Introduction to underbalanced drilling

Objectives of Underbalanced Drilling

Technique Selection of Underbalanced Drilling
UNDERBALANCED DRILLING TECHNIQUES
Underbalanced Drilling Fluids:
Gaseous (Compressible)
Two-phase
Liquid (Incompressible)
Kinds of Underbalanced Drilling
Liquid Drilling Fluids
Injection methods

Advantages and disadvantages of underbalanced drilling

Hole Cleaning Considerations
Limiting Technical Factors

When the effective circulating downhole pressure of the drilling fluid which is equal to the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column, plus pump
pressure, plus associated friction pressures - is less than the effective near
bore formation pore pressure.
Conventionally, wells are drilled overbalanced, which provides the primary
well control mechanism. Imposed wellbore pressure arises from three
different mechanisms:
Hydrostatic pressure of materials in the wellbore due to the density
of the fluid used (mud) and the density contribution of any drilled
cuttings (passive).
Dynamic pressure from fluid movement due to circulating friction of
the fluid used and the relative fluid motion caused by surge/swab of
the drillpipe (dynamic).
Imposed pressure, with occurs due to the pipe being sealed at
surface resulting in an area with pressure differential (e.g., a rotating
head or stripper element) (confining or active).

Underbalanced drilling, or UBD, is a procedure used to drill oil and gas

wells where the pressure in the wellbore is kept lower than the fluid
pressure in the formation being drilled. As the well is being drilled,
formation fluid flows into the wellbore and up to the surface. This is the
opposite of the usual situation, where the wellbore is kept at a pressure
above the formation to prevent formation fluid entering the well. In such a
conventional "overbalanced" well, the invasion of fluid is considered a kick,
and if the well is not shut-in it can lead to a blowout, a dangerous situation.
In underbalanced drilling, however, there is a "rotating head" at the surface
- essentially a seal that diverts produced fluids to a separator while allowing
the drill string to continue rotating.
If the formation pressure is relatively high, using a lower density mud will
reduce the well bore pressure below the pore pressure of the formation.
Sometimes an inert gas is injected into the drilling mud to reduce its
equivalent density and hence its hydrostatic pressure throughout the well
depth. This gas is commonly nitrogen, as it is non-combustible and readily
available, but air, reduced oxygen air, processed flue gas and natural gas
have all been used in this fashion.
Objectives of Underbalanced Drilling:
The objectives of underbalanced drilling can be broken down into two main
categories:
Maximizing hydrocarbon recovery
Minimizing drilling problems
Maximizing Hydrocarbon Recovery:
The two main objectives of underbalanced drilling can be subdivided as
follows:
Reduced formation damage:
No invasion of solids or mud filtrate into the reservoir formation

Early production:
Well is producing as soon as the reservoir is penetrated with a bit. This
could be a disadvantage if hydrocarbon production cannot be handled or
stored on site or if the required export lines are not available.
Reduced Stimulation:
As there is no filtrate or solids invasion in an underbalanced drilled
reservoir, the need for reservoir stimulation is eliminated. It has been
noted in wells drilled underbalanced that stimulation with fluids
significantly reduces the productivity of the reservoir. An acid wash carried
out on an underbalanced drilled well, reduced productivity from
02MMscft/day to 0 MMscft/day. The full benefits of underbalanced drilling
were never regained.
Enhanced recovery
Due to the increased productivity of an underbalanced drilled well
combined with the ability to drill infill wells in depleted fields, the recovery
of bypassed hydrocarbons is possible. This can significantly
extend the life of a field. The improved productivity of the wells also leads
to a lower drawdown, which can, in turn, reduce water coning.
Technique Selection of Underbalanced Drilling
A basic four-step process can be applied to determine the options and
requirements for a well to be drilled underbalanced:
1. Determine BHP requirements.
0. Identify the drilling fluid options.
3. Establish the well design and perform flow modelling.
4. Select the surface equipment.
Initial fluid selection for underbalanced drilling operations is classified into
five major fluid types based primarily equivalent circulating density (gas,
mist, foam, gasified liquid, liquid).

