabed, another beneath.
 The Objective is to reduce formation damage and the related fluid losses
when drilling deep formations with low‐fracture gradients (eliminating mud
density changes).
4. Return Flow Control Drilling (RFCD)

 Return through Flow Control (RFC) Drilling is a MPD method that reduces
risks from drilling fluid, hazardous gases and well control incidents to the
personnel and the environment.
 The objective of this method is to focus on RFCD primarily.
Thank you……….