Master in Petroleum Engineering 2007-2008

Kick Tolerance
Definition, calculation and analysis of results
for the application in well design, drilling and well control operations.
Choke and Kill friction losses influence in Deep Water Wells.

San Donato Milanese – October the 23rd-24th 2008

Author Company Tutors

Gabriele Zaccaria Giuseppe Lanzi
Luca Carazza

Division Exploration & Production University Tutor

Dept. WEDE/PERF Francesca Verga
Master in Petroleum Engineering 2007-2008

 Introduction
 Scope of the work
 Kick Tolerance Definition
 Kick Tolerance Calculation
 Kick Tolerance in Planning Phase
 Kick Tolerance in Drilling Phase
 Kick Tolerance Parameters
 Deep Water Environment
 Innovative Drilling Technologies
 Conclusions
3 Introduction
The importance of kick tolerance in well operations has recently increased
due to its implications in well design, in drilling and well control.

These implications are still

more evident in wells

currently drilled by oil

industry, for which more
complex planning and
execution are required in
comparison with the past.

Deep HPHT Well

4 Scope of the work
To study a simple method for the application of kick tolerance concept
in an effective way both in well design and drilling phase.

The proposed method allows to know, to evaluate and to analyze the kick
tolerance problem in order to make the drilling execution safer and more
economical by reducing the probability to have an incident.

This document purpose is to improve knowledge about Kick Tolerance

and represents a technical basis for the discussion on revision of
STAP/PERF standard/procedure.
5 Kick Tolerance Definition
Kick Tolerance is defined as the maximum kick volume that can be
taken into the wellbore and circulated out without fracturing the
formation at weak point (shoe), given a difference between pore
pressure and mud weight in use.

It is very important to recognise a

kick and quick shut-in the well in
order to limit Kick Volume and to
carry out a successful control.
6 Kick Tolerance
KICK TOLERANCE Calculation
CALCULATOR (Beta Version)

CLOSE
The maximum kick volume which can be circulated to surface without fracturing
is function of: DP OD (in) 5
CALCULATE

 well phase geometrical

Shoe Depth (m) 3200
configuration;
Shoe Fracture Gradient (sg) 2.15

Safety Factor (kgf/cm2) 15.0

A spreadsheet has been implemented in

 drill string dimension;
Hole Size (in) 8.5
Mud Weight (sg) 1.90

order to obtain the kick tolerance volume.

DC length (m) 200

 formation, fracture,
DC OD (in) mud
6.75 & influx gradients.
Gas Gradient (sg) 0.3

TD (m) 5000 Pore Gradient at TD (sg) 2.00

MAASP (kgf/cm2) 75 KICK TOLERANCE VOLUME (bbl) 60

7 Kick Tolerance Calculation
The amount of influx volume that entering in well depends on:
 underbalance between mud weight and pore pressure
 reservoir porosity and permeability
 influx type
 sensibility and reliability of detection equipment
 reaction time of well control crew
 type well shut in procedure
 time of BOP closure
The same kick tolerance between two wells may not mean that they share
the same level of risk because it is important to consider how quickly an
influx will grow!
8 Calculation Assumptions
It has been assumed:
 vertical well
 single monophase gas bubble
 two drill string diameters (BHA & DP)
 one open hole size
 constant ECD profile
It has been neglected:
 gas velocity and its real distribution in the annulus
 P & T influence on mud weight and influx gradient
 gas composition, dispersion and solubility

Driller’s method has been used for the calculation.

These assumptions assures a conservative (safer) kick tolerance.
9 Kick Tolerance Formula
Two mirror approaches have been performed in order to obtain a
correlation linking kick tolerance volume to the corresponding pore gradient
or kick intensity.
(KI = PG – MW)

The correlation is biunique:

 by fixing bottom hole volume it is possible to obtain the

corresponding increase of pore gradient.

 by fixing pore gradient it is possible to calculate the

corresponding bottom hole kick tolerance volume.
10

First Approach
H shoe (FG MW) 10 SF TD MW
FG H shoe C HS DP
FG H shoe C HS DP
(MW IG)
Vi_BH
PG
Vi_BH TD

Second Approach

H shoe (FG MW) 10 SF TD (PG MW) FG H shoe

Vi_bh C HS DP
(MW IG) PG TD
11 Kick Tolerance Plot
This correlation is very incisive, especially in its graphical form.

TD = 4000 m
0,08
Hshoe = 3000 m
0,07 Kick Tolerance Plot
HS = 12” ¼
Kick Intensity (kg/l) 0,06
DP OD = 5”
0,05
BHA OD = 8”
0,04
BHAlength = 190 m
0,03
DPlength = 810 m
0,02
MW = 1.6 kg/l
0,01
IG = 0.3 kg/l
0,00
FG = 1,75 kg/l 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
Kick Tolerance Volume (bbl)

Zero Kick Tolerance Volume Max Kick Tolerance Volume

“zero influx” Zero underbalance → swab case
MAASP 10 PG MW KI 0
PG MW
TD
12 KT in Planning Phase
During the casing seat design, MAASP and Differential Pressure criteria
are used to select casing setting points.

