Simplifying MPD: Historical, manual methods to control annular pressure can be effective

摘要

Not every candidate for MPD can justify the cost of an elaborate, fully automatic annular pressure control system. Fortunately, a complex system is not always required, and often a more simple, historical method of controlling the annular pressure manually within a close tolerance can be employed. While improvements in fully automated annular pressure control systems are continually being made, allowance for disruption in the operation must still be made. When disruptions occur, the same simple, historical methods of manually controlling annular pressure can be employed effectively to handle such contingency events. It is possible in most cases to adequately manage down-hole pressures within acceptable limits using simple, historical, manual surface controls in lieu of complex, expensive surface pumping systems and software controls.