| As the world's proven petroleum reserves decline through consumption by the industrialized nations, the oil and gas production companies must continue to explore for new petroleum deposits. One area that shows great promise is in the deep water areas of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. This is evidenced by the recent lease sales where up to 75% of the bids have been in water depths between 1800 to 7500 feet. As drilling moves into deeper waters, new technologies must be developed for safe and successful operations. The Marine Riserless Drilling Joint Industry Project, MRDJIP, was formed to develop the technology necessary to drill in water depths greater than 7500 feet---the practical limit of current floating drilling units.; The members of the MRDJIP have all concurred that one major issue that must be addressed is "well control". This dissertation reports on the development of well control procedures for riserless/mudlift drilling and a comparison of these procedures with those of conventional riser drilling. It is based upon the conceptual design of the mudlift system, drillstring valve, and subsea accumulator developed in Phase I of the Riserless Drilling Joint Industry Project, and will be used to provide guidance for the basis of design in Phase II and III of the MRDJIP.; This dissertation also reports on the incorporation of the procedures that have been developed for riserless/mudlift drilling into a well control training program to be offered to the members of the MRDJIP, and others in the petroleum industry that may need such training. |
