This paper presents lessons learned regarding design, testing, and installation of a completely integrated managed-pressure-drilling (MPD) control system on a deepwater drilling rig. For the installation described, all MPD control functions were installed permanently on the main drilling-control network of the drilling unit, providing direct access to high-speed data from other drilling machines that influence wellbore pressure. Moreover, the MPD control system has the ability to actively control these drilling machines.

Introduction

The authors have discussed in previous work that seamless integration with existing rig infrastructure will be instrumental in using MPD as standard operating procedure during drilling. Installing the MPD control system as an equal peer in the drilling-control network is key to this strategy. This allows for using existing high-speed, robust data networks, and optimization of the overall drilling process by including topdrive, mud pumps, drawworks, and MPD equipment in the management of pressure.

Other authors have discussed strategies for integration and economic deployment of MPD on a contractor’s fleet of vessels. This strategy includes integration of MPD hardware and control systems with existing rig systems in close collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers. In this strategy, the drilling contractor will be responsible ultimately for delivering MPD functionality as an integral part of its drilling service.