AADE Houston FMG Meeting

Presenting – “MPD & Mud: Where Pressure Management Meets Fluid System Performance”

 

Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is an integrated pressure-management approach that complements—but does not replace—good mud engineering. This presentation introduces MPD fundamentals, then walks through how key considerations MPD is planned and is executed in the field. Then focuses in on how mud systems directly affect MPD performance: managing the active system, communication between personnel, designing and placing pills and the strategy on interface volumes, considerations for floating casing and cementing programs, and mud optimization opportunities. Attendees will leave with practical guidance on the key fluids levers that impact MPD execution, reduce operational variability, and support safer, more repeatable drilling outcomes.

 

Matt Kvalo, P.E., is the VP of Engineering & Technology at Stasis Drilling Solutions, leading engineering, and product development. He currently serves as the Co-Chair of API SC23 and the 2026 Chair of the IADC MPD & UBO Committee, with prior experience at @Balance/Schlumberger and ExxonMobil delivering MPD projects and offshore ERD wells both domestically and abroad.

 

Presenting – “Air Drilling Practices”

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of compressible drilling fluids—air, mist, foam, and aerated systems—and their role in underbalanced and performance drilling. It explains fluid classifications, system layouts, and the mechanics of foam generation, quality, and stability. Key topics include rheology, slip velocity, lifting capacity, contaminant effects, and the chemistry of surfactants. The course highlights operational considerations such as sampling, circulation testing, corrosion risks, and equipment setup. Additionally, it reviews the benefits of foam systems, criteria for selecting foamers, and methods for recycling foamed drilling fluids to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance wellbore performance.

 

Charles E. Bellinger is a seasoned drilling and completions professional with over 40 years of global experience in MPD, UBD, drilling fluids, and complex well operations. He has served as a consultant to major operators including Marathon Oil and ConocoPhillips, supporting deepwater and international MPD projects. Charles has held multiple leadership roles, including Vice President at Highland Fluid Technology and Chief Operations Officer at Total Separation Solutions, where he guided technology development, product line strategy, and operational excellence. His background includes global product line management with Weatherford and extensive engineering and supervisory roles across North America. Known for strong technical judgment and decisive leadership, Charles consistently drives safe, efficient, and high‑performance drilling outcomes.

 

Presenting – “Denoising “light fluids”, “aphrons”, and “diverters”"

 

Increased well density and the goal to maximize EUR from shale wells opened Pandora’s box for creative ways to drill, stimulate, and intervene low-pressure and semi-low-pressure wells.  A ton of empirical experiments using various potential solutions for these types of wells have emerged in the last three years only to really confuse much of the industry.  This conversation will help define those potential solutions and enable operators to formulate strategies for when and how to use various solutions based on their well parameters. 

 

Dr. Nathan Hutchings is President and Chief Operating Officer of RheoVest, LLC and Emerald Surf Sciences, LLC.  Nate earned his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Eureka College (Eureka, Illinois), where he was trained through the Ronald Reagan Leadership Program.   Nate subsequently earned his Ph.D. in Genetics from The University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa) and conducted Post-doctoral research in Cell & Structural Biology at The University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Nate was an Assistant Professor of Biology and Co-director of the Interdisciplinary Experimentation and Scholarship (IDEAS) Program at Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, Louisiana). Nate became Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. 

 

Nate joined the RheoVest team in December of 2007 and has been President and Chief Operating Officer since February of 2009.  Nate provides day-to-day leadership and operational support for all business units, and he leads the technology development team that holds many fluid and fluid-system patents and other proprietary technologies to optimize completions and production interventions.  Emerald Surf Sciences specializes in automated chem-ad units, data aggregation software, and designed-for-purpose oil & gas fluid systems throughout North America and Canada.