Contractor Ownership of MPD Systems to Increase Availability and Use of MPD Methods

Abstract Objectives/Scope The goal of this paper is to provide a detailed analysis of factors affecting the permanent integration of managed pressure drilling (MPD) on jackup rigs. This paper highlights approaches that have eliminated or reduced barriers to adoption and improved the availability and use of MPD methods in deepwater and jackup drilling operations. Methods, Procedures, Process This paper assesses a variety of factors affecting the permanent adoption of MPD on jackup rigs. The paper begins with an overview of MPD adoption offshore in shallow and deepwater environments. Factors impacting the decision to permanently install MPD on deepwater versus jackup rigs are discussed. The focus of the paper then shifts to the factors affecting utilization of MPD including user mindsets regarding when and how to apply MPD. Finally, solutions to remove the barriers to MPD use are discussed, particularly relating to crew competencies, equipment readiness, and retention of best practices. Results, Observations, Conclusions Early on, the availability of MPD services allowed operators to reach through extremely narrow drilling windows to targets that would not otherwise be technically or economically feasible. Today, MPD has grown beyond the initial foothold and is increasingly used to improve drilling performance even in less challenging well sections. In deepwater, several wells have been drilled using MPD to avoid contingencies in applications where the drilling window does not necessarily require MPD. In other deepwater wells, ready availability has enabled operators to reach difficult targets by turning on the MPD system even on a very short-term basis. A shift toward contractor ownership of MPD systems has made many of these cases possible, but this trend has been slower to develop in the jackup segment. There, key constraints must be addressed such as aligning competencies between MPD and rig crews, retaining best practices, ensuring a favorable balance of tradeoffs, and enabling a greater degree of equipment utilization for non-MPD applications. Early results with contractor-owned MPD systems show permanently integrated MPD is possible in the jackup segment and that contractors enhance the overall MPD service when given the right tools and know-how. Novel/Additive Information Mindsets around MPD are a key factor affecting permanent integration. Attitudes on utilization represent one facet of a mindset. Some MPD users may use it often, while others use it only in certain cases. These may be described on a spectrum as high-utilization and low-utilization mindsets. Both are MPD promoters in different ways. Mindsets may shift with new technology, moving a user from one mindset to another.