Page 35: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Aug/Sep 2015)

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ENHANCING TECHNOLOGY THROUGH

ENGINEERING via two sealing elements. This

DESIGN & PRODUCT enhancement enables accurate

DEVELOPMENT measurement of fow-out parame- ters and provides protection for the rig personnel on the surface.

•

Automated MPD control mani- fold – Two fully automated drilling chokes, along with a Coriolis mass fowmeter and a hydraulic power unit, manipulate the choke posi- tion. For this operation, the choke manifold was spotted on the star- board side of the cantilever deck and was connected to the RCD with a 6in co-fex main fowline hose.

Throughout the drilling operation,

An automated MPD control system identifed a “gas at surface” event. This screenshot the MPD system software recorded shows an increase in fow out of the well (frst column) with a corresponding decrease critical real-time data, including in mud density (second column). the fow in and out of the well,

James Onifade is a fuid density, temperature and The MPD system was also used in project engineer volumetric fow rate. freeing a differentially stuck drillstring. respsonsible for

With the bearing assembly While drilling the 8.5in section with a planning, executing and installed in the RCD, an additional mud weight of 16.5ppg, the MPD system ensuring a safe and auxiliary line was put in place to ensure applied roughly 550psi SBP to maintain effcient application of that the trip tank could also be used for an ECD of 18ppg. After an unsuccess-

MPD technology. He fow-checking the well – allowing fow ful jarring operation, the MPD system holds a bachelor’s across the well, through the MPD mani- reduced the ECD below the formation degree in mechanical engineering, a fold fowmeter, and back to the trip tank. pore pressure in a matter of seconds. The string was freed and the induced infux master’s degree in mechanical engineering

Drilling operations was safely circulated out of the wellbore from the University of Portsmouth and a

Once tested and calibrated, the MPD in a controlled manner.

master’s degree in oil and gas engineering system was used to drill and enlarge The MPD system also provided early from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. four distinct hole sections, ranging from identifcation of pump washouts. By

He is a Chattered Engineer with the Institute 17.5in to 8.5in open hole sizes. Each hole monitoring fow out and using the loss of Mechanical Engineers IMechE. section presented unique challenges, detection capability of the Coriolis fow-

Yilmaz Kum has over including infux and loss events, the meter, pump washouts were correctly 12 years’ deepwater, need to maintain constant BHP during identifed before reductions in SPP were shallow water and land connections, and the placement of a even observed.

rig drilling operations heavy mud cap while stripping the drill-

Overview of MPD value experience as a drilling string out of hole and background gas

This case study demonstrates the suc- supervisor and from the formation. cessful incorporation of an MPD system engineer. He has

During operations, many of the innova- into an existing, older rig system with bachelor’s degree in tive MPD features helped alleviate adverse minimal disruption to rig operations and petroleum engineering from Istanbul conditions. For example, the annular equipment. The advanced equipment Technical University. Currently, he is an pressure control mode of MPD system capabilities of the MPD system included operations manager, responsible for drilling automatically displaced the heavy mud early detection of kick and loss, identifca- and completions in Iraq. cap at specifc depths, which maintained tion of surface gas events, placement and static overbalance when the drillstring displacement of heavy mud cap, dynamic Benhur Sahin has seven was out of the hole. An infux of water pore pressure and leakoff testing, and years of experience in into the wellbore was detected early maintaining constant BHP during drilling the oil and gas industry. enough to exercise the necessary control and connections. He has professional and safe stripping back to the bottom and experience in drilling to circulate the water out of the wellbore. Throughout the drilling process, the fuids and drilling

Also, the automated MPD system system provided clear trends and crucial engineering disciplines. clearly identifed a “gas at surface” event information that enhanced operational

He has a bachelor’s and eliminated the need to shut in the effciency and safety. Ultimately, the degree in petroleum engineering from the well altogether. Using conventional operator was able to drill effectively to

Istanbul Technical University, and is drilling methods, an increase in fow out the target depth, thanks to the proven currently studying for his master’s degree in could have been mistakenly interpreted ability of the MPD system to “walk the software engineering at Middle East as a kick, leading the driller to shut the line” between the pore and fracture pres-

Technical University.

well in unnecessarily. sure limits. [email protected] www.nylacast.com/offshore

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