Proactive Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) Minimizes Fluid Losses and Avoids Deferred Production in Active Waterflooded Field in Colombia
Published: 06/17/2015
Proactive Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) Minimizes Fluid Losses and Avoids Deferred Production in Active Waterflooded Field in Colombia
Published: 06/17/2015
Challenges of an active water-flooded field
The complex interlaying sand structure and the nature of the water injection technique create numerous challenges when trying to conventionally drill these wells. Typically, more than six injector wells must be shut down several days in advance to minimize drilling problems, and they must remain shut down until drilling and completion is finished. Deferred production was identified as more than 4,000 bbls per well when drilled conventionally. Over the past few years, the client had tested various drilling techniques and technologies to eliminate the need to shut down injector wells while drilling new wells; however, they were never successful.
MPD opens a new window for safer and more efficient drilling
MPD well candidates were selected based on the highest injection pressures and the most difficult drilling problems encountered in past wells. Wells were designed to proactively maintain BHP just above any formation pressure while drilling and during connections. Surface backpressure remained constant for the entire hole section in order to reach section TD with no influxes. Mud rollovers from light to weighted mud were performed following rollover schedules designed by the @balance Services MPD engineers with no losses or kicks observed. @balance Services MPD reduced NPT to 3.5 hours on all three wells with no effect on the field production.
Challenge:
- Drill into a water-flooded field without shutting in injectors to maintain field dynamics and productivity.
- Avoid NPT due to kicks and losses common during conventional drilling.
- Minimize formation damage by using light drilling fluid.
Solution: Implement single-phase MPD techniques in three wells.
Results:
- Proved to be the most efficient and safest technology to drill new wells in this brownfield without affecting field productivity.
- Saved the client USD 100,000 per well.
- Increased well production due to low skin damage.
- Avoided well control incidents and increased safety for drilling and completion operations.
