Drilling Basic 2001 Manual PDF

DRILLING
BASIC
TRAINING MANUAL
© Union Oil of California, dba Unocal 2001 1

All rights reserved
Intro
Pressure Basics (The U-Tube)
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
2
Drilling Basic
Table Of Contents
SECTION SLIDE SECTION SLIDE
• Introduction 2-11 • Gauge Questions 110-139

• Pressure Basics 12-27 • Pressure Lag Time 140-169
• U-Tube 28-35 • Well Design / LOT’s 170-207
• Boyles Law / Inversion 36-43 • Shallow Hazards 208-230
• ECD 44-45 • Equipment 231-250
• Surge / Swab Pressure 46-50 • Synthetic Fluids 251-269
• Kicks Cause & Detection 51-59 • Special Problems 270-283
• Shut-In 60-62 • Formulas 284-285
• Drills 63-66 • Contact Info 286
• Drillers Method 67-103 • Appendix
• Kill Weight Mud 104-105 – Glossary
• Other Well Control Methods 106-109 – Homework
– Simulator Test Sheet
– Instructor Evaluation Sheet
3
DRILLING TRAINING GROUP
Rick Dolan - (281) 287-7215 - richard.dolan@unocal.com
Benny Mason - (281) 287-7545 - bmason@unocal.com
George Grundt - (281) 287-7254 - ggrundt@unocal.com
4
GOALS OF THE COURSE
• To increase our understanding
∗ Of the U-Tube
∗ Of the Driller’s Method
∗ Working together- Teamwork
∗ This is not designed as a Certification Course
• To develop (Modify) our approach
∗ Dynamic
∗ Plan (think) ahead
∗ Think smart - Learn smart / Think out of the box
don’t be a robot and blindly follow.
• To comply with regulations
∗ Unocal’s
∗ Government
5
TRAINING GROUNDRULES
• Stay focused on the agenda
• Everyone is responsible to participate
• One conversation at a time
• All ideas get equal consideration

∗ Respect differences
∗ There may not be “just” one answer
• Be on time
6
IMPORTANT DETAILS
• Manuals - they are yours
• Notes - write in the book or paper
• Problem solving - work as a team (by table)
• FOR THE MONEY- Game show - win prizes
• Homework - DO IT - you will pass the test
• Test - written/simulator
• Relax- The more we work together the more we all learn.
• Parking Lot - Ideas brought up that we are not ready for.

7
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
Emergency Exits
No Smoking
Restrooms
Mobile Phones/Beepers
Daily Start - Exactly @ 8 AM
Daily End - Approximately 4:30 PM
Lunch
Breaks
8
WHY WE ARE HERE
• The oil industry spends millions of dollars every year on
well control problems. Environmental problems that
result from a well control event add to these costs. But
well control problems can lead to a loss of something
more valuable than money, HUMAN LIFE. Well control
problems are not particular. They can occur in big and
small companies, exploration, development or
workovers, deep or shallow wells, and high pressure
(12,000 psi) or low pressure (15 psi). The potential for
well control problems and blowouts is ever present.
9
WHY WE ARE HERE
The consequences of failure are severe. Most of
these problems were created by a failure to use
“BEST PRACTICES” such as:
• Communications/Teamwork
• Understanding
• Alertness
• Equipment
We’re here to try to eliminate well control problems all
together by reminding you to use “BEST
PRACTICES”, to work as a team, and get back to
basics.
10
Communications
You are the chief airplane washer at the company hangar and you:
Hook high pressure hose up to the soap suds machine.
Turn the machine "on".
Receive an important call and have to leave work to go home.
As you depart for home, you yell to Don, your assistant, "Don,turn it off.”
Assistant Don thinks he hears, "Don't turn it off." He shrugs,and leaves the
area right after you.
Refer to attachment for the results.
11
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
12
Well Control
With all the emphasis that we place on mathematics and
calculations,
Well Control is still as simple as a playground teeter-totter. As we
continue learning how to calculate BHP, Hydrostatic Pressure,
Gradients, Volumes and Force - Keep in mind this simple picture.
0psi 0psi
Hydrostatic = 5000 psi Hydrostatic = 5000 psi
BHP = 5000 psi 13

Pressure
The total force felt downward is 3 lbs but is this a pressure?
1 lb 1 lb 1 lb
1
3
2
0 lb
14
Pressure
The force felt downward is still 3 lbs
but it is felt over a total surface area
of 1 square inch. Is this pressure?
1 lb
Force = 3 lbs = 3 psi
Area 1 sq. in.
1 lb
1 lb
1”
1”
1
3
2
0 lb
15
Pressure
In our industry, when we are measuring pressure it is usually pressure created
with a fluid. We will describe most of these pressures in our Well Control
class. For now lets talk about fluid at rest.
Fluid at rest creates a pressure that we call Hydrostatic Pressure.
hydro (Fluid) static (at rest)
1’ PSIhydrostatic = Fluid Weightppg x 0.052 x Vertical Height of fluid

1”
1”
Weight
of
0 lb
Fluid 16
What is 0.052?
12”
1”
12” 1”
1 ft. = 0.052 gal.
12”
12” X 12” = 144 in2
A one cubic foot container will hold 7.5 gallons of fluid.

Because we are measuring our pressure in square inches, we section
the base into square inches.
If I now divide the 7.5 gallons by 144 square inches, we find that a
column of fluid 1in X 1in X 1ft tall contains 0.052 gallons of fluid.
17
Gradient
If our fluid density is measured in ppg you can then multiply the fluid weight
(ppg) by 0.052 to find the hydrostatic pressure (psi) exerted by one foot of this
fluid. This is called the “pressure gradient” (G) of the fluid or the pressure change
per foot (psi/ft).
Gradientpsi/ft = Fluid Weightppg x 0.052 x 1ft

If we fill the 0.052 gallon container with 10 ppg fluid, what will be the pressure?
1”
10ppg x 0.052gal/sq. in./ft = Pressureft
1” 10 x 0.052 = .52 psift
1 ft. = 0.052 gal.
This means that for every foot of mud in the well, the pressure
increases by .52 psi. So, Gradientpsi/ft x TVDft = Pressurehydrostatic
18
TVD vs MD
Because fluid density is a
function of gravitational force
and gravity is a vertical
component, the bottomhole
hydrostatic pressure is the sum
of all the vertical components.
The sketch of a slant hole helps
us see why this is true. It shows
that the mud column can be 10’
thought of as a stack of blocks, 11’
with the weight of each block
pushing vertically downward on
those underneath it.
From this, we see that it is the
vertical height (or depth) of a mud
column, not its measured length,
that must be used in pressure
calculations. 19
Pressure Equations
•Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = MW (ppg) X 0.052 X Depth (ft)
HP = PPG X 0.052 X TVD
•Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = Gradient (psi/ft) X Depth (ft.)

HP = G X TVD
•Gradient (psi/ft) = Fluid Weight (ppg) X 0.052

G = MW X 0.052
•Equivalent Mud Weight (ppg) = Gradient (psi/ft) ÷ 0.052

EMW = G ÷ 0.052 or EMW = Press. ÷ (TVD
x 0.052)
•Gradient (psi/ft.) = Pressure (psi) ÷ Depth (ft.)
G = P ÷ TVD
Bottom Hole Pressure = Hydrostatic Pressure + Gauge

20
Equation Triangle
Pressurepsi = MWppg X 0.052 X TVDft
If you want to solve for MW or TVD, fill

in the known information and the
equation is written for you.
Pressurepsi
MWppg X 0.052 X TVDft
21
Equation Triangle
If you want to solve for MW or TVD, fill in the
known information and the equation is written
for you.
1) SIDPP is 500 psi. Hole TVD is 11,000 ft.

How much MW increase is needed to kill
the well?
.87
_______ppg
500 psi
Pressure
500 psipsi MWppg =
0.052 x11000 ft
MWppg =
500
572
On your calculator you would key in:

• 0.052 x 11000 = 572
? ppg X 0.052 X 11000
MW TVDft ft • 500 ÷ 572 = .87ppg
22
Equation Triangle
If you want to solve for MW or TVD, fill in the
known information and the equation is written
for you.
1) While pulling out of the hole, using 9.6
ppg fluid, you forgot to fill the hole. If your
overbalance is 100 psi, how far can the
fluid level drop before you are
underbalance?
_______ft
200
Pressure
100psi psi 100 psi
FT =
9.6ppg x 0.052
100
FT =
.5

• 9.6 x 0.052 = .5 psi/ft
MW ppg X 0.052
9.6ppg ? ft
0.052 X TVD • 100 ÷ .5 = 200ft
23
FORMATION PRESSURES
8.4 ppg > Normal Pressured formations < 8.9 ppg

