EP1488073B2 - Dynamic annular pressure control apparatus and method - Google Patents

Dynamic annular pressure control apparatus and method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1488073B2
EP1488073B2 EP03742832A EP03742832A EP1488073B2 EP 1488073 B2 EP1488073 B2 EP 1488073B2 EP 03742832 A EP03742832 A EP 03742832A EP 03742832 A EP03742832 A EP 03742832A EP 1488073 B2 EP1488073 B2 EP 1488073B2
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fluid
pressure
drilling
backpressure
drill string
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French (fr)
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EP1488073B1 (en
EP1488073A1 (en
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Egbert Jan Van Riet
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?balance Bv
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B44/00—Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/08—Controlling or monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid, e.g. automatic filling of boreholes, automatic control of bottom pressure
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/10—Valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems
    • E21B21/106—Valve arrangements outside the borehole, e.g. kelly valves

Definitions

  • the present method and apparatus are related to a method for dynamic well borehole annular pressure control, more specifically, a selectively closed-loop, pressurized method for controlling borehole pressure during drilling and other well completion operations.
  • drilling rig In its simplest form, this constitutes a land-based drilling rig that is used to support a drill bit mounted on the end of drill string, comprised of a series of drill tubulars.
  • a fluid comprised of a base fluid, typically water or oil, and various additives are pumped down the drill string, and exits through the rotating drill bit. The fluid then circulates back up the annulus formed between the borehole wall and the drill bit, taking with it the cuttings from the drill bit and clearing the borehole.
  • the fluid is also selected such that the hydrostatic pressure applied by the fluid is greater than surrounding formation pressure, thereby preventing formation fluids from entering into the borehole. It also causes the fluid to enter into the formation pores, or "invade” the formation. Further, some of the additives from the pressurized fluid adhere to the formation walls forming a "mud cake” on the formation walls. This mud cake helps to preserve and protect the formation prior to the setting of casing in the drilling process, as will be discussed further below.
  • the selection of fluid pressure in excess of formation pressure is commonly referred to as over balanced drilling.
  • the fluid then returns to the surface, where it is bled off into a mud system, generally comprised of a shaker table, to remove solids, a mud pit and a manual or automatic means for addition of various chemicals or additives to the returned fluid.
  • a mud system generally comprised of a shaker table, to remove solids, a mud pit and a manual or automatic means for addition of various chemicals or additives to the returned fluid.
  • the clean, returned fluid flow is measured to determine fluid losses to the formation as a result of fluid invasion.
  • the returned solids and fluid may be studied to determine various formation characteristics used in drilling operations.
  • This overbalanced technique is the most commonly used fluid pressure control method. It relies primarily on the fluid density and hydrostatic force generated by the column of fluid in the annulus to generate pressure. By exceeding the formation pore pressure, the fluid is used to prevent sudden releases of formation fluid to the borehole, such as gas kicks. Where such gas kicks occur, the density of the fluid may be increased to prevent further formation fluid release to the borehole.
  • the addition of weighting additives to increase fluid density (a) may not be rapid enough to deal with the formation fluid release and (b) may exceed the formation fracture pressure, resulting in the creation of fissures or fractures in the formation, with resultant fluid loss to the formation, possibly adversely affecting near borehole permeability.
  • the operator may elect to close the blow out preventors (BOP) below the drilling rig floor to control the movement of the gas up the annulus. The gas is bled off and the fluid density is increased prior to resuming drilling operations.
  • BOP blow out preventors
  • overbalanced drilling also affects the selection of casing during drilling operations.
  • the drilling process starts with a conductor pipe being driven into the ground, a BOP stack attached to the drilling conductor, with the drill rig positioned above the BOP stack.
  • a drill string with a drill bit may be selectively rotated by rotating the entire string using the rig kelly or a top drive, or may be rotated independent of the drill string utilizing drilling fluid powered mechanical motors installed in the drill string above the drill bit.
  • an operator may drill open hole for a period until such time as the accumulated fluid pressure at a calculated depth nears that of the formation fracture pressure. At that time, it is common practice to insert and hang a casing string in the borehole from the surface down to the calculated depth.
