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Project Number 541
Date of Summary November 6, 2006
Subject Application of Dual Gradient Technology to Top Hole Drilling
Performing Activity Texas A&M University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Petroleum Engineering
Principal Investigator Dr. Jerome Schubert
Contracting Agency TEES/OTRC
Estimated Completion Completed
Description This engineering study on the use of dual gradient drilling for top-hole applications will potentially improve safety in handling some of the shallow below seafloor drilling hazards encountered in the Gulf of Mexico. These hazards include, but are not limited to, methane hydrates, shallow gas, and shallow water flows. This technology could also minimize the environmental impact of the current “pump and dump” practice while drilling conductor and surface holes. 

Project Description

  1. Perform an analysis to determine the minimum equipment requirements for the Top Hole Dual Gradient package including any necessary pressure containment equipment.
     
  2. Perform analysis of the benefits of Top Hole Dual Gradient drilling over conventional riser and riserless (pump and dump) drilling.
     
  3. Perform an analysis of how this technology may benefit the industry while drilling in known methane hydrate areas, artificially charged shallow marine sediments, and deep HTHP gas wells on the shelf.
     
  4. Perform the preliminary engineering design of the equipment required to conduct Top Hole Dual Gradient drilling including options for drilling with a minimal (two barriers) BOP stack below the surface casing and with only the dual gradient pump package in a balanced drilling mode.
     
  5. Perform preliminary engineering of the riser (mud return line and power supply for a dual gradient pump package) and running procedures while drilling riserless.
  6. Define the mud and circulating system requirements.
     
  7. Develop well control and drilling procedures for top-hole dual gradient drilling.
     
  8. Perform risk analysis on the equipment and the procedures designed for this project.
Progress Complete.

Reports
AA (445 pages; 5,886 KB) File in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) . Shubert, Jerome; Elieff, Brandee. Application of Dual Gradient Technology to Top Hole Drilling. Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering. Texas A&M. November 2006
 

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