Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CH 6 Well Control
CH 6 Well Control
Contents
Types of well control
Causes of well kicks
Warning signs of kicks
Methods of killing kicks
Blowout prevention equipment and well control
procedures
What is kick?
An unscheduled entry of
formation fluid(s) into the
wellbore
The pressure found within the
drilled rock is greater than the
mud hydrostatic pressure acting
on the borehole or face of the rock
Therefore, the formation pressure
has a tendency to force formation
fluids into the wellbore
If the flow is successfully
controlled the kick has been
killed, if not BLOWOUT !!!
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Causes of kicks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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3. Swabbing
Swab pressures are pressures created by pulling the
drill string from the borehole
This action will reduce the effective hydrostatic
pressure throughout the hole below the bit
If this pressure decrease is large enough, there will be
potential kick
Reasons
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4. Cut mud
Gas contaminated mud will occasionally cause a kick
although this occurrence is rare
Mud density will decrease
As gas is circulated to the surface, it may expand and
decrease the overall hydrostatic pressure to a point
sufficient to allow a kick to occur
Although the mud weight is cut severely at the
surface, the total hydrostatic pressure is not decreased
significantly since most of the gas expansion occurs
near the surface and not at the bottom of the hole
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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5 Lost circulation
Decreased hydrostatic pressure occurs due to a
shorter column of mud
When a kick occurs as a result of lost circulation, the
problem may become extremely severe since a large
amount of kick fluid may enter the hole before the
rising mud level is observed at the surface
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1.
2.
3.
When pumping at a constant rate, the flow rate increase more than
normal i.e. formation is aiding the rig pumps in moving the fluid up
the annulus by forcing formation fluids into the wellbore
When the rig pumps are not moving the mud, a continued flow from
the well indicates that a kick is in progress
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7.
Drilling break
8.
The mud provide a buoyant effect to the drill string, heavier muds
have a greater buoyant force than less dense muds
When kick occurs, the mud density will decrease and as a result, the
string weight observed at the surface begin to increase
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Kick indication
Kick detection - (confirmation)
Kick containment - (stop kick influx)
Removal of kick from wellbore
Replace old mud with kill mud (heavier)
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Stop drilling
Raise the bit off the bottom of the well (to shut in the well)
Stop the pumps and check to see if there is a flow from the well
If the well does flow, close the BOP and shut in the well
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Depth
Pressure
Gas 0.075 0.150 psi/ft
Oil
0.3 0.4 psi/ft
Water 0.433 0.520 psi/ft
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Kick
Detection
Kick
Detection
Kick
KickControl
Control
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Calculations
Example: What overbalance would there be in a hole
drilling at 7,000 ft if the mud weight is 9.5
ppg and the formation pressure is 3,255 psi?
Solution:
DP = 0.052 (9.5) (7,000) 3,225 = 203 psi
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P
3,150
=
= 12.1 ppg
0.052 h
0.052 (5,000)
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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Example:
A well was cased at 4,500 ft. using 9 in. casing and then cemented. The
drilling was continued using 8 in. bit. Drill collars are 6 in. O.D., 2 in.
I.D. and 500 ft. long and the drillpipe is 4 in. OD, 3 in. ID, 16.6 lb/ft. The
mud density used in drilling this well is 9.5 ppg. When the drilling approaches
5,500 ft., a gas kick occured and the influx is 6 bbl of gas having a pressure
gradient of 0.075 psi/ft. were recorded. The well is shut-in and the surface
shut-in drill pipe pressure (SIDPP) builds up to 250 psi.
Based on the above information, calculate:
a. The bottomhole formation pressure.
b. The height of gas column.
c. The annular surface pressure/casing shut-in pressure (CSIP).
d. The pressure on the formation at the casing shoe.
e. The mud density required to just balance the formation pressure.