  • a cementing shoe is placed on the drill string and specialized cement is injected into the drill string, to travel up the annulus and displace any fluid then in the annulus.
  • the cement between the formation wall and the outside of the casing effectively supports and isolates the formation from the well bore annulus and further open hole drilling is carried out below the casing string, with the fluid again providing pressure control and formation protection.
  • Fig. 1 is an exemplary diagram of the use of fluids during the drilling process in an intermediate borehole section.
  • the top horizontal bar represents the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the drilling fluid and the vertical bar represents the total vertical depth of the borehole.
  • the formation pore pressure graph is represented by line 10. As noted above, in an over balanced situation, the fluid pressure exceeds the formation pore pressure for reasons of pressure control and hole stability.
  • Line 12 represents the formation fracture pressure. Pressures in excess of the formation fracture pressure will result in the fluid pressurizing the formation walls to the extent that small cracks or fractures will open in the borehole wall and the fluid pressure overcomes the formation pressure with significant fluid invasion. Fluid invasion can result in reduced permeability, adversely affecting formation production.
  • the annular pressure generated by the fluid and its additives is represented by line 14 and is a linear function of the total vertical depth.
  • the pure hydrostatic pressure that would be generated by the fluid, less additives, i.e., water, is represented by line 16.
  • the annular pressure seen in the borehole is a linear function of the borehole fluid. This is true only where the fluid is at a static density. While the fluid density may be modified during drilling operations, the resulting pressure annular pressure is generally linear.
  • the hydrostatic pressure 16 and the pore pressure 10 generally track each other in the intermediate section to a depth of approximately 7000 feet. Thereafter, the pore pressure 10 increases in the interval from a depth of 7000 feet to approximately 9300 feet. This may occur where the borehole penetrates a formation interval having significantly different characteristics than the prior formation.
  • the annular pressure 14 maintained by the fluid 14 is safely above the pore pressure prior to 7000 feet.
  • the differential between the pore pressure 10 and annular pressure 14 is significantly reduced, decreasing the margin of safety during operations.
  • a gas kick in this interval may result in the pore pressure exceeding the annular pressure with a release of fluid and gas into the borehole, possibly requiring activation of the surface BOP stack.
  • additional weighting material may be added to the fluid, it will be generally ineffective in dealing with a gas kick due to the time required to increase the fluid density as seen in the borehole.
  • Fluid circulation itself also creates problems in an open system. It will be appreciated that it is necessary to shut off the mud pumps in order to make up successive drill pipe joints. When the pumps are shut off, the annular pressure will undergo a negative spike that dissipates as the annular pressure stabilizes. Similarly, when the pumps are turned back on, the annular pressure will undergo a positive spike. This occurs each time a pipe joint is added to or removed from the string. It will be appreciated that these spikes can cause fatigue on the borehole cake and could result in formation fluids entering the borehole, again leading to a well control event.
  • WO-A-0250398 discloses a system for drilling of wells whereby drilling fluid is pumped down a drill string and up an annular space formed between the drill string and the wellbore wall, the annular space being closed at its upper end by a pressure containment device.
  • the drilling fluid is discharged from the annular space via a pipe provided with a flow/pressure control device controlled by a central data acquisition and control system that is programmed to detect a real time discrepancy between predicted and monitored flow-out and to control the flow/pressure control device to maintain a desired backpressure in the well.
  • WO-A-0079092 discloses a system for controlling formation pressure during the drilling of a subterranean formation, comprising a drill string extending into a borehole, the drill string including a bottom hole assembly comprising a drill bit, a primary pump for selectively pumping a drilling fluid from a drilling fluid source, through said drill string, out said drill bit and into an annular space created as said drill string penetrates the formation, a fluid discharge conduit in fluid communication with said annular space for discharging said drilling fluid to a reservoir to clean said drilling fluid for reuse, and a fluid backpressure system connected to said fluid discharge conduit; said fluid backpressure system comprised of a fluid choke, a backpressure pump, and a fluid source, whereby said backpressure pump may be selectively activated to increase annular space drilling fluid pressure.
