Technology

Advanced Influx Detection

drillaid™ is a patented Early Kick Detection (EKD) tool, based on comparing real-time measured annulus Equivalent Static Density (ESD) and Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) with a real-time simulated annulus density (digital twin). The patented solution is unique since it also consider density changes of the drilling mud due to thermal effects, gas hydrate formation and density changes due to gas cut mud (gas influx).

The best kick detection concept depends on the cause of the influx. Traditionally kick detection concept has been to monitor the active volume to look for changes or pit gain. This concept only works when there are no other phenomenon occurring simultaneously.

The real benefit of our concept is when the influx is caused by swap out, thermal effects and/or hydrate formation. In both these cases an increase in active volume or gain may not be seen until it is too late. Early kick detection concepts based on pit gain does therefore not work in these cases. Our concept; drillaid™ uses the best technology available regardless of the cause of the influx. This is the real benefit you get from our technology. The influx is detected early, regardless of the cause of the influx.

To learn more about thermal effects and swap-out, explore our research page.

Managed Pressure Drilling System

DPCM™ is our patented Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) system and method. The system is made for offshore floating drilling units with a subsea BOP. The system is similar to MPD operation used on land operation and shallow water, where the Rotating Control Device (RCD) is located adjacent to the BOP. The system use an Active Control Device (ACD) located above the subsea BOP and designed to take pressure also from above. The unique part of the system is that return fluid during MPD operation is not taken back through the low-pressure riser and that the RCD or ACD in this case is NOT part of the primary well barrier. When the system is used in MPD mode, the riser is filled with heavy mud above the ACD which ensure that the primary barrier is still working although the ACD starts to leak.

The system is suitable to be used when drilling through challenging reservoir with narrow drilling window, rubble zone below salt or naturally fractured formations such as karst and faults. Top hole sections that require large circulating flowrates will typically be drilled conventionally without the ACD installed.

Managed Pressure Drilling Method

Our patented Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) method can be used with any MPD system capable of rapid change in surface applied back-pressure. The system is suitable to be used when drilling through naturally fractured formations such as karst, rubble zone below salt and faults. In these cases when the drilling bit intersect a naturally fractured zone, the formation is already fractured. The fracture is not caused by high Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD).

While traditionally MPD method decrease the surface pressure when a loss zone is intersected to minimize losses, the patented MPD method will increase surface pressure automatically. Drilling fluid is then automatically injected down the annulus to prevent or minimize pressure drop in the annulus until the pressure in the loss zone is equalized. If total loss is experienced a sacrificial fluid can be used to maintain a dynamic injection pressure in the annulus that is higher than the highest formation pore pressure.

Drilling Riser Pressure Protection System

In the past the drilling industry has no tradition to perform the same safety analysis and considerations as for offshore production facilities, except during well testing. However, as the drilling industry explore deeper water with a subsea BOP stack and a “low” pressure drilling riser, the need for better pressure protection of the drilling riser is required. The implementation of Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) system with a Rotating Control Device (RCD) in top of the riser, has also enabled the industry to handle gas in the riser in a more controlled manner. However, the system has become more complex which again require a more thorough safety analysis to be performed for these systems. This is also why API RP 92S, Managed Pressure Drilling Operations - Surface Back-pressure with a Subsea Blowout Preventer, states that the general consideration and safety analysis for the Pressure Relief Valves (PRVs) should follow API RP 14C in the planning and engineering phase as applicable. To avoid an undesirable event such as overpressure of the drilling riser, the PRV design of the drilling riser need to handle overpressure caused by possible causes such as.

Blocked or restricted line
Downstream choke plugged
Hydrate plug (in the riser or riser outlet)
Changing well conditions
Closed outlet valve.

DRPPS™ is our patented system to meet the demand for better pressure protection of the drilling riser. If the riser or riser outlet is blocked or restricted for some reason, the patented system will ensure a “back door” or relief from the bottom of the riser through the booster line. The PRV system discharge will typically be to the Mud Gas Separator (MGS) or to some other safe location. Future Well Control also holds another patented design with an alternative method where the PRV is located in the lower part of the riser with discharge directly to the sea.