Modeling the discharge of cuttings and drilling fluids in a deep-water environment.

Abstract

From the Abstract: “Discharge models allow the prediction of the potential impact associated with drilling activities based on estimates of the initial spatial extent and thickness of accumulations on the sea bed. As such, they are a valuable tool for both the oil industry and regulatory agencies. In this study we present the use of the Offshore Operators Committee Mud and Produced Water Discharge Model (OOC Model) in modeling the discharge of drilling activities in a deep-water environment, from a well located in the Campos Basin, offshore Brazil, at a depth of around 900 m. Field and discharge data collected during the drilling and discharge activities allowed us to carry out a modeling based on real data, that is, hindcast modeling. The verification of the model was made by comparing the hindcast modeling results with field observations. Discharges from both riserless and riser drilling were modeled. The riserless drilling was performed with seawater and water-based fluid (WBF), and riser drilling withnon-aqueous fluid (NAF). According to model estimates, the deposits with greater thickness (abut 66.5 cm) were those from the riserless phase.”