Underbalanced drilling (UBD) took its facelift as a technology from the SNS campaign back in the 90s. Since then, UBD has just been a preferred technique for many operators for depleted formations where production enhancement is the target. Although, production gain is the primary goal of this technique but UBD comes with a package of ROP enhancement plus formation damage prevention. UBD is the only technique in the UDT umbrella which has the highest tier division. Many of the industry peers are still vague about the application of UBD and a trend has been seen where UBD is mixed with MPD frequently (MPD as a technique is entirely different in its application). This confusion can result in drilling engineers depending on vendors due to lack of experience, and sometimes vendor’s reliance on engineers due to their limited exposure to engineering. The end result of misunderstandings with technical terms and limitations of various UBD methods can increase the risk of operational challenges. This course will provide an in depth understanding of the UBD design process, from well screening to well engineering and finally to operational execution.
UDT – 701 Advance Underbalanced Drilling Design & Operation
A UNIQUE & COMPREHENSIVE COURSE ON UBD WELL DESIGN, ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS
UBD WELL DESIGN, ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS
How is this course different?
- This is the only course in the industry that has a design element built into it
- Teaching style is a mixture of both critical engineering analysis + operations
- The instructor is a veteran of both service and operating + consulting companies
- Unlike other courses, this course will actually teach you to design an UBD well using G&G, Reservoir/Well Test/Production Engineering data
- Hands on exercise on one of the most trusted & used software to design UBD and MPD wells
Course Objectives
- Identify types of UDTs, tier system and difference b/w MPD & UBD
- Explain variables used in the screening form and their importance
- Evaluate the correct UDT based on a given screening data
- Calculate level – 1 UBD calculations without using software •
- Explain drillstring, casing and operational design in a UBD well
- Explain equipment suite used in different UBD tier system
- Draw a typical UBD well control matrix
- Write SOPs for different scenarios using both engineering and operational knowledge from the course (choke washout, pump malfunction, foam quality)
Course outcome
- Design a well section that has been identified as a UBD candidate
- Generate a UBD operating envelope using reservoir, production & drilling data
Who should attend?
- Drilling Engineers/Techs, Lead Engineers, Drilling Superintendent
- Asset Managers, Exploitation Engineers and Decision makers
- Those who are confused and need to understand the basics of this technique
Day – 1 & 2
- Explain concept of UBD
- How MPD is different from UBD but can be UBD if you like
- Review technology’s evolution
- IRP 22 and its Risk Based Methodology
- UBD techniques (sub techniques that are available)
- Explain each technique and its use
- Vendor currently offering services for UBD
- UDT Nomenclature chart and how UBD fits into UDT
- Tier system of UBD defined by HAS
- Describe the importance of screening
- Explain variables given in a screening form
- Able to demonstrate what reservoir engineering concepts are related to UBD Design and their purpose
- Able to demonstrate why Well Tests concepts are relevant to UBD Design
- Able to demonstrate how G & G is related to UPD design
- Understand the true meaning of working in a multi-disciplined team environment
- Conduct a screening form filling exercise and ask questions on the variables that are given in the screening form
- Quick look analysis to pick UDT candidates
Well Engineering for UBD
- Well Control Matrix – bridging of UPD operations to conventional well control
- Casing seat selection in an UBD environment
- Hand calculation for quick look analysis (what to look for)
- Flow Modeling (Multiphase) – static and dynamic!
- Flow regimes and Flow Correlation (which one to use)
- Generating UBD Operating Envelope (classic tool)
- So how much gas is needed for your UBD well
- MACP vs WHP vs Dynamic pressure rating of the RCD
- Resolving a tripping methodology
- Resolving a completion methodology
- Mud and UBD (how they are related to each other)
- Pressure spikes and fluctuations in an UBD environment
- Causes of formation damage in a UBD operation
- Toe and Heel effect in UBD
- UBD in extended reach wells (Horizontal legs exceeding 1000 m + lengths)
- Velocity profile in a UBD wells (Why not viscosity?)
- Drillstring Design for a UBD well
- Type of motors to choose in a UBD environment
- BHA assemblies, float valve configuration etc
- Participants will be exposed to flow modeling examples in order to appreciate different charts and curves when designing UBD wells
Day – 3 & 4
- Participants will be given a lecture on one of the most used software in the industry to design UBD and MPD wells Design
- Participants will be given a chance to design a well using SLB Wellflo 8 software
- Cullender and Smith integration method in WHP calculation
- Flow correlations (Aziz, Brown, Olga, Shell, Navier)
- Backpressure calculation
- Calculation of BHCP when there is no PWD in the hole
- What do you check with PWD in a UBD operation
- Multiphase flow modeling example (real life example)
- How much backpressure is needed for your UBD well
- How back pressure is related to BHCP
- Laptops will be required for this exercise
- Using flow modelling to define eqpt operating envelopes
- Equipment footprint in an UBD operation
- RCD (applications, working and limitations)
- RCD Family by WFD, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Strata
- Working of compressors, Boosters and NPUs
- Free comparison on all RCDs will be given to students
- Choke manifold with auto choke option
- What if choke is washed out (How does it effect pressure pulse downhole)
- Criticality of piping in an UBD operation and Connections
- P-tank Separators, Coriolis flow Meters
- ERCB stance on the equipment when doing UBD operation
- DDV or Quick Trip valves (applications, limitations, failure modes)
- Carbon Tracker by MI-Swaco? If it is needed
- Function of choke manifold, P tank, sample catcher units, compressors, NPUs and boosters in a typical UBD operation
- Pipe light conditions and Snubbing operations
- Top Drive vs Kelly based drilling
- Conflict around the usage of ESD valve? Do we really need it
- Process Flow Diagram or P & ID examples
- When changing bearing assembly
- While drilling
- When changing from an UBD mode to a conventional mode
- While tripping under pressure
- When to shut the well in a UBD scenario
- Connections while UBD (How to depressurise the string)
- Well Control in a UBD environment
- Pipe light conditions • Snubbing operations
- Completions after UBD
- Conducting a Risks Assessment – Hazid & Hazop exercise
- Training matrix for the rig crew (what to discuss) – Critical – A sample training matrix will be given to each student for their future operations
- When to start training
- Hierarchy in an UBD operation (who reports to who)
- HSE in an UBD environment – how to effectively manage a non-routine operation with added complexities
- Flow chart for operations (What if this type logics)
- Flare limitations – how much can you flow
- UBD in a sour gas reservoir
- Re-injection of gas to cut off N2 Supply? Saving Energy
- Risk Matrix for UBD operations
- Cause, Effect and Action Matrix
- Past Failure discussions
- Case histories from around the world (due to confidentiality reasons company’s name will not be mentioned)
- Root Cause Analysis of the Failures
- UBD and Ballooning / Nusiance Gas
- UBD & Wellbore stability
- UBD in a tight gas matrix reservoir
- UBD in depleted reservoirs
- UBD & Loss Circulation
- UBD to increase ROP
- UBD in an exploration well
- UBD without compressors and boosters
- UBD in a shale based reservoir or Shale Gas
- UBD using Concentric Casing injection
- UBD using Aerated Mud Drilling operation
- UBD in tombstone drilling
Grill the Instructor
- Summary of 4 Days
- Time to grill the instructor with your well issues
- Exam (you correct your own exam)
We are proud to work with
