Successful High-Temperature/High-Pressure Well Testing From a Semisubmersible Drilling Rig

In 1990, Hamilton Oil Co. Ltd. (HOC) drilled and tested three high-temperature/high-pressure (HTHP) wells from a semisubmersible drilling rig in the North Sea. This paper identifies the main pitfalls encountered when planning and implementing an HTHP well test with reference to three case histories. These cases demonstrate the benefits of defining a clear philosophy of safety and simplicity to test such wells successfully.