Managed Pressure Drilling Formation Testing with RCD Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current managed pressure drilling techniques lack the capability to perform effective formation testing during drilling operations, which is crucial for precise bottom hole pressure control and preventing fluid influx or loss in wellbore operations.

Innovation Solution

A well drilling system and method that utilizes a rotating control device to isolate the annulus, allowing for precise pressure regulation through a choke system and sensors, enabling formation testing by incrementally opening the choke to detect influx and determine pore pressure while maintaining controlled bottom hole pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If managed pressure drilling is implemented with a closed annulus and rotating control device, then bottom hole pressure control is improved, but formation testing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebottom hole pressure controlVSAvoidformation testing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the annulus into isolated zones using the rotating control device, allowing one segment to be pressurized for drilling while another segment can be depressurized for formation testing. This enables simultaneous or sequential operations with different pressure requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating control device dynamically adjusts between sealing the annulus for pressure maintenance and opening to allow formation testing. The system transitions between different operational states (drilling mode vs. testing mode) by controlling the RCD position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If drilling operations continue with fluid circulation, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision of formation properties deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling productivityVSAvoidformation testing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic interruption of drilling operations to perform formation testing. Drilling is paused, the RCD is opened to allow testing, then closed and drilling resumes. This periodic cycle maintains overall productivity while enabling accurate measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Formation testing is performed as a preliminary action before resuming drilling operations. The system prepares the testing configuration in advance, conducts the test, then transitions back to drilling mode, ensuring both objectives are met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stress or pressure

If the annulus is sealed with rotating control device, then bottom hole pressure control is improved, but ease of operation for formation testing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebottom hole pressure controlVSAvoidformation testing operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing rotating control device infrastructure to serve dual purposes: pressure control during drilling and access control during formation testing. The RCD's sealing and opening functions are leveraged for both operations without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If formation testing is performed by opening the rotating control device, then formation testing capability is improved, but bottom hole pressure control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation testing capabilityVSAvoidbottom hole pressure control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating control device acts as an intermediary between the drilling system and formation testing system. It mediates the transition between pressurized and depressurized states, allowing controlled access for testing while maintaining overall system pressure integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient formation testing and accurate determination of pore pressure, reducing formation damage and fluid loss by maintaining optimal bottom hole pressure during drilling, even during connections when fluid circulation is paused.

Implementation Method 1

The annulus is typically closed during drilling through use of a rotating control device (RCD, also known as a rotating control head or rotating blowout preventer) which seals about the drill pipe as it rotates.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

A well drilling system and method that utilizes a rotating control device to isolate the annulus, allowing for precise pressure regulation through a choke system and sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure regulation:

Implementation Method 3

incrementally opening the choke to detect influx and determine pore pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid detection:

Data Source

PatentUS9759064B2Formation testing in managed pressure drilling

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method of testing an earth formation can include incrementally opening a choke while drilling into the formation is ceased, thereby reducing pressure in a wellbore, and detecting an influx into the wellbore due to the reducing pressure in the wellbore. Another method of testing an earth formation can include drilling into the formation, with an annulus between a drill string and a wellbore being pressure isolated from atmosphere, then incrementally opening a choke while drilling is ceased, thereby reducing pressure in the wellbore, detecting an influx into the wellbore due to the reducing pressure in the wellbore, and determining approximate formation pore pressure as pressure in the wellbore when the influx is detected. Drilling fluid may or may not flow through the drill string when the influx is detected. A downhole pressure sensor can be used to verify pressure in the wellbore.