RCD for DP drillship takes MPD deeper

摘要

Managed pressure drilling (MPD) recently took a big step into deepwater environments with the installation and utilization of the industry's first rotating control device (RCD) made up below the tension ring and integral to the riser package of a dynamically positioned (DP) drillship. As of June 2011, the Weatherford Model 7875 Below-Tension-Ring (BTR) SeaShield RCD has been successfully deployed on three rank wildcat deepwater wells in Indonesia at water depths of more than 6,000 ft. The RCD is a key component of the deepwater MPD system that contains annular flow and redirects it to help form a closed-loop circulating system. Designed for use on a DP drillship, the system optimizes the drilling process with a closed-loop circulating system. It provides early kick and loss detection and enhances the riser gas-handling system by allowing early detection of riser gas breakout and facilitating pressure control for the same. The system also enables pressurized mud cap drilling (PMCD) in the event that severe circulation losses are encountered when drilling through carbonate formations.