Abnormal Pressured formations > 8.9 ppg
8.4 ppg > Subnormal Pressured formations
As the weight of the sponges If the bottom sponge is wrapped in
increases, the fluid is squeezed out. plastic (sealed) then the fluid cannot
If you make a hole in the bottom escape and becomes pressurized by
sponge nothing happens. the weight of the sponges above. If you
make a hole in the bottom sponge:
24
FORMATION PRESSURES
Normal, Abnormal &
Subnormal
8,000’ 4,500 ÷ 8,000 = .56 psi/ft
.56 ÷ 0.052 = 10.8 ppg
B
4,500 ÷ 10,000 = .45 psi/ft
.45 ÷ 0.052 = 8.7 ppg
10,000’
A
Formation pressure of 4,500 psi
at 8,000’ would be considered
Abnormal pressure!
P
form
atio
n =4
500
psi
25
COMMUNICATION TO
CHARGED SANDS SURFACE CAN BE
HARMFUL TO
YOUR WELL BEING!
Poor cement practices can

lead to communication
26
outside the casing.
Up Structure Locations-Normally Pressured
Fields
WELL A WELL B WELL C WELL D
“NORMAL” GRADIENT
ALL ZONES
3600’ D
3900’ C S
GA
4000’
HAL
E B GAS/ WATER CONTACT
4100’ S
A
ND
SA
AL
E PD= PC= PB= 1860 psi G = 1860 / 3600ft = .517 psi/ft
SH
MW D = 9.9 ppg
PC = PB= 1860 psi G = 1860 / 3900ft = .477 psi/ft MW C = 9.2 ppg
PB = 4000’ x .465 psi/ft = 1860 psi MW b = 8.9 ppg

PA = 4100’ x .465 psi/ft = 1906 psi MW a = 8.9 ppg 27
U- Tube
While drilling a well, we have a u-tube in effect.
The workstring and

the annulus form our
u-tube.
10,000 ft
The gauge should be

Bottom Hole Pressure. 28
U- Tube
If I started filling the

glass tube with a fluid
that weighed 9.6 ppg
where would the fluid go
and what would the
gauge read?
10 ft
9.6ppg x 0.052 x 10ft = 5 29

U- Tube
Two columns of fluid connected at the bottom that will balance each
other in a static condition.
If I then put another few

gallons of a 12 ppg fluid
in the tube what would
happen and what would
the gauge read?
10 ft
5 = 9.6ppg x 0.052 x 10ft 30

U- Tube
Practice
Calculate Bottom Hole Pressure
AIR
1,500 ft of 13.6 ppg
10.2 ppg
4,000 ft of 10.2 ppg
6000 ft
6000 ft TVD
31
U- Tube
Practice
Calculate Bottom Hole Pressure
1,000 ft of 10 ppg
5,500 ft of 10 ppg
5,000 ft of 9.6 ppg
500 ft of 6 ppg
6000 ft
6000 ft TVD
32
U- Tube
Calculate how far the slug has dropped.
Practice
1,200 ft of 12 ppg
6,000 ft of 10.5 ppg
6000 ft
6000 ft TVD
33
U- Tube
If there is no balance between the two columns of fluid and
the fluid cannot escape, pressure will be created.
Practice
= Gauge Press.
6,000 ft of 12.5 ppg 6,000 ft of 10 ppg fluid
6000 ft
6000 ft TVD
BHP = 34
Well Control
Remember:
0psi 780psi
Hydrostatic = 3900 psi Hydrostatic = 3120 psi
BHP = 3900 psi 35

Uncontrolled
Expansion
0’ 600-1200’ LONG
500’ 40’ LONG
1000’ 20’ LONG
1500’ 13.5’ LONG
MUD 2000’ 10 LONG 36

GAS EXPANSION
V2 = (P1 X V1) ÷
P2
P1 = 5000 psi New Hydrostatic =
(9.6 X 0.052) X 5000 =
V1 = 10 bbls 2500 psi
Hydrostatic = ? bbls Gas
(9.6 X 0.052) X 10,000 = 2500 psi
P2 = Where?
Top of gas
5000 psi 20bbls
V2 = ? bbls
at 5000 ft.
10 bbls gas
New Hydrostatic (9.6 X New Hydrostatic =
0.052) X 1000 = 500 psi (9.6 X 0.052) X 100 =
50 psi
P = 500
Where?
psi
? bbls Gas 22 ? bbls Gas
Top of gas V22 = 100
? bbls
bbls Top of gas P2 = 500
Where?
psi
at 1000 ft. at 100 ft. ? bblsbbls
V2 = 1000
37
Equation Triangle
P1 x V1 = P2 X V2
P1 is the pressure that the gas is under.
P1 = BHP
V1 is the size of kick
V1 = Barrels
P2 is the pressure of the gas at it’s
P1 x V1 new position in the well.
P2 = Hydrostatic + Gauge Pressure
V2 is the new size of the kick at

it’s new position in the well.
V2 = Barrels
P2 X V2
38
Equation Triangle
P1 x V1 = P2 X V2
P1 = 5000 psi
V1 = 10 bbls
P2 = 14.7 psi
V2 = ?
5000
P1 x X
V110 5000 X 10 = 3,401 bbls
14.7

• 5000 x 10 = (50,000) ÷ 14.7 =
P2
14.7 X V?2
39
Volume At
Surface
• 12.4 ppg WBM
• The well unloaded 30 bbls at Bottoms Up.
• P1 = 14.7 psi
• V1 = 30 bbls
• P2 = 12.4 x 0.052 x 12,000 = 7,740 psi
• V2 = 0.057 bbl kick on Bottom
Can you detect a kick this size?
40
6” Open Hole to TD@12,000
PRESSURE INVERSION
250 250 Gauge Press.

+ 2500 Hydrostatic to shoe
2750 psi at casing shoe
Hydrostatic = (10000 – 143) X 0.052 X 9.6= 4930 psi
250 Gauge Press.

+ 4930 Hydrostatic
5180 psi Gas Press.
143 ft 41
PRESSURE INVERSION
2680
5180 psi at shoe

- 2500 Hydrostatic to shoe
2680 Gauge Press. Hydrostatic =
5000 X 0.052 X 9.6 = 2500 psi
5180 Gas Press. 5180 143 ft

+ 2430 Hydrostatic
7610 psi Bottom Hole Hydrostatic =
(5000 – 143) X 0.052 X 9.6
= 2430 psi
42
PRESSURE INVERSION
5180
143 ft 5180
5180 Gas Press.

+ 2430 Hydrostatic at shoe
7610 psi at shoe
Hydrostatic = (10000 – 143) X 0.052 X 9.6 = 4921 psi
5180 Gas Press.

+ 4921 Hydrostatic
10,101 psi Bottom Hole
43
ECD Hydrostatic = 10 X 10,000 X 0.052
2300 = 5,200 psi
Friction loss Circulating BHP = 5,200 + 115
SPM = 100 in surface lines = 5,315 psi
= 150 psi ECD = 5,315 ÷ 10,000 ÷ 0.052
Mud Weight = 10 ppg Annular Open = 10.22 ppg
2150
Drillstring friction
loss = 745 psi Friction loss Annular friction loss
at bit = 1290 psi (AFL) = 115 psi
1405 115
44
TVD = 10,000 ft
ECD Hydrostatic = 10 X 10,000 X 0.052
Reverse Circulate = 5,200 psi
2300
Circulating BHP = 5,200 + 2,035
= 7,235 psi Mud Weight = 10 ppg
SPM = 100
ECD = 7,235 ÷ 10,000 ÷ 0.052
Annular Closed
= 13.91 ppg
Friction loss
in surface lines
0 = 150 psi
2150
Drillstring friction
loss = 745 psi Friction loss Annular friction loss
at bit = 1290 psi (AFL) = 115 psi
745 2035
45
TVD = 10,000 ft
Swab Pressure
In a static condition, Bottom hole pressure is equal to Hydrostatic Pressure.
As the pipe is pulled out of the hole, friction creates a swab
pressure that is felt upward.
10 ppg
Swab Pressure
BHP = 10,000 X 10 X 0.052 = 5,200 psi

Formation Pressure = 5,100 psi 46
10,000 ft
Swab Pressure
If the swab pressure is greater than the overbalance,
fluid in the formation can enter the well.
In this example, the swab pressure created is 50 psi more
10 ppg than the overbalance. This would let formation fluid into
the well.
Swab Pressure = 150 psi
BHP = (10,000 X 10 X 0.052) - 150 psi = 5,050 psi

10,000 ft
Swab Pressure
When the pipe movement is stopped, the friction is lost,
and the overbalance is returned.
10 ppg Even though the overbalance is restored, the fluid that

was swabbed in is still in the well.
This influx would have little or no migration and no

noticeable expansion. A flow check would not show any
flow.
BUT THERE IS A KICK IN THE WELL!!
BHP = 10,000 X 10 X 0.052 = 5,200 psi

10,000 ft
Swab Pressure
Factors that create swab pressure are:
• Clearance
10 ppg • Yield Point of mud
• Pulling Speed of Pipe
• Length of Drillstring
49
10,000 ft
Surge Pressure
Surge Pressure is a downward force create by
lowering the drillstring and creating friction as the
mud is displaced from the hole. This surge pressure
increases BHP.
10 ppg
Factors that create surge pressure are:
• Clearance
• Yield Point of mud
• Running Speed of Pipe
• Length of Drillstring
High surge pressure can cause the formations to

fracture and lost circulation to occur.
Surge Pressure = 150 psi
50
10,000 ft
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
51
TRENDS IN KICK DECTECTION,
JUST LIKE DRILLING
• What are the trends
• How do you recognize the trends
• Teamwork
• Think and react
52
Kicks
Cause
THE MAIN CONDITION THAT ALLOWS A KICK TO

