Schlum Well Control Presentation

Network of Excellence in Training
Hussain Rabia
Pressure Control
© COPYRIGHT 2001, NExT. All Rights Reserved

Pressure Control
Course Contents
1. Objectives
2. Lost Circulation
3. Causes of kicks
4. Shut in data
5. Kill mud density
6. Well control methods
2
© COPYRIGHT 2001, All Rights Reserved
Objectives
1. Understand types of lost circulation
• Objectives
2. Understand the term “kick”
– At the end of this lecture YOU will be able to:
3. List
• a
four causes of a kick.
4. Calculate
• b the kill mud density from shut in
well data.
• c
5. Describe the major difference between a
“Wait & Weight ” and “Drillers Method” .
6. Understand why the annulus pressure rises
when circulating out a gas kick.
3
A study of 55 blowouts during a 10-year period lists the following
primary causes of blowouts:
4
In the 55-well study referred to earlier, evidence showed that after
the wells kicked, 62% were not controlled for the following
reasons:
5
Lost Circulation
1. lost circulation causes mud level in the hole to drop
2. this will decrease the hydrostatic head of the mud.
3. that hydrostatic pressure can be be at any point in the column.
4. If lost circulation at the depth you at drilling it is very possible
that a formation higher up the hole may flow.
5. A slight loss can be controlled by slowing down the pump rate or
adding lost circulation material to the drilling fluid as you drill
6
Classes of Lost Circulation
1. Seepage losses: 1- to 10 bbls/hr lost while circulating at the
normal circulation rate.
2. Partial losses: 10 - 50 bbl/hr lost while circulating at the

normal circulation rate.
3. Severe losses: > 50 bbl/hr lost while circulating at the

normal circulation rate. Hole may become static and full
when pumping stops (ECD effects).
4. Total losses: mud level can not be seen from surface and
losses continue whether the hole is being fill through
annulus or circulated.
7
Loss Circulation : Pathways for losses
1. Natural fractures (including non-

sealing faults)
2. Cavernous and ‘vuggy’ formations
3. Very high permeability formations
4. Induced fractures (from the drilling
operation)
8
Natural Losses
Natural losses can be experienced in any of three types of
formation.
i. Coarse Sands & Gravel Beds

formation must typically have a permeability in excess of 10
to 25 Darcy’s for the mud to be lost. This type of loss is
almost universally restricted to near surface sands and
gravels.
ii. Natural Fissures or Fractures
Natural fissures and fractures in brittle lithologies, such as
limestones and chalks,
iii. Cavernous Formations
9
Vugular formations
1. Often cause sever loses and are difficult to

cure. Such formations can be found in
hard rock country.
2. Some times the complete formation is so
fractured that the pressure that controls
the reservoir is close to that, that will
cause the lost circulation.
1
0 © COPYRIGHT 2001, All Rights Reserved
Induced Fractures
In formations where the difference

between pore pressure and fracture
pressure is low, losses may occur due
to formation fracture caused by
drilling ECD or surge / swab
pressures.
1
Induced fractures
1. Very common
2. in most cases the induced
fracture will cure if the
pressure causing it is relieve
3. Such fracture occur at the
weakest point in the hole and
can be caused be surge
pressure. When working pipe,
making connections, tripping,
too higher drilling fluid weight
or from well control
1
procedures.
Excessive Overbalance
Excessive overbalance may in some

instances not fracture the formation but
result in losses through the pore space.
For this to occur, the formation requires
high porosity together with at least
moderate permeability.
1
Surge Pressures
1. Excessive surge pressure generated whilst running in the

pipe can fracture the formation.
2. Surge pressure is placed on the formation the moment the
string is run in the hole.
3. In areas of potential lost circulation, tripping speeds must
be controlled all the way to from surface.
4. Running speeds can be monitored and alarmed in the
mud logging unit to assist the Driller in maintaining a safe
tripping speed.
5. However, the maximum permissible speed will be greater
when the bit near surface and will decrease with depth.
1
Severe and Total Lose 60% to 100%
1. The standard well control procedures can not work unless

the well can be circulated.
2. With total lose returns and formation fluids at surface we
face the problem of underground blowouts.
3. The objective now is to cure the lose so the more coventional
killing method can be used.
4. This can take several forms but all involve spotting pills.
5. If at all possible try and get the bit above the loss zone as
you will need to pump large plug for at least 300 feet of
hole.
1
Types of Plugs
1. Barite Plugs
1. Barite tend to work well in plugging of gas kicking
formations.
2. Such a plug should be minimum of 300 feet
3. To mix :clean fresh water. Add phosphate then the

