Deep Water Drilling: Full Pressure Profile Control in Open Hole Section Using Model Predictive Control

Managed pressure drilling has been introduced to reduce pressure related incidents related to targeting narrow pressure<br>margins prospects or deep water prospects. The full pressure profile method, which will be presented in detail in this paper,<br>classifies as a managed pressure drilling method, and is an extension of the well known constant bottom hole method. A case<br>study on a deep water drilling system is presented to demonstrate how model predictive control can simultaneously control the<br>height of the mud column and the flow rate to control the bottom hole pressure while trying to maintain an optimal casing shoe<br>pressure. A model predictive controller is implemented to fully automate the pressure and flow dynamics. Computer<br>simulations are presented to illustrate the potential of the chosen control strategy. Advantages and limitations associated with<br>the full pressure profile control method is analyzed and discussed.