Well Control for the Directional Driller

C.Rosier
Technical Training Instructor
D&M Schlumberger

Objectives
After completion of this module you will be able to:
Calculate Gradient and Hydrostatic Pressure for different mud
weights and depths.
Define Pore Pressure and be able to identify Normal and
Abnormal Pore Pressure.
Describe the purpose and method of performing a FIT and
LOT.

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Objectives
After completion of this module you will be able to:
Describe and calculate Maximum Allowable Annular Surface
Pressure .
Describe and calculate Maximum Mud Weight and Equivalent
Mud Weight .
Understand Equivalent Circulating Density and why it is of
concern in well control.

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5/2/2002

Objectives
After completion of this module you will be able to:
Understand the terms Primary and Secondary Well Control.
Identify the signs of a Kick
Identify the key components of a BOP Stack and describe its
operation.
Understand the need to Space-out.

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Hydrostatic Pressure
1ft

1ft

7.48
gallons

1ft

7.48
lbf/sq ft

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7.48 / 144 = 0.051944 lbf/ sq in.

Hydrostatic Pressure (English Units)

A cubic foot contains 7.48 gallons
and exerts, for a fluid of 1ppg
a force of 7.48 lbsf / sq ft or
7.48 / 144 lbsf / sq in.
= 0.051944 lbf / sq in
This is usually rounded to 0.052

Hydrostatic Pressure
For a fluid of a different mud weight we simply multiply this
constant by the density of the fluid for the gradient and this
by the TVD to obtain the Pressure.
Example for a Mud Wt of 9.8 ppg, depth of 3,800 ft
TVD of 3,118 ft
Mud Wt x Constant = Mud Gradient (psi / ft)
9.8 ppg x 0.052 = 0.5096 psi / ft
Mud Gradient x TVD = Bottom Hole Pressure (psi)
0.5096 psi / ft x 3,118 ft = 1588.93 psi
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Exercise
Calculate for the following:
1. For a Mud weight of 12. 6ppg what is the gradient? What
is the bottom hole pressure for a 13,256 ft (TVD) well?
2. If my well is 17,678 ft (TVD) and my requires bottom hole
pressure is 8641psi, what Mud weight do I need? What is
the gradient?
3. What is the increase in bottom hole pressure if I drill from
6890 ft (TVD) to 10,975 ft (TVD) with a 10.5 ppg mud?
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Pore Pressure
What is the definition of Pore Pressure?
The pressure of the fluid contained in the pore space in the
formation of interest.
Pore Pressure is also referred to as Formation Pressure.

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Normal Pore Pressure

Normal Pore Pressure is the Hydrostatic Pressure of the fluid
in which the sedimentation took place
Depending on the salinity and purity of the fluid (water) the
normal pressure gradient will vary from 0.433 psi / ft to 0.465
psi / ft.
For normal formation pressure to exist the overburden weight
of the formations above is supported by the grains in the
rock.
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Abnormal Pore Pressure

Abnormal Pore Pressure is when the Hydrostatic Pressure of
the fluid in which the sedimentation took place is less than,
the Pore Pressure
Abnormal Pore Pressure is usually caused by interruption to
the percolation of the fluids being driven from the pore
space during compaction. This causes the fluid to support
part of the overburden of the formations at shallower
depths.

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Abnormal Pore Pressure

Abnormal Pore Pressure is also caused by:
Faults
Salt Domes
Formation dips
Erosion of the overburden
Formations with Pore Pressure Gradients below 0.433 psi / ft
are described as having Subnormal Formation Pressure.

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Formation Fracture Pressure

Every formation has a limit to the pressure that it can
withstand before it permanently deforms or fractures. This
limit needs to be determined so that it is not exceeded in
well control operations.
There are two systems for determining the upper pressure
limit during well killing operations:
The Leak Off Test (LOT)
The Formation Integrity Test (FIT)
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The Leak Off Test

The Leak Off Test is used to accurately determine the
pressure capacity at the Shoe.
Because overburden increases with depth, the shallowest
formation is usually the weakest.
Leak Off Test

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5/2/2002

MAASP
When the FIT or MOT has been performed there becomes a
requirement to use the results in a format that is
independent of depth, as the plan is to drill ahead.
For this we use the Maximum Allowable Annular Surface Pressure
or MAASP:
MAASP = Surface Pressure @ Mud Wt

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5/2/2002

MAASP
Example:
For a LOT made with 10.9 ppg mud, at a shoe at 9,500 ft (TVD)
and a MAASP of 2,150 psi, what would be the MAASP if the
mud weight was increased to 11.2 ppg

