At Balance NE Geodynamics

At Balance mobilizes DAPC system to Pacific Rim country to control pressure in geothermal drilling project

At Balance has mobilized its Automated Pressure Drilling services for the next phase of development drilling in a Pacific Rim geothermal reservoir.

This is a follow-up to the first well drilled in 2005 with the Dynamic Annular Pressure Control system. In the first well the operator drilled a vertical production well underbalanced into the hot fractured granite at 14,000 ft,

The objective is to use a conventional rig to drill the geothermal reserves, stabilize the BHP with a mud system that will not damage the fractured granite reservoir, manage continuous flow, and prevent mud loss.

Using the DAPC system on the first well allowed the operator to reduce the static mud weight by 1.0 ppg, maintain pressure stability, minimize mud losses, preserve fracture permeability, and control a water kick.