Adaptability of Underwater Tamping for Deepwater Drilling Conductor Installation in South China Sea

In order to improve the safety and efficiency of deepwater drilling conductor installation operation,underwater tamping technique was studied.In view of the deepwater shallow formation drilling problem and based on the pile driving method,the underwater tamping technique for deepwater drilling conductor installation was analyzed through theoretical analysis and process research.This technique uses underwater hydraulic pile system to drive surface conductor into deepwater formation from the working ship,without taking the rig time.According to the geological characteristic of deepwater shallow zone in South China Sea and the requirement of oil and gas exploitation,the adaptability of the underwater tamping technique applied in South China Sea deepwater drilling operation was analyzed.Compared with the conductor drilling/cementing and jetting technique,underwater tamping can save 65% and 43% of operation time,and 79% and 46% of operation costs,respectively.Conductor underwater tamping technique can significantly improve the safety and economics of deepwater shallow drilling operation,is suitable for the deepwater surface conductor installation in South China Sea.