OCCUR:
THE PRESSURE IN THE WELL BORE BECOMES

LESS THAN THE PRESSURE IN THE FORMATION
53
Decreasing Occurrence
Measurement of fill-up volume
1. Failure to keep hole when pulling drill string (and of
displacement volume while
full of drilling fluid. running)
TRIP TANK!
2. Drilling into zones of Good engineering/good well

procedures and alert,
known pressure with questioning attitude by
mud weight too low. Foreman.
ALERTNESS
3. Drilling into an Careful engineering;proper

unexpected abnormal well design;Understand the
formation pressure. Geology; Use Pressure
Hunting Techniques
STUDY OFFSET WELLS! 54
Decreasing Occurrence
4. Lost Circulation Careful engineering; proper well

design;Understand the Geology
(Fluid level, not rate of
loss is critical in well CASE OFF LOST CIRC. ASAP!
control.)
5. Unloading mud by pulling Measurement of fill-up

volume when pulling drill
balled drilling assembly. string.
TRIP TANK!
6. Mud weight high enough Measurement of fill-up volume
to drill but not to trip. when pulling drill string.
TRIP TANK!
55
GULF COAST STATISTICS
FROM 1960 TO 1996
THERE WERE 1,206 KICKS REPORTED
A BLOWOUT OCCURS FOR ABOUT EVERY 110 KICKS
• EXPLORATION DRILLING - 30%
• DEVELOPMENT DRILLING - 22%
• COMPLETIONS - 8%
• WORKOVERS - 24%
56
GULF COAST STATISTICS
FROM 1960 TO 1996
DRILLING STATISTICS
• TRIPPING OUT - 37%
• DRILLING - 35%
• OUT OF THE HOLE - 4%
• TRIPPING IN - 3%
• CIRCULATING - 0.5% 57
DETECTION OF KICKS WHILE DRILLING
SIGN HOW TO CHECK IT OUT
1. Increase in Flow-line Stop pumps & check for flow

discharge
2. Increase in pit volume Stop pumps & check for flow
3. Drilling break- Real time Stop pumps & check for flow
LWD response.
Notes: Don’t assume that a small flow is not a kick. Observe well
long enough to be sure. Put well on Trip Tank to check
small flows, when drilling top of hole at high ROP
CHECK FOR FLOW ON CONNECTIONS 58

Flow Checking
If the well continues to flow after the pumps are off, then:
SHUT THE WELL IN
There are several reasons which might cause the well to

flow with the pumps turned off, the main three are:
• Unbalanced U-Tube
• Ballooning or Fracture Charging
• There is a kick in the well !
However, it is recommended to SHUT THE WELL IN until it is

determined the flow is not caused by underbalance.
59
SHUT-IN PROCEDURE
KEEP PATHS ON CHOKE MANIFOLD CLOSED
In general, the use of a float while drilling is recommended.
WHILE DRILLING NOTES:

1. Pull up and position T.J. above rotary table. 1. When well has
2. Shut down pump. been shut-in and
3. Check for flow. readable pressures
have been
4. Close annular preventer (“Hydril”) AND observed, do NOT
Open HCR valve. open well to verify
entry or check its
5. Toolpusher and Drilling Foreman on floor. rate.
6. Read/record SIDPP and SICP. 2. Decide on max. CP
7. Start moving pipe if reasonable. for pipe Movement

AHEAD OF TIME
8. Read/record gain in pit volume.
60
SHUT-IN PROCEDURE
WHILE TRIPPING NOTES:
1. When well has been
1. Set slips with T.J. positioned above rotary table.
shut-in and readable
2. Install full-opening safety valve in open position.
pressures have been
3. Close safety valve. observed, do NOT
open well to verify
4. Close annular preventer (“Hydril”)
entry or check its
AND rate.
Open HCR valve.
2. Decide on max. CP for
5. Toolpusher and Drilling Foreman on floor.
pipe movement
6. Put on Top Drive and open safety valve.
AHEAD OF TIME
7. Read/record gain in pit volume.
3. Install inside BOP
8. Start moving pipe if reasonable.
If needed in control
9. Read/record gain in pit volume. procedure.
61
ROLES & RESPONSIBLITIES
Drilling Foreman - Manages and directs all activities at
the rig site.
Rig Crews - Execute the plan as directed by the

Foreman, maintain and ensure all equipment working
properly
Drilling Engineer - Designs well, works with G&G on

pore pressure and fracture gradient prediction. Also
provides technical support to Drilling Foreman.
Drilling Superintendent - Provides technical support

and coordinates the activities by Foreman and
Engineer. 62
DRILLS
• DRILLS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED AT AN OPTIMUM TIME.
• Drills are not a competitive sporting event. A five-minute drill

indicates that your crew is conducting these drills and
hopefully improving. A 30-second drill indicates that you are
not doing them properly.
• Keep kick detection in everyone’s mind.
• Gives you information that may be useful during a kill.
• Gives you practice with the actual equipment.
• Gives you confidence if you actually are in a well control

situation.
• Establishes Roles and Responsibilities of Crews.
63
KICK DRILL
Pit Drill/Flow Drill
Action Responsible Party

Initiate Drill Unocal Foreman/Rig Manager
Lift flow sensor or Pit float to indicate “kick”
Immediately record start time.
Recognize “Kick” Driller/Logger

Logger should notify Driller of indicator.
Driller to stop drilling, pick up off bottom and stop pumps.
Conduct flow check.
Initiate Action Unocal Foreman/Rig Manager

Notify drill crew that the well is “flowing” (Drill)
Simulate Shut-in Driller/Crew

Move to BOP Panel.
Time is stopped. Record this time in the Drilling Report.

64
TRIP DRILL
Pit Drill/Flow Drill
Action Responsible Party
Initiate Drill Unocal Foreman/Rig Manager
Lift flow sensor or Pit float to indicate “kick”
Immediately record start time.
Recognize “Kick” Driller/Logger

Logger should notify Driller of indicator.
Driller to stop drilling, pick up off bottom and stop pumps.
Conduct flow check.
Initiate Action Unocal Foreman/Rig Manager
Notify drill crew that the well is “flowing” (Drill)
Simulate Shut-In Driller/Crew
Position tool joint above rotary and set slips.
Stab FOSV and close valve.
Latch elevators or make-up top drive and remove slips.
Move to BOP panel.
Time is stopped. Record this time in the Drilling Report.
H2S drills are conducted the same as above, however upon notification that the drill is in progress the crew will don 65
breathing apparatus before taking any further action.
CHOKE DRILL
1. Before drilling out each casing shoe. Trap a small

amount of pressure against the choke. Practice proper
start- up of the Driller’s Method holding this pressure
constant.
2. After moving to the Drillpipe Pressure gauge and

allowing the pressures in the well to stabilize, make a
definite change on the Casing gauge (50 -100 psi) by
opening or closing the choke.
3. Record the time required to see this pressure change

reflect on the Drillpipe gauge.
This is PLT (Pressure Lag Time)
66
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
67
300
500
DP CP
300 500
CLOSE OPEN
Well is shut in and pressures allowed

to stabilize.
Shut-in Drillpipe pressure + DP

Hydrostatic = Bottom Hole Pressure.
Kill the well using the Drillers Method.
BHP
5,500 68
TVD = 10,000 ft.
300
500
DP CP
300 500
CLOSE OPEN
Mud weight = 10ppg

10,000 X 10 X 0.052 = 5,200 psi
BHP = 5,200 + 300 = 5,500 psi
BHP
5,500 69
TVD = 10,000 ft.
300
500
DP CP
300 500
CLOSE OPEN
From your last “choke drill” we know;

KRP @40 spm = 1,000psi
ICP = 1000 + 300 = 1,300 psi on DP
BHP
5,500 70
TVD = 10,000 ft.
1300
500
DP CP
1300 500
CLOSE OPEN
Casing Pressure is held constant as

pumps are brought up to speed by
opening the choke.
If the Casing Pressure is held

constant when starting, then BHP is
held constant.
Once pumps are up to speed, the

Drillpipe Pressure should be held BHP
5,500 71
constant to keep BHP constant.
1300
550
DP CP
1300 550
CLOSE OPEN
As the bubble begins to expand

it pushes mud out of the hole
causing a loss of hydrostatic.
To keep BHP constant, Drillpipe

pressure must be kept constant.
BHP
5,500 72
1300
650
DP CP
1300 650
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 73
1300
625
DP CP
1300 625
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 74
1300
600
DP CP
1300 600
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 75
1300
550
DP CP
1300 550
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 76
1300
700
DP CP
1300 700
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 77
1300
1000
DP CP
1300 1000
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 78
1300
1750
DP CP
1300 1750
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 79
1300
1000
DP CP
1300 1000
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 80
1300
400
DP CP
1300 400
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 81
1300
300
DP CP
1300 350
CLOSE OPEN
Once the influx is circulated out,

casing pressure should be held
constant while the pumps are
brought down and the well shut-
in.
BHP
5,500 82
300
300
DP CP
300 300
CLOSE OPEN
Compare the Drillpipe and Casing

pressure gauges and confirm that
they are equal. If Casing pressure
is greater than Drillpipe pressure
then you may not have all the
influx out of the well.
Once you are confident that the

