Enhancing Offshore Drilling Safety: Identification and Integration of LeadingIndicators for Loss of Offshore Well Control

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

In an effort to enhance safety and efficiency in offshore drilling operations, this research addresses criticalgaps in the current understanding and application of leading indicators for Loss of Well Control (LOWC)events. Existing indicators often fall short in predicting LOWC events accurately and in a timely manner,due to lack of integration of real-time data which is crucial for proactive risk management. Our study aimsto bridge these gaps by identifying robust leading indicators and incorporating them into an advanced real-time detection and response system. The research began with a comprehensive analysis of existing LOWC events to identify the key leadingindicators. Employing advanced data analytics techniques, including Data Assimilation (DA), and Change-Point-Bayesian Networks (CP-BN), we have developed an integrated real-time kick detection and stateestimation framework and evaluated the effectiveness and reliability of the identified indicators. Thisevaluation was supported by extensive testing, including real-time and offline simulations, as well as full-scale experiments where operational parameters were adjusted to replicate various drilling scenarios. Several key leading indicators were identified based on this study, such as abnormal pressure fluctuations,unexpected changes in drilling fluid properties, and precursors detected through distributed fiber-opticsensing data. We conducted a series of surveys and engaged with industry professionals to gather practicalinsights and feedback to further validate these findings and enhance the applicability of our results. Theintegration of these indicators into the kick-detection and state-estimation framework significantly enhancedearly detection capabilities. Experimental testing and assessment of the integrated framework in a full-scalesystem have demonstrated their operational viability, markedly improved preventive safety measures, andcontributed to the reduction of overall system risks. This research represents an advancement in operational safety for offshore drilling operations, facilitatingthe development of proactive approaches that enable drilling crews to respond more effectively to emergingthreats and reduce the likelihood of LOWC incidents. It serves as a foundational study for continued safetyenhancements in the oil and gas industry, encouraging the ongoing refinement of safety practices.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference

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