HPHT Drilling Design and Operations

HPHT History and Challenges and the Geological Settings

• Defining the HPHT Environment
• HPHT Challenges and associated Standards and Practices
• Geology in the HPHT Environment
• HPHT Reservoirs

On the first day we will set the HPHT environment by looking back at the history of drilling these deep hot wells. The class will be presented with the challenges associated with the HPHT environment and look at what standards and regulations apply to these HPHT wells. This is followed by a more detailed introduction of the geological aspects of the HPHT wells. Pressure ramps, increased temperatures and the various issues associated with HPHT geology will be presented. Next participants will look at the overburden, pore pressures, fracture pressures and temperatures associated with HPHT as this explains the critical differences between HPHT and normal drilling operations.

Well Design

• Casing Design and Tubular Selection
• Shoe Placement
• Annular Pressure build up and Thermal De-rating
• Casing Wear, H₂S and CO₂ Effects
• Cementing Challenges and Practices

The second day we look at the well design aspects of HPHT wells. Trajectories, together with casing design and the associated issues in these high temperature environments will be addressed. Annular pressure buildup as well as temperature effects on the tubulars will be presented. Candidates will then presented with the sour gas effects in HPHT environments and then we look at the challenges and solutions when cementing HPHT wells.

Fluids and Well Control

• Drilling Fluid Aspects
• Gas Solubility
• Elastomers
• Well Control, Ballooning, Wellbore Breathing
• Gas Expansion
• Well Control Procedures

On day three, participants will be introduced to the fluids and gasses encountered in HPHT wells. The aspects of drilling fluids and reservoir fluids are addressed and issues such as temperature stability, gas solubility, compressibility, elastomer ratings and operations aspects of drilling fluids will be covered. Once the fluids are understood we move onto the well control aspects, where we look at gas expansion, ballooning, losses, well control procedures and cover some of the operational aspects such as tripping, stripping and making connections.

Rig Surface Equipment and Drilling Operations

• Surface Equipment for HPHT
• Downhole Equipment Challenges
• Managed Pressure Drilling
• Finger Printing and Drilling Practices
• Contingency Planning
• Well Control Emergencies

During the fourth day participants will take a closer look at all of the surface and down hole equipment that is being used in HPHT drilling operations. We will see why rig equipment as well as downhole equipment needs to be reviewed, inspected and selected based on the specific well requirements. We then look at the drilling practices and drilling technologies that are being used in HPHT wells, this includes Managed Pressure Drilling. The class then moves on to contingency planning and well control emergencies and this will introduce the candidates to aspects of emergencies and the various well control issues that can be encountered whilst drilling HPHT wells.

Completions and Well Testing

• HPHT Completions
• Design Considerations
• Component Selection and Specifications
• Tubing Leak Contingencies
• HPHT Well testing
• Operational Testing Considerations
• Well testing Safety

The final day will be spent looking at completion and well testing issues for HPHT wells. Participants will discuss what needs to be addressed for completion and testing operations and the safety aspects associated with production of HPHT wells. The class will finish with some examples of challenges that have been encountered when producing HPHT wells.