Numerous developments in automation have made the modern mobile offshore drilling unit a marvel of engineering achievement and a model of efficiency. Yet, even with the surge in advancements, kick detection, which can be comparatively elementary for a fixed drilling unit, has proved to be significantly more difficult to master on a vessel subject to wave motion and currents. This paper describes experiences, challenges, and approaches to solving the problems related to creating an advanced early kick-detection system suitable for floating mobile offshore drilling units.
Enhanced Kick Detection
The complete paper provides a discussion of conventional approaches to kick detection. However, managed-pressure drilling (MPD) has surfaced as a natural response to drilling in unconventional or otherwise difficult fields, and the need for an enhanced kick-detection system has been established somewhat naturally from the imposed needs of MPD systems.
