Steadyflodrill is based on Dynaflodrill, but is a steady-state solution. The accuracy and quality of the model is the same as that of Dynaflodrill, but it provides more speed and is more suitable for scanning a wide range of solutions and sensitivity analysis than Dynaflodrill. For many cases a steady-state solution can be sufficient. Scandpower Petroleum Technology has therefore launched Steadyflodrill as a separate application to provide more flexibility for our customers.

Key features

• UBD either with or without gas injection
• UBD design calculation
• Definition of optimum operation parameters
• Evaluation of different engineering methods
• Choice of different injection methods

The interest in underbalanced drilling (UBD) operations seems to be increasing in the industry. There are several reasons for the interest, both from drilling side and from reservoir side. On the drilling side, UBD has the advantages of preventing lost circulation, minimising the risk for differential sticking, extending bit life, increasing penetration rates, and reduced rig time. On the reservoir side, UBD can avoid formation damage, increase well productivity, eliminate the need for stimulation prior to production, and evaluate the formation while drilling.

The initial phase of UBD planning requires comparing different designs and performing rapid calculations and sensitivity analysis. Steadyflodrill is a tool for this stage of the design process, and it gives fast and accurate results. Steadyflodrill can rapidly scan a range of GOR combinations and identify the region of injection and pump rates that can result in underbalanced conditions in the well. The link to the dynamic simulator Dynaflodrill makes it a perfect tool for UBD design.