Barite adjust the ph to 9 with caustic soda
1
Gunk plugs
1.
The gunk plug is made up of bentonite mixed
in with diesel oil.
2. It is a very quick setting plug & comes into it
own in water flows
3. The plug does not react until mixed with
water, so there is no danger of it setting up in
the string providing there is an oil cushion
"spacer" in front and behind it
4. again use a large plug say 200 feet
5. Once in place pump mud down the annulus
to hold it in place and to help it set.
1
Cement plugs
1. a cement plug can be spotted and allowed to
set across and above the Loss zone
2. Thick slurry or coarse lost circulation
materials can be pumped down the annulus
in an attempt to bridge off upper zones.
Calcium Carbonate is another good lost

circulation material
1
Kick - Definition
A kick occurs when formation fluid flows in to the
wellbore due to insufficient mud hydrostatic pressure
Mud
hydrostatic
pressure
Pf Pf
1
Causes of Kicks
1. Tripping
2. Drilling into an overpressured zone
3. Failure to fill hole
4. Inadequate mud weight
5. Gas cut mud
6. Lost circulation
2
Kick Detection
! Increase in flow rate out of the

hole
! Increase in surface mud

volume ( pit volume)
Action : Driller has to close the

Blowout Preventer ASAP
2
Pressure Changes During A Kick
Mud
hydrostatic
pressure
Pf
2
Mud
hydrostatic
pressure
New
heavy
mud
Pf
2
100 psi
Imagine we applied a
surface pressure of
Mud
hydrostatic
Pf – hydrostatic = say
pressure 100 psi on surface
Bottomhole
100 Pf pressure changes
psi by same amount
2
Pdp = Pf- mud hydrostatic
Mud
During a kick the
hydrostatic
pressure
reverse
happens…downhole
pressure is seen at
surface
Pf
Formation pressure = mud hydrostatic pressure + Pdp
2
Well Shut-in
DPSIP
Pa Before circulation
Mud
Gas
Yf
Pf
2
Remedy
Before normal operations ca resume:
1. The influx has to be removed from the

annulus
2. Mud hydrostatic has to balance the

formation
2
Calculations
Formation pressure = mud hydrostatic pressure + Pdp
Formation pressure
Mud weight =
0.052 x True Vertical Depth
(0.052 x mud weight x TVD) + Pdp

kill mud gradient =
0.052 xTVD
2
Gradient ( Psi /ft.) = Mud weight (PPG) x 0.052
Mud weight ( PPG) = Mud Gradient ( Psi/ft ) / 0.052
2
European Well Control Forum
Formulae ( Field Units.)
Initial circulating pressure ( Psi )
= Selected slow pump pressure ( Psi) + SIDPP ( Psi)
Height of influx ( Ht )
= Pit gain ( Bbls) / Drill collar- open hole volume ( Bbls/ft.)
Gradient of influx ( Psi/ft.)

= Mud gradient ( Psi/ft) - [ ( SICP-SIDPP) / influx height ( Ht )]
3
Migration ( percolation ) rate ( Ft/hr)
= Pressure increase per hour ( Psi/hr) / Mud gradient ( Psi/ft )
New MAASP ( Psi)
= [ Max allowable mud wt (PPG) - mud wt (PPG)] x 0.052 x Casing
TVD (ft)
Barite required to raise mud weight ( Lbs/bbl.)
= [1500 x ( Kill mud wt (PPG) - Old mud wt (PPG)] / [ 35.8 - Kill
weight mud (PPG)]
Shut in casing pressure ( Psi)
= Formation pressure (Psi) - [Mud grad x height + Influx
grad x Influx height ]
Where Gradients = Psi/ft , Heights = (ft).
3
Circulation Pressures
New Pump pressure

= Present pressure ( Psi) x [New SPM / Old SPM ] 2
Pump output ( Bbls/min.)

