Unlocking ESG Benefits and Cost Reductions With EC-Drill® Technology

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) benefits and cost reductions does not contradict each other – they go hand in hand. By reducing emissions through faster and smarter operations, both sustainability and financial goals are achieved. EC-Drill® can play a significant part in making this happen.

In this article, you will see how EC-Drill® combines ESG benefits with cost savings by leveraging the Dual Gradient Effect, improving mud management, and enabling drilling in depleted reservoirs.

The Dual Gradient Effect

One of the core features of the EC-Drill® is the Dual Gradient Effect, achieved by lowering the fluid level in the riser creating a column of air above the mud column in the well. This generates a curved pressure profile that aligns with common operating windows. 

In deepwater operations, the Dual Gradient Effect enables drilling two sections in a single run. The result: 

• One less section to drill, trip, and cement
• Reduced rig time with fewer pressure adjustments during connections
• Lower emissions through faster operations
• Reduced consumption of steel, cement, and drilling mud

From both an ESG and cost prespective, this translates into faster well delivery, lower material usage, and fewer logistics movements offshore. 

Additional reading: Case study: EC-Drill® Dual Gradient in Gulf of Mexico Deepwater

Improved Mud Management

When drilling with traditional Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) methods, operations tend to move slower as a result of  the narrow operating window. EC-Drill® changes this by adjusting the fluid level instead of displacing the wells. Tripping margins are improved the same way to mitigate the surge and swab effects. 

Key advantages include:

• Faster tripping operations without compromising well control
• No fluid displacements between drilling, tripping, and cementing phases
• Reduced chemical consumption, since the mud weight does not need to be altered
• Lower logistics footprint, with fewer requirements for shipping, mixing, and storage

In some operations, the same mud system has been successfully used for multiple sections simply by adjusting the fluid level to achieve the required downhole pressure. This demonstrates both operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact. 

Drilling in Depleted Reservoirs

EC-Drill® is frequently used in depleted reservoirs to continue drilling in mature fields. In addition to enable drilling, longer reservoir sections can be drilled unlocking more of the reserves. This means:

• Increased recovery per well, reducing the number of wells required
• Extended field life, maximizing the return on infrastructure investment
• Sustainable production, with higher output per well and reduced emission per barrel

From a completion perspective, EC-Drill® also facilitates gravel packing in depleted fields. By adjusting the fluid level, operators can achieve a full screen-out without losses, directly improving production performance. 

Case study: EC-Drill®Enables Gravel Packing Without Enducing Losses

Conclusion

EC-Drill® demonstrates that ESG benefits and cost reductions go hand in hand. By optimizing well operations with the Dual Gradient Effect, simplifying mud management, and enabling drilling in depleted reservoirs, operators gain: 

• Faster and safer operations
• Lower emissions and reduced chemical consumption
• Significant cost savings in materials, logistics, and rig time
  
  

EC-Drill® goes beyond conventional MPD by not only maintaining a Constant Bottom Hole Pressure but also unlocking smarter, cleaner, and more cost-efficient drilling solutions.