Further delineation within these groups is dependent upon considerations

outlined in the
IADC-UBO Classification System for Underbalanced Wells (Level 2,1,0,3,4,5)
that further delineates selection based on well flow characteristics, well
fluid type, surface operating pressure, fluid containment, well control, and
applicable health, safety, and environmental issues.
UNDERBALANCED DRILLING TECHNIQUES:
Underbalanced drilling techniques are classified according to density of the
fluids used in the process.
Typical fluid densities range from near 2 to 7 pounds per gallon.
In fresh-water applications, the density of the circulating fluid can be
reduced by nitrogen gas injection.
This reduced density helps to achieve a bottom hole circulating pressure
that is less than that of the formation pressure.
Even conventional liquids can provide underbalanced conditions with
proper density control of the drilling fluid. On the other hand, it is also
possible for a low-density fluid to cause overbalance due to the frictional
pressure drop.
Underbalanced drilling has proved to be an economical method for drilling
in depleted/low pressure reservoirs. Since it is possible to record
production during drilling, operators can easily and accurately identify
inflow mechanisms and pay intervals, and cease drilling operation as soon
as the target zones are identified.
One method of controlling the bottomhole pressure (BHP) is to use a choke
at the surface. BHP is controlled by opening or closing the choke to lower or
raise the standpipe pressure. Since the speed of a pressure wave through a
static fluid column is equal to the speed of sound in the same medium, a lag
time is experienced until the choking action at the surfaces reaches
bottomhole. Estimating the lag time in a single-phase system is relatively
easy, whereas the same calculation in multi-phase systems can be
quite complicated. Instead of using a choke, the BHP can also be controlled
by adjusting the Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD).

This technique essentially creates an increasing fluid density gradient

between the surface and the bottomhole. If the casing is set at a shallower
depth, ECD is preferred over choke pressure control.
Since ECD is a function of flow, underbalanced conditions should be
preserved by controlling the hydrostatic head when flow stops during
connections.
The greater the flow resistance, the higher ECD will be. On the other hand,
it can also create an opposing condition when pipe is pulled out of the hole,
causing a swabbing effect.
Underbalanced Drilling Fluids:
o Gaseous (Compressible)
o Two-phase
o Liquid (Incompressible)
The fluid type is dictated by the boundary conditions of the drilling system.
Typically, the boundary conditions are defined by bottomhole flowing
pressure, formation fracture pressure, borehole collapse pressure and
formation pore pressure.
The density range of various drilling fluids is summarized in the following
diagram.

Two different measures are used to define the type of fluid system:
Ratio the gas-to-liquid volume at standard conditions Quality,
the ratio of gas volume to liquid volume at hole conditions.
Gas-to-liquid ratios of various drilling fluid systems are shown in
the following figure.

Gaseous Drilling Fluids:

The oldest and most basic technique is dry air drilling, which involves
pumping air down the drill string and up through the annulus. A rotating
wellhead between the blowout preventer and rotary table is used to divert
the returns. The cuttings are sent away from the rig via a discharge pipe,
and a water spray is used to kill dust at the outlet. A flame is used to burn
any returning hydrocarbons.
Nitrogen is another common drilling fluid. Other inert gases are too
expensive to be used in this process. A typical method to generate N0 is to
use membrane type filters that extract the N0 from the air stream

before it is pumped into the wellbore. Natural gas is also a drilling fluid
option, since it is easily available from pipelines. It can directly be used
without the help of compressors. More information on nitrogen and
natural gas drilling is provided under the "Underbalanced Drilling Methods"
subtopic. Circulating pressure and hole cleanup are dependent on each
other. More cuttings in the wellbore cause higher downhole pressures.
Angels method provides some guidelines regarding air flow rates required
for hole cleaning. His charts are still widely used. According to these charts,
3222 ft/min is the minimum velocity for effective cutting transport.
Gaseous Fluids:
These are basically the gas systems. In initial underbalanced drilling
operations, air was used to drill. Today air drilling or dusting is still applied
in hard rock drilling and in the drilling of water wells. The use of air in
hydrocarbon bearing formations is not recommended as the combination
of oxygen and natural gas may cause an explosive mixture. There have been
a number of reported cases where downhole fires have destroyed
drillstring with the obvious potential consequences of the rig burning down
if the mixture gets to surface.
To avoid the use of air, nitrogen was introduced. The experience with
nitrogen in well servicing operations made it a first choice for
underbalanced drilling operations. The use of so-called cryogenic nitrogen
or tanks of liquid nitrogen in drilling operations can be restricted. This
depends on the logistical issues involved due to the large amount of
nitrogen required for a drilling operation.
Another option is to use natural gas, which, if available, has sometimes
proved a worthy alternative in drilling operations. If a gas reservoir is being
drilled underbalanced, a producing well or the export pipeline may well
produce sufficient gas at the right pressure to drill. This avoids the
introduction of oxygen into the well and, if available, may provide a cheap
drilling system.
Characteristics of air-drilling:
Fast penetration rates.
Longer bit life.
Greater footage per bit.
Good cement jobs.
Better production.
Requires minimal water influx.