BHP
annulus is clean line up the pumps 5,500 83
on Kill Weight Fluid.
1300
300
DP CP
1300 300
CLOSE OPEN
Hold Casing pressure constant as

you bring the pumps up to 40 spm.
Continue to hold Casing pressure

constant as you displace the
drillstring.
Drillpipe pressure should drop as

hydrostatic in the drillpipe increases.
BHP
5,500 84
1250
300
DP CP
1250 300
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 85
1200
300
DP CP
1200 300
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 86
1150
300
DP CP
1150 300
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 87
1100
300
DP CP
1100 300
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 88
1060
300
DP CP
1060 300
CLOSE OPEN
Once the Drillpipe is full of Kill

Weight Fluid the hydrostatic will
remain constant.
Continue circulating holding

Drillpipe pressure constant at FCP.
Casing pressure should drop as Kill

Weight Fluid displaces the annulus. BHP
5,500 89
1060
300
DP CP
1060 300
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 90
1060
250
DP CP
1060 250
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 91
1060
200
DP CP
1060 200
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 92
1060
150
DP CP
1060 150
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 93
1060
100
DP CP
1060 100
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
5,500 94
1110
50
DP CP
1110 50
CLOSE OPEN
BHP
BHP = HP + CP= 5,500 + 50 = 5,550psi 5,550 95
0
0
DP CP
0 0
CLOSE OPEN
After confirming that Kill Weight Fluid

is back to surface, shut the well in.
Drillpipe and Casing pressure should

read 0 psi.
Open the choke and check for flow.

When opening the Annular beware of
gas trapped under the element. BHP
5,500 96
DRILLERS METHOD
FIRST STEP ( Remove Influx)
> Monitor shut-in well while preparing to start circulating using original weight fluid.
Record Drillpipe & Casing pressures.
> Hold Casing Pressure constant while bringing pump up to kill rate speed. THIS
SPEED IS TO BE HELD CONSTANT.
> Hold Casing Pressure constant a few more minutes until DP pressure stabilizes.
> Read DP Pressure and hold this pressure constant until the kick is circulated out of
the hole.
> Hold Casing Pressure constant while bringing pump speed down. When pump
speed is down to the point that the pump is barely running:
-Shut pump off (first) -Finish closing choke
> Read Pressures. If all influx is out of well the pressure should be almost the same.
97
DRILLERS METHOD
SECOND STEP (Change Fluid Weight)
> Calculate kill weight and increase fluid weight to that value.
> Hold Casing Pressure constant while bringing pump up to kill rate speed.
THIS SPEED IS TO BE HELD CONSTANT.
> Hold Casing Pressure constant until drill string volume has been pumped.
> Read DP Pressure and hold this pressure constant until fluid returns are at
kill weight.
> Shut down pump and shut in well.
> Read pressures. Should be zero.
> Check for flow through choke line.
> Open preventers if well is dead.

98
BHP = HYD + GAUGE
800 1000
Choke Position
• If the kick was larger in
size would DP and CP
Open Closed change?
• If the kick was salt water

or gas would DP and CP
change?
9.6 ppg
• If a gas bubble began to

migrate, how would you
control bottom hole
press?
• If the hole size was smaller

would it change DP and
10,000 ft CP?
99
Formation Pressure= 6000 psi
BHP = HYD + GAUGE
1500 1100
Choke Position
Pumps are constant at 40 spm.
Open Closed
As the bubble expands, what happens to

hydrostatic pressure in the annulus?
9.6 ppg
What happens to hydrostatic in the DP?
If the DP gauge is kept constant, what happens to

BHP?
If the CP gauge is kept constant, what happens to

BHP?
10,000 ft
100
BHP = HYD + GAUGE
1300 800
Choke Position
Pump strokes are constant at 40 spm
Open Closed
As KWF is being pumped, what is happening

to the hydrostatic pressure in the DP?
9.6 ppg If the annulus is clean, what is happening to

the hydrostatic in the annulus?
If CP is held constant what happens to BHP?
If DP pressure is held constant what happens

to BHP?
10,000 ft
101
BHP = HYD + GAUGE
700 780
Choke Position
Pump strokes are constant at 40 spm
Open Closed
As KWF is pumped up the annulus, what is

happening to the hydrostatic in the DP?
9.6 ppg
As KWF is pumped up the annulus, what is
happening to the hydrostatic in the annulus?
If you hold DP constant, what happens to BHP?
If you hold CP constant, what happens to BHP?
10,000 ft
102
1600
1500 1000 Pressure Lag Time
A closing/opening adjustment on the choke would

take 23 seconds to travel down the annulus and 23
seconds to travel up the drillpipe before reflecting
on the drillpipe gauge with water base mud.
With SBM/OBM, the compressibility of the oil will

increase the lag time. On one documented well, with
casing set at 14,000’ it took 3-4 min. before the choke
adjustments were reflected on the drillpipe gauge.
To get an estimate of what the lag time can be, choke

drills, prior to drilling out the casing shoe, are
recommended.
103
TD @ 23,000 ft.
CALCULATION OF KILL WEIGHT
Given: DEPTH (TVD) = 8000’
ORIGINAL MUD WEIGHT = 11 PPG
SHUT-IN DP PRESSURE = 700 PSI
BHP = SIDPP + Hydrostatic

= 700 + (11 X 0.052 X 8000)
= 700 + 4576
= 5276 psi
KMW = BHP ÷ 0.052 ÷ TVD

=5276 ÷ 0.052 ÷ 8000
= 12.68
12. 6 ppg or 12.7 ppg ?

104
USE OF SAFETY FACTOR IN CALCULATION OF KILL WEIGHT MUD
0
SICP GIVEN:
TD= 9000’
9.625” 9 5/8” casing shoe @ 3000’

8 1/2” open hole
3,000 ft. 5” drill pipe
10 ppg original mud weight
Kill Mud Original SIDPP = 500 psi
Shoe tested to Leak-off @ 14 ppg EMW
Original
Mud Assume pump is shut off when drill pipe is filled with kill
mud.
9,000 ft. 8.5 “

KWM used Safety Factor SICP EMW @ Shoe Over/under LOT
(ppg) (ppg) (psi) (ppg) (ppg)
11.1 0 515 13.3 .7 under
11.2 .1 550 13.6 .4 under
11.3 .2 610 13.9 .1 under
11.5 .4 700 14.5 .5 over
12.1 1.0 980 16.3 2.3 over 105
CASING PRESSURE CURVES
WELL DEPTH = 8000’ HOLE SIZE = 12-1/4”
DRILL PIPE = 5”, 19.5# MUD WT. = 9.6 ppg
KILL WT. = 10.6 ppg
1200
40 bbl KICK
CASING PRESSURE, PSI
1000
20 bbl KICK
800
10 bbl KICK
600
BEGIN 2nd.
400 CIRCULATION
200
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
BBLS PUMPED 106
CASING PRESSURE CURVES
WELL DEPTH = 8000’ MUD WEIGHT = 9.6 ppg
HOLE SIZE = 12-1/4” KILL WEIGHT = 10.6 ppg
DRILL PIPE = 5”, 19.5# KICK VOLUME = 20 bbls
1000
GAS AT SURFACE
CASING PRESSURE, PSI
800
DRILLER'S METHOD
KILL WEIGHT MUD AT BIT
600
400
WAIT & WEIGHT METHOD
WITH NO MIX TIME
200
WITH 2000' MIGRATION
107
DEVIATED WELL PRESSURE DROP
CURVES
60° HOLE WITH KICK-OFF AT 1/3 TMD
1300
1200
DRILL PIPE PRESSURE
Conventional Drill Pipe Schedule

1100 Am
ou
nt
1000 of
Ov
900
erb
a la
nc
800 e
700 Correct Drill Pipe Schedule

600
500
400
0 1000 2000
STROKES
108
OTHER WELL CONTROL METHODS
UNOCAL PREFERRED METHOD
A. Driller’s Method
OTHER ACCEPTABLE METHODS

A. Wait & Weight Method
B. Top Kill
C. Bottom Kill
D. Lubricate & Bleed
E. Volumetric (does not kill the well)
F. Bullhead
These Methods Are NOT Preferred 109
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
110
WELL INFORMATION
• TVD = 10,000 ft. • Strokes To Bit = 1,570.