f. The mud density required to give 400 psi overbalance pressure.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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Solution:
(a)
Pf = Phyd + SIDPP
= 0.052 (9.5) (5,500) + 250
= 2,967 psi
(b)
Vgas kick
6.25
8.75
=
4 12
4 12
= (A d/c open hole ) (h gas kick )
h gas kick =
= 0.2045 ft 2
Vgas kick
A d/c open hole
ft 3
5.615
6 bbl
bbl
=
0.2045 ft 2
= 165 ft.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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(c)
(d)
Phyd.orig. mud
psi
165 ft - 0.052 (9.5) (5,500 -165)
ft
before adding a new mud
(e)
(f)
P = 0.052
2,967
=
=
= 10.4 ppg
0.052 h
0.052 (5,500)
Pob = Pf + P
= 2,967 + 400 = 3,367 psi
P = 0.052
P
3,367
=
=
= 11.8 ppg
0.052 h
0.052 (5,500)
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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Example: Whilst drilling the 10 hole section of a vertical well the mud pit level
indicators indicate that the well is flowing. When the well is made safe, the
following information were gathered:
Surface readings: SIDPP = 200 psi, SICP = 400 psi, Mud wt. = 10 ppg
Pit gain = 20 bbls, Tsurface = 75oF, T gradient = 1.2 oF/100 ft
Hole/drill string: Hole size = 10 , Depth of kick = 10,500, Previous casing
shoe = 4,500, 13 3/8, 68 lb/ft, d/c = 500 of 8, d/p = 4.5
Capacities:
Drillpipe = 0.01422 bbl/ft, drillcollar = 0.01190 bbl/ft,
Collar/Hole = 0.04493 bbl/ft, Drillpipe/Hole = 0.08743 bbl/ft,
Drillpipe/Casing = 0.13006 bbl/ft
Fracture gradient: at 4,500 = 0.7 psi/ft
By using Wait and Weight method to circulate the influx out of the hole,
a. Determine what type of formation fluid has entered the wellbore.
b. What is the pressure at casing seat when the influx is still at the bottom?
c. What is the pressure at the surface when the influx is still at the bottom?
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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(a)
Height of kick, h i
Fluid influx gradient, G i
Vol. of influx
V3
G OM
20
0.04493
445 ft.
(CSIP DPSIP)
hi
(10)(0.052)
(400 200)
445
0.071 psi/ft
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Phyd.orig. mud
psi
445 ft - 0.052 (10) (10,500 - 445)
ft
before adding a new mud
or,
P0'
CSIP
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After the kick is shut in, weight the mud to kill density, then pump
out the kick fluid in one circulation using the kill mud
Other names: wait and weight method, engineers method, graphical
method, constant drill pipe pressure method
After the kick is shut in, the kick fluid is pump out of the hole before
the mud density is increased
Other names: drillers method
3. Concurrent method
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Drill pipe pressure graph of the one circulation method of well control
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
Drillpipe pressure
DPSIP pOB
GK GM
d
pC 1
pC 2
DPSIP
Choke pressure
Pressure (psi)
CSIP
Phase 1
Phase 2
Time (min)
Phase 3
Phase 4
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46
Drill pipe pressure graph of the two circulation method of well control
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
Drillpipe pressure
Choke pressure
Pressure (psi)
2nd circulation
pC 1
pC 2
DPSIP
Gas
Oil or Water
CSIP
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
GK GM
DPSIP pOB
d
Time (min)
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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3. Concurrent method
As soon as the kick is shut-in, pumping begins immediately
after reading the pressures and the mud density is pumped as
rapidly as possible
However, it is difficult to determine mud density being
circulated and its relative position in the drill pipe
Since this position determines the DPP, it will give irregular
pressure drops
As a new density arrives at the bit or some predetermined
depth, the DPP is decreased by an amount equal to the
hydrostatic pressure of the new mud density increment
When the drill pipe is completely displaced with kill mud, the
pumping pressure is maintained constant until kill mud reaches
the flow line
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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Choice of method
Determining the best control method, suitable for the
most frequently met situations, involves several
important considerations:
The time required to execute the entire kill procedure
The surface pressures arising from the kick
The complexity of the procedure itself, relative to the ease
of carrying it out
The downhole stresses applied to the formation during the
kick killing process
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Disadvantages
52
Disadvantages
53
Disadvantages
Minimum of non-circulating
time
Excellent for large increases
in mud weight (under
balanced drilling)
Mud condition (viscosity
and gels) can be maintained
along with mud density
Less casing pressure than
drillers method
Can be easily switched to
weight-and-weight method
10,000
10.5
4.5, 16.60 lb/ft
8 x 3.5 x 500 ft
4,000, 13-3/8, 68 lb/ft, ID = 12.415 in.
