- Author
-
Bourgoyne, A. T.
|
Holden, W. R.
|
Desbrandes, R. R.
|
Langlinais, J. P.
|
Whitehead, W. R.
- Title
- Study of Improved Blowout Prevention Systems for Offshore Drilling Operations. Final Report.
- Coporate
- Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA
- Sponsor
- Department of the Interior, Reston, Va
- Report
-
Final Report
February 1986
274 p.
- Contract
- 14-12-0001-21169-MOD-4
- Keywords
-
offshore drilling
- Abstract
- A number of new blowout control problems are associated with extending the search for hydrocarbons beyond the continental shelf to the deeper water depths of the continental slope using floating drilling vessels. These problems become much more severe as the water depth increases, because of the increased length of the marine riser and subsea flowlines and the increased susceptibility of shallow formations to fracture. A six year research project has been undertaken which is concerned with the development of improved blowout prevention systems that are better suited to deep water drilling operations. The two main systems included in the study are (1) the diverter system which can be employed to divert an uncontrolled flow of formation fluids away from the drilling rig, and (2) the well control system used to circulate formation fluids from the well under pressure. The diverter system is normally used to handle kicks from shallow formations encountered prior to setting surface casing. After setting surface casing, the well control system can be used. This report is an interim report on results obtained during the first three years of the project.