• Shoe TVD = 7500 ft. • Bottoms Up Strokes = 5,550.
• Fluid Weight = 9.6 ppg. • Strokes To Shoe = 1,390.
• Circulating Rate = 50 spm. • Total Strokes = 7,120.
• Influx is Gas. • M.A.S.P. @ 9.6 ppg = 1,100 psi
• Water Base Mud
111
At initial shut-in, these are the stabilized pressures that you read.
DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000
1000 3000 1000 3000

500 800
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
Pit Gain OPEN CLOSED
10 bbls. 0
0
TOTAL STROKES
112
Before you get started, what will the gauges and the pit volume be
when you get finished with the first step of the Driller’s Method?
A. The same
B. 800 psi each
± 0 pit gain. DRILLPIPE CASING
2000
C. DP -500/CP-800 2000
± 0 pit gain.
1000 3000 1000 3000
D. 500 psi each 500 800
± 10 bbl pit gain.
0 0
E. 500 psi each
± 0 pit gain. 5/8 1/2 3/8
SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
10 bbls. 0
0
TOTAL STROKES
113
Before you get started, what mud weight should be used?
A. 9.6 PPG
B. 10.6 PPG.
DRILLPIPE CASING
C. 8.6 PPG.
2000 2000
D. 9.0 PPG.
E. 10.0 PPG. 1000

500 3000 1000
800
3000
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
10 bbls. 0
0
TOTAL STROKES
114
The pumps are brought up to Kill Rate Speed and this is what you see.
Which of the following courses of action would you take?
A. Continue holding CP constant

B. Open choke CASING
DRILLPIPE
C. Close Choke 2000 2000
D. Choke size OK
1000
1500 3000 1000 800 3000
E. Begin monitoring
DP gauge
0
F. Shut the well in 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
Pit Gain 50 OPEN CLOSED
10 bbls.
150
TOTAL STROKES
115
You’ve been circulating for a few minutes and everything seems to be ok.
A. Decrease stroke rate

B. Open choke DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000
C. Close Choke
D. Choke size OK
1000 1500 3000 1000 800 3000
E. Increase stroke rate

F. Shut the well in 0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
Pit Gain
50 OPEN CLOSED
11 bbls.
300
TOTAL STROKES
116
Casing pressure decreased slightly so you pinched the choke in and this
is what you see. Which of the following courses of action would you take?
DRILLPIPE
D. Choke size OK
1000 1800 3000 1000 800 3000
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
11 bbls.
500
TOTAL STROKES
117
Drillpipe pressure was a little to high so you corrected the problem and this is
what you see. Which of the following courses of action would you take?

DRILLPIPE
D. Choke size OK
1000 1500 3000 1000 750 3000

5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
11 bbls.
750
TOTAL STROKES
118
You finally get things back to where you like and this is what you see. Which of
the following courses of action would you take?

DRILLPIPE
D. Choke size OK
1000 1500 3000 1000 950 3000

5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
12 bbls.
950
TOTAL STROKES
119
The Casing pressure is getting close to your posted MASP. Which of the
following courses of action would you take?
B. Open choke
DRILLPIPE CASING
D. Choke size OK
1000 1500 3000 1000 1000 3000
F. Shut the well in 0
0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
12 bbls.
1200
TOTAL STROKES
120
It’s decision time, earn your pay. Which of the following courses of action would
you take?

DRILLPIPE
D. Choke size OK
1000 1500 3000 1000 1150 3000
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
12 bbls.
1600
TOTAL STROKES
121
It’s starting to get boring now. The driller has gone for a smoke and the AD
is on the floor. Before you let him take over, you see this. Which of the
following courses of action would you take?
DRILLPIPE CASING
B. Open choke
2000 2000
C. Close Choke
1000 1250 3000
D. Choke size OK 1000 1500 3000

0 0
F. Shut the well in
5/8 1/2 3/8
SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
54 OPEN CLOSED
Pit Gain
17 bbls. 3500
TOTAL STROKES
122
You hear gas passing through the choke. What will happen to the casing
gauge and to the pit volume as the gas is circulated out?
A. Pit volume goes down and
casing gauge goes up.
DRILLPIPE CASING
B. Pit volume goes up and
casing gauge goes up. 2000 2000
C. Pit volume goes down

and casing gauge 1000 3000 1000 3000
goes down. 1500 1250
D. Nothing
0 0
E. Pit volume goes down
and casing gauge
5/8 1/2 3/8
goes up. SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
F. Pit volume goes up and
casing gauge CLOSED
goes down. 50 OPEN
Pit Gain
4500
27 bbls.
TOTAL STROKES
123
You hear gas passing through the choke and the Casing gauge begins too drop.
2000 2000
C. Close Choke
D. Choke size OK 1000
1500 3000 1000 200 3000

5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
Pit Gain
50 OPEN CLOSED
27 bbls.
4500
TOTAL STROKES
124
You got behind the kick and played “choke handle tennis” but finally got the gas
out and the well shut-in. Which of the following courses of action would you take?
A. Open choke and flow check

B. Line up on KW Mud CASING
DRILLPIPE
C. Continue to circulate 2000 2000
D. Call town
1000 550 3000 1000 700 3000
E. Increase Kill Weight
Mud
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
6 bbls.
5550
TOTAL STROKES
125
You elected to circulate longer and this is what you see.

2000 2000
C. Close Choke
D. Choke size OK
1000 1500 3000 1000 550 3000

5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
Pit Gain
50 OPEN CLOSED
4 bbls.
6550
TOTAL STROKES
126
You have circulated longer.
How do you determine it is time to shut it in?
A. We have circulated more than a bottoms up.

B. Pit volume gain is less. DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000
C. DP pressure is
constant
1000 1500 3000 1000 500 3000
D. Chock is almost all
the way open.
0 0
E. CP is close to the
initial shut in DP
5/8 1/2 3/8
pressure. SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
Pit Gain
50 OPEN CLOSED
4 bbls.
6600
TOTAL STROKES
127
You have circulated long enough and decided to shut the well in.
How do shut down properly?
A. Continue to hold DP constant

2000 2000
C. Close Choke
D. Hold CP constant
1000 1500 3000 1000 500 3000
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
Pit Gain
50 OPEN CLOSED
4 bbls.
6600
TOTAL STROKES
128
You got the well shut-in. What is the calculated
Kill Weight Mud that should be pumped?
A. 9.6 PPG
B. 10.6 PPG. DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000
C. 9.0 PPG.
D. 10.0 PPG.
1000 500 3000 1000 500 3000
E. 8.6 PPG.
F. 11.0 PPG. 0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
Pit Gain
0 OPEN CLOSED
2 bbls.
9000
TOTAL STROKES
129
You bring the pumps back up to Kill Rate Speed, pumping Kill Weight Fluid.

DRILLPIPE
D. Choke size OK
1000 1500 3000 1000 500 3000
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
2 bbls.
50
TOTAL STROKES
130
Everything is going well. You are on the correct gauge and up to kill rate speed.
What will the approximate Drillpipe pressure be when kill weight mud
reaches the bit?
A. 1500 psi
B. 1400 psi CASING
DRILLPIPE
C. 1600psi 2000 2000
D. 1000 psi
1000 1500 3000 1000 500 3000
E. 1200 psi
F. 1700 psi 0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
2 bbls.
50
TOTAL STROKES
131
The Drillpipe pressure began to drop so you closed the choke slightly. Which
of the following courses of action should you take?

DRILLPIPE
D. Choke size OK
1000 1500 3000 1000 600 3000
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
2 bbls.
200
TOTAL STROKES
132
The night cook said that you were wrong and made some adjustments. This is
what you see. Which of the following courses of action would you take?

B. Open choke
DRILLPIPE CASING
D. Choke size OK
1000 1200 3000 1000 500 3000
F. Shut the well in
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8

2 bbls.
250
TOTAL STROKES
133
Everything seems to be going well, or is it? Which of the following courses of
action would you take?

B. Open choke
DRILLPIPE CASING
D. Choke size OK
1000 1150 3000 1000 500 3000
F. Shut the well in
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8

2 bbls.
1400
TOTAL STROKES
134
You know that the Drillpipe is full with KW Mud. If you shut down right now,
what would your DP, CP and Pit Gain be?
A. DP=0, CP=500, and
Pit Gain same.
B. DP=500, CP=500, and
Pit Gain = 10 bbls. DRILLPIPE CASING
2000
C. DP=1050, CP=500, 2000
and Pit Gain same.

D. DP=500, CP=500, and 1000 1050 3000 1000 500 3000
Pit Gain same.

E. DP=0, CP=0, and 0
0
Pit Gain = 10 bbls.
F. DP=0, CP=0, and 5/8 1/2 3/8
SPM 3/4 1/4
Pit Gain same. 7/8 1/8

2 bbls.
1600
TOTAL STROKES
135
You know that the Drillpipe is full with KW Mud. What do you do now? Which of
A. Continue holding Casing pressure constant
B. Shut-in
DRILLPIPE CASING
C. Hold DP pressure 2000 2000
constant
D. Increase Mud weight 1000 3000 1000 500 3000
1050
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8

2 bbls.
1600
TOTAL STROKES
136
You made your choice and continued to circulate. This is what you see. Which of

B. Open choke
DRILLPIPE CASING
D. Choke size OK
1000 1050 3000 1000 450 3000
F. Shut the well in
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8

2 bbls.
3500
TOTAL STROKES
137
Everything is going so well that you decide to speed things up. You have the
driller bring the pumps up and you keep Drillpipe pressure constant. What
happened to BHP?
A. BHP decreased
B. BHP increased CASING
DRILLPIPE
C. BHP did not change 2000 2000
1000 1050 3000 1000 150 3000
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8

2 bbls.
4000
TOTAL STROKES
138
The Mud Engineer notified you that KW mud has been coming back for some
time. You shut-in and observe the gauges. Which of the following courses of
action would you take?
A. Perform LOT at new MW
B. Open annular DRILLPIPE CASING
2000
C. Close rams 2000
D. Flow check at
1000 0 3000 1000 0 3000
the choke
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8

2 bbls.
8500
TOTAL STROKES
139
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
140
Pressure Lag Time
Measured During Choke Drill at Casing Shoe