( FG MW ) H shoe MW PG H
MAASP Differential Pressure
10 10
M.A.A.S.P. =Maximum Allowable Annular Shut in Casing Pressure

D Fracture
E Gradient
P
T
H
m

Pore
Gradient

PRESSURE GRADIENT
kg/cm2/10m
13
KT in Planning Phase

Kick Tolerance limits are fixed basing on diameter of the drilled open hole.

Hole Size Kick Tolerance Volume The lower value (25 bbl) is usually composed by :
(inch) (bbl)
 The minimum noticeable pit gain (15 bbl)
≥ 12.25 > 50
8.5 – 12.25 > 35
 The estimated pit gain that will occur to when
the well is finally shut in (10 bbl)
≤ 8.5 > 25

These values help the drilling engineer to verify the casing shoe depth.
The maximum pit gain used in the calculation is critical and must be
selected as appropriate given existing field operating practices, rig
equipment, and the skills of the rig personnel.
14 KT in Planning Phase
The requested kick tolerance volume limits have to satisfy the planned
casing shoe depths.
15
KT in Planning Phase

KICK TOLERANCE APPLICATION EXAMPLE

9 5/8” CSG

Hshoe = 3200 m 0,04

Kick Intensity (kg/l)

0,03
FG = 2.15 kg/l DP 5”

0,02
MW = 2.10 kg/l

0,01
8 ½” Hole Size

0,00
200 m 0 2 4 6 8
DC 6 ¾” Kick Tolerance Volume (bbl)

TD = 5000 m

PG = 2.05 kg/l
16
KT in Planning Phase
2,20

2,15

Pore Gradient (kg/l)

2,10 MW=1.90 k g/l
MW=1.95 k g/l
2,05 MW=2.00 k g/l
Hshoe= 3200 m MW=2.05 k g/l
2,00 MW=2.10 k g/l

FG = 2.15 kg/l DP 5” 1,95

1,90
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
8 ½” Hole Size Kick Tolerance Volume (bbl)

200 m
DC 6 ¾”
0,25

TD = 4000 m 0,20

Kick Intensity (kg/l) MW=1.90 k g/l

0,15 MW=1.95 k g/l
PG = 1.85 kg/l MW=2.00 k g/l

0,10 MW=2.05 k g/l

MW=2.10 k g/l
Mud Weight Kick Intensity SIDPP PG* PG*-PG ΔBHP
0,05
kg/l kg/l kg/cm2 kg/l kg/l kg/cm2
1.90 0.100 40.0 2.000 0.150 60.0
0,00
1.95 0.056 22.4 2.006 0.156 62.4 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70

2.00 0.012 4.80 2.012 0.162 64.8 Kick Tolerance Volume (bbl)
17 KT in Drilling Phase
Following the example of many drilling’s contractors procedures, if kick tolerance
assume a value lower than the following limits, it is necessary to inform a
competent authority that will decide how to carry on the operations.

Floater Bottom Supported

Exploration Exploration
Well Type Development Development
& Appraisal & Appraisal
> 50 bbls
25 - 50 bbls
< 25 bbls

OIM and Rig Manager Operations Managers

Performance Informed Performance Informed
Division Manager Approval or
Business Unit Director of Operations
Performance Approval
18
Kick Identification Chart
During the drilling phase it is possible to identify the influx type

In case of HPHT wells, gas could be in a liquid state until it reaches the
bubble point, therefore the gas detection is more difficult.
( SICP SIDPP) 10
IG MW
Kick Identification Chart Hi
120

100
)
2
(SICP-SIDPP) (kg/cm

80 Gas Kick
Gas Kick
Oil Kick
60 Oil Kick
Water Kick
40 MAASP

20 Water Kick

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110

Pit Gain (bbl)

19 KT in Drilling Phase
Knowing pit gain and SIDPP, the same diagram used in the planning phase,
allows to estimate if or kick volume can be circulated out or bullheaded back
immediately into formation avoiding potential underground blowout phenomena.

