Case study of HPHT well drilling with MPD equipment

Abstract

Managed pressure drilling（MPD）is defined as "an adaptive drilling process used to precisely control the annular pressure profile throughout the wellbore" in API RP 92M. The MPD technology became known in the early 2000s and is now getting common practices for drilling a well with a narrow drilling window, such as high-pressure/ high-temperature（HPHT）and deepwater wells, and provides a function of early kick detection by reading accurate mud return rate at Coriolis flow meter.

In 2021, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration drilled a HPHT exploration well by utilizing MPD services provided by Weatherford in Malaysia. This paper introduces essential points in MPD planning and actual MPD experience while drilling operations including MPD related challenges during the HPHT exploration well drilling.