Underbalanced Drilling; Remedy for Formation Damage, Lost Circulation, & Other Related Conventional Drilling Problems

Abstract Almost every drilling operation is a potential source of damage to well productivity, lost circulation, differential sticking and other related conventional Drilling problems. This paper re-visits the key damage mechanisims and provides a broad overview on how they occur during various oilfield operations, and their effect on well productivity. Also, lost circulation or fluid invasion potential in high permeability zones, large open fractures, heterogeneous carbonates with massive interconnected vugular porosity, or pressure depleted zones would be a major issue of concern during conventional drilling condition. The worst-case scenario would be a combination of one of these high permeability features with significant pressure depletion. In order to overcome the above problems while drilling, the industry developed a method to drill with a bottom hole pressure below the pore pressure, called Underbalanced Drilling – UBD As the majority of hydrocarbons being exploited today are found in existing pressure depleted or complex and lower quality Reservoirs with lots of the conventional drilling problems, this is where Underbalanced Drilling Technology can add value and in some cases reduce development cost. Soon, Underbalanced Drilling will become the standard field development technique, both Onshore and offshore, where the Geology and Reservoir are suitable. The paper reviews several case histories and real results highlighting the advantages of Underbalanced Drilling Technology in reducing Formation Damage, Lost Circulations and improving well productivity.