Deepwater Drilling and Well Control

Lillehammer 2009

Deepwater Drilling and Well Control

A presentation by Andrew Rees

Lillehammer Energy Claims Conference 2009

Deepwater Drilling
Why does it cost so much to drill wells in deep water? What makes it more difficult than conventional drilling? What technological advances are being employed? Well control considerations What does it mean for the market?

10,000 feet

20,000 feet

Deepwater Drilling
Why does it cost so much to drill wells in deep water? Its difficult and takes a long time.

1 2

4 5 6

4 5 6

4 5 6

1 2

4 5 6 4 5 6 8

4 5 4 5 6 8 6

Pressure

Fracture gradient
2

Pore pressure p

4 Dept th 5 6 4 5

Mud Weight

Fault

Fault
8

4 5 4 5 6 8 6

4 5 4 5 6 8 6

4 5 4 5 6 8 6

4 5 4 5 6 8 6

4 5 4 5 6 8 6

2 6

X
4 4 5 6 8 4 5 6

5 6

X
8

4 5 4 5 6

X
8

5 6

X
8

4 5 4 5 6

X
8

5 6

X
8

4 5 4 5 6 8 6

5 6

X
8

4 5 4 5 6 8 6

Deepwater Drilling
What makes it more difficult than conventional drilling? The fracture gradient is lower.

1 2 3

Fracture gradient

4 5 6 4 5 Fault

6 Fault 8

1 2 3

Mud Weight
X
Fault

4 5 6 4 5

6 Fault 8

1 2 3

4 5 6 4 5 Fault

6 Fault 8

1 2 3

4 5 6 4 5 Fault

6 Fault 8

Deepwater Drilling
What makes it more difficult than conventional drilling? The fracture gradient is lower. What technological advances are being employed? Bi centre bits Expandable casing / liners

Deepwater Drilling
What makes it more difficult than conventional drilling? Th marine riser i very l The i i is long. Large bore risers have a huge mud volume capacity. What technological advances are being employed? Automated liner running systems

Deepwater Drilling
What makes it more difficult than conventional drilling? Th marine riser i very l The i i is long. Large bore risers (>21 inches) have a huge mud volume capacity. capacity What technological advances are being employed? Automated liner running systems Dual derrick drilling units

Deepwater Drilling
What makes it more difficult than conventional drilling? Th marine riser i very l The i i is long. Large bore risers (>21 inches) have a huge mud volume capacity. capacity What technological advances are being employed? Automated liner running systems Dual derrick drilling units Riserless drilling of tophole sections

Deepwater Drilling
Wh t makes it more diffi lt than conventional drilling? What k difficult th ti l d illi ? Shallow water flows flows. What technological advances are being employed? Geophysical detection. The driving or jetting of structural casing casing. Injecting refrigerant to freeze the SWF zone. Dual gradient drilling.

1 2 3

4 5 6 4 5 Fault

6 Fault 8

1 2 3

4 5 6 4 5 Fault

6 Fault 8

1 2 3

Mud weight exceeds fracture gradient

4 5 6 4 5 Fault

6 Fault 8

Dual Gradient Drilling

Isolation l I l ti valve Subsea Pump

Dual Gradient Drilling

Isolation l I l ti valve Subsea Pump

1 2 3

4 5 6 4 5 Fault

6 Fault 8

Deepwater Drilling
What makes it more difficult than conventional drilling? Coping with gas hydrates.

Gas Hydrates
Can form in low temperature / high p g pressure environments

Deepwater Drilling
What makes it more difficult than conventional drilling? Coping with gas hydrates. Form in low temperature / high pressure environments. environments Can block well control equipment and risers. Can prevent emergency disconnection of the riser. What technological advances are being employed? Use of an inhibitive mud system. y Spotting inhibitive fluids for planned downtime. Improved design and engineering of equipment p g g g q p

Deepwater Well Control Considerations

Gas Hydrates. Shallow water flows. Trapped gas in the BOP. Relief rig availability. BOP technology technology.

What does it mean for the market?

Time cannot be pushed back - deepwater drilling is here to stay. stay Whilst industry base line costs may soften, deepwater drilling costs show no sign of reducing. g g g Drilling costs will remain the main influence on total claim quantum when considering large control of well claims. W ll AFE are th most accurate means available t set Well AFEs the t t il bl to t realistic limits and rates.

The need to exploit resources will always drive the development of new technology and p p gy present new challenges for the insurance industry.

On that profound and deep note .

Deepwater Drilling and Well Control

A presentation by Andrew Rees

Lillehammer Energy Claims Conference 2009