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Summary

Developer: DACC
Sponsor Organization: CAPP
Current Status: Out for 90-day industry review. Closes June 30, 2026.
Feedback: To provide feedback or comments regarding the IRP 22 Draft or any of the defined terms, please use the Feedback Form and send it to [email protected]

Returns Managed Drilling (RMD) Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) and Underbalanced Drilling (UBD) are drilling techniques that manipulate pressure to either force or prevent the flow of formation fluids. IRP 22 uses the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) definitions for MPD and UBD. 

IRP 22 is a collection of guidelines for RMD, MPD and UBD operations. These guidelines can be used in the development, planning and completion of RMD, MPD or UBD programs. IRP 22 may be used as a reference for the intended audience, act as a guideline for MPD/UBD companies in training employees or assist in developing internal procedures for safe RMD/MPD/UBD practices. 

IRP 22 provides information regarding planning, equipment considerations and operational practices. A key component to this IRP is the IRP 22 Risk Register. The Risk Register is a tool designed to allow RMD/MPD/UBD professionals to transfer this IRP into practice.

Overview

This update reflects a limited-scope review of IRP 22 to align with updates to API 92M, particularly regarding dynamic influx management, definition standardization, and MPD training considerations. Revisions are intended to clarify expectations and reduce ambiguity without significantly changing the overall intent of the IRP.

Key objectives of this update include:

  • Improve clarity and consistency in operations practices (e.g., influx detection, mitigation, and tripping/stripping),
  • Align influx management concepts and terminology with current API guidance (including dynamic influx management),
  • Enhance guidance for surface systems and equipment (e.g., pressure management, overpressure protection, and equipment expectations), and
  • Incorporate considerations for MPD-specific practices such as tripping, managed pressure dementing, and training expectations.

A detailed list of revisions is provided in Appendix A: Revision Log, Table 8 Edition 4 Revisions.

Supplemental Resources

Process Flow Diagrams

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