= Pump liner capacity ( Bbls/Stroke) x Pump speed ( SPM )
Annular velocity ( ft/min.)

= Pump output ( Bbls/min) / Annular Volume ( Bbls/ft.)
3
Example
Well Depth 7560' MD 7050' TVD.
13 3/8” casing shoe at 6000' MD 5820' TVD.
Bit Size 12 ¼”
Drill pipe 5” 19.5 lb/ft.
Drill Collars 8” x 2 13/16”~ x 530'
Well is shut in with the following data
SIDPP 550 psi
SICP 680 psi
Kick Volume 25 bbls
Mud Weight in use is 11.0 ppg.
Slow Circulating Rate Pressure is 500 psi at 30 spm

3
1. What is the formation pressure ?
2. What is the kill mud weight required to balance formation

pressure?
3. What is the initial circulating pressure?
4. What is the final circulating pressure, once the kill mud

has reached the bit?
5. What is the gradient of the influx?
3
Well Kill Methods
3
Drillers Method
1. The Drillers method is a two circulation method.

2. On the first circulation the influx is circulated out
of the hole with the existing mud weight using the
choke to maintain the required pressure
differential.
3. the well is circulated with original weight mud
to remove the influx while kill mud is being
prepared.
3
Drillers Method
4. After completing one complete circulation,
pressure on DP and annulus are the same.
5. On the second circulation, kill weight mud is
circulated round the hole.
6. kill mud is circulated around to kill the well -

well is dead
3
“Wait and Weight” Method
1. The well is kept closed in while the surface

mud weight is increased.
2. kill mud is circulated around the well in one

circulation.
3. one circulation removes the influx and kills

the well.
3
Features of The Wait & Weight Method
1. Wellbore and surface pressures are generally lower

with the Wait-and-Weight method, particularly if the
influx contains gas.
2. The maximum pressure exerted on the last casing shoe,
which is assumed to be the weakest point in the hole, is
lower with the Wait-and-Weight method as long as the
open hole annular volume is larger than the drillstring
capacity,
3. The well is under pressure for the least time and there
is less time circulating through the choke.
3
The disadvantages of the Wait-and-Weight
method are:
1. It requires the longest waiting time prior to circulation

2. If the annulus was full of cuttings at the time the kick
was taken there may be a danger of packing off.
3. Gas migration may become a problem while waiting for
the mud to be weighted up.
4
Differences between Methods
Wait & Weight Drillers Method
1. Completed in one circulation. Completed in two

