Performance Drilling with Managed Pressure Drilling in the Permian Basin: A Case Study in the Wolfcamp Formation

Abstract

Abstract The use of Managed Pressure Drilling has widespread applications in the Permian Basin. In this basin, typically MPD is used in a more traditional and somewhat limited fashion. However, using MPD as a performance drilling technique is a relatively unexplored application and early results have yielded significant rate of penetration (ROP) increases and days shaved off wells. While MPD has been used in this area for more traditional methods such as Early Kick Loss Detection and controlling inflows of over-pressured disposal zones, using MPD for performance drilling is a novel application in the area. Performance drilling is the act of reducing the typical, conventional mud weights, and supplementing the decrease in hydrostatic pressure with applied surface back pressure. This reduction in mud weight allows for cost savings in multiple areas, increases in ROP and an overall reduction in well construction costs. CrownQuest wanted to implement MPD, for performance drilling, on deeper basin Wolfcamp wells (Wolfcamp D), where higher mud weights (12.5-13 ppg) were commonly being run. The well was planned for a 2.5 pounds per gallon (ppg) reduction in mud weight, compared to conventional. These wells drilled with reduced mud weights were compared with previously drilled Wolfcamp D wells in the same area. The results showed a 23.8% increase in average ROP throughout the production hole section and an average of 5.85 days saved, with the implementation of MPD for performance drilling. Enabling a lighter mud system also seen a reduction in average lateral mud costs of 25% related to building and maintaining the mud, as seepage losses were reduced and fewer weighting and supplementary materials were required for maintaining the active system. Lower mud weights reduce the ECD at the bit and reduce solids in the mud, which allowed for further changes and improvements to the drilling program. After MPD was implemented, these changes enabled the operator to complete a pace-setter, one-run build and lateral section with a intermediate drill out time to rig release (RR) of 5.3 days. Using MPD for performance drilling can save days per well, reduce costs, and improve overall ESG and well economics. Wolfcamp wells that require heavier mud weights, and are considered more difficult to drill, than upper Wolfcamp formations can become more economical by implementing these performance drilling methods. These techniques to drill deeper Wolfcamp targets more economically could prove invaluable as prime acreage and shallower Wolfcamp targets are drilled and depleted.