Benefits of dual-gradient methods for drilling upper hole sections ///

The Subsea MudLift Drilling-Joint Industry Project (SMD-JIP) concluded after a successful field test in the Gulf of Mexico in late 2001. Since then, Subsea MudLift Drilling Co., or SMDC, a subsidiary of Hydril, was created by agreement of the JIP participants to market dual-gradient-drilling (DGD) technology to the industry. SMDC is poised to bring DGD to the market in the form of a Top-Hole Drilling (THD)* system, providing many of the benefits of DGD, as well as other unique advantages.