circulations.
2. Lower pressures on the wellbore. Higher pressures on casing
shoe
3. Takes less time overall Must be used in HPHT
wells
4. The preferred method in most cases.
4
Example
Well Depth 7560' MD 7050' TVD.
13 3/8” casing shoe at 6000' MD 5820' TVD.
A leak-off test was carried out at the 13 3/8” shoe using a mud weight of 10.0 ppg.
A surface pressure of 1400 psi was recorded.
Bit Size 12 ¼”
Drill pipe 5” 19.5 lb/ft. capacity=0.01776 bbl/ft
Drill Collars 8” x 2 13/16”~ x 530' capacity=0.0080 bbl/ft
Drill pipe / Casing annulus capacity=0.1293 bbl/ft
Drill pipe / Open hole annulus capacity=0.1215 bbl/ft
Drill Collar / Open hole annulus capacity=0.0836 bbl/ft
SIDPP 550 psi
SIC 680 psi
Kick Volume 25 bbls
Pump is a National 12-?-160, using 6 ½” liners.
Pump output is 0.119 bbl/stroke.
Slow Circulating Rate Pressure is 500 psi at 30 spm.
4
Bit Size 12 ¼”
Drill pip Drillpipe 19.5 lb/ft.
capacity=0.01776 bbl/ft
Drill Collars 8” x 2 13/16”~ x 530' capacity=0.0080 bbl/ft
Drill pipe / Casing annulus capacity=0.1293 bbl/ft
Drill pipe / Open hole annulus capacity=0.1215 bbl/ft
Drill Collar / Open hole annulus capacity=0.0836 bbl/ft
4
(1) What is the kill mud weight required to balance formation pressure?
ANSWER ppg.
(2) How many strokes will be required to pump kill mud from the surface
to the bit?
ANSWER ___ ___ strokes.
(3) How many strokes are required to pump from the bit to the casing shoe?
ANSWER ___________ strokes.
(4) What is the total annular volume? ANSWER : ______ barrels.
(5) What is the MAASP at the time the well is shut in?
ANSWER ________psi.
(6) What is the new MAASP once the kill mud has been circulated around the
well?
ANSWER ________psi
(7) What is the initial circulating pressure? ANSWER ___ psi
4
(8) What is the final circulating pressure, once the kill mud has
reached the bit?
ANSWER ____ psi
(9) What is the gradient of the influx? ANSWER -______ psi/ft.
(10) Approximately how long will it take to circulate around the well at
30 spm?
ANSWER _________ minutes.
(11) The well is shut in. What is the drillpipe pressure drop
per 100 strokes as kill mud is being pumped to the bit?
ANSWER ______ psi/100 stroke
4
Equipment
4
Basic Set Up
4
4
Annular
4
Annular
5
Pipe Rams
1. Pipe rams are designed to close and seal
on one specific size of pipe, and are also
used for "hang-off.
5
Pipe Rams
2. With hang-off, the ram is used to suspend
pipe or casing by closing underneath a
tool joint. The recommended procedure
for emergency hangoff of drill pipe is to
close the rams with 1,500 psi up to 3,000
psi, lock the ram locks using the normal
procedure, and then transfer the drill pipe
weight to the rams.
5
Pipe Rams
3. Pipe rams‘ hang off suspension capacity
varies with the size of the ram.
5
Ram Preventer
5
Ram Preventer
5
Blind
Pipe
Rams
5
Shearing Blind Rams
Shearing blind rams (SBRs) are dual-
purpose rams that have been proven
over many years of field service.
Under normal operating conditions,
they are used as blind rams to seal in
an open hole. When used as a blind
ram, the blade packer in the upper
shear ram seals against the front face
of the lower shear ram. In an
emergency, SBRs are used for
shearing.
5
Shear Rams
5
Dual String (DS) Shearing Blind Ram
1. The dual string shearing blind ram, also known as the DS Shear
Ram was originally designed to shear larger diameter tubulars or
multiple tubing strings, regardless of their orientation to the
centerline of the ram bore.
2. With the DS Shear Ram, after the pipe has been sheared, the
lower pipe (or "fish") is housed in a vertical pocket. The blade
face seal provides a seal between the horizontal faces of the upper
and lower blades.
5
Dual Shear Rams
6
Variable Bore Rams
1. The Variable Bore Ram, or VBR, seals on several sizes of pipe or
hexagonal kelly within its specified size range. A typical range is
from 5" to 3-1/2" diameter Other size ranges, such as 7" to 4-
1/2" diameter, are available upon request.
2. VBRs are not intended for long-term stripping use.
3. "Stripping" refers to moving drill pipe vertically within the well
while the BOPs remain closed, maintaining a seal around the
pipe.
4. During stripping, the drill pipe and larger diameter tool joints
are pulled through the packers in fully closed rams. This
procedure is typically used in workover and servicing operations
using annular BOPs and specialty rams.
6
Variable Rams
6
6
HCR Valve
6
HCR Valve
The HCR pressure operated gate valve is a flowline valve requiring relatively low
operating pressure. It is a single ram, hydraulic gate valve. The closing ratio of well
pressure to hydraulic operating pressure is approximately 8:1.
Should the the HCR valve be used as the inner or outer kill valve on the the BOP stack?
6
Accumulator Unit
1. The purpose of the unit is to operate and control equipment to

safely control kicks and prevent blowouts during drilling and
workover operation
2. The prime function of this unit is to provide and store the
fluid supply for the pumps and the high-pressure operating
system that operates and controls the BOP stack.
3. A Blow-Out Preventer (BOP) control system is a high-