 Slugging can occur.

Mud rings can occur in the presence of fluid ingress.
Relies on annular velocity to remove cuttings from the well.
Mist Drilling:
If gas systems are not suitable the addition of a small amount of liquid will
initially form a mist system. The fluid added to the gas environment will
disperse into fine droplets and form a mist system to drill with. In general
this technique needs to be used in areas where some formation water
exists which prevents the use of complete 'dry air' drilling.

Characteristics of mist-drilling:
Similar to air drilling but with addition of liquid
Relies on annular velocity to remove cuttings from the well
Reduces formation of mud rings
High volumes required (323-423 more than dry air drilling)
Pressures generally higher than dry air drilling
Incorrect air/gas-liquid ratio leads to slugging, with attendant pressure
Increase
Foam drilling:
If more liquid and a surfactant is added to the fluid, stable foam is
generated. Stable foam used for drilling has a texture not unlike shaving
foam. It is a particularly good drilling fluid with a high carrying capacity and
a low density. One of the problems encountered with the conventional
foam systems is that a stable foam is as it sounds. The foam remains stable
even when it returns to the surface and this can cause problems on a rig if
the foam cannot be broken down fast enough. In the old foam systems, the
amount of defoamer had to be tested carefully so that the foam was
broken down before any fluid left the separators. In closed circulation
drilling systems stable foam could cause particular problems with carry
over. The recently developed stable foam systems are simpler to break and
the liquid can also be re-foamed so that less foaming agent is required and
a closed circulation system can be used. These systems, in general, rely on

either a chemical method, of breaking and making the foam or the

utilization of an increase and decrease of pH, to make and break the foam.
The foam quality at surface used for drilling is normally between 823 and
953. The same amount, 823 to 953, is gas with the remainder being liquid.
Downhole, due to the hydrostatic pressure of the annular column, this ratio
changes as the volume of gas is reduced. An average acceptable bottomhole foam quality (FQ) is in the region of 523-623. Characteristics of foamdrilling:
Extra fluid in the system reduces the influence of formation water
Very high carrying capacity
Reduced pump rates due to improved cuttings transport
Stable foam reduces slugging tendencies of the wellbore
The stable foam can withstand limited circulation stoppages without
affecting the cuttings removal or ECD to any significant degree
Improved surface control and more stable downhole environment
The breaking down of the foam at surface needs to be addressed at the
design stage
More increased surface equipment required
Gasified Systems:
If a foam system is too light for the well, a gasified system can be used. In
these systems, liquid is gasified to reduce the density. There are a number
of methods that can be used to gasify a liquid system and these methods
are discussed within the injection systems section. The use of gas and
liquid, as a circulation system in a well, complicates the hydraulics
programme. The ratio of gas and liquid must be carefully calculated to
ensure that a stable circulation system is used. If too much gas is used,
slugging will occur. If not enough gas is used, the required bottom hole
pressure will be exceeded and the well will become overbalanced.
Characteristics of gasified-mud systems:
Extra fluid in the system will almost eliminate the influence of formation
fluid unless incompatibilities occur
The mud properties can easily be identified prior to commencing the
operation
Generally, less gas is required
Slugging of the gas and fluid must be managed correctly

Kinds of Underbalanced Drilling

There are several kinds of underbalanced drilling. The most common are
listed below.
Dry Air: This is also known as dusting. Here air compressors combined
with a booster (which takes the head from the compressors and increases
the pressure of the air, but does not increase the volume of air going down
hole) are used and the only fluid injected into the well is a small amount of
oil to reduce corrosion.

Mist: A small amount of foaming agent (soap) is added into the flow of air.
Fine particles of water and foam in an atmosphere of air bring cuttings back
to the surface.

Foam: A larger amount of foaming agent is added into the flow. Bubbles
and slugs of bubbles in an atmosphere of mist bring cuttings back to the
surface.

Stable foam: An even larger amount of foaming agent is added into the
flow. This is the consistency of a shaving cream.

Airlift: Slugs and bubbles of air in a matrix of water, soap can or can not be
added into the fluid flow of air.

Aerated Mud: Air or another gas is injected into the flow of drilling mud.
Degassing units are required to remove air before it can be recirculated.

