Supporting technology for equiment of drilling with gas-based fluid

Gas-based fluid drilling is used more and more widely in enhancing ROP, preventing and eliminating lost circulation, and finding and protecting hydrocarbon reservoirs. On-site applications show facilities, equipment and tools of good performances, in high reliability and rational combinations are necessary for smooth implementation of gas-based fluid drilling. In this paper, performance, principles, specific features and on-site application requirements of necessary power equipment, wellhead controller, relevant bottom-hole assemblies and auxiliary facilities required by the drilling operation are discussed and presented. In addition, position, planning, configuration and matching requirements on equipment and facilities needed for air drilling, nitrogen drilling, mist drilling, foam drilling and aerated drilling operations have been elucidated. Finally, understandings and recommendations on necessary facilities of gas-based fluid drilling have been put forward.