Sustainability Metrics for Managed Pressure Drilling

Abstract

It is clear the global energy shift toward sustainability is underway. Sentiment is demanding low-carbon energy pursuit at a rate that will require significant investment of infrastructure metamorphosis, while opening new environmental risks that have yet to be determined. For example, electricity storage and transport on the scale required for full conversion away from hydrocarbons would require raw materials sourced in manners that remain ecologically challenging. The oil and gas industry is executing a transformation toward sustainably sourced energy in preparation for this shift. These efforts vary across industry stakeholders, but they are focused on visibly transformative change. However, there remains opportunity to participate in the classic energy supply with a better view toward sustainability by applying technologies that deliver these outcomes. The first important step, however, is to apply the correct key performance objectives (KPOs) and begin measuring the impact of executing with sustainability in mind. This paper will focus in on one drilling technique, managed pressure drilling (MPD), and outline sustainability KPOs applied on case study projects around the world. Classic drilling focuses on performance metrics of time and cost. These metrics, in and of themselves, represent "sustainability" in a sense, but typically are not viewed in that light. Application of MPD, consequently, is weighed with the same. Suppose, however, MPD was evaluated not only on performance KPOs, but also sustainability KPOs. MPD is capable of containment of reservoir fluid and pressure, reduction of drilling fluids and weighting materials, reduction of human energy through applied automation and remote operations, and extension of fields and drilling assets. Packaging and deployment technologies can also reduce emissions during mobilization, execution and demobilization. The work will present a means of defining and measuring the sustainability impact against conventional drilling applications and serve as a roadmap to start the conversation on how the oil and gas industry can make better use of technologies readily available to sustainably deliver oil and gas to the world throughout the energy transition. The primary consumer of energy, the automobile industry, focus significant efforts on fuel efficiency as a KPO. The drilling industry can facilitate a similar shift.