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Drilling

TAP-287-Fate and Behavior of Deepwater Subsea Oil Well Blowouts in the Gulf of Mexico

To analyze the behavior of oil spilled during a deep water blowout. The study will focus on three questions: What properties and behavior are expected of the oil on the surface, such as slick thickness, area, and dispersibility?;
what cleanup measures, if any, are available and appropriate to deal with the spill?; and
are there any major differences in oil spill behavior and countermeasures between a blowout.

Mitigating the Problem of Gas Migration After Primary Cementing

This is a Joint Industry Project (JIP). Two tasks were set for the project:

1) Develop a comprehensive understanding of the nature and extent of the gas migration problem. A survey form was prepared, interviews with cementing experts are taking place, and a database of relevant information is being developed;

2) Conduct screening studies of existing remedial solutions.

Riser Reliability Analysis

This JIP was formed to develop a preliminary model of riser reliability. The insights gained by this model will be used to generate a road-map for the development of a more refined model of riser reliability. The preliminary model will also allow the structure and location- specific reliability results, which will be useful in the evaluation of the reliability inherent in current designs.The study originally planned to consider both a TLP production riser and a drilling riser, each in 1000 meters of water.

Development of Improved Drill String Safety Valve Design and Specifications

This project was an add-on to the current LSU Well Control Project (No.8). It's purpose was to develop specifications and designs for improved Drill String Safety Valves (DSSV). Safety valves and inside blowout preventers were found to be one of the categories experiencing the highest failure rates during routine testing and well-control events.

Development Studies of Mud Converted to Cement

This is a Joint Industry Project (JIP). This is the second phase of a project that was completed in 1994; this project will build on the results of the first phase. The first project identified several issues with Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) in muds. Phase II will focus on other applications of BFS/Mud systems, BFS-Cement, or BFS by itself in comparison to Portland cement studies. The first part of Phase II will be a literature search on the hydration of BFS. The second part of Phase II will be gas leakage tests simulating geo-pressured reservoirs with various slurry compositions.

Blowout Preventer Study

Current regulations require that blowout preventers (BOP) be tested when installed,
before drilling out each string of casing and
at least once each week, but not exceeding 7 days between tests, alternating between control stations.

At the request of the oil industry, the 7 day inspection period is being reviewed for the possibility of extending the inspection frequency to once every 14 days.

Novel Hydrate Prediction Methods for Drilling Fluids

This is a Joint Industry Project (JIP). The purpose of this project is to develop a gas hydrates prediction model for drilling fluids made from salts and glycerol. The model will include two prediction methods for the hydrate temperature suppression. High pressure hydrate equilibrium and resistivity data will be acquired in the first phase of the proposal. The second phase will involve the final development of the computer prediction model. The model will be verified against field and laboratory data.

Hydrates of Hydrocarbons--Practical Implications

Produce a written review of the state of the art in topics as the prevention of hydrate formation and removal of hydrates during drilling, production, transportation, and other processing of hydrocarbons. These topics will become increasingly important to the safety of operations as industry moves into the deeper parts of the Gulf of Mexico, where the colder temperatures cause more hydrate

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