Two-Phase Drilling Fluids:

Two-phase drilling fluids, or lightened drilling fluids, consist of either foamtype fluids or aerated drilling mud. Liquids are mixed with gas to achieve a
required circulating fluid density. The equation of state method is used to
predict fluid properties at downhole conditions.
A pump is used to inject liquid into a gas stream before it enters the well.
The small liquid droplets affect

the behavior of the circulating gas. If more liquids (0553 -053) are
introduced, then a foam phase is generated in which the liquid forms a
continuous structure, entrapping the gas bubbles inside.
Once the liquid volume exceeds 053, we no longer have a foam structure.
This next level comprises aerated drilling muds (fresh water, brine, diesel or
crude oil). Parasite strings are typically used to introduce gas into the
circulating liquid stream. A parasite string is an external flow path (possibly
coiled tubing), which is run and cemented outside of the casing.
Since gas and liquid compressibility values differ significantly from each
other as pressure and temperature changes, the liquid fraction changes as
well. Frictional pressure drops are controlled mainly by the flow regime,
flow rate, fluid properties and flow geometry. Therefore, phase behavior is
a very important component in underbalanced drilling models. Many
investigators, including a special institute at
the University of Tulsa, have extensively analyzed two-phase flow patterns
and regimes. Some of the most common two-phase flow regimes are:
Bubble flow
Annular dispersed flow
Stratified or laminar flow
Plug or churn flow
Slug flow
Liquid Drilling Fluids:
Since formation pressure is usually larger than the hydrostatic pressure of
fresh water or saline water, conventional drilling fluids might also provide
underbalanced conditions. Even if the drilling fluid density exceeds the
formation pore gradient, fluid loss into a formation can cause reduced
pressure regions within the wellbore, thus allowing formation fluids to flow
in.

Selection of drilling fluid used in underbalanced drilling :

A very important part in the design of an underbalanced drilling operation
is the selection of the drilling fluid. Drilling fluid selection will effect
equivalent circulating density (ECD), borehole stability, formation damage,

under balance pressure, surface equipment configuration, and waste

management considerations. Given these and other important operational
and economical considerations, a Selection Fluid Guide for Underbalanced
Drilling Operations has been developed. This Selection Guide is presented
in three main stages for planning, based primarily on information and/or
calculations needed for evaluation, and on the most likely options resulting
from the evaluation5 The stages are further divided into blocks so that the
evaluation and selection processes can be conducted in a logical and
organized manner.
The three main stages of the Selection Guide are:
STAGE 1: What are The Objectives?
Is the purpose for drilling underbalanced related to:
(a) Reservoir Considerations, or
(b)Drilling Operation Considerations?
General Considerations must be evaluated to determine the purpose for
drilling under balanced. These include mainly skin damage/ productivity
index (reservoir) and borehole stability/rate of penetration (drilling).
! STAGE 2: What types of fluids can be considered, near or
underbalanced?
Data must be collected, calculations made, and results evaluated in order
to determine the level of under balance pressure.
What is the well classification? (BLOCK 0)
What are the general considerations? (BLOCK 3)
What is the ECD? (BLOCK 4)
What classifications of fluids should be considered? (BLOCK 5)
! STAGE 3: What is the optimum drilling fluid selection?
Final fluid selection must be based on fluids compatibility, borehole
cleaning and stability, temperature, corrosion effects, and environmental
issues. Primary well design considerations must be reviewed before making
a final fluid selection. (BLOCK 6)

Injection methods are available to reduce the hydrostatic pressure :

1-Drillpipe injection
0-Annular injection
3-Parasite string injection

Advantages:
Underbalanced wells have several advantages over conventional drilling
including:
Eliminated formation damage. In a conventional well, drilling mud is
forced into the formation in a process called invasion, which
frequently causes formation damage - a decrease in the ability of the
formation to transmit oil into the wellbore at a given pressure and
flow rate. It may or may not be repairable. In underbalanced drilling,
if the underbalanced state is maintained until the well becomes
productive, invasion does not occur and formation damage can be
completely avoided.
Increased Rate of Penetration (ROP). With less pressure at the
bottom of the wellbore, it is easier for the drill bit to cut and remove
rock.

