Managed Pressure

Drilling

* The hydrostatic pressure exerted by the well is

designed to exceed the pressure of the

hydrocarbon fluid in the reservoir.
* Since the pressure in the hole is higher than the
pressure in the rock, fluid and fines are lost to the
formation.
* These losses cause damage to the near wellbore
area resulting in reduced production
* Even a short exposure to overbalanced conditions
can severely impair the productivity of a well

Conventional Drilling

* MPD process employs a collection of tools and techniques

which may mitigate the risks and costs associated with

drilling wells that have narrow downhole environmental
limits, by proactively managing the annular hydraulic
pressure profile.
* MPD may include control of backpressure, fluid density,
fluid rheology, annular fluid level, circulating friction, and
hole geometry, or combinations thereof.
* MPD may allow faster corrective action to deal with
observed pressure variations. The ability to dynamically
control annular pressures facilitates drilling of what might
otherwise be economically unattainable prospects.

Managed Pressure
Drilling

* The hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid is

designed to be less than the reservoir pressure,

meaning there is a continuous flow of
hydrocarbons into the well during the drilling
process
* Under these conditions, no near wellbore
damage occurs and the wells ultimate
production is not impaired

Underbalanced Drilling

1.
2.
3.
4.

HSE or Returns Flow Control (RFC)

Constant Bottom Hole Pressure (CBHP)
Dual Gradient (DG)
Pressurized Mud Cap Drilling (PMCD)

Managed Pressure
Drilling

* Diverts flow away from rig floor, avoids closing

the BOP
* Allows pipe movement whilst killing the well

Returns Flow Control

* Surface pressure applied to maintain bottom

hole pressure
* Well closed in on connections ECD
compensated
* Eliminate kick/loss cycles when a formations
fracture gradient approximates its pore
pressure a common scenario on deep wells.

Constant Bottom Hole

Pressure (CBHP)

* Two fluid gradients used to control the well

mainly associated with deepwater

* Reduce the risk of formation damage and
related fluid losses when drilling in deep
formations with low-fracture gradients, while
eliminating the need to change mud density.

Dual Gradient (DG)

* Sacrificial fluid used to drill Cap fluid to

maintain well control

* Minimize mud losses and associated NPT when
drilling in highly depleted zones or formations
with large voids, such as caverns.

Pressurized Mud Cap

Drilling (PMCD)