Before Drilling Ahead
141
Pressure
Lag Time
A change in choke size will create a change

in Bottom Hole Pressure (BHP).
Incorrect choke adjustments will lead to

incorrect BHP which can allow further influx
and/or broken u-tube.
142
Problem in
Well Control
Historically Well Control schools taught with the approach

that most wells were drilled using a water based mud.
This led to using a rule of thumb that pressure changes

traveled at 1 second per One Thousand feet of measured
depth on each side of the U-Tube.
143
12,000 ft
144
0 sec
12,000 ft
145
0 sec
12,000 ft
12 sec 146
24 sec 0 sec
12,000 ft
12 sec 147
Problem in
Well Control
Recent wells drilled in the GOM, with both

surface and subsea stacks have seen
Pressure Lag Times (PLT) of 18 sec/7,000’
and 3-4 min./21,000’.
If the “Rule of Thumb” no longer applies then

we need to start measuring the PLT.
148
Reasons for
Measuring PLT
Mud Type
º Compressibility of Synthetic Fluid
Well Geometry
º Deeper Wells
º Larger O.D. > More mud volume
149
Understanding
PLT
In the Drillers Method of Well Control, BHP

is held constant by manipulating the choke
using the proper gauge at surface.
Because the PLT from a choke manipulation

to the Drillpipe Pressure Gauge is the
longest, it becomes the most difficult to
control.
150
Drills
As discussed on Day 1, proper drills are necessary for

proper execution.
“Choke Drills” will establish the PLT on your well and

allow each choke operator the practice necessary.
151
How do we
measure PLT
1. Before drilling out each casing shoe. Trap a small amount
of pressure against the choke. Practice proper start- up of
the Driller’s Method holding this pressure constant.
2. After moving to the Drillpipe Pressure gauge and allowing
the pressures in the well to stabilize, make a definite change
on the Casing gauge (50 -100 psi) by opening or closing the
choke.
3. Record the time required to see this pressure change

reflect on the Drillpipe gauge. This is PLT.
152
Step 1
DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000 Trap some
pressure in the well.
1000 300 3000 1000 300 3000
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
OPEN CLOSED
0
0
TOTAL STROKES
153
Step 2
Bring the pumps to
DRILLPIPE CASING
Kill Rate Speed
2000 2000
holding Casing
Pressure Constant
1000 1000 3000 1000 300 3000
by opening the
choke.
0 0
After circulation
5/8 1/2 3/8
SPM 3/4 1/4 has stabilized,
7/8 1/8 continue pumping
50 OPEN CLOSED holding Drillpipe
pressure at 1000
psi.
500
TOTAL STROKES
154
Step 3
DRILLPIPE CASING Make a 100 psi
2000 2000
choke adjustment
and record the time
1000 1000
1100 3000 1000 400 3000
it takes to reflect on
the Drillpipe Gauge.
0 0
It took 100 strokes for

5/8 1/2 3/8
SPM 3/4 1/4 the Pressure change
7/8 1/8
to reflect on the DP
OPEN CLOSED
50 gauge. At 50 spm this
would take 2 min.
550
650 This is your PLT.
TOTAL STROKES
155
If you did not conduct a choke drill ! 1st Step
Drillers
DRILLPIPE CASING Method
2000 2000
1000 1000 3000 1000 300 3000
0 0
You are at Kill Rate
5/8 1/2 3/8
Speed and Drillpipe
3/4 1/4
SPM
7/8 1/8
Pressure is correct.
OPEN CLOSED
50
500
TOTAL STROKES
156
The Drillpipe pressure has dropped and I said to keep it at 1000 psi!
What do you do?

DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000 A. Close choke
slightly monitoring
1000 900 3000 1000 300 3000 Drillpipe Pressure
B. Close choke
0 0
slightly monitoring
Casing Pressure
5/8 1/2 3/8
SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
C. Do Nothing!
OPEN CLOSED Allow the well to
50
balance.
1000
D. Scream “I’m
TOTAL STROKES Confused” and tell
me to do it myself.
157
DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000
1000 900 3000 1000 300

2300 3000
0 0
PLT Got You!

5/8 1/2 3/8
SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
OPEN CLOSED
50
1150
TOTAL STROKES
158
TRY AGAIN !!
159
NOT HERE !!
160
After closing the
DRILLPIPE CASING choke and
2000 2000 watching CP
rise by 100 psi
1000 900 3000 1000 400 3000
you wait,
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8 and wait
OPEN CLOSED
50
and wait
1000
TOTAL STROKES
and wait…..
161
DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000
But the DP gauge is

1000 900 3000 1000 400 3000 still not at the 1000
psi mark. Do you
0
wait some more…
0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8 do you pinch in the
OPEN CLOSED
choke…
50
1025 or is it time to shut

the well in?
TOTAL STROKES
162
DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000
Are you being patient
or did you fall asleep?
1000 900 3000 1000 400 3000
Surely you have done

0 0 something by now….
3/4
5/8 1/2 3/8
1/4
What kind of lag time
SPM
7/8 1/8 did you have when
OPEN CLOSED you did the choke
50 drill…
1050 Oh! No choke

drill……………..
TOTAL STROKES
163
DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000
Okay, paints dry.

1000 900 3000 1000 400 3000
I feel sorry for the

guys still waiting….
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
Anybody here play
OPEN CLOSED
golf?
50
1075 I wonder if I’m

underbalanced...
TOTAL STROKES
164
DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000 There is no way it
should take this
1000 900 3000 1000 400 3000 long…
Is that a watch or a
0 0
sundial on your
5/8 1/2 3/8
wrist….
SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
OPEN CLOSED
50
Do you have any
1100 idea how much this
rig costs per minute!
TOTAL STROKES
165
Waiting for your relief
is not considered a
DRILLPIPE CASING
Well Control Method..
2000 2000
1000 900 3000 1000 400 3000

Tap the gauge..
Maybe it moved and
0 0 you missed it….
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8 It’s been more than
OPEN CLOSED ten minutes… I think
50
you blew it….
1125
TOTAL STROKES Will it be like this on
the simulator ….
166
Congratulations on your patience. That was three minutes.
Can you do this for real!
DRILLPIPE CASING
2000 2000
1000 1000 3000 1000 400

300 3000
0 0
5/8 1/2 3/8

SPM 3/4 1/4
7/8 1/8
OPEN CLOSED
50
1150
TOTAL STROKES
167
Development of Best
Practice
With 95% of our wells using synthetic mud and the geometry of our wells,
we are seeing a dramatic affect on our choke handling response during a
Driller’s Method Kill.
To get a better understanding of the PLT, we recommend conducting

“choke drills” before drilling out the shoe at each casing string.
In order for us to assist you, we need the recorded information from

these choke drills so that we may develop some “Best Practices” for
handling PLT.
168
Questions or Comments?
169
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
170
LEAK-OFF TESTING,
WELL DESIGN
and
WELL CONTROL
171
Why do we talk about Leak-Off Testing (L.O.T.)
and Well Design in a Well Control course, they
are “not related”.
That thinking is incorrect. The three are very

similar or interrelated.
172
All three use the following:
•The U-Tube
•Pressure
•Boyles Law (P1V1 = P2V2)
•Pore Pressure (formation pressure)
•Fracture Gradients (how strong is the formation)
173
HOW ARE L.O.T.’S , WELL DESIGN
AND WELL CONTROL RELATED
We start drilling using a well design with

theoretical values for pore pressure and
fracture gradients. The L.O.T. gives you the
actual fracture gradient, which defines the
Maximum Mud Weight that can be used to
drill the next hole section.
174
WHY DO A L.O.T. OR F.I.T.
After each casing string is cemented in place,

a L.O.T. or F.I.T. should be performed to verify
that the casing, cement, and formations below
the casing shoe can withstand the predicted
wellbore pressures required to get to the next
casing shoe.
From a well control point of view it verifies

what value our pop-off valve is set at.
175
WHAT IS A L.O.T.
A L.O.T. (Leak-Off Test) is performed by

drilling below the shoe 10’ to 50’ of new
formation. Close the annular and fracture the
exposed formation with your mud. We can
now calculate the Frac Gradient and EMW
(Equivalent Mud Weight).
176
Total Pressure at the shoe =
Hydrostatic + Surface Press.
Fracture Pressure is the Total

