深水海底泥浆举升钻井技术及其应用前景

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION PROSPECT OF DEEPWATER SUBSEA MUDLIFT DRILLING TECHNOLOGY

为了解决深水钻井中遇到的问题,由Conoco公司领导的工业联合项目组研发了海底泥浆举升钻井(以下简称SMD)技术。采用该技术进行深水钻井时,隔水管内充满海水,泥浆用小直径管线从海底返回,在返回环空中形成两个压力梯度,实现双梯度控压钻井。文中着重介绍了SMD的理论依据、系统工作原理、系统关键设备以及SMD井控程序的HAZOP分析等。从技术适用性、经济性、装备以及可能存在的风险等方面对该技术在南中国海钻井中使用的可行性进行研究,并展望其应用前景。

In order to solve the problems associated with deepwater drilling, a new technique known as “subsea mudlift drilling (SMD)”has been developed. Applying a relatively small diameter pipe as a mud return line from the sea floor instead of a large diameter marine riser. The scheme also balanced internal and external pressure at the seafloor by reducing the internal pressure to make a dual pressure gradient. This paper presents the basic principle, application, advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of SMD, the highlights of the history of the SMD joint industry project, HAZOP of well control procedures. Some subsea equipments, such as mudlift pump, sbubsea rotating diverter are introduced. Therefore, feasibility of the SMD system for deepwater drilling in the south China sea are analysed. Some suggestions about the technology application and research tendency in this field are also proposed.