  • the present invention is directed to a closed loop, overbalanced drilling system having a variable overbalance pressure capability.
  • the present invention further utilizes information related to the wellbore, drill rig and drilling fluid as inputs to a model to predict downhole pressure.
  • the predicted downhole pressure is then compared to a desired downhole pressure and the differential is utilized to control a backpressure system.
  • the present invention further utilizes actual downhole pressure to calibrate the model and modify input parameters to more closely correlate predicted downhole pressures to measured downhole pressures.
  • the system according to the invention is defined by claim 1.
  • the present invention is capable of modifying annular pressure during circulation by the addition of backpressure, thereby increasing the annular pressure without the addition of weighting additives to the fluid. It will be appreciated that the use of backpressure to increase annular pressure is more responsive to sudden changes in formation pore pressure.
  • the present invention is capable of maintaining constant annular pressure during primary pump shut down when drill pipe is being added to or removed from the string. By maintaining pressure in the annulus, the mud cake build up on the formation wall is maintained and does not see sudden spikes or drops in annular pressure.
  • the present invention utilizes an accurate mass-balance flow meter that permits accurate determination of fluid gains or losses in the system, permitting the operator to better manage the fluids involve in the operation.
  • the present invention includes automated sensors to determine annular pressure, flow, and with depth information, can be used to predict pore pressure, allowing the present invention to increase annular pressure in advance of drilling through the section in question.
  • the present invention is intended to achieve Dynamic Annulus Pressure Control (DAPC) of a well bore during drilling and intervention operations.
  • DAPC Dynamic Annulus Pressure Control
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view depicting a surface drilling system employing the current invention. It will be appreciated that an offshore drilling system may likewise employ the current invention.
  • the drilling system 100 is shown as being comprised of a drilling rig 102 that is used to support drilling operations. Many of the components used on a rig 102, such as the kelly, power tongs, slips, draw works and other equipment are not shown for ease of depiction.
  • the rig 102 is used to support drilling and exploration operations in formation 104.
  • the borehole 106 has already been partially drilled, casing 108 set and cemented 109 into place.
  • a casing shutoff mechanism, or downhole deployment valve, 110 is installed in the casing 108 to optionally shutoff the annulus and effectively act as a valve to shut off the open hole section when the bit is located above the valve.
  • the drill string 112 supports a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 113 that includes a drill bit 120, a mud motor 118, a MWD/LWD sensor suite 119, including a pressure transducer 116 to determine the annular pressure, a check valve, to prevent backflow of fluid from the annulus. It also includes a telemetry package 122 that is used to transmit pressure, MWD/LWD as well as drilling information to be received at the surface While Fig. 2A illustrates a BHA utilizing a mud telemetry system, it will be appreciated that other telemetry systems, such as radio frequency (RF), electromagnetic (EM) or drilling string transmission systems may be employed within the present invention.
  • RF radio frequency
  • EM electromagnetic
  • the drilling process requires the use of a drilling fluid 150, which is stored in reservoir 136.
  • the reservoir 136 is in fluid communications with one or more mud pumps 138 which pump the drilling fluid 150 through conduit 140.
  • the conduit 140 is connected to the last joint of the drill string 112 that passes through a rotating or spherical BOP 142.
  • a rotating BOP 142 when activated, forces spherical shaped elastomeric elements to rotate upwardly, closing around the drill string 112, isolating the pressure, but still permitting drill string rotation.
  • Commercially available spherical BOPs such as those manufactured by Varco International, are capable of isolating annular pressures up to 10,000 psi (68947.6 kPa).
  • the fluid 150 is pumped down through the drill string 112 and the BHA 113 and exits the drill bit 120, where it circulates the cuttings away from the bit 120 and returns them up the open hole annulus 115 and then the annulus formed between the casing 108 and the drill string 112.
  • the fluid 150 returns to the surface and goes through diverter 117, through conduit 124 and various surge tanks and telemetry systems (not shown).
  • the fluid 150 proceeds to what is generally referred to as the backpressure system 131.
