Breakthrough into Deep HPHT Play in West Baram Delta - Success of Real-time Pore Pressure Monitoring

Exploration for deep overpressure plays has become very important in West Baram Delta as this region has been extensively explored for more than 100 years. First ever HPHT drilling campaign was commence in December 2011 and these two recent HPHT wells drilled have successfully tested the deep seating overpressure playtype at depths more than 4500m below mudline. Both wells were drilled close to its 15,000 psi BOP operational limit.Well-B from this HPHT campaign has recorded the highest reservoir pressure to date in Malaysia, approximately 14000psi with temperature of 152°C. Integrated pre-drill pore pressure model has allow both wells to be drilled pass through the high overpressure section safely. Inflationary overpressure predicted to be the major threat in this campaign where well could bump into steep pressure jump with just few meter interval. Real-time monitoring on the various gas trend (Swabbed Gas, Background Gas, Connection Gas, Trip Gas, Pump-off Gas) found to be the key success indicator for this HPHT campaign. This event gas trends and its magnitude were the primary indicators used to estimated the pore pressure. The slightest presence of an event gas peaks will have to be flagged and MW’s was raised accordingly. The threat of inflationary overpressure in this campaign has also been succesfully overcome by this new approach of real-time pore pressure monitoring.