SPE-197273-MS

Managed Pressure Drilling Tackles Pore Pressure Uncertainty While Drilling,

Running Liner, and Cementing Across Multiple and Heterogonic Layered
Reservoirs for the First Time in the United Arab Emirates

Maha Al Shehhi and Saleh Al Ameri, ADNOC; Ayoub Hadj-Moussa and Mujahed Saleh, Weatherford

Copyright 2019, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 11-14 November 2019.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect
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consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
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Abstract
This paper presents the novel approach used in drilling, running liner and cementing a development well
across multiple reservoir with high pore pressure heterogeneity that has historically caused drilling hazards
like differential stuck pipe, losses, well control and slow rate of penetrations.
Having depleted reservoirs and high-pressure reservoirs in the same hole section of well-A dictates that
the mud weight must be higher than the higher reservoir pressure, which puts high differential pressure
on the depleted reservoir and causes differential stuck pipe and losses. The uncertainty in determining the
pore pressure adds another challenge as the mud weight must be higher than the expected pore pressure.
Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) addresses these challenges by enabling determining the pore pressure
while drilling and adjusting the Equivalent Circulation Density (ECD) to be with the minimum overbalance.
MPD allowed drilling the section with (12.0 ppg) mud weight instead of the conventional mud weight
(15.7 ppg). This has reduced the differential pressure between the depleted formation and the other
formations significantly and enhanced the rate of penetration while balancing the well. It also proved that
verifying the well's prognosis for pressure is essential in avoiding drilling hazards. Constant Bottom Hole
Pressure (CBHP) mode of MPD was used to maintain the same ECD while drilling and connection to avoid
well influx during pumps off events by compensating the annular friction pressure loss by surface back
pressure. MPD was utilized too in running the 7″ liner and cementing it as a guarantee if the mud weight was
too low to stabilize the well. The operation was carried out without safety or quality issue. The MPD system
performance was with zero nonproductive time and the hole section was drilled shoe-to-shoe without any
change the Rotating Control Device (RCD). This application showed an alternative preventive solution to
differentially stuck pipe instead of the reactive one.
The approach explained in this paper is the first of its kind in ADNOC Onshore field. It involved altering
the mud weight program strategically for more adaptive approach in dealing with drilling hazards like
differential stuck pipe, losses and well control. The scheme involving MPD for running liner and cementing
is the first ever in United Arab Emirates.
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Introduction
Drilling across multiple formation with high pressure contrast implies many risks like drilling fluid losses,
differential stuck pipe and loss kick events. In mature reservoir onshore Abu Dhabi, drilling 8 ½″ hole
section usually entails dealing with these risks frequently. Three formations are stacked with descending
pore pressure have to be drilled with a mud weight that has a hydrostatic pressure higher than the highest
formation pressure by 300 psi to guarantee that no well flow occurs during drilling, Uncertainty in
determining the formation pore pressure exacerbating the problem. Uncertainty in determining the pore
pressure meant that the mud weight has to be even higher to balance the highest expected formation pressure.
as high as possible.
Stuck pipe is one of the largest safety and operational risks in the drilling industry. As it impacts well
delivery adversely for years in addition to the high HSE risks and the possibility to abandon radioactive
sources in case if could not recover the stuck BHA.
There was a need for a more adaptive drilling approach the minimizes the uncertainty in this section
while guarantees safe drilling and keep the well balanced.

MPD as a solution
Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) was proposed to enhance the drilling practices in this field by reducing
uncertainty in formation pore pressure estimation and consequently reduced the overbalance on the low-
pressure formation to eventually avoid drilling problems like differential stuck pipe, losses and loss kick
events.
The IADC defines MPD as an adaptive drilling process used to precisely control the annular pressure
profile throughout the wellbore. The objectives are to ascertain the down hole pressure environment limits
and to manage the annular pressure profile accordingly.
MPD provides a wide range of deliverables when applied in drilling as listed below which helps in
ascertaining the drilling window in real time, increasing safety, improving drilling efficiency and enhancing
the control of the pressure behavior along the wellbore, facilitating the decision-making process.

