Dynamic annular pressure control apparatus and method

Abstract

A system and method for controlling formation pressure during drilling of a subterranean formation utilizing a selective fluid back pressure system wherein fluid is pumped to a drilling fluid return system based on sensed wellbore pressure. A pressure monitoring system is also provided for: monitoring the detected wellbore pressure; modeling predicted wellbore pressure for further drilling; and controlling the fluid back pressure system.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for dynamically controlling wellbore annular pressure, and more particularly to a selective closed loop pressurization method for controlling wellbore pressure during drilling and other well completion operations. Background technique [0002] Both the exploration and production of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations ultimately require a method of reaching and extracting hydrocarbons from the formation. This is usually accomplished with a drill rig. In its simplest form it constitutes a land-based drilling rig for supporting a drill bit mounted at the end of a drill string and comprising a series of drilling tubulars. A fluid consisting of a base fluid (usually water or oil) and various additives is pumped down the drill string and out through the rotating drill bit. The fluid then flows back up the annular passage formed between the borehole wall and the drill bit, carrying away cuttings pro...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As mentioned above, although additional weighting material can be added to the fluid, it is generally ineffective for dealing with gas kicks because it takes time to increase the fluid density in the wellbore

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