10 ppg
0.7 psi/ft
200 psi
400 psi
20 bbl
70 oF
1.2 oF/100 ft
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
Notes:
For initial conditions,
calculation technique for
both method are the same
Drillers Method
Engineers Method
Drillers Method
Engineers Method
gal bbl
(10.52 82 )in 2 (12 in)
3
4
231 in 42 gal
0.04493 bbl/ft
vdc-oh
gal bbl
(10.52 82 )in 2 (12 in)
3
4
231 in 42 gal
0.04493 bbl/ft
vdc-oh
20 bbl
445 ft
0.04493 bbl/ft
h10,000
20 bbl
445 ft
0.04493 bbl/ft
Hydrostatic Pressure across Kick Fluid, Hydrostatic Pressure across Kick Fluid,
DPkick_10,000 5400 400 (0.052)(10)(9,555)
31. 4 psi
= 31.4 2 10.52 82 in 2
in 4
1,141 lb
DC Drill collar
OH Open hole
F = DP * A = W
W Pressure Area
Pressure DC-OH Annular Area
lb
= 31.4 2 10.52 82 in 2
in 4
1,141 lb
Kick at Bottom
DPSIP 200 psi
CSIP 400 psi
4000'
9555'
9500'
h 445' P 31.4 psi
10000'
PV PV
T 1 T 2
V4,000
P10,000 T4,000
V10,000
P
T
4,000 10,000
5,400 70 48 460
0.08743h 4,000 20
P
70
120
460
4,000
h 4,000
1,098,444
P4,000
2
2
OH
4000'
9500'
10000'
d OD p h 4,000
gal bbl
2
2
10.5
4.5
(12
in)
3
4
231
in
42
gal
Graphical illustration of
kick at top of 4,000
casing seat for Drillers
method.
weight
weight
area
DP-OH Annulus area
1,141 lbs
16.1 psi
10.52 4.52 in 2
DPK_4,000
4000'
9500'
1,098,444
2,264 P4,000 (0.52)
P
4,000
10000'
b b 2 4ac
2
If ax bx c 0, then x
2
a
OM Old mud
DP Drill pipe
OH Open hole
Graphical illustration of
kick at top of 4000
casing seat for Drillers
method.
2(1)
2493 psi
1
(2493 psi)
4000 ft
0.6233 psi/ft
0.7 psi/ft
4000'
9500'
h 4,000
10000'
1,098,444 1,098,444
441 ft
P4,000
2493
b b 2 4ac
2
If ax bx c 0, then x
2
a
Graphical illustration of
kick at top of 4000
casing seat for Drillers
method.
4000'
h 441' P 16 psi
h 4,000 441 ft
DPK_4,000 16 psi
9500'
P0,ann = ?
10000'
P0 T10,000
Z constant
5400 70 460
(0.13006) h 0 20
P
70
120
460
677,084
V A h d d h
4
h0
--- (1)
P0
gal
12.415 4.5 (12 in)
4
231 in
0
2
IDc
2
OD p
4000'
bbl
h 0 0.13006 h 0
42 gal
9500'
Again
weight
1,141 lb
area
12.4152 4.52 in 2
4
5400 P0 11 (0.052)(10)(10,000 h 0 )
DPK_0
Graphical illustration of
kick at surface for
Drillers method.
677,084
5,400 P0 11 0.52 10,000
P0
P0 2 189 P0 352,084 0
4000'
9500'
h0
677,084 677,084
973.74 ft 974 ft
P0
695.34
Graphical illustration of
kick at surface for
Drillers method.
4000'
( 0.57 psi/ft)
9500'
Alternatively,
P4,000 P10,000 (0.52)(10)(10,000 4,000) 10000'
5,400 3,120
Graphical illustration of
kick at surface for
Drillers method.
2,280 psi
h 0 974'PK,O 11 psi
4000'
P 16 psi
h 0 974 ft
DPK_0 11 psi
9500'
P10,000 = ?
10000'
Old Mud, OM
Kick
PV PV
T 1 T 2
4000'
9500'
P10,000 T4,000
V10,000
P
T
4,000 10,000
10000'
5,400 70 48 460
0.08743h 4,000 20
P
650
4,000
h 4,000
1,098,444
P4,000
.. (6)
But,
BHP P4,000 PK_4,000 PM PM1
As before,
DPK_4,000 16 psi
141 bbl
DPM 0.052 *10 *
0.08743 bbl/ft
839 psi
.. (7)
0.08743
P
4,000
2
P4,000
2,177 P4,000 592,940 0
P4, 000
2
2,422 psi 0.61 psi/ft
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
4,000
Old Mud
Kill Mud
9,500
10,000
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
0.01422
9,500 ft 0.0119
500 ft
ft
ft
141 bbl
Quantity of 10.0
lb
mud below the bubble.
