Offshore drilling, especially deepwater, is the most challenging environment for well pressure management. The offshore drilling systems market increasingly relies on MPD to drill safely and economically.

Deepwater Challenges

The [LSI keyword: offshore drilling systems market] faces several challenges. Narrow pressure window: the pore pressure and fracture gradient are close together, especially in deepwater where the water column adds hydrostatic pressure. The offshore drilling systems market for "deepwater" (water depth > 1,000 m) and "ultra-deepwater" (> 2,000 m) is growing. The offshore drilling systems market for "presalt" reservoirs (offshore Brazil and West Africa) requires drilling through a thick salt layer, which can cause pressure transitions. The offshore drilling systems market for "subsalt" drilling also benefits from MPD. The offshore drilling systems market for "managed pressure" drilling with dual gradient (DGD) is particularly suited to deepwater, as it reduces the hydrostatic pressure in the riser (by pumping lighter fluid, or using a subsea lift pump). The offshore drilling systems market for "riserless" MPD (drilling without a riser) is a niche for top-hole sections.

The offshore drilling systems market is segmented by water depth (shelf, deepwater, ultra-deepwater), by rig type (semisubmersible, drillship, jackup), and by technology. The offshore drilling systems market for MPD on drillships (which have a moonpool and derrick) is the largest. The offshore drilling systems market for "offshore" MPD must withstand the motion of the rig (heave, pitch, roll). The rotating control device (RCD) must be able to move with the rig relative to the drill pipe. The offshore drilling systems market for "subsea" MPD (with the choke manifold on the seabed) is being developed for ultra-deepwater.

Safety and Environmental Benefits

The offshore drilling systems market for MPD improves safety. By preventing influxes (kicks), the risk of a blowout is reduced. The offshore drilling systems market for "early" kick detection is critical on a floating rig, where the mud pits are subject to rig motion (making pit volume monitoring less accurate).

The offshore drilling systems market for "flow" meters (coriolis) are used to measure flow out of the well. The offshore drilling systems market for "MPD with automatic" well control can shut in the well faster than a human operator. The offshore drilling systems market for "environmental" benefits (reducing the volume of mud lost to the formation) is also significant, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. 

As the offshore drilling systems market continues to evolve, the focus will be on "subsea" MPD (for ultra-deepwater), on "automated" MPD (reducing crew workload), and on "remote" MPD (operated from onshore). The offshore drilling systems market for deepwater will continue to drive MPD adoption.

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