Pressure that causes the rock
to break and split apart.
FRAC PRESS Once the pressure is removed

the overburden will force the
rock to close and it regains it’s
integrity until the Fracture Press
is re-applied.
177
WHAT IS A F.I.T.
A F.I.T. (Formation Integrity Test) is performed

by drilling below the shoe 10’ to 50’ of new
formation. Close the annular and pressure up
to a predetermined pressure with your mud. If
the formation can withstand the applied
pressure, the test is called good. We can now
calculate the EMW (Equivalent Mud Weight).
A F.I.T. is similar to pressure testing the

cement lines or the BOP. 178
LOT VS. FIT
LOT FIT
• Exploration Well • Development well with
• Development well on a several other wells in
new platform. the field.
• Development well in
• Cannot perform a LOT
an old field that has
not been drilled in
lately.
179
LOT GUIDELINES
The adoption of a standard leak-off test procedure that
specifies the following is recommended.
1. Drilling fluid in the wellbore that is of a type and in
condition that will freely transmit pressure.
2. Constant injection rates of 1 to 2 barrels per minute.
3. Observation of a stabilized injection pressure for a

minimum of 4 minutes.
4. Reading of the surface pressure to be used in the
fracture gradient calculation on the casing gauge as per
previous procedure.
5.Use of a casing gauge of appropriate range for which
accuracy is maintained by scheduled calibrations. (It is
recommended that a recording gauge with an accuracy of
+/- 2% or better be used). 180
LEAK OFF TEST
4000
Drill Pipe
Casing
3500
P 3000
R
E
S 2500
S 2090 psi in 10 sec
U
2000 shut in
R
E
1500
P
S
I 1000
500
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pump Stopped
BBL PUMPED
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
TIME (MIN)
181
LOT Data
DATA INPUT:
Well Name (max 8 characters) Trat A-06
Date: 19 Nov. 1998
WELL Data:
Rotary Table: 106 ft above MSL
Water Depth: 240 ft
Casing Size: 7 inch
Casing Shoe Depth: 10441 ft MD
Casing Shoe Vertical Depth: 8232 ft TVD
LOT Data:
Mud Weight: 11.3 ppg
10 sec. Casing Pressure: 2090 psi
Pump Rate: 1.0 BPM
182
VOLUME PRESSURES (PSI) TIME
BBLS Drillpipe Casing Minutes
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1.0 262.0 178.0 1.0
2.0 669.0 600.0 2.0
3.0 1011.0 942.0 3.0
4.0 1418.0 1341.0 4.0
5.0 1901.0 1804.0 5.0
6.0 2352.0 2239.0 6.0
7.0 2820.0 2719.0 7.0
8.0 3335.0 3198.0 8.0
9.0 2719.0 2513.0 9.0
10.0 2268.0 2159.0 10.0
11.0 2276.0 2159.0 11.0
12.0 2252.0 2127.0 12.0
13.0 2252.0 2127.0 13.0
14.0 2207.0 2094.0 14.0
After Stop Pumping
14.0 2050.0 2090.0 14.2 (10 sec shut-in)
14.0 1945.0 1929.0 15.0
14.0 1929.0 1901.0 16.0
14.0 1929.0 1889.0 17.0
183
KICK TOLERANCE AND BOYLES LAW
184
Question:
What is our kick tolerance with the shoe at
19,000’ TVD and we want to drill to 25,500’
TVD.
Need to Know
- “Kick Tolerance” has 2 components
1. VOLUME (BBLS)
2. INTENSITY (Pressure - Intensity is normally

expressed in PPG (Relative to mud weight)
185
• Determine kick tolerance by “picking” a number
and then mathematically verifying that the
number “picked “ will work or not.
• Mathematical verification is done using Boyle’s

Law.
Boyle’s Law: P1V1=P2V2
• Assumptions
1) Kick is 100% gas.
2) Fluid is WBM - No gas goes into solution.
186
Fracture Pressure at shoe = 14,524 psi
649 BHP = 18,829 psi - (13.6 ppg + .2 ppg + .4 ppg) = 14.2 ppg EMW
MW = 13.8 ppg
Hydrostatic to shoe = 13,634 psi
Gauge Pressure = 18,829 - 4,527 - 19 - 13,634 = 649 psi

Pressure at the shoe = 649 + 13,364 = 14,013 psi
I have not exceeded the Fracture Pressure so
the well design would be valid.
If the Fracture Pressure is exceeded- the casing
point, kick size and/or intensity would have to
14,013
be adjusted and the calculations checked again.
192 ft of gas =
32.4
192 xbbl
0.1when
psi/ft = 19
brought to the shoe.
psi hydrostatic
6,308 ft
of 13.8 ppg 25 bbl kick at BHP of 18,829 psi
= 4,527 psi 187
P1 = 25,500’ X 0.052 X 14.2 PPG = 18,829 PSI
V1 = Volume (size) of the kick (Arbitrary # based on
the size of the kick that can be detected)
V1 = 25 BBLS
The “kick tolerance” that we want to check is 25 BBL.
& 0.4 PPG
With TD = 25,500’ TVD
Shoe =
MW =
19,000’ TVD
13.8 PPG
} *
* If any of these change the kick tolerance changes. 188

P1 V1 = P2 V2
P1 = Bottom hole pressure
(Pressure of the kick)
Bottom hole pressure = predicted maximum pore
pressure + mud overbalance + kick tolerance.
FOR THIS EXAMPLE:
• Predicted max pore pressure (at 25,500’ TVD)
= 13.6 PPG EMW
• Mud overbalance (for this example it is 0.2 PPG)
= 13.6 + 0.2 = 13.8 PPG
• Kick Intensity (Arbitrary number relative to mud
weight) = 13.8 + 0.4 = 14.2 PPG EMW 189
P2 = Weak Link
By design the “Weak Link” is the shoe. The “Weak
Link” is defined by the fracture pressure (AKA -
Leak Off Test Pressure) of the shoe.
P2 = Fracture pressure of the shoe

= 14.7 PPG EMW (Predicted)
= 14.7 PPG X 19,000’ X 0.052
P2 = 14,524 PSI
V2 = The size of the kick when it gets to the shoe
this is unknown. We solve for it.
190
Equation Triangle
P1 x V1 = P2 X V2
P1 is the pressure that the gas is under.
P1 = BHP
V1 is the size of kick
V1 = Barrels
P2 is the pressure of the gas at it’s
P1 x V1 new position in the well.
P2 = Hydrostatic + Gauge Pressure
V2 is the new size of the kick at

it’s new position in the well.
V2 = Barrels
P2 X V2
191
Equation Triangle
P1 x V1 = P2 X V2
P1 = 18,829 psi
V1 = 25 bbls
P2 = 14,524 psi
V2 = ?
18,829
P1 x VX1 25 18,829 X 25 = 32.4 bbls
14,524

• 18,829 x 25 = (470,725) ÷ 14,524 =
P2
14,524 X V?2
192
P1 V1 = P2 V2
V2 = P1 V1
V2 = (18,829 psi X 25 bbl) ÷ 14,524 psi
V2 = 32.4 bbls
The 25 BBL kick taken at 25,500’ will have expanded

to 32.4 BBL when it is at the shoe at 19,000’.
193
• The maximum pressure that the shoe will see is when
the top of the gas bubble (kick) is at the shoe.
• Now that we have the volume of the kick we need to

determine the pressure on the shoe.
• If the pressure on the shoe exceeds the fracture

pressure then our kick tolerance is too high and must
be re-designed.
• What height does the 32.4 Bbl occupy in 14 3/4”

hole X 6 5/8” DP - Annulus capacity is 0.1687 bpf
32.4 bbls ÷ 0.1687 bpf = 192’
194
DPP CP
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE (HP)
}
A) 19,000 X 13.8 X 0.052 = 13,634 psi
Water
B) 192’ X 0.1 psi/ft = 19 psi
.
C) 25,500’ - 192’ - 19,000’ = 6308’
A 6308’ X 13.8 PPG X 0.052 = 4527 psi
.
7129’
Sea bed TOTAL HP = A + B + C
= 13,634 + 19 + 4527 = 18180 psi
19,000’/
11,871’ BML }B BHP = HP + Gauge Pressure
25,500’/
}c Casing Gauge = BHP - HP
or
18371’ BML = 18,829 - 18180

195
= 649 psi
P@shoe = Gauge Press + Hydrostatic@shoe
= 649 + 13,634
= 14,283 psi
Frac Pressure at shoe = 14,524 psi

14,283 < 14,524
Therefore our design is valid and
our “Kick Tolerance”
is greater than 25 BBL and 0.4 PPG so we would
be able to tolerate this kick in our design. 196
FRACTURE PRESSURE
LEAK OFF TEST (SHOE TEST)
AND
ROCK FRACTURE GRADIENT
• Both Leak off and rock fracture gradient are

derived from the fracture pressure.
• Leak off pressure is normally reported as PPG EMW.
• Rock Fracture Gradient is normally reported as PSI/FT

197
Fracture pressure at 19,000’ TVD =
RKB
92’ Air 14,524 psi
MSL
7037’ Water A) What is the Leak-off Pressure?

=14,524 psi ÷ 19,000’ = 0.764 psi/ft
0.764 psi/ft ÷ 0.052 = 14.7 PPG
Mudline
B) What is the rock fracture gradient (FG)?

