To ensure safe drilling with narrow pressure margins in deepwater, a new deepwater dual-gradient drilling method based on downhole separation was designed. A laboratory experiment was conducted to verify the effective...To ensure safe drilling with narrow pressure margins in deepwater, a new deepwater dual-gradient drilling method based on downhole separation was designed. A laboratory experiment was conducted to verify the effectiveness of downhole separation and the feasibility of realizing dual-gradient in wellbore. The calculation of dynamic wellbore pressure during drilling was conducted. Then, an optimization model for drilling parameters was established for this drilling method, including separator position, separation efficiency, injection volume fraction, density of drilling fluid, wellhead back pressure and displacement. The optimization of drilling parameters under different control parameters and different narrow safe pressure margins is analyzed by case study. The optimization results indicate that the wellbore pressure profile can be optimized to adapt to the narrow pressure margins and achieve greater drilling depth. By using the optimization model, a smaller bottom-hole pressure difference can be obtained, which can increase the rate of penetration(ROP) and protect reservoirs. The dynamic wellbore pressure has been kept within safe pressure margins during optimization process, effectively avoiding the complicated underground situations caused by improper wellbore pressure.展开更多
Existing pressure drilling technologies are based on different principles and display distinct characteristics in terms of control pressure and degree of formation adaptability.In the present study,the constant-bottom...Existing pressure drilling technologies are based on different principles and display distinct characteristics in terms of control pressure and degree of formation adaptability.In the present study,the constant-bottomhole-pressure(CBHP)and controlled-mud-level(CML)dual gradient drilling methods are considered.Models for the equivalent circulating density(ECD)are introduced for both drilling methods,taking into account the control pressure parameters(wellhead back pressure,displacement,mud level,etc.)and the relationship between the equivalent circulating density curve in the wellbore and two different types of pressure profiles in deep-water areas.The findings suggest that the main pressure control parameter for CBHP drilling is the wellhead back pressure,while for CML dual gradient drilling,it is the mud level.Two examples are considered(wells S1 and B2).For S1,CML dual gradient drilling only needs to adjust the ECD curve once to drill down to the target layer without risk.By comparison,CBHP drilling requires multiple adjustments to reach the target well depth avoiding a kick risk.In well B2,the CBHP method can drill down to the desired zone or even deeper after a single adjustment of the ECD curve.In contrast,CML dual-gradient drilling requires multiple adjustments to reach the target well depth(otherwise there is a risk of lost circulation).Therefore,CML dual-gradient drilling should be considered as a better choice for well S1,while CBHP drilling is more suitable for well B2.展开更多
基金Supported by the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(51734010)
文摘To ensure safe drilling with narrow pressure margins in deepwater, a new deepwater dual-gradient drilling method based on downhole separation was designed. A laboratory experiment was conducted to verify the effectiveness of downhole separation and the feasibility of realizing dual-gradient in wellbore. The calculation of dynamic wellbore pressure during drilling was conducted. Then, an optimization model for drilling parameters was established for this drilling method, including separator position, separation efficiency, injection volume fraction, density of drilling fluid, wellhead back pressure and displacement. The optimization of drilling parameters under different control parameters and different narrow safe pressure margins is analyzed by case study. The optimization results indicate that the wellbore pressure profile can be optimized to adapt to the narrow pressure margins and achieve greater drilling depth. By using the optimization model, a smaller bottom-hole pressure difference can be obtained, which can increase the rate of penetration(ROP) and protect reservoirs. The dynamic wellbore pressure has been kept within safe pressure margins during optimization process, effectively avoiding the complicated underground situations caused by improper wellbore pressure.
文摘Existing pressure drilling technologies are based on different principles and display distinct characteristics in terms of control pressure and degree of formation adaptability.In the present study,the constant-bottomhole-pressure(CBHP)and controlled-mud-level(CML)dual gradient drilling methods are considered.Models for the equivalent circulating density(ECD)are introduced for both drilling methods,taking into account the control pressure parameters(wellhead back pressure,displacement,mud level,etc.)and the relationship between the equivalent circulating density curve in the wellbore and two different types of pressure profiles in deep-water areas.The findings suggest that the main pressure control parameter for CBHP drilling is the wellhead back pressure,while for CML dual gradient drilling,it is the mud level.Two examples are considered(wells S1 and B2).For S1,CML dual gradient drilling only needs to adjust the ECD curve once to drill down to the target layer without risk.By comparison,CBHP drilling requires multiple adjustments to reach the target well depth avoiding a kick risk.In well B2,the CBHP method can drill down to the desired zone or even deeper after a single adjustment of the ECD curve.In contrast,CML dual-gradient drilling requires multiple adjustments to reach the target well depth(otherwise there is a risk of lost circulation).Therefore,CML dual-gradient drilling should be considered as a better choice for well S1,while CBHP drilling is more suitable for well B2.