pressure hydraulic power unit fitted with directional control
valves.
4. Accumulator or Accumulator unit consist of electric pumps,
air pumps, hydraulic control panel, air operated control
panel, valves, accumulator bottles and reservoir tank.
6
Bottles
6
Pipings & Gauges
6
Bank of Accumulators
6
7
Accumulators
1. Accumulators or bottles as they are more commonly
know come in different size and pressure rating.
2. They are coded to ASME specifications.
3. These bottles store the pressure that function the well
control equipment.
4. There are two basic types. Bladders and Floats
5. they come as Cylinders or Ball style and can be either top
or bottom loaded.
6. Inside are the rubber bladders used to store pressured
nitrogen. The nitrogen is stored at 1000 psi
7
Reservoir
1. The tank normally oblong stores the atmospheric fluid
supply for the high-pressure pumps.
2. It contains baffle plates. Inspection ports, fill up and
drain off lines
3. The fluid stored could be either hydraulic oil or soluble
oil that mixes with water.
4. Once the accumulator bottle's are pressured up, the
tank will hold the reserve fluid that should be checked
daily.
5. It is a good idea to install a low level indicator to the
tank
7
Air Pumps
1. 1 or 2 hydraulic air pumps make up an independent
pressure assembly unit.
2. All are run in parallel and are connected to the accumulator
piping system to provide a source of high pressure.
3. All pumps no matter whether they be air or electrical must
be rated so as to fully charge the Pressure system from 0 to
3000 psi in 15 min. This is to be done as an independent unit.
7
Electric Pumps
1. Electrical pumps are used to pump high-pressure

fluid. They can be duplex or triplex receipting
plunger type pumps (piston) driven by explosion
proof electric motors.
2. Each pump source for a 3000 psi high pressure
system should be able to open the HCR valve, close
the annular prevented and close the choke within 2
minutes with the accumulator bottle isolated and
1200 psi on the manifold.
7
Hydraulic Control Manifold
1. The manifold is the control centre that contains all the leaver
and valves that operate and control the direction the high-
pressure fluid will go.
2. The accumulated pressure is regulated down to a working
pressure of 1500 psi for valve and rams and 800 psi for the
annular presenter
3. There are 3 pressure gauges installed to show the

pressure 3000, 1500 and 800 psi and should be checked daily
4. The leavers have nameplates to indicate their function .
Would normally have some form of safety plate or cover to
stop people accidentally closing it (the blind or shear rams)
7
Air remote control panels
1. This is commonly known as the remote control unit

2. stationed a safe ( minimum 50 feet away ) and covenient
distance from the rig.
3. As the name implies it is, operate by air.
4. More modem rigs have a push button system installed in
the Toolpushers Office.
5. However, on land this is somewhat rear.
6. This control system is a two handed operation : a. to
controls air, b.the other to activate the equipment. An
airline connects it to the accumulator unit. Air remote
control interface.
7
Air remote control interface
assembly
For the remote to work there has to be a air remote control
panel that interfaces both the remote and the
accumulator. This is made up of stainless steel 1/4 tubing.
Other components include air cylinders, regulators pressure
transmitters and half of the air transmission box such a
system is quite complicated and could link to 1 or more
remote controls.
7
Interconnecting cables assembly
1. The accumulator unit and remotes are connected up
with flame resistant muli conductor air cable
(Umbilical Cable)
2. This cable has an outer casing with 3/8-polyethylene
line inside that carries the air signal. At each end is the
other half of the air transmission box.
3. That once coupled up complete the operating circuit.
7
Sizing recommendation for a standard system
1. The correct approach to sizing an accumulator unit should

