Managing the High-Temperature Drilling Challenges of Deepwater HP/HT Wells: A Gulf of Mexico Case Study

Abstract

AbstractHigh-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) drilling operations have unique challenges, which need to be carefully addressed. The need to address these challenges is because the search for additional hydrocarbon reserves is increasingly in the direction of frontier drilling.Frontier drilling has more and more become an attractive option in the search for new hydrocarbon exploration and production. This drilling activity has been driven by the maturing of existing fields, the growing world demand for hydrocarbons, and technological advances. As proven fields are being depleted and because discoveries of giant fields have peaked, the greatest potential for new oil and gas discovery is in the frontier areas.Frontier areas, defined as remote, hostile, and undrilled regions, are characterized by harsh climates or difficult environments. These environments include water depths greater than 2,000 ft, and downhole pressures and temperatures exceeding the equipment and tool ratings required to explore or develop those reservoirs.The HP/HT environment limits the availability of equipment employed to operate safely and efficiently. The energy industry is constantly designing and developing equipment and operational workflows capable of operating in these HP/HT conditions.This paper presents a systematic approach, which includes workflows and processes, to overcome the HT challenges in Gulf of Mexico (GOM) deepwater wells. The goal of these efforts is to enable safe and efficient drilling operations at temperatures greater than 302°F circulating bottomhole temperature.