  • the fluid 150 enters the backpressure system 131 and flows through a flow meter 126.
  • the flow meter 126 may be a mass-balance type or other high-resolution flow meter. Utilizing the flow meter 126, an operator will be able to determine how much fluid 150 has been pumped into the well through drill string 112 and the amount of fluid 150 returning from the well. Based on differences in the amount of fluid 150 pumped versus fluid 150 returned, the operator is be able to determine whether fluid 150 is being lost to the formation 104, which may indicate that formation fracturing has occurred, i.e., a significant negative fluid differential. Likewise, a significant positive differential would be indicative of formation fluid entering into the well bore.
  • the fluid 150 proceeds to a wear resistant choke 130. It will be appreciated that there exist chokes designed to operate in an environment where the drilling fluid 150 contains substantial drill cuttings and other solids. Choke 130 is one such type and is further capable of operating at variable pressures and through multiple duty cycles.
  • the fluid 150 exits the choke 130 and flows through valve 121.
  • the fluid 150 is then processed by an optional degasser 1 and by a series of filters and shaker table 129, designed to remove contaminates, including cuttings, from the fluid 150.
  • the fluid 150 is then returned to reservoir 136.
  • a flow loop 119A is provided in advance of valve 125 for feeding fluid 150 directly a backpressure pump 128.
  • the backpressure pump 128 may be provided with fluid from the reservoir through conduit 119B, which is fluid communications with the reservoir 1 (trip tank).
  • the trip tank is normally used on a rig to monitor fluid gains and losses during tripping operations. In the this invention, this functionality is maintained.
  • a three-way valve 125 may be used to select loop 119A, conduit 119B or isolate the backpressure system.
  • backpressure pump 128 is capable of utilizing returned fluid to create a backpressure by selection of flow loop 119A, it will be appreciated that the returned fluid could have contaminates that have not been removed by filter/shaker table 129. As such, the wear on backpressure pump 128 may be increased. As such, the preferred fluid supply to create a backpressure would be to use conduit 119A to provide reconditioned fluid to backpressure pump 128.
  • valve 125 would select either conduit 119A or conduit 119B, and the backpressure pump 128 engaged to ensure sufficient flow passes the choke system to be able to maintain backpressure, even when there is no flow coming from the annulus 115.
  • the backpressure pump 128 is capable of providing up to approximately 2200 psi (15168.5 kPa) of backpressure; though higher pressure capability pumps may be selected.
  • the ability to provide backpressure is a significant improvement over normal fluid control systems.
  • the pressure in the annulus provided by the fluid is a function of its density and the true vertical depth and is generally a by approximation linear function.
  • additives added to the fluid in reservoir 136 must be pumped downhole to eventually change the pressure gradient applied by the fluid 150.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a flow meter 152 in conduit 100 to measure the amount of fluid being pumped downhole. It will be appreciated that by monitoring flow meters 126, 152 and the volume pumped by the backpressure pump 128, the system is readily able to determine the amount of fluid 150 being lost to the formation, or conversely, the amount of formation fluid leaking to the borehole 106. Further included in the present invention is a system for monitoring well pressure conditions and predicting borehole 106 and annulus 115 pressure characteristics.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the pressure monitoring system 146 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • System inputs to the monitoring system 146 include the downhole pressure 202 that has been measured by sensor package119, transmitted by MWD pulser package 122 and received by transducer equipment (not shown) on the surface.
  • Other system inputs include pump pressure 200, input flow 204 from flow meter 152, penetration rate and string rotation rate, as well as weight on bit (WOB) and torque on bit (TOB) that may be transmitted from the BHA 113 up the annulus as a pressure pulse.
  • Return flow is measured using flow meter 126.
  • Signals representative of the data inputs are transmitted to a control unit 230, which is it self comprised of a drill rig control unit 232, a drilling operator's station 234, a DAPC processor 236 and a back pressure programmable logic controller (PLC) 238, all of which are connected by a common data network 240.
