Optimising deepwater drilling safety and efficiency in Australia with closed-loop circulation drilling systems
Julmar Shaun Sadicon Toralde A , David John Carr A and Chad Henry Wuest AWeatherford
The APPEA Journal 52(1) 391-396 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ11031
Published: 2012
Abstract
Closed-loop circulation drilling (CLCD) systems provide an increasingly viable alternative to open-to-the-atmosphere conventional drilling systems by emphasising the use of closed and pressurisable systems to allow a scalable approach that produces a range of benefits. These range from increased personnel and environmental safety to better data resolution and even greater control over the drilling process. This paper states how CLCD addresses a need in a post-Macondo world, where deepwater drilling is under intense and increased regulatory control, by providing flexible systems that supplement the safety and efficiency of deepwater drilling operations. Furthermore, it describes the details of how CLCD systems can be installed and used on moored and dynamically positioned drilling vessels, and points out how it may be deployed for deepwater conditions in Australia. Recent successes and issues encountered in the application of this technology in the Asia Pacific region are also shared.
Julmar Shaun Sadicon Toralde finished Bachelor of Science in Geothermal Engineering from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in the Philippines in 1999. He spent six years teaching engineering, before joining Weatherford in 2005 as a Controlled Pressure Drilling (CPD) Engineer. He subsequently served as CPD&T Engineering Coordinator—Indonesia from 2008–11, where he led engineers in supporting a total of ~40 Weatherford projects and ~100 wells in Indonesia. He spearheaded the successful delivery of the globally pioneering deepwater MPD/PMCD project on a DP drillship using a submerged RCD. He now holds the position of Engineering Manager—Asia Pacific, Well Construction Services with Weatherford, where he is managing ~50 engineers in developing novel solutions for challenging environments (deepwater, HPHT, NMWW, severe losses, geothermal) using advanced well construction technologies. julmarshaun.toralde@ap.weatherford.com |
David John Carr now holds the position of Group Region Business Unit Manager—Asia Pacific for Well Construction Services at Weatherford. david.carr@ap.weatherford.com |
Chad Henry Wuest concurrently holds the positions of Business Unit Manager—Asia Pacific for Secure Drilling Services and Business Unit Manager—Malaysia for Secure Drilling Services at Weatherford. chad.wuest@ap.weatherford.com |
