Underbalanced Drilling and Technological Improvements

Authors: Tahir Əskərli, Rza Abdullayev

Supervisor: Rauf Nadirov

Baku Higher Oil School

Baku, Azerbaijan

tahir.askarli.std@bhos.edu.az , rza.abdullayev.std@bhos.edu.az

Keywords: Underbalanced drilling, Hydrostatic pressure, Reservoir screening, Formation

pressure measurement, Well control, Friction pressure

The hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid is purposefully made to be less than the pressure
of the formations being drilled in underbalanced drilling (UBD). The fluid's hydrostatic head
may be naturally lower than the formation pressure or may be increased by adding various
compounds to the drilling fluid's liquid phase, such as: Natural gas, Nitrogen, Air.There
may be an inflow of formation fluids that need to be cycled from the well and managed at
surface, whether the underbalanced state is designed specifically or inherent.

The hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column plus any related friction pressures plus any
pressure imposed on the surface equals the effective downhole circulation pressure of the
drilling fluid.

OVERBALANCED DRILLING: P RESERVOIR < PBOTTOM HOLE=P HYDROSTATIC + P FRICTION + PCHOKE

UBD : PRESERVOIR > P BOTTOM HOLE =P HYDROSTATIC + PFRICTION + PCHOKE

Wells are typically drilled with an excess of balance. The main well-control device in these
wells is an in-hole column of fluid with a specific density. The pressure in the formation will
never be higher than the pressure at the bottom of the well in overbalanced drilling. A
lighter fluid replaces the fluid column in underbalanced drilled wells, and the formation's
pressure is purposefully lower at the bottom of the well than at the top.

In underbalanced drilling (UBD), the principal method of well control differs from
conventional drilling in that it is derived from three distinct mechanisms, namely, passive
hydrostatic pressure, dynamic friction pressure, and active choke pressure. Unlike
conventional drilling, the fluid used in UBD no longer functions as the primary well-control
mechanism. The flow of formation fluids into the wellbore during UBD, while enhancing
well productivity, poses a potential hazard to the drilling process, requiring the handling of
hydrocarbon fluids with caution and ensuring that the influx of formation fluids is under
control.

Underbalanced drilling benefits

 Possible decrease in the harm caused by invasive formations

 Reduce the possibility of lost circulation
 Reduce the chance of the differential sticking
  Increased bit life, decreased drilling costs, and improved ROP
 Rapid indication of productive zones of the reservoir during drilling
 Potential economic benefit from flush production during drilling
 Potential to flow test while drilling

The possible drawbacks of the UBD process

 Concerns about wellbore stability and consolidation

 Inability to use conventional MWD technology for through string injection techniques
 Failure to maintain a continuously underbalanced condition resulting in significant
invasive damage
 Localized consequences of depletion
 Poor knowledge of original reservoir pressure
 Gravity drainage effects in high permeability zones, even under constant
underbalanced flow conditions

There are several recent advances in underbalanced drilling (UBD) technology that can
potentially be applied in Azerbaijan. Some of these include:

1. Real-time formation pressure measurement: The use of real-time downhole

pressure and temperature sensors can provide a more accurate picture of the
formation pressure and help to optimize the UBD process.
2. Improved drill bit technology: New drill bit designs and materials have been
developed that are more resistant to wear and tear, providing a longer service life
and reducing drilling costs.
3. Advanced gas management systems: New technologies for managing and recycling
gas within the drilling fluid system can help to maintain the desired underbalanced
conditions and reduce the amount of natural gas used during the UBD process.
4. Artificial lift techniques: The use of artificial lift techniques, such as progressive
cavity pumps and electric submersible pumps, can help to manage the flow of
formation fluids and reduce the risk of well control problems during the UBD
process.
5. Advanced mud-cleaning systems: The use of advanced mud-cleaning systems,
such as high-speed centrifuges and filtration systems, can help to maintain the
desired fluid properties and reduce the risk of wellbore instability during the UBD
process.
References:

1. ["Underbalanced Drilling: Limits and Extremes" by B.C. Craft and M.A. McGowen,
Society of Petroleum Engineers (2008)]
2. ["Underbalanced Drilling Handbook: Planning, Designing, and Executing" by David
Simpson and Mark Pope, Elsevier (2012)]
3. ["Underbalanced Drilling Technology: Recent Advances" by Zhenjun Ning and
Yongsheng Ma, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering (2018).]