Metamorphosis of MPD Method in Managing Combined Risks of Wellbore Stability, Loss Circulation and Narrow Pressure Window in Highly ERD Carbonate Wells in Offshore East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Drilling into naturally interbedded depleted carbonate formation often causing various operational problem i.e loss circulation, wellbore instability and swab/surge risk during tripping operation. Given that challenging situation, specific Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) method were successfully adopted to mitigate escalated issues with series of Novel and Methodical approach to ensure well objectives can be delivered successfully in ERD well located in Field X, East Java Offshore, Indonesia. MPD method were historically used in Field X starting from Phase-1 (2014-2015) and Phase-2 (2017-2018). In the last campaign of Phase 3 (2019-2021), the formation pressure has higher depletion due to nearby producing wells which causing higher risk of loss circulation as well as higher necessity of keeping wellbore stability. The careful steps were taken to tailor-made the MPD application specific to each of well condition which comprised of performing detail ECD management planning while minimizing loss circulation in the narrow mud window area & borehole collapse based on geomechanics analysis. These method(s) were successfully executed and were proven to deliver well objectives with contained risk and significant cost savings in Bukit Tua Phase 3 ERD carbonate drilling.