ABSTRACT

Pressurized Mud Cap Drilling:

A Solution for Improved Drilling Efficiency on Total Loss Zone in South Sumatra, Indonesia

Author: Yongki Suharya D., Faruk Bima A., Sigit P., M. Riyandelan J.

ARG-1 was drilled vertically in a field in South Sumatra (Indonesia) with total depth (TD)
respectively 5000 ftMD. The operation has been facing many challenges in drilling and completion
phase; one of them is the occurrence of massive fluid losses in limestone formation. Pressurized mud
cap drilling (PMCD) technique is the possible solution to complete this well without sacrifice drilling
fluids in enormous volume and minimize non-productive time (NPT).
PMCD is one of managed pressure drilling (MPD) techniques applied in situations when drilling
without returns to the surface and with a full annular fluid column which is maintained above the
formation. The key of successful PMCD technique is the rotating circulating device (RCD) which is
used to close the annulus. Furthermore, drill string is injected with sacrificial fluid and light annular
fluid is pumped down from the annulus to maintain borehole fill and prevent annular gas migration.
Limestone formation was drilled with 6 slim hole which is a contingency plan. In addition, the
premature set of 7 casing is to covered the gas zone which is located above the limestone formation.
Total loss circulation occurred when drilling through upper limestone formation. Conventional combat
loss techniques (spot lost circulation material (LCM), gunk plug, and cement plug) were used to cure the
loss but none of them give significant result. It takes approximately 2 months for combat loss with
common technique. In consequence, PMCD technique was decided to apply in this situation and it needs
4 days to drill until TD and ready to run 4-1/2 casing. By successfully utilizing the PMCD technique,
the company was able to reduce the NPT and reach the TD successfully. Lesson learned surrounding
operational techniques and continuous improvement for the company.
This paper presents a case study of the drilling operation in ARG-1 exploration well that had
massive loss circulation while using common combat loss techniques were unable to reach TD. The well
was successfully utilized PMCD to reach the TD and the details of the successful results is presented.

Keywords: pressurized mud cap drilling (PMCD), managed pressure drilling (MPD), loss circulation,
total losses