MANAGED PRESSURE DRILLING

As defined by the IADC Subcommittee on Managed Pressure Drilling and Underbalanced Drilling, “Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is an adaptive drilling process used to more precisely control the annular pressure profile throughout the wellbore. The objectives are to ascertain the downhole pressure environment limits and to manage the annular hydraulic pressure profile accordingly. This may include the control of backpressure by using a closed and pressurized mud returns system, downhole annular pump or other such mechanical devices. Managed Pressure Drilling will generally avoid flow into the wellbore.”

During MPD operations The Canary™ is used to quantify the gas flow that does enter the wellbore. This data is then incorporated into the evaluation of the current downhole drilling conditions as part of the adaptive decision making process. This data can also be further evaluated to add to the reservoir characterization profile.