 Reduction of lost circulation. Lost circulation is when drilling mud

flows into the formation uncontrollably. Large amounts of mud can
be lost before a proper mud cake forms, or the loss can continue
indefinitely. If the well is drilled underbalanced, mud will not enter
the formation and the problem can be avoided.
1. Differential sticking is eliminated. Differential sticking is when
the drill pipe is pressed against the wellbore wall so that part
of its circumference will see only reservoir pressure, while the
rest will continue to be pushed by wellbore pressure. As a
result the pipe becomes stuck to the wall, and can require
thousands of pounds of force to remove, which may prove
impossible. Because the reservoir pressure is greater than the
wellbore pressure in UBD, the pipe is pushed away from the
walls, eliminating differential sticking.

Disadvantages:
Underbalanced drilling is usually more expensive than conventional drilling
(when drilling a deviated well which requires directional drilling tools), and
has safety issues of its own. Technically the well is always in a blowout
condition unless a heavier fluid is displaced into the well. Air drilling
requires a faster up hole volume as the cuttings will fall faster down the
annulus when the compressors are taken off the hole compared to having a
higher viscosity fluid in the hole. Because air is compressible mud pulse
telemetry measurement while drilling (MWD) tools which require an
incompressible fluid can not work. Common technologies used to eliminate
this problem are either electromagnetic MWD tools or wireline MWD tools.
Downhole mechanics are usually more violent also because the volume of
fluid going through a downhole motor or downhole hammer is greater than
an equivalent fluid when drilling balanced or over balanced because of the
need of higher up hole velocities. Corrosion is also a problem, but can be
largely avoided using a coating oil or rust inhibitors
Hole Cleaning Considerations:
Decreased bottom hole pressure typically causes higher penetration rates.
However, higher penetration rates can increase the circulating bottom hole

pressure and bring the well back to overbalanced conditions. Moreover,

due to the annular fluid segregation, there is an increased risk that the
wellbore will pack-off, resulting in stuck pipe. In this situation, gas tends to
rise while the liquid settles to the bottom of the hole. This is a major cause
of increased bottom hole pressures because of the increased fluid density
at the sand face.
Large cutting volumes generated by high penetration rates are also difficult
to remove. Therefore, penetration rates should be carefully adjusted to
ensure sufficient hole cleaning and slug removal.
Inadequate liquid flow rates can cause sticky-hole conditions that result in
differential sticking. A decrease in ROP would therefore be needed for the
cuttings to be transferred to the surface. A viscosified aqueous phase is an
important factor in achieving better ROP When drilling with foam and mist,
hole cleaning efficiency reaches a limit after a certain level of underbalance,
and the drilling rate starts to decrease as illustrated in the following figure.

In this situation, an increase in fluid rate is needed to increase the cleaning

action and allow a higher rate of penetration.
Limiting Technical Factors:
Major technical factors that restrict the application of underbalanced
drilling techniques are listed as follows:

 Reduced wellbore pressure gradients can cause hole stability

problems
Formation of mud rings can block air flow, leading to downhole
fires.
Water causes cuttings to accumulate, possibly causing the drill
string to stick. If aerated mud is used rather than air, differential
underbalance can be reduced.
HCs and air often mix to achieve a flammable range5 With a small
spark, this can be generated by the contact between the drill
string and hard minerals, the risk of fire increases.
Stable foam isnt easy to achieve 5
Depending on the drilling site location, logistical and economical
constraints can be substantial. Similarly, the need for specialized drilling
equipment can also render underbalanced operations uneconomical. "Even
though the cost of drilling underbalanced could be more expensive than
conventional overbalanced drilling, due to the increased ROP and reduced
formation damage, it often turns out to be the more cost-effective drilling
technique.

References:

Leading Edge Advantage International Ltd 2002.

Underbalanced Drilling Manual.
Fluid Selection for Underbalanced Drilling Operations presented at the UB Technology
Conference 2002.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION OF UNDERBALANCED DRILLING WELLS USING PARASITE STRING
INJECTION CONTINUES IN ROCKIES Deepak M. Gala, Weatherford International Ltd., SPE, AADE
Jose Danilo Morales, Weatherford International Ltd., SPE, AADE Jeff Cutler, Occidental Petroleum
Corporation, SPE, AADE.
Offshore Applications of Underbalanced Drilling Technology -Well Control Considerations
When Applied to Overbalanced Drilling Don M. Hannegan, P.E., Weatherford Drilling &
Intervention Services, UBS.

Nas, Steve, Chapter 22 Underbalanced Drilling, from Petroleum Engineering Handbook,

Volume II, Editor Robert Mitchell, 2002, pages II-925 to 965. Handbook available from
Society of Petroleum Engineers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underbalanced_drilling.