Abstract: Drilling fluids having improved rheology under downhole temperature and pressure. The improved rheology (IR) drilling fluids are particularly suited for use in deepwater drilling operations. The IR drilling fluids are invert emulsion fluids with viscosifier to rheology modifier weight ratios between about 6 and about 14. The IR drilling fluids exhibit low shear yield point variance and/or yield point variance of below 60 percent based on high-temperature, high-pressure viscometer measurements.

Abstract: Drilling fluids having improved rheology under downhole temperature and pressure. The improved rheology (IR) drilling fluids are particularly suited for use in deepwater drilling operations. The IR drilling fluids are invert emulsion fluids with viscosifier to rheology modifier weight ratios between about 6 and about 14. The IR drilling fluids exhibit low shear yield point variance and/or yield point variance of below 60 percent based on high-temperature, high-pressure viscometer measurements.

Abstract: A computerized control system performs controlled pressure drilling in a formation with a drilling system according to a plan. A setup of at least the plan, the formation, and the drilling system is configured in the control system, and the setup is integrated with the drilling system. Functioning of the set up can then be conducted using one of a plurality of control modes, including an operating mode and a simulating mode. The control system functions the setup according to the operating mode for operational interaction with the setup using the integration of the setup with the drilling system. The control system can switch from the operating mode to the simulating mode for simulated interaction with the setup. The control system simulates for at least a time period the functioning of the setup according to the simulating mode using the integration of the setup with the drilling system. Current operations continue as at least one simulated operation or event is projected in the future.

Abstract: Drilling fluids having improved rheology under downhole temperature and pressure. The improved rheology (IR) drilling fluids are particularly suited for use in deepwater drilling operations. The IR drilling fluids are invert emulsion fluids with viscosifier to rheology modifier weight ratios between about 6 and about 14. The IR drilling fluids exhibit low shear yield point variance and/or yield point variance of below 60 percent based on high-temperature, high-pressure viscometer measurements.

Abstract: A process for reducing wellbore instability includes inputting pre-drilling assessment information into an hydraulics analysis and wellbore stability application, inputting a well plan into the hydraulics and wellbore analysis application, inputting a parameter measured at the wellsite into the hydraulics and wellbore stability analysis application, inputting an observation made at the wellsite into the hydraulics and wellbore stability analysis application, integrating the pre-drilling assessment information, the measured parameter, and the observation into the wellbore strengthening analysis application, and adjusting a drilling fluid parameter in response to the integrated pre-drilling assessment information, the measured parameter, and the observation.

Abstract: A computerized control system performs controlled pressure drilling in a formation with a drilling system according to a plan. A setup of at least the plan, the formation, and the drilling system is configured in the control system, and the setup is integrated with the drilling system. Functioning of the set up can then be conducted using one of a plurality of control modes, including an operating mode and a simulating mode. The control system functions the setup according to the operating mode for operational interaction with the setup using the integration of the setup with the drilling system. The control system can switch from the operating mode to the simulating mode for simulated interaction with the setup. The control system simulates for at least a time period the functioning of the setup according to the simulating mode using the integration of the setup with the drilling system. Current operations continue as at least one simulated operation or event is projected in the future.

Abstract: A process for reducing wellbore instability includes inputting pre-drilling assessment information into an hydraulics analysis and wellbore stability application, inputting a well plan into the hydraulics and wellbore analysis application, inputting a parameter measured at the wellsite into the hydraulics and wellbore stability analysis application, inputting an observation made at the wellsite into the hydraulics and wellbore stability analysis application, integrating the pre-drilling assessment information, the measured parameter, and the observation into the wellbore strengthening analysis application, and adjusting a drilling fluid parameter in response to the integrated pre-drilling assessment information, the measured parameter, and the observation.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus have been contrived for the study of the bit/stabilizer balling phenomenon in the laboratory. The device permits a standard testing procedure using a specially designed bob simulating the drill bit for comparing degrees of balling for different rock formations under different drilling conditions involving variable and controlled parameters like weight-on-bit, revolutions-per-minute (rpm), drilling fluids, etc.