Walk the Line. MPD allows "walking the line" precisely above the pore pressure and below the
fracture pressure in order to reduce extreme overbalanced conditions that may damage the reservoirs. An
improvement in ROP is an added advantage.
Avoiding Pressure Fluctuations. MPD minimizes pressure fluctuations in the wellbore exerted by the
drilling fluid during static and dynamic conditions. This is done by compensating the loss of annular friction
pressure by adding equivalent surface back pressure using an MPD choke.
Faster Reaction to Well Events. MPD enables faster reaction to unexpected changes in the pore/fracture
pressures, identifying at the same time the real pore/fracture pressures. This is valuable information while
drilling exploratory wells.
Early Influx Detection/Control. MPD enables early detection of kicks and facilitates safely managing the
gas displacement out of the hole using the MPD surface equipment.
Reduction of Non-Productive Time (NPT). MPD reduces Non-Productive Time (NPT) related to frequent
drilling problems caused by mechanical rock reactions, hydrocarbon and water influxes and high loss
scenarios or all simultaneously.

Well-A – Case Study.

The main objectives of using MPD on Well A were:
SPE-197273-MS 3

• Drill the 8 ½″ hole section of Well-A with the lowest possible mug weight.

• Control any resulting influxes safely by the MPD system.

• Determine the actual pore pressure of the high-pressure zone using its dynamic pore pressure
capabilities.
• Run, set and cement the 7″ line safely.

• Determine the actual pore pressure of the reservoir formation in the 6″ hole section.

• Mitigate drilling fluid losses in the 6″ hole section by drilling it with the lowest possible mud
weight based on the actual pore pressure data taken from MPD.

Well-A MPD Strategy.

The 8 1/2″ hole section of Well-A was planned to cross 10 formations, Fromation-7 was the highest pore
pressure formation (12.8 ppg) and required mud weight of 13.6 ppg to be drilled safely. Below Fromation-7
there were lower pressure formation, mainly Fromation-9 which had only 10.0 ppg pore pressure. The
overbalance created by the 13.6 ppg mud on Fromation-9 was 1,836 psi statically and 2,184 psi dynamically.
This high overbalance was the reason of the previous differentially stuck pipes.
The only way to reduce this high overbalance was be starting with less mud weight, creating less
equivalent circulation density. So, it was decided to start drilling Formation-9 with balanced mud weight of
12.8 ppg (equivalent to the pore pressure) instead of the conventional mud eight of 13.6 ppg. This reduction
in mud weight reduced the overbalance by 375 psi or 21% comparing to conventional mud weight (13.6
ppg). Figure 1 illustrate the differences between the MPD mud weight (12.8 ppg) and the conventional mud
weight.

Figure 1—Well-A MPD Hydraulic Modeling with MPD mud weight comparing to Conventional Mud Weight.

Another case was prepared with a second MPD mud weight of 12.0 ppg to be used in case of Fromation-7
has less pore pressure than the prognosed one. Which would reduce differential pressure by 925 psi or 58%.
The MPD second role was to ensure that if Fromation-7 pressure was higher than the prognosis, is detect
and control immediately and to determine the new formation pore pressure.
4 SPE-197273-MS

Table 1—Well-A formations pore pressure and drilling mud weights.

The MPD strategy can be summarized by:

• Drill with MPD in early kick detection and control mode with 12.8 ppg MW (96pcf) & 500gpm.

• Perform shoe bond test 0.65psi/ft.

• Set anchor point for constant bottom hole pressure (CBHP) at Fromation-7 and continue drilling
at CBHP mode.
• Verify the formation pressure with a pore pressure test for Formation-9 to reduce the MW – 12 ppg
(90pcf) to drill ahead to TD with low overbalance.
• Once Fromation-7 formation is penetrated ensure CBHP connections are performed by applying
SBP to compensate for loss of annular friction pressure ranging between 250
• psi(at shoe) – 350psi (at TD).

• Perform Dynamic pore pressure test at TD to ascertain latest pore pressure.