incorporate ample accumulator capacity to immediately
control the Preventers in an emergency.
2. The pumps must be designed too charge the system within a
reasonable time and maintain this charge.
3. The total accumulator volume for a 3000-psi standard
control system should be sized to close the annular and all
the BOP rams and valve with the pumps out of service.
While holding a minimum of 1200 psi operating pressure -
200 psi above pre charge.
4. An additional 50% of fluid should be applied to compensate
for any fluid loss in the control system or Preventer
7
8
Choke Manifold
8
Choke Manifold
8
Choke Manifold
1. When a well kicks , it is closed in
2. after evaluation the well will be killed
3. this process can take several forms most involve the use of a choke, some form
of throttle.
8
Choke Manifold
4. Features: a dual chokes, one adjustable and one positive, to help maintain a
constant flow rate, which controls the pressure at the bottom of the hole
"Bottom Hole Pressure"
5. Another feature is a straight through by pass enabling the flow to go directly to
the sump a safety feature no manifold should be without
6. Chokes are throttling valves that allow operators to control the well stream.
They are capable of withstanding erosion resulting from the very high
velocities occurring at and immediately downstream from the orifice. Choke
Manifold allows operators to limit erosion to the replaceable parts within the
choke.
7. Direct flows to different areas of the rig. Redirect flow shouldr some
unforeseen reason repair need to be made during the kill.
8
8
1. There is no standard drilling choke.
2. Ideally the choke should be as close to the drilling console as
possible.
3. Should this not be possible a remote control and a automatic choke
should be part of the standard equipment list.
4. The basic standard drilling choke manifold should be designed with
a full-bore flow path through the manifold, allowing total bypass of
the choke control.
5. On one side of the bypass, an adjustable choke allows more flexible
control for well, on the other side is a positive choke to give more
accurate flow.
6. By using the valves and choke, the operator can change the choke
without having to stop the operation
8
8
Pressure Gauges
1. Pressure gauges from both the stand pipe manifold
and the choke should be connected to the remote and
be independent line.
2. Both a low and high pressure gauge should be used
an the choke.
3. Part of the training drills should include the lining up
of the choke circulating system.
4. this is more apparent on land where the choke can be
up to 50 feet from the rig and the driller may have to
walk away from the control panel to see what is going
on.
8
J-2 step-down pressure transmitters,
normally located on the standpipe and
the choke manifold, convert actual mud
pressure to a low pressure pneumatic
signal.
These signals are transmitted through
hoses to the control console where
pressure readings are registered on the
panel gauges.
J-2 is a hydraulic transmitter working at
300 psi
8
Hydraulically Actuated Drilling Choke
Cameron hydraulically actuated

drilling chokes are available in
working pressure rated from 5000
to 20,000 psi with inlet and outlet
flange sizes from 3-1/16" to 4-1/16".
The standard orifice size is 1-3/4".
Other sizes are available All parts
rated suitable for H2S and 250øF
service. The cylindrical gate and
large body cavity provide high flow
capacity and quiet operation. The
gate and seat can be replaced or
reversed without removing the
choke from the manifold.
9
Manual Drilling Choke
9
Degasser
9
Sunmary of BOP Equipment
• Blind or Shear rams,

• Choke manifold,
• HCR valves,
• Choke and Kill lines,
• Accumulator and BOP Control System (Koomey Unit),
• Drilling Spools: used as an element between rams to
provide mud exist lines such as choke and kill lines.
Drilling spool can be flanged, studded or clamp-on type.
• For air drilling, rotating heads are used to allow well
control while the pipe is rotating.
9
• Drillpipe Blowout Preventers include:
– Kelly cock,
– Drop in valve (check valve),
– Float valve (either flapper or spring-loaded ball valve),
– Full opening safety valves.
– BOPs are rated by API as 3M (3000 psi), 5M, 10M
and 15M, for HPHT wells, BOPs are either 15M or
20M,
– All above equipment must be rated to the highest
pressure to be expected at the well during a kick or
during controlled testing and production.
9
– In subsea operations, the BOP stack is installed at
seabed,
– The stack has several back-up units in the case of
failure, for example two annulars are used so that
if one failed the other can be used,
– This back-up system principle is applied to all the
BOP components,
– The subsea stack for HPHT operation may not be
part of the rig contract and may have to be rented
out separately, e.g. a 20 K stack.
9
Safety Valves
9
Drop in Valve
Checkguard
valve is
installed as
needed
9
Drop in Valve
The check valve sits in the landing sub in

the replaceable landing sleeve, latching
positively. The sleeve has recessed areas
into which the check valve packer seals.
Checkguard valve seals pressure up to

10,000 psi.
9
Drop in Valve
It is wire line retrievable.

