Managed Pressure Drilling for Subsea Applications; Well Control Challenges in Deep Waters

Abstract This paper describes a new drilling riser concept and drilling method that will remove some of the well control challenges presently encountered and provide improved well control procedures, when handling deepwater kicks and deep formation gas flow into a well being drilled. The new system will also allow for longer hole sections to be drilled in deepwater, thus reducing the number of casing strings required in the well and reduce the chances of hydrate plugs forming at seabed. The main element in the system is based on using a smaller size (14"-12.5" ID) high pressure drilling riser with a split BOP between surface and subsea, a subsea mud pump connected to the high pressure drilling riser, taking returns from a lower level in the riser. The mud level in the riser is dropped down to a level considerably below sea level to create a mud/air interface ("mud cap") that can be continuously adjusted up or down by the mud-lift pumping system. As a consequence, the bottom hole hydrostatic pressure will be controlled. One of the main purposes of this system is to mitigate the inherent problems with a conventional 21" marine drilling riser during well control scenarios in deepwater operations. It will adjust the bottom hole pressure accordingly and compensate for frictional pressures due to circulation.