• Perform Dynamic FIT to KMW (if applicable)

• Displace well to a kill mud or balance state using heavy pill inside casing.

ECD management Plan

The Equivalent Circulation Density (ECD) management plan summarized the MPD strategy and shows
how much MPD pressure should be applied in each drilling or connection operations.

Table 2—MPD ECD management plan for the 8 1/″ hole section of Well-A
SPE-197273-MS 5

MPD Well Control Matrix

The proper application of MPD techniques requires the surface pressure to be maintained within the Safe
Working Pressure ratings. If the MPD equipment is compromised in service and is not able to safely handle
the returning well fluids, then the rig's well control equipment must be engaged to allow for continued
dynamic annular pressure control conditions.
Manageable wellhead pressures must be determined to ensure continuous and safe drilling operations.
The Well Control Matrix defines the well control interface between MPD Operations and Conventional
Well Control, defining limitations for MPD regarding well control issues.

• A risk-based approach to the design of the well control matrix is required and must be based on:

• Pressure rating on the flow control equipment: RCD, MPD choke manifold and primary flow line.

MPD casing design limits – MAASP as a function of the planned mud density.
The maximum allowable casing pressure is the limiting factor in this case due to the narrow window
between the pore pressure and fracture pressure.
The IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors) defines the Well Control Matrix,
represented in the below table; as an interface to MPD operations, establishing the actions required to be
taken following a deviation from the original plan that presents an imminent hazard. Well Control events
may occur when the returning flow parameters enter the RED shaded areas of the Matrix, or when the failure
of any part of the MPD equipment either presents an imminent hazard to the personnel, environment, and
equipment or prevents the continuation of safe MPD.

Figure 2—Well-A MPD Well Control Matrix.

On Well-A, the x-axis of the well control matrix is determined by the RCD pressure rating, the maximum
pressure rating of the RCD was 1,250 psi, if the surface pressure goes beyond 1,250 psi the well control
operations must be switched to the rig equipment and BOP shut is activated. The normal operating are
(green) was chosen to be less than 1,000 psi surface pressure during drilling and connection. Between 1,000
psi and 1,250 psi, work to be done to reduce the surface pressure by increasing the bottom hole pressure
i.e. increasing pump rate, increase mud weights.
The maximum influx size to be taken before activating rig's well control procedures was chosen to be less
than 5 Bbl. The MPD system is capable of detecting and controlling influxes before they reach 1 Bbl volume
6 SPE-197273-MS

Tripping
Before tripping the MPD system would determine the final pore pressure of Fromation-7 and make sure
by Dynamic Pore Pressure Test (DPPT) and its fracture pressure by the Dynamic Formation Integrity Test
(DFIT). Displace the well to kill mud as determined by DPPT and DFIT, then conduct a flow check to make
sure the well is balanced.
At any time, Dynamic Flow Check is possible by circulating across the well head while applying pressure
to make sure the well is balance without sacrificing the required surface back pressure applied on the well.
Stripping out of the hole through the RCD until the bit is inside the casing show, it was recommended
to apply pressure while stripping to counter swab effect. Once inside the show, another flow check to be
conducted to make sure the well is balance by mud weight hydrostatic pressure only before removing the
bearing assembly form the RCD bowl and continuing pulling out of the hole conventionally.

Running and cementing the 7″ Liner with MPD

The main driver behind using MPD for running the 7″ liner and cementing operations on well-A was to
give guarantee that although the mud weight in the hole is less than the prognosed mud weight, there is still
a mean to balance and control the well during running the liner in case the well flows.
After running the 7″ liner joints in hole, a crossover to drill pipe is required to install the bearing assembly
in the RCD bowl, then running the liner on drill pipe continues until the line hanger is set.
Cementing operations were planned with the MPD system as well, so the MPD system monitors any
signs of well flow and apply surface back pressure immediately to balance the well.
Although the possibility of having well flow after the DPPT, DFIT, displacing to kill mud weight and
the flow checks was very minimal, running the 7″ liner and cementing it with MPD was necessary as a
contingency and to give more guarantee to the field crews that the possibility of well control incidents is
very low.

