Riserless Drilling - Applications of an Innovative Drilling Method and Tools

Greg Carter
Nautilus Offshore Company, Inc.

Bill Bland
Weatherford International, Ltd.

Mitchell Pinckard
VeriDAQ, LLC

Offshore Technology Conference May 2, 2005

OVERVIEW

I. Riserless / Dual Gradient Methods II. EdR MPD Method III. Primary Enablers IV. Conclusions
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Dual Gradient Deepwater Drilling

0
8.6 pp gE
Water Depth Mudline

TVD (ft)

5000

qu iv

Mud We igh

8.6 ppg Density

Equivalent

ale

nt

10000

15000 0

3000 Pressure (psi)

16 ppg ture Mud G ra d ient P or e Pres sure 6000 9000

F r ac
3

Risers

Offshore Technology Conference May 2, 2005

Shell - SSPS SMDC Mud Lift System Maurer Glass DeepVision Texaco - Bead Lift
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Casing String Targets Using EdR-MPD

30 Csg (700 ft) 20 Csg (2,000 ft)

Pump & Dump Modified EdR or Other Method

16 Csg (6,000 ft)

13-3/8 Csg (12,000 ft)

EdR-MPD
E-Ductor Return Managed Pressure Drilling System

9-5/8Csg (20,000 ft) 7 Csg (22,000 ft)

Offshore Technology Conference May 2, 2005

Offshore Technology Conference May 2, 2005

MODU

Primary Enablers
Active Control Station Eductor Return Line In-line Multi-Phase Pump Subsea Rotating Control Device
Drillpipe

Active Control Station

Eductor Return Line

Inline Multi-Phase Pump

Offshore Technology Conference May 2, 2005

Rotating Control Device

ROTATING HEAD

Drilling technique precisely controls the annular fluid Offshore Technology Conference pressure profile within a wellbore. May 2, 2005

Managed Pressure Drilling

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Rotating Control Device

SURFACE APPLICATION

TO SUB SEA

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Deployment Units SubSeaLine Technology Return Production flowlines Return Lines & jumpers

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Offshore Technology Conference May 2, 2005

ACTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM

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Process Control Principles

Shewhart Control Charts
for variables.

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NORMAL DISTRIBUTION DETERMINED

POINT OUTSIDE CONTROL LIMITS

ADJUSTMENTS MADE

PROBABILITY OF A POINT OUTSIDE CONCLUDE PROCESS HAS SHIFTED AND UNSTABLE

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Active Control Process

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Key Advantages of EdR MPD

Cost Savings

Mitigates Capital Costs of Riser Pipe. Eliminates Riser Tensioning & Maintenance. Reduced Installation Time. Less Mud Volumes to Fill Riser. Lower Inspection & Handling Costs. Selection of Lower Cost Drilling Vessels. Less Handling = Enhanced Safety Benefits.
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Key Advantages of EdR MPD

E-Duct Return Line Advantages:

Mitigates Riser Fatigue and Joint Leaks. Enables Reverse Circulation. Increases Riser Angle Limits. Minimizes VIV Issues. Greater Degree of Vessel Drifting. Quicker Emergency Break-Away . Potential Elimination of Pump and Dump.
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Key Advantages of EdR MPD

Managed Pressure Drilling Allows:

Drilling with Annular Control at all Times. Fewer Casing Strings. Improved Kick Tolerance. Reduced Risk of Lost Returns.

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Conclusions
STEP CHANGES
are needed in deepwater drilling systems, particularly as we continue to explore in greater water depths.

EVOLUTION
There are various competing step change technologies regarding riserless drilling. These various programs continue to evolve as the enabling tools and new technologies come in to play.
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Conclusions
EXISTING TECHNOLOGY
Tremendous cost savings when drilling in deepwater can be achieved using existing technologies.

COMBING

existing technology and tools that are cost effective and provide a safe means of deepwater drilling will be the essential key to enabling large step changes.
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Conclusions
CHAMPIONS
Step changes occur slowly in our industry when no empowered champions take the lead. Challenges to current drilling techniques in deepwater must be made or the high associated costs will continue to be a barrier to future deepwater exploration.

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THANK YOU
Riserless Drilling - Applications of an Innovative Drilling Method and Tools

Greg Carter
Nautilus Offshore Company, Inc.

Bill Bland
Weatherford International, Ltd.

Mitchell Pinckard
VeriDAQ, LLC

Offshore Technology Conference May 2, 2005

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