The need to trip the drill string is
eliminated. Yet retrieval can also be
accomplished after tripping out the drill
string. In this illustration, the retrieving
tool unlatches the check valve and lifts it
to the surface
Landing Sub
After the correct size check valve is

determined, choose a matching landing
sub. Select a landing sub with threaded
connections and outside diameter
compatible with the mating tool joints of
9
the drill string.
Kelly Valve
1. Most valve of this nature are some form of ball valve that
can be operated both manually or in some cases
hydraulically as if installed in a top drive
2. Kelly Valves are manually operated high-pressure safety
valves.
3. They provide positive sealing for upward and downward
pressures and are used for multiple applications.
4. Kelly Valves are installed e. g. in drill stems or tubing
strings.
5. Often used as an inside BOP and would be installed in the
open position.
6. The Valve will than be closed to shut in any flow. If the flow
starts while the rig is tripping a Gray inside BOP would be
installed above it. The Kelly Valve would then be opened and
1 the pipe stripped back to bottom.
0
Operation
The valve is operated by use of a standard

hexagon wrench. The open and closed
position of the ball plug are accurately
determined by means of stops at the plug
itself which ensure maximum safety.
1
0
Identify the valves to be lined up for a leak off test through
the drillstring with the cement pump.
Circle either open (O) or closed

(O) for each valve below:
Valve No.1 :
Valve No.2 :
Valve No.3 :
Valve No.4:
Valve No.5 :
1
0 Valve No.6 :
Gas Behaviour
Gas is highly compressible. Its volume depends on both
pressure and temperature
Boyles Law
PV= constant
P1 V1 = P2 V2
1
0
Imagine two tubes full of mud. One tube is open to the
atmosphere and one is closed
0 0
Open Closed
1
0
Imagine two equal quantities of gas injected into two
tubes full of mud. One tube is open to the atmosphere
and one is closed
0 ?
One bbl of gas
Gas Gas
Open Closed
1
0
0 0
0
Gas
Open
Gas
Gas Gas
P1 = 5000 psi P2 = 14.7 psi

T1= 240 º F T2= 60 ºF
V1 = 1 bbl (Assumed values) V2 = ?
P1V 1 P 2V 2 5000 x 1
= =
14.7 xV 2
T1 T V2
2 240 + 460
= 253 bbls & pressure reduces 60 + 460
from 5000 psi to 14.7 psi

1
0
When the tube is closed , gas rises up the tube without
expansion carrying its pressure with it all the way up the tube.
Closed ? 5000
0
Gas
Mud = 9.6 ppg
Depth= 10000’ Gas
Gas
Mud hydrostatic = 5000 psi

Gas pressure = 5000 psi
1
0
Bottom Hole Pressure (Igore gas head)
In a real well, the hole will

fracture when gas is at surface
Closed ? 5000
0
Gas
Mud = 9.6 ppg
Depth= 10000’ Gas
Gas
BHP= surface pressure + Hydrostatic BHP= surface pressure + Hydrostatic

heads= 0 +5000 = 5000 psi heads=5000 +5000 = 10,000 psi
1
0
Hence gas expansion must be allowed to reduce wellbore
pressures. This is the basis of well kill methods.
Gas expansion is carried out in a controlled manner by
manipulating the choke at surface
Gas
Gas
1
0
Annular Gas Expansion: Conclusions
• Gas expands as it rises (Boyle’s Law)
• Gas Pressure reduces as it rises
• Gas height increases, mud height decreases

• Pan must rise to compensate if BHP stays the
same.
1
1
Annulus Pressure Rises
Annulus pressure rises when

circulating out a gas kick because gas
expansion reduces the height of mud in
the annulus.
1
1
Pressure Control
• Now you should be able to:
1. Understand types of lost circulation
2. Understand the term “kick”
3. List four causes of a kick.
4. Calculate the kill mud density from shut in
well data.
5. Describe the major difference between a
“Wait & Weight ” and “Drillers Method” .
6. Understand why the annulus pressure rises
when circulating out a gas kick.
1
1
Network of Excellence in Training
Pressure Control
End Of Module
© COPYRIGHT 2001, NExT. All Rights Reserved