MPD Equipment
To meet the planned objectives of deploying MPD on Well-A, the operator drilling team and the MPD
services provider selected the below equipment.

Rotating Control Device.

The critical component of any MPD system—and the first line of defense for your wellbore—is the
rotating control device (RCD). RCDs create a closed-loop environment to contain and divert fluids and to
enable wellbore pressure management. The API 16C certified dual sealing element, RCD model 7875, was
deployment on the rig for Well-A MPD operations. Figure 1 details the RCD 7875 API specifications. For
well control operations, the RCD is capable of handling up to 3,000 psi at surface if the RPM is kept below
5 and no pipe movement conditions maintained.
It was the first to use marine series stackable RCD on land operation.

Fully Automated MPD Control System and Choke Manifold.

The MPD choke manifold and control system consists of hardware and software that are able to control the
bottom hole pressure at any depth by automatically controlling the surface back pressure. The automatic
choke is controlled by an intelligent control unit that sends opening and closing commands to a hydraulic
unit based on data gathered from the Coriolis flow meter, precise surface pressure sensors and information
development by the state-of-the-art control system. The MPD choke manifold provides automatic control
of surface back-pressure, stand pipe pressure, bottom hole and annular pressure, as well as early kick and
loss detection, automatic kick control and circulation, and automatic kill weight mud circulation.
SPE-197273-MS 7

Figure 3—MPD equipment setup on Well-A

Results and conclusion

• Despite being the first MPD operation in the field and on the, the MPD operations took place with
efficiently with zero harm to people, assets and environment.
• The MPD approach enables drilling the 8 ½″ hole section of well-A across formation 1-11 with
mud weight of 12.8 instead of 13.6 ppg. Significantly reducing the dynamic differential pressure by
443 psi and statically by 375 psi, 21% of the conventionally differential pressure across Formation
7 and 9.
• Although no differential stuck pipe events were experienced while drilling the 8 ½″ to TD, while
wiper tripping the sting got stuck differentially. Diesel was pumped but did not help to free the
pipe. The solution was dropping the mud weight to 12.0 ppg, cutting the differential pressure
between Formation 7 and Formation 9 to only 400 psi. Interestingly, the well remained balanced
and Formation 7 did not flow as feared. The sting got free.
• Probably the main take away from the MPD deployment on Well-A is that the formations pore
pressure prognosis are in most cases overestimated and needs verification. This overestimated
make the mud eight higher and makes drilling problems losses, loss/kick, slow ROP and differential
stuck pipe self-inflicted by the operator.
• The entire 8 ½″ hole section, 2,270 ft, was drilled by a single RCD sealing assembly. No RCD leaks
occurred. The RCD bearing was changed only before wiper tripping as precautionary measure.
• The concept of verifying the formation pore pressure prognosis by MPD offers a great value
to the operator drilling operations across all its fields. Drilling problems like losses, loss/kick
and differential stuck pipe can be mitigated completely by MPD especially in fields where
pressure maintenance program are implemented by water injections. Moreover, hole sections
drilled across multiple formations having depletion and high-pressure zone could benefit from this
MPD approach too.
• The fact that 11 formations in one section were drilled with an MPD mud weight less than the
conventional drilling mud weight by almost 12% can be used in drilling the reservoirs sections
to reduce formation damage significantly by minimizing the mud filtrate invasion in the reservoir
especially in the heel section of the well as it is exposed longer to the drilling fluid.
8 SPE-197273-MS

• The successful implementation of MPD to run, set and cement the 7″ liner for the first time in
the operator's fields opens the door for a wider implementation for managed pressure cementing
(MPC) to enhance the efficiency of the cementing operations by managing the downhole pressure
while cementing.

Acknowledgments
The authors wish to extend their appreciation to the management of Abu-Dhabi National Oil Company
(ADNOC) and Weatherford International Ltd. for their permission and the resources needed to publish this
paper. The authors also thank the many individuals within ADNOC and Weatherford who have contributed
to the success of this work.

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