At Balance TE DAPC Pump

The DAPC System - Backpressure Pump

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The DAPC backpressure pump meets DNV certification 2.7-1/T3, and is rated for Zone II. It also meets ATEX certification and is built in a DNV certified crash frame. (Click image to enlarge)

**Constant Bottomhole Pressure**
Constant bottomhole pressure is about saving time and money spent fighting through narrow pressure margins, eliminating lost circulation and stuck pipe, controlling influx, stabilizing the well, and drilling difficult to reach targets. The most consistant way to overcome these challenges is with around the clock automated control.The DAPC system utilizes new choke technology to manage backpressure precisely and fast with its own backpressure pump during connections and while drilling with pipe, coiled tubing, or liner.

The Backpressure Pump

The DAPC employs a suite of automated pressure control equipment to maintain constant bottomhole pressure - one of them is the backpressure pump.

This backpressure pump is unique to the DAPC system. Under the control of the Integrated Pressure Manager (IPM) to which it is linked by a high speed network connection the pump provides a dedicated, on-demand supply of backpressure whenever needed.

On-demand backpressure ensures pressure stability and constant bottomhole pressure whenever the flow rate drops below safe levels or stops completely.

Around-the-clock Backpressure Supply

The DAPC system protects against potentially critical well control events from developing when the flow rate is unexpectedly interrupted by stalled drilling motors, plugged downhole tools, pump failure, and lost circulation.

By continuously monitoring flow the IPM mitigates drilling risks. If the IPM detects a drop in flow below the programmed level it automatically starts the backpressure pump to stabilize any potential imbalance to the surface backpressure and maintain a constant bottomhole pressure.

At Balance is the only Managed Pressure Drilling company capable of delivering this level of around-the-clock pressure stability and constant bottomhole pressure control with actively supplied backpressure.

Automated and Continuously Active Backpressure

Automated, continuously active backpressure is possible only with the support of an on-line backpressure pump.

The pump connects directly to the DAPC manifold which directs its flow through one of its main chokes. As it pumps mud at a constant rate the IPM takes the necessary adjustments to the choke to maintain the setpoint backpressure.

During normal drilling operations the DAPC choke manifold maintains backpressure using rig supplied mud flow. Whenever the flow rate drops, during connections for example, the IPM automatically acts.

The IPM starts the backpressure pump to send a steady flow of mud to the choke so that when the rig pump stops completely there is no loss of backpressure and the BHP is kept within its safe operating window.

In addition, as mud is pumped through the manifold it also pumped through the rotating control head into the well which acts to keep the annulus full.

For safety purposes, the pump is fitted with a pressure relief and check valve to prevent overpressure and back flow from the well.



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