  • the DAPC processor 236 serves three functions, monitoring the state of the borehole pressure during drilling operations, predicting borehole response to continued drilling, and issuing commands to the, backpressure PLC to control the variable choke 130 and backpressure pump 128. The specific logic associated with the DAPC processor 236 will be discussed further below.
  • the DAPC processor 236 includes programming to carry out Control functions and Real Time Model Calibration functions.
  • the DAPC processor receives data from various sources and continuously calculates in real time the correct backpressure set-point based on the input parameters.
  • the set-point is then transferred to the programmable logic controller 238, which generates the control signals for backpressure pump 128.
  • the input parameters fall into three main groups.
  • the first are relatively fixed parameters 250, including parameters such as well and casing string geometry, drill bit nozzle diameters, and well trajectory. While it is recognized that the actual well trajectory may vary from the planned trajectory, the variance may be taken into account with a correction to the planned trajectory.
  • temperature profile of the fluid in the annulus and the fluid composition are generally known and do not change over the course of the drilling operations.
  • one objective is keeping the fluid 150 density and composition relatively constant, using backpressure to provide the additional pressure to control the annulus pressure.
  • the second group of parameters 252 are variable in nature and are sensed and logged in real time.
  • the common data network 240 provides this information to the DAPC processor 236.
  • This information includes flow rate data provided by both downhole and return flow meters 152 and 126, respectively, the drill string rate of penetration (ROP) or velocity, the drill string rotational speed, the bit depth, and the well depth, the latter two being derived from rig sensor data.
  • the last parameter is the downhole pressure data 254 that is provided by the downhole MWD/LWD sensor suite 119 and transmitted back up the annulus by the mud pulse telemetry package 122.
  • One other input parameters is the set-point downhole pressure 256, the desired annulus pressure.
  • the functionally the control module 258 attempts to calculate the pressure in the annulus over its fill well bore length utilizing various models designed for various formation and fluid parameters.
  • the pressure in the well bore is a function not only of the pressure or weight of the fluid column in the well, but includes the pressures caused by drilling operations, including fluid displacement by the drill string, frictional losses returning up the annulus, and other factors.
  • the control module 258 considers the well as a finite number of segments, each assigned to a segment of well bore length. In each of the segments the dynamic pressure and the fluid weight is calculated and used to determine the pressure differential 262 for the segment. The segments are summed and the pressure differential for the entire well profile is determined.
  • the flow rate of the fluid 150 being pumped downhole is proportional to the flow velocity of fluid 150 and may be used to determine dynamic pressure loss as the fluid is being pumped downhole.
  • the fluid 150 density is calculated in each segment, taking into account the fluid compressibility, estimated cutting loading and the thermal expansion of the fluid for the specified segment, which is itself related to the temperature profile for that segment of the well.
  • the fluid viscosity at the temperature profile for the segment is also instrumental in determining dynamic pressure losses for the segment.
  • the composition of the fluid is also considered in determining compressibility and the thermal expansion coefficient.
  • the drill string ROP is related to the surge and swab pressures encountered during drilling operations as the drill string is moved into or out of the borehole.
  • the drill string rotation is also used to determine dynamic pressures, as it creates a frictional force between the fluid in the annulus and the drill string.
  • the bit depth, well depth, and well/string geometry are all used to help create the borehole segments to be modeled.
  • the preferred embodiment considers not only the hydrostatic pressure exerted by fluid 150 , but also the fluid compression, fluid thermal expansion and the cuttings loading of the fluid seen during operations. It will be appreciated that the cuttings loading can be determined as the fluid is returned to the surface and reconditioned for further use. All of these factors go into calculation of the "static pressure".
  • Dynamic pressure considers many of the same factors in determining static pressure. However, it further considers a number of other factors. Among them is the concept of laminar versus turbulent flow. The flow characteristics are a function of the estimated roughness, hole size and the flow velocity of the fluid. The calculation also considers the specific geometry for the segment in question. This would include borehole eccentricity and specific drill pipe geometry (box/pin upsets) that affect the flow velocity seen in the borehole annulus. The dynamic pressure calculation further includes cuttings accumulation downhole, as well as fluid rheology and the drill string movement's (penetration and rotation) effect on dynamic pressure of the fluid.
