Innovative Approaches and Optimizations Reduce Rig Time

Improve Well Architecture, Minimize Risk and Optimize Operations

Removing a liner or a casing from the well plan, while remaining overbalanced and staying within the operating window, is one of the main value drivers for our services. Both RMR® and EC-Drill® enable this. 

With the ability to reduce the likelihood of gains and losses, and managing them in a quick and safe manner goes a long way in ensuring the rig time does not exceed the budgeted estimate.

Through higher tripping speeds, faster cementing operations and removing the need for displacements commonly associated with MPD the operational rig time is reduced.

Removing a Casing/Liner 

Through Dual Gradient Drilling with an engineered fluid the top-holes can be combined as one section. A weighted fluid maintains the overbalance even for shallow flow zones and can also eliminate the need for a pilot hole. 

The unique pressure profile created by the Controlled Mud Level (CML) method, with lower pressure at shallow depths, aligns with common operating windows. With this profile most deepwater wells can remove a casing or liner from the upper part of the well. The reduction in rig time from less tripping and cementing is significant. 

Reducing risk and fixing unforeseen events

Using an engineered fluid for top-hole drilling takes care of challenges such as gumbo, salt and unconsolidated sands while providing overbalance in case of shallow gas. 

With a Constant Bottom Hole Pressure approach the risk of encountering losses or gains is minimized. Should losses or gains still occur the bottomhole pressure can be adjusted up or down according to actual well conditions, allowing operations to continue.

Optimizing Operations

The Controlled Mud Leve method removes the flat-time associated with MPD. There is no need to displace between drilling fluid, tripping fluid and cementing fluid. By shifting the pressure profile to mitigate the surge or swab effect when tripping the margin is improved enabling higher tripping speeds. This is particularly time saving for long wells.