Underbalanced Drilling

Underbalanced Drilling (UBD), a rapidly expanding oilfield technology, is currently being utilized in any horizontal drilling operations and vertical well completions. One of the keys to a successful horizontal under-balanced drilling (UBD) program is having a mobile, economical, and readily available source of inert gas. Alberta Mobile Air operates its own fleet of portable 'Nitrogen Generation Units' (NGU's). By combining Alberta Mobile Air's extensive array of compressors and booster compressor; with the NGU's, Alberta Mobile Air now has the ability to air-generate nitrogen at your well site for your UBD horizontal program, regardless of location.

UBD Benefits

The main benefit of UBD is the prevention of well bore damage that occurs during conventional drilling when the annular hydrostatic head exceeds the formation pressure, resulting in the invasion of drilling fluids and cuttings into the formation. The underbalanced formation pressure resulting in the invasion of drilling fluids and cuttings into the formation. The underbalanced condition is readily and safely achieved by nitrifying the drilling fluid arid by providing reliable pressure control through a closed-loop separation and circulation system to handle the combination of drilling fluids, cuttings, and petroleum production. The use of nitrogen, as opposed to air, to reduce the density of drilling fluids eliminates downhole fires. The combination of sufficient nitrogen injection, a pressure control and monitoring system, and proper operating procedures will ensure that the underbalanced condition remains intact.