  • the pressure differential 262 for the entire annulus is calculated and compared to the set-point pressure 251 in the control module 264.
  • the desired backpressure 266 is then determined and passed on to programmable logic controller 238, which generates control signals for the backpressure pump 128.
  • downhole pressure utilized several downhole parameters, including downhole pressure and estimates of fluid viscosity and fluid density. These parameters are determined downhole and transmitted up the mud column using pressure pulses. Because the data bandwidth for mud pulse telemetry is very low and the bandwidth is used by other MWD/LWD functions, as well as drill string control functions, downhole pressure, fluid density and viscosity can not be input to the DAPC model on a real time basis. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that there is likely to be a difference between the measured downhole pressure, when transmitted up to the surface, and the predicted downhole pressure for that depth. When such occurs the DAPC system computes adjustments to the parameters and implements them in the model to make a new best estimate of downhole pressure.
  • the corrections to the model may be made by varying any of the variable parameters.
  • the fluid density and the fluid viscosity are modified in order to correct the predicted downhole pressure.
  • the actual downhole pressure measurement is used only to calibrate the calculated downhole pressure. It is not utilized to predict downhole annular pressure response. If downhole telemetry bandwidth increases, it may then be practical to include real time downhole pressure and temperature information to correct the model.
  • the DAPC control system 236 further operates to index the inputs such that real time inputs properly correlate with delayed downhole transmitted inputs.
  • the rig sensor inputs, calculated pressure differential and backpressure pressures, as well as the downhole measurements, may be "time-stamped” or "depth-stamped” such that the inputs and results may be properly correlated with later received downhole data. Utilizing a regression analysis based on a set of recently time-stamped actual pressure measurements, the model may be adjusted to more accurately predict actual pressure and the required backpressure.
  • Figure 5 depicts the operation of the DAPC control system demonstrating an uncalibrated DAPC model.
  • PWD downhole pressure while drilling
  • the DAPC predicted pressure 404 is significantly less when compared to the non-time shifted PWD 400.
  • the DAPC predicted pressure differs significantly.
  • this differential is addressed by modifying the model inputs for fluid 150 density and viscosity. Based on the new estimates, in Fig. 6 , the DAPC predicted pressure 404 more closely tracks the time stamped PWD 402.
  • the DAPC model uses the PWD to calibrate the predicted pressure and modify model inputs to more accurately predict downhole pressure throughout the entire borehole profile.
  • the DAPC control system 236 will calculate the required backpressure level 266 and transmit it to the programmable logic controller 240.
  • the programmable controller 240 then generates the necessary control signals to choke 130, valves 121 and 123, and backpressure pump 128.
  • the advantage in utilizing the DAPC backpressure system may be readily in the chart of Fig. 7 .
  • the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid is depicted in line 302.
  • P the pressure
  • ⁇ the fluid density
  • TVD the total vertical depth of the well
  • C the backpressure.
  • the density is that of water.
  • the backpressure C is zero.
  • the fluid is weighted, thereby increasing the pressure applied as the depth increases.
  • the pore pressure profile 300 can be seen in Fig.
  • the use of the DAPC permits an operator to make essentially step changes in the annular pressure.
  • Multiple DAPC pressure lines 304, 306, 308 and 310 are depicted in Fig. 7 .
  • the back pressure C may be increased to step change the annular pressure from 304 to 306 to 308 to 310 in response to increasing pore pressure 300b, in contrast with normal annular pressure techniques as depicted in line 303.
  • the DAPC concept further offers the advantage of being able to decrease the back pressure in response to a decrease in pore pressure as seen in 300c.
  • the difference between the DAPC maintained annular pressure 310 and the pore pressure 300c, known as the overbalance pressure, is significantly less than the overbalance pressure seen using conventional annular pressure control methods 303.
  • Highly overbalanced conditions can adversely affect the formation permeability be forcing greater amounts of borehole fluid into the formation.
  • Figure 8 is a graph depicting one application of the DAPC system in an At Balance Drilling (ABD) environment.