Examples for Instructor
1
1
A relief valve protects the system by diverting flow when:
a) pressure gets too low
b) when production is low
c) pressure gets too high
The function of the hydro-pneumatic accumulator is
to:
a) to store air for functions in the main control panel
b) to replace the HPU
c) store hydraulic fluid at high pressure for instant use
Remote Control Panels allow operation of the main
fluid control manifold valves from remote locations.
True
False
A manual regulator uses a _______ to control the
hydraulic pressure.
a) spring
b) pilot
c) hydraulic regulator
1
1
The function of the HPU is to provide ________ for the control
system.
a) electrical power
b) hydraulic power
c) pneumatic power
d) fluid by-products
When choosing a pump, consideration must be given to:
a) size of the HPU
b) size of required accumulator bank
c) system volume requirements
d) size of manifold
The accumulator manifold collects fluid from the accumulator
bank and directs it to a single output port.
True
False
1
1
Shuttle valves are:
a) rarely used in Control Systems
b) used to operate a hydraulic device from either of two control
units
c) used exclusively in platform BOP control systems
Which of the following are the four types of pumps?
a) air-driven, hydraulic, pneumatic and electric
b) electric, diesel, air-driven and hydraulic
c) electric, diesel or gasoline, air-driven and hand pump
The primary function of the HPU Fluid Reservoir is to collect
and store hydraulic fluid for control system operations.
True
False
1
1
Example
Well Depth 7560' MD 7050' TVD. Pump is a National 12-?-160,
using 6 ½” liners.
13 3/8” casing shoe at 6000' MD 5820'
TVD. Pump output is 0.119 bbl/stroke.
Slow Circulating Rate Pressure
is 500 psi at 30 spm.
Bit Size 12 ¼”
Drill pipe 5” 19.5 lb/ft.
Drill Collars 8” x 2 13/16”~ x 530'
Well is to be killed using the
wait and weight method. A pre-
SIDPP 550 psi kick and kill sheet are provided
SIC? 680 psi for your use. Please complete a
graph showing the change in
Kick Volume 25 bbls drill pipe pressure as kill mud is
pumped to the bit, and then
answer the following questions
Slow Circulating Rate Pressure is 500 psi at 30

spm
1
1

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© COPYRIGHT 2001, NExT. All Rights Reserved

5. Kill mud density

6. Well control methods

2. Partial losses: 10 - 50 bbl/hr lost while circulating at the

3. Severe losses: > 50 bbl/hr lost while circulating at the

1. Natural fractures (including non-

i. Coarse Sands & Gravel Beds

1. Often cause sever loses and are difficult to

In formations where the difference

Excessive overbalance may in some

1. Excessive surge pressure generated whilst running in the

1. The standard well control procedures can not work unless

3. To mix :clean fresh water. Add phosphate then the

Calcium Carbonate is another good lost

! Increase in flow rate out of the

! Increase in surface mud

Action : Driller has to close the

Formation pressure = mud hydrostatic pressure + Pdp

Before normal operations ca resume:

1. The influx has to be removed from the

2. Mud hydrostatic has to balance the

Formation pressure = mud hydrostatic pressure + Pdp

(0.052 x mud weight x TVD) + Pdp

Mud weight ( PPG) = Mud Gradient ( Psi/ft ) / 0.052

Gradient of influx ( Psi/ft.)

New Pump pressure

Pump output ( Bbls/min.)

Annular velocity ( ft/min.)

Slow Circulating Rate Pressure is 500 psi at 30 spm

2. What is the kill mud weight required to balance formation

4. What is the final circulating pressure, once the kill mud

5. What is the gradient of the influx?

1. The Drillers method is a two circulation method.

6. kill mud is circulated around to kill the well -

1. The well is kept closed in while the surface

2. kill mud is circulated around the well in one

3. one circulation removes the influx and kills

1. Wellbore and surface pressures are generally lower

1. It requires the longest waiting time prior to circulation

Wait & Weight Drillers Method

1. Completed in one circulation. Completed in two

4. The preferred method in most cases.

ANSWER _________ minutes.

ANSWER ______ psi/100 stroke

1. The purpose of the unit is to operate and control equipment to

3. A Blow-Out Preventer (BOP) control system is a high-

1. Electrical pumps are used to pump high-pressure

3. There are 3 pressure gauges installed to show the

1. This is commonly known as the remote control unit

1. The correct approach to sizing an accumulator unit should

Cameron hydraulically actuated

• Blind or Shear rams,

The check valve sits in the landing sub in

Checkguard valve seals pressure up to

It is wire line retrievable.

After the correct size check valve is

The valve is operated by use of a standard

Circle either open (O) or closed

One bbl of gas

P1 = 5000 psi P2 = 14.7 psi

from 5000 psi to 14.7 psi

Mud hydrostatic = 5000 psi

In a real well, the hole will