6/23/2006
Breakthrough in Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD)

Statoil Managed Pressure Drilling Project

Ongoing hydrocarbon production and associated pressure depletion will create a progressive convergence between pore pressure and fracture pressure in the Kvitebjørn HPHT reservoir. The consequence of this convergence means that it may not be possible to drill the last three wells in the project without the implementation of emergent drilling technology and procedures.

Three synergistic technologies are being simultaneously developed and combined for this application. These are Fracture Gradient Enhancement (Stress Cage), Continuous Circulation System and Managed Pressure Drilling. The project not only involves the enhancement of these technologies for the HPHT environment, but also the development of practices and procedures for ground-breaking HPHT operations.

FGE – Provides the potential of working within negative Drilling Windows
CCS – Permits the maintenance of circulation and ECD while making connections.
MPD – Provides a closed and pressurised circulation system with unprecedented control over BHP through the use of a fully automated choke.

The phased implementation of these technologies will create a unique drilling “tool” capable of performing in the narrowest possible operating margin with minimal risk of formation influx or mud loss.

www.statoil.com

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