  • the situation in Fig. 8 depicts the pore pressure in an interval 320a as being fairly linear until approximately 2 km TVD, and as being kept in check by conventional annular pressure 321a.
  • a sudden increase in pore pressure occurs at 320b.
  • the answer would be to increase the fluid density to prevent formation fluid influx and sloughing off of the borehole mud cake.
  • the resulting increase in density modifies the pressure profile applied by the fluid to 321b. However, in doing so it dramatically increases the overbalance pressure, not only in region 320c, but in region 320a as well.
  • the alternative response to the pressure increase seen at 320b would be to apply backpressure to the fluid to shift the pressure profile to the right, such that pressure profile 322 more closely matches the pore pressure 320c, as opposed to pressure profile 321b.
  • the DAPC method of pressure control may also be used to control a major well event, such as a fluid influx.
  • a major well event such as a fluid influx.
  • the only option was to close the BOPs to effectively to shut in the well, relieve pressure through the choke and kill manifold, and weight up the drilling fluid to provide additional annular pressure. This technique requires time to bring the well under control.
  • An alternative method is sometimes called the "Driller's" method, which utilizes continuous circulation without shutting in the well.
  • a supply of heavily weighted fluid e.g., 18 pounds per gallon (ppg) (3.157 kg/l) is constantly available during drilling operations below any set casing.
  • the backpressure is increased, as opposed to adding heavily weighted fluid.
  • the circulation is continued. With the increase in pressure, the formation fluid influx goes into solution in the circulating fluid and is released via the choke manifold. Because the pressure has been increased, it is no longer necessary to immediately circulate a heavily weighted fluid. Moreover, since the backpressure is applied directly to the annulus, it quickly forces the formation fluid to go into solution, as opposed to waiting until the heavily weighted fluid is circulated into the annulus.
  • An additional application of the DAPC technique relates to its use in noncontinuous circulating systems.
  • continuous circulation systems are used to help stabilize the formation, avoiding the sudden pressure 502 drops that occurs when the mud pumps are turned off to make/break new pipe connections.
  • This pressure drop 502 is subsequently followed by a pressure spike 504 when the pumps are turned back on for drilling operations.
  • Fig. 9A These variations in annular pressure 500 can adversely affect the borehole mud cake, and can result in fluid invasion into the formation.
  • the DAPC system backpressure 506 may be applied to the annulus upon shutting off the mud pumps, ameliorating the sudden drop in annulus pressure from pump off condition to a more mild pressure drop 502.
  • the backpressure Prior to turning the pumps on, the backpressure may be reduced such that the pump on condition spike 504 is likewise reduced.
  • the DAPC backpressure system is capable of maintaining a relatively stable downhole pressure during drilling conditions.

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EP03742832A 2002-02-20 2003-02-19 Dynamic annular pressure control apparatus and method Expired - Lifetime EP1488073B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US35822602P 2002-02-20 2002-02-20
PCT/US2003/005012 WO2003071091A1 (en) 2002-02-20 2003-02-19 Dynamic annular pressure control apparatus and method
US358226P 2010-06-24

Publications (3)

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EP1488073A1 EP1488073A1 (en) 2004-12-22
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AU2003211155A1 (en) 2003-09-09
MXPA04008063A (es) 2005-06-20
AU2003211155B2 (en) 2008-04-17
AU2003211155B9 (en) 2008-06-05
CN100535380C (zh) 2009-09-02
OA12776A (en) 2006-07-06
EG23370A (en) 2005-02-28
EP1488073B1 (en) 2006-08-09
WO2003071091A9 (en) 2004-06-24
WO2003071091A1 (en) 2003-08-28
CA2477242A1 (en) 2003-08-28
RU2301319C2 (ru) 2007-06-20
RU2004127944A (ru) 2005-05-10
NO338967B1 (no) 2016-11-07
NO20043906L (no) 2004-11-17
CN1643233A (zh) 2005-07-20
EP1488073A1 (en) 2004-12-22
WO2003071091A8 (en) 2004-10-14
AR038529A1 (es) 2005-01-19
CA2477242C (en) 2011-05-24

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