SPE Drilling & Completion
Volume 26, Number 3, September 2011, pp. 364-370

SPE-133019-PA

The Impact of Rotating Control Devices on the Incidence of Blowouts: A Case Study for Onshore Texas, USA

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DOI  More information 10.2118/133019-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/133019-PA

Citation

  • Jablonowski, C.J. and Podio, A.L. 2011. The Impact of Rotating Control Devices on the Incidence of Blowouts: A Case Study for Onshore Texas, USA. SPE Drill & Compl  26 (3): 364-370. SPE-133019-PA. http://dx.doi.org/133019-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 1.1.5 Risk Reduction
  • 1.2.6 Well Control, Blowout Flow Modeling
  • 1.2.7 Pressure Management (MPD, Underbalanced Drilling)
  • 1.4.1 Drilling and Well Control Equipment
  • 1.4.5 Well Control, Blowout Control, Relief-Well Drilling

Keywords

  • Rotating control devices, Blowouts, Statistical analysis, Risk analysis

Summary

Rotating control devices (RCDs) are used to provide a closed circulating system. Conventional wisdom suggests that drilling with RCDs improves kick detection and thus that fewer blowouts should occur when this equipment and related practices are deployed. Some insurers require RCDs, based in part on this perception. However, there is no published analysis that demonstrates a definitive link between the use of RCDs and the incidence of blowouts. In this paper, the authors use regression analysis to test for such a link. The authors find consistent statistical evidence, across a variety of regression models and variable specifications, that the use of RCDs decreases the incidence of blowouts. Future investigations could incorporate additional RCD-usage data and perform a definitive benefit/cost analysis, test hypotheses about other potential benefits of RCDs (e.g., preventing drilling problems, increasing general drilling efficiency), and examine performance in other regions (US, international).

© 2011. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 27 January 2010
  • Meeting paper published: 28 June 2010
  • Revised manuscript received: 2 November 2010
  • Manuscript approved: 20 January 2011
  • Published online: 28 July 2011
  • Version of record: 15 September 2011