Extreme HPHT wells – Tackling 20,000 psi
Claudio Paschoa
September 4, 2014
Well Control specialists face serious challenges when dealing with extreme HPHT wells, where pressures may exceed 20,000 psi. Narrow safe operating “windows”, where drilling personnel must remain adequately informed and aware of downhole conditions to ensure early kick detection and response.In this case the wider the safe operating window is the easier it is to assure well control safety. High wellbore temperatures, where normally very high-pressure formations are also typically very hot formations. Reductions in downhole tool reliability will increase dependence on real-time modeling when evaluating and monitoring of downhole conditions.