Kick Tolerance
120
KICK CIRCULATION
WITH DRILLER’S OR UNDERGROUND
100
WAIT AND WEIGHT
BLOWOUT BULLHEADING
METHOD
80
SIDPP (kg/cm2)

60

FRACTURING LINE
40

WITHIN
20
KICK TOLERANCE
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
Kick Volume (bbl)
20 Kick Tolerance Parameters

Increase FG: - Increase MW

- Formation Strengtheners - Use ECD Minimize SF by reducing
- Cement Squeeze choke operator error thank
- Repeat LOT to drill crew training

( H shoe ( FG MW ) 10 SF ) TD ( PG MW )
Vi _ shoe H i _ max CHS DP CHS DP
( MW IG )
Use W&W method to limit
casing pressure and to
reduce the force generated
Vi _ shoe Pfrac by pore pressure
Vi _ BH
Pp
Improve FG
- Improve IG estimation
estimation
knowing SICP and SIDPP
- Knowledge of reservoir Reduce open hole total
characteristics depth by adding a casing
Early kick detection and hard
well shut-in to minimize
influx volume
21 Deep Water Environment
Scarabeo 7
The continuous research of new
hydrocarbons reservoir into increasing
water depths means new challenges due
to the environment in which to work and
to the equipment used for deep water.

Dual Activity
Off line
22 Choke and Kill lines effect
In deepwater, Choke and Kill line friction is an important factor, particularly
when the threshold between mud density and fracture gradient is really narrow.

Pressure losses in these lines are

relatively high even at low circulation
rates because of the considerable
length and small diameter.

They reduce the MAASP and in

some instances the margin to circulate
out the kick becomes is very low.
23
Choke and Kill lines effect
Weight PV YP Mud SCR Range
(sg) (cP) (lbf/100sqft) (bbl/min) TD = 4000 m
Original Mud: 1,5 30 20 Minimum: 1
Hshoe = 3000 m
Kill Weight Mud: 2,0 30 20 Maximum: 5
CHOKE LINE DIMENSION: HS = 12” ¼
Length ID
(m) (inch)
DP OD = 5”
Section 1: 2000 3
BHA OD = 8”
Section 2: 0 0
BHAlength = 190 m
Choke Line Pressure Loss:
Mud SCR Pressure Loss (psi) DPlength = 810 m
Original
(bbl/min) Mud Kill Mud MW = 1.5 kg/l
1 222 222
2 250 250 PG = 1.55 kg/cm2/10m
3 304 378
4 503 625
IG = 0.3 kg/l
5 744 923
FG = 1.75 kg/cm2/10m
ANNULUS DIMENSION:
Length Casing ID String OD
(m) (inch) (inch)
3200 9,625 5
4000 Off-shore
8,500 (including
5 choke effect) On-shore (without choke effect)
MAASP = 40 kg/cm2 MAASP = 75 kg/cm2
Annulus Pressure Loss:
Mud SCR
Kick Tolerance Volume
Pressure Loss (psi)
= 46 bbl Kick Tolerance Volume = 155 bbl
Original
(bbl/min) Mud Kill Mud
1 617 617
2 633 633
24 Innovative drilling technologies

In challenging Deep HPHT wells, where kick tolerance is very narrow or

doesn’t exist at all, it is necessary to use innovative technologies in order
to be able to drill on.

 Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD)

 ENI Near Balance Drilling (ENBD)

They allow to manage the bottom hole pressure properly.

25 Managed Pressure Drilling
(MPD)
MPD technology is the use of a closed, RBOP
pressurizable mud returns system that provides
the ability to drill ahead and make jointed-pipe
connections while maintaining the appropriate
annular pressure profile.
26 ENI Near Balance Drilling
(ENBD)
ENBD allows “walking the line” between pore pressure and fracture gradient,
through precise and safe control of the annular pressure profile, during drilling.

ENBD integrates the advantages both of Continuous Circulation and

Managed Pressure Drilling. Application of a continuous circulation device
may give great benefit, especially in combination with annular back-pressure.
27 Conclusions
Kick Tolerance is an important concept that can be applied both in drilling
operations and in casing program design.

Application of kick tolerance concept is especially helpful in wells

currently drilled by oil industry, for which more complex planning and
execution are required.

Considering Kick Tolerance made drilling execution safer and more

economical by reducing the probability to have an incident.

28 Conclusions
A correlation linking kick tolerance volume to the corresponding
kick intensity has been drawn.

During the planning phase, a diagram can be used in order to verify if

planned casing setting depth and mud weight are suitable to assure the minimum
kick tolerance requirements.

During the drilling phase, knowing pit gain and SIDPP, the same diagram
allows to estimate if or kick volume can be circulated out or bullheaded back
immediately into formation avoiding potential underground blowout phenomena.
29 Conclusions
It is important monitoring the kick tolerance in real time, by updating the
calculation every time there is a variation of the parameters which influence its
value.

An analysis has also been carried out on the parameters that influence
kick tolerance. Based on it, some indications have been suggested in order to
optimize the parameters.

In deepwater, Choke and Kill line friction is an important factor,

particularly when the threshold between mud density and casing shoe fracture
gradient is really narrow.
30 Acknowledgements

I would thank Eni E&P Division Management for

permission to present this work and related results
and WEDE/PERF colleagues for the technical support
and needed assistance.