Integrating MPD into HPHT Well Planning
Authors
Michael Cadd | Lewis Steven | Robert Graham (Shell UK Ltd) | Fedderik van der Bos (Nederlandse Aardolie) | B. V Maatschappij (Blade Energy Partners) | Craig Leggett (Blade Energy Partners) | Emil Stoian (Weatherford UK)
Publisher
SPE - Society of Petroleum Engineers
Publication Date
November 13, 2017
Source
Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, 13-16 November , Abu Dhabi, UAE
Paper ID
SPE-188335-MS
Abstract
Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is an increasingly common technique in narrow margin HPHT wells. However, MPD is sometimes viewed as a 'bolt-on' technology, only added after much of the planning work has been carried out and all other alternatives have been exhausted. By this stage key aspects of the well design are already fixed and major benefits of MPD can therefore be missed. The decision to use MPD should be made at the earliest stage of well planning, not on the basis of having no remaining alternatives, but by understanding the value that MPD can bring to the project. By doing this, MPD can be fully integrated into the well design, rig specification, procedures and training. This paper describes how an early commitment to integrate MPD into an HPHT drilling operation can make MPD more than just an enabling tool, and turn it into a performance tool that offers significant operational benefits.