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MAASP
For LOT, M Wt = 10.9 ppg, TVD = 9,500 ft, MAASP = 1,150 psi
New M Wt = 11.2 ppg
LOT BHP = 1,150 + 0.052 x 9,500 x 10.9 = 6534.6 psi
New Mud Hydrostatic = 11.2 x 9,500 x 0.052 = 5532 psi
New MAASP = LOT BHP New Mud Hydro = 1,002.6 psi
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5/2/2002

Maximum Mud Weight

An alternative to the MAASP that facilitates comparison, based
on the Equivalent Mud Weight is the Maximum Mud Weight or
MMW. This states the Mud Gradient as a Mud Weight
Example:
LOT BHP = 6,534.6 psi
MMW = 6,534.6 / 9,500 / 0.052 = 13.23 ppg

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5/2/2002

Equivalent Mud Weight

The Equivalent Mud Weight is calculated in the same way as
MMW but is for the anticipated BHP or actual BHP and not
at the pressure that will cause break down of the formation.
Example:
EMW = (Surf Press / 0.052 / Depth (TVD) ) + MWt ppg
= (1,450psi / 0.052 / 8,500) + 8.9
= 12.18ppg

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5/2/2002

Equivalent Circulating Density

The Equivalent Circulating Density or ECD is the sum of the
Hydrostatic Pressure and the Annular Pressure Loss when
circulating.
In well control we are concerned with this because it is
possible to drill into a new formation with sufficient ECD to
hold back the formation fluids, only to take a kick when we
stop for a connection.

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5/2/2002

Primary Well Control

Primary Well Control is the use of the drilling fluid to
contain formation fluids by means of applied Hydrostatic
Pressure.
To do this we need to maintain a full column of drilling fluid
at sufficient weight to overbalance the formation.
The most common causes of kicks indicate what we need to
be monitoring:
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Primary Well Control

Insufficient Fluid Density

Poor Tripping Practices
Improper Hole Filling While Tripping
Swabbing / Surging
Lost Circulation
Abnormal Formation Pressure
Obstructions in the Wellbore
Cementing Operations

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Primary Well Control

Special Situations:
Subsea Riser Failure
Water Flushes
Drill Stem Tests (DST)
Failure to Maintain Sufficient Back Pressure when Drilling
Underbalanced
Drilling from Platform Legs

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Secondary Well Control

Secondary Well Control begins when the Primary Well Control
fails, in other words when we encounter a Kick
A Kick if not correctly dealt with will result in a Blow-Out.
Blow-outs can be both visible, on surface, and underground.
In the latter case previously low pressure formations
become charged.

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Detecting a Kick
There are certain indicators that may warn of a possible kick:
Drilling Break
Increase in Return Flow
Pit Gain
Well Flowing
Increase in Pump Rate
Drop in Standpipe Pressure
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Detecting a Kick
Indicators contd:
Oil Shows
Insufficient displacement to / from Trip Tank
String Pulling Wet After Slugging
String Weight Change

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Control Equipment
The main components of a Blow Out Preventer Stack are:
The Annular
The Rams
The Choke Line
The Kill Line

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Control Equipment

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Control Equipment

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Control Equipment

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Control Equipment

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Control Equipment

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Control Equipment

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Drillpipe
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While drilling

Drillpipe

Pclose

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Closing

Drillpipe

Pclose

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Closing

Drillpipe

Pclose

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Closing

Drillpipe

Pclose

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Closing

Drillpipe

Pclose

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Closing

Drillpipe

Pclose

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Closing

Drillpipe

Pclose

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Closing

Drillpipe

Pclose

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Closing

Drillpipe

Pclose

SICP

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Closing

Drillpipe

Pclose

SICP

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Leak while closed.

Drillpipe

Pclose

SICP

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Emergency seal activated.

Control Equipment

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Control Equipment
Designed for H2S Service
Dual Chokes / Console
10,000 psi / 20,000 psi
Available with 2 or 3 Pumps
Handles High Pressure
Tungsten Carbide Choke Plates
And Extended Wear
Sleeves
Choke
Console

Detail showing
Operation ofChoke

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5/2/2002

Super Choke
10,000 psi

Control Equipment
Console Control Panel

Super AutoChoke
6

2
1
1
2
3
4
5
6

Static Trim
Dynamic Trim
Shuttle
Position Indicator
Casing Pressure
Set Point Pressure
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5/2/2002

Shut In Procedure
The Shut in procedure:
When a kick has been detected the first course of action is to
close the well in. However, because Pipe Rams close on
the tube only, not the tool joints it is important to Space Out
to ensure that the rams do not close on a tool-joint.
At this point the role of the Directional Driller is complete, it is
time to leave the drill-floor.

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5/2/2002