gal
10
0.052 (10,000)
0.38 10 10.38 ppg
V0 V10,000
P0 T10,000
5,400 530
0.13006 h 0 20
P0 650
677,084
h0
P0
- - - (4)
- - - (5)
PK,0 11 psi
As before,
Assume all 10 lb mud is inside 13 3/8 csg. Then the height of 10 lb mud
141.0 bbl
hM
1,084 ft
0.13006 bbl/ft
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
677,084
12 P0 (0.5398)
P0
12 12 4 * 365,490
2
1
2
2
P0 610.59 611 psi
677,084 677,084
h0
1,109 ft
P0
610.59
P4,000 P0 PK0 PM PM1
Kill Mud
h0 = 1,109 ft
DPK,0 = 11 psi
4,000
9,500
10,000
Summary
Bubble at bottom
hole (10,000)
P4,000
P0
Drillers
method
2,480
400
Engineers
method
2,480
400
Top of bubble at
P4,000
casing shoe (4,000) P
0
2,493
2,422
413
342
Top of bubble at
surface (0)
2,280
2,161
695
611
P4,000
P0
77
Causes of Blowout
Underbalance (low density mud, water, foam, air)
Reduce formation damage
Save money but the risk of occur blowout increased
Overbalance
Safety but has its limitation
If overbalance pressure is too high may break the formation and
cause lost circulation lead to a blowout
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Primary control
This is the prevention of the influx of formation
fluids into the wellbore by ensuring that the
hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore is at all times
greater than the formation pressure:
Phyd > Pf
The hydrostatic pressure may be too low because of
the following reasons:
1. Insufficient fluid density
2. Insufficient height of fluid column
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Secondary control
When primary control is lost, it is not normally
possible to kill the well immediately
The well is then shut in to prevent further influx into
the wellbore; and usually, this is only a temporary
measure
Secondary control therefore refers to the use of
mechanical devices used to close off the well
This device is called a blowout preventer (BOP)
The safety and efficiency of the control depends on
the integrity of the casing strings, well head and
fittings
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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Relief wells are special directional wells planned to drill to hit the blow out well.
When the blowout well is drilled into, a special well control procedure will be
conducted to control the blowout well. There are several examples as in
Macondo well (blow out incident on 20 April 2010).
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What is BOP?
The BOPs are a series of powerful sealing elements designed
to closed off the annular space between the drill pipe and the
hole through which the mud normally returns to the surface
Valves are installed on the pipe or wellhead to prevent the
escape of pressure either in the annular space between the
casing and drill pipe or in open hole during drilling,
completion and work over operations
By closing this valve, the drilling crew usually regains control
of the reservoir with increase the mud density until it is
possible to open the BOP and retain pressure control the
formation
They can be hydraulically, manual or air operated and in some
cases a combination of all three
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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BOPs rating
The bursting pressure of the casing will often be the determining
factor for rating the working pressure of the assembly.
API Bulletin D13 gives the pressure ratings for BOP equipment:
API Class
Working pressure
105 Pa (psi)
Service condition
2M
138 (2,000)
Light duty
3M
207 (3,000)
Low pressure
5M
345 (5,000)
Medium pressure
10 M
689 (10,000)
High pressure
15 M
1,034 (15,000)
Extreme pressure
100
Types of BOP
BOPs come in a variety of styles, size and pressure
ratings
Some BOPs can effectively close over an open
wellbore, some are designed to sealed around tubular
components in the well (drill pipe, casing and tubing)
and others are fitted with hardened steel shearing
surface that can actually cut through drill pipe
Two basic types
1. Annular type or
2. Ram type
A combination of both types are commonly used to
make up a 'BOP stack' alias X-mas Tree
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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BOP
Surface BOP
Downhole BOP
Pipe Ram
102
1. Annular preventers
A large valve used to control wellbore fluids
Design to shut off around any size of equipment run through
the hole
Most blowout preventer (BOP) stack contains at least one
annular BOP at the top of the BOP stack, and one more ramtype preventers below
It can close around drill pipe, drill collars and casing, and also
pack off an open hole
Is a wells master valve and normally closed first in the event
of a well kick, owing to flexibility of the closing rubbers
It can only be closed hydraulically by directing fluid under
pressure to the operating cylinder through the closing chamber
103
104
This mud-drenched annular preventer is located near the top of the BOP
stack (left). The red annular BOP (right) awaits installation
105
2. Ram-type preventer
Three types:
a. Pipe rams - which seal off around a pipe and
annulus
b. Blind rams - which completely close off the
wellbore when there is no pipe in the hole
c. Shear rams - which are the same as blind rams
except that they can cut through drillpipe for
emergency release as a last resort
A set of pipe rams may be installed below the shear rams to
suspend the severed drillstring
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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Blind Ram
Pipe Ram
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Pipe rams
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BOP safety
Well control equipment that is to be install must be rate
above the maximum expected formation pressure of the
well about to be drilled
Tested immediately after installation
Maintained ready for use until drilling operations are
completed
Control panel must be located at sufficient distance from
well head
BOP equipment must be pressure tested