Fracture Press. = HYD Press water + HYD
11,871’ Rock Press rock
14,524 = (7037’ X 0.447) + (11871 X FG)
14,524 = 3146 + (11,871 X FG)
19,000’/ FG = (14,524 - 3146) ÷ 11871 = 0.95 psi/ft

11,871’ BML
198
• Leak-off pressure is most important to the foreman
and drill crews. (Execution)
* This number is a direct indication of what
maximum mud weight you can use in this hole
section.
• Rock fracture gradient is most important to the

engineers. (Design)
* This is an indirect means to compare geology in
different areas. It also provides a sound method
to compare actual and theoretical (predicted)
leak off pressures - answers rock competency
question. 199
RKB
92’ Air
MSL
7037’ Water
Mudline
11,871’ Rock
19,000’ Shoe
Frac. Press. = 14,524 psi
LOT Press. = 14,524 psi

19,000’
= .764 psi/ft
= .764psi/ft = 14.7
00.052
Rock Frac Grad. =
14,524 - 7037 X .447 =
11,379 psi
11,379 psi ÷ 11,871’ =
200
0.95 psi/ft
RKB RKB
92’ Air 82’ Air
MSL MSL
2600’ Water
7037’ Water
Mudline Mudline
11,871’ Rock 16,316’ Rock
19,000’ Shoe 19,000’ Shoe
Frac. Press. = 14,524 psi Frac. Press. = 14,524 psi
LOT Press. = 14,524 psi LOT Press. = 14,524 psi

19,000’ 19,000’
= .764 psi/ft = .764 psi/ft
= .764psi/ft = 14.7 = .764psi/ft = 14.7
00.052 00.052
Rock Frac Grad. = Rock Frac Grad. =
14,524 - 7037 X .447 = 14,524 - 2600 X .447 =
11,379 psi 13, 362 psi
11,379 psi ÷ 11,871’ = 13,362 psi ÷ 16,316’ =
201
0.95 psi/ft 0.82 psi/ft
RKB RKB RKB
92’ Air 82’ Air 82’ Air
MSL MSL MSL
2600’ Water
7037’ Water 2600’ Water
Mudline Mudline Mudline
11,871’ Rock 16,316’ Rock 16,316’ Rock
19,000’ Shoe 19,000’ Shoe 19,000’ Shoe
Frac. Press. = 14,524 psi Frac. Press. = 14,524 psi Frac. Press. = 16,697 psi
LOT Press. = 14,524 psi LOT Press. = 14,524 psi LOT Press. = 16,697 psi
19,000’ 19,000’ 19,000’
= .764 psi/ft = .764 psi/ft = .879 psi/ft
= .764psi/ft = 14.7 = .764psi/ft = 14.7 = .879psi/ft = 16.9
00.052 00.052 00.052
Rock Frac Grad. = Rock Frac Grad. = Rock Frac Grad. =
14,524 - 7037 X .447 = 14,524 - 2600 X .447 = 16,697 - 2600 X .447 =
11,379 psi 13, 362 psi 15,534 psi
11,379 psi ÷ 11,871’ = 13,362 psi ÷ 16,316’ = 15,534 psi ÷ 16,316’ =
202
0.95 psi/ft 0.82 psi/ft 0.95 psi/ft
RKB RKB RKB RKB
92’ Air 82’ Air 82’ Air 84’ Air
MSL MSL MSL MSL
Mudline Mudline Mudline Mudline
11,871’ Rock
11,871’ Rock 16,316’ Rock 16,316’ Rock
Shoe
14,555’
19,000’ Shoe 19,000’ Shoe 19,000’ Shoe
Frac. Press. = 12,440 psi
Frac. Press. = 14,524 psi Frac. Press. = 14,524 psi Frac. Press. = 16,697 psi
LOT Press. = 12,420 psi

LOT Press. = 14,524 psi LOT Press. = 14,524 psi LOT Press. = 16,697 psi
14,555’
19,000’ 19,000’ 19,000’
= .854 psi/ft
= .764 psi/ft = .764 psi/ft = .879 psi/ft
= .854psi/ft = 16.4
= .764psi/ft = 14.7 = .764psi/ft = 14.7 = .879psi/ft = 16.9
00.052
00.052 00.052 00.052
Rock Frac Grad. =
Rock Frac Grad. = Rock Frac Grad. = Rock Frac Grad. =
12,440 - 2600 X .447 =
14,524 - 7037 X .447 = 14,524 - 2600 X .447 = 16,697 - 2600 X .447 =
11,278 psi
11,379 psi 13, 362 psi 15,534 psi
13,362 psi ÷ 11,871’ =
11,379 psi ÷ 11,871’ = 13,362 psi ÷ 16,316’ = 15,534 psi ÷ 16,316’ =
0.95 psi/ft 203
0.95 psi/ft 0.82 psi/ft 0.95 psi/ft
SHALLOW LEAK-OFF TEST
DRIVES THE WELL DESIGN
204
LEAK-OFF TESTS
BELOW IS A VERY SMALL SAMPLING OF OUR MANY THOUSANDS OFL.O.T. STATISTICS
FRAC WELL FRAC WELL

WELL NAME LOCATION DEPTH GRAD WELL NAME LOCATION DEPTH GRAD
BS 52#1 GOM 186 1.08 Attaka#32 Indo 448 1.00

A-19 Cal 393 .93 Sakon #1 Thai 495 .92
16-2CT Midland 396 1.02 VE 66 #3 GOM 562 .83
A-17 Cal 397 .92 BA #28 Alaska 582 .94
Sibual 2-2 Indo 403 1.46 EHI 302 A-13 GOM 679 .89
YC-2 Indo 414 1.02 A-20 Cal 681 1.18
220 Midland 420 1.18 VE 328 #2 La 681 .81
Yakin YC-5HZ Indo 421 1.05 A-19 Cal 755 .93
201 Midland 424 1.00 Kham Palai #1Thai 774 1.77
BA #28 Alaska 802 .94
B-KL-1X Vietnam 814 .94
#1-9 Michigan 869 1.71
205
LOCATION OF SECOND CASING SHOE
(THE KEY TO SHALLOW WELL CONTROL)
FIRST CEMENTED
SHOE
INCREASING EXPOSURE
• MORE TIME
• MORE POSSIBILITY OF
SECOND CEMENTED ENCOUNTERING GAS
SHOE
DECREASING RESISTANCE TO
FRACTURE (PSI)
206
RECOMMENDED
DESIGN / OPERATIONS APPROACH
1. Design well to shut-in.
2. Locate casing shoes in more competent formations.
3. Cement casing.
4. Measure fracture gradients.
5. Use squeezing to guarantee validity of L.O.T.’s

 Value of fracture pressure
 Location of fracture
6. Shut in on all kicks at all depths.
207
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
208
Shallow Hazards
Definition – any phenomenon, located from

mudline to the depth riserless drilling is ended,
which puts a wellbore, location, or structure at
risk.The hazard may be natural or man made.
209
Shallow Hazard Examples
 Pipelines and man made structures
 Unstable Seafloor: faults, slumps, and channels
 Gas vents and mud volcanoes

 Hydrates (“Primary and Secondary”)
Chemosynthetic Communities
 Subsurface water, gas and sediment flows (SWF)
210
Gas Hydrates
Gas Hydrates are ice-like crystalline solids

(minerals) in which hydrocarbon and non-
hydrocarbon gases are held within rigid cages of
water molecules.
211
Hydrate Formation
Form at high pressures and low temperatures
40 degrees F and 780 psia
Commonly found in water depths of 1200’ -

6000’ (deeper sites not well sampled)
Usually associated with some type of gas vent
 Modeling has indicated hydrates may exist as

deep as 3000’ BML on GOM slope*
212
* Sloan 1998
Hydrate Hazards
 Unstable sea floor if hydrates are melted

 Chemosynthetic Communities / Hardgrounds
 Unstable wellbore associated with primary
hydrates
 “Secondary” Hydrate accumulation on subsea
equipment. (Associated with SWFs not primary
hydrates)
213
Kutai Basin, Indonesia
Hydrate X-Section
Hydrates
214
Subsurface Hydrates
GR RES
WD : 5312’
5635’
Hydrates
Interval
-5987’
Nakula #1, Kutai Basin, Indonesia (Near Seno Field) 215

Hydrate Characteristics
Kutai Basin, Indonesia
 Water depths > 3000’, Mudline temp ~ 40o F

 Encountered between 0 - 600’ BML
 Seismic character high amplitude events
 Log character high resistivity zones
 Increase in ROP
 Flows noted while reaming with seawater
 Borehole swelling (could not get casing down)
216
Hydrate Drilling SOP Indonesia*
 Initial drilling riserless with Seawater

 Displace with 9.8ppg WBM and pull out of hole
 If tight spots noted across from Hydrates begin
back reaming with 9.8ppg WBM.
 If back reaming becomes problematic switch to
seawater and re-ream the hole to bottom.
 Displace with 9.8ppg WBM mud and spot 18ppg
floating mud cap across hydrate zone to ML.
217
* Glen Olivera Drilling Superintendent Unocal Indonesia
Shallow Water Flows (SWF)
Any flow of water and/or gas into the wellbore, in

flow paths around the annulus or to the seafloor.
SWFs have been reported in water depths of 500 -
7,000 feet and observed between the mudline and
4000’ below mudline (BML). Typically problems
arise between 950 and 2000 feet BML.
218
Overpressure Mechanisms
219
From paper by Pelletier 1999 SWF Forum
Overpressure Mechanisms
• Remember the sponges

and
• Charged formation
220
Problems Associated with SWFs
 Uncontrolled Water Flows

 Sediment washout (cement integrity)
 Sediment Compaction
 Casing Collapse and Buckling
 Formation of seafloor craters, mounds and cracks
221
ERWE-19 WELL-SEC
Water Depth = 198’ SSD
Prog.@-732’ SSD of top gas sand
Prog.@-902’ SSD of top gas sand
Two-way time ms.

Depth (Ft. SS.)
Final Depth-923’ SSD
222
223
Unocal Deepwater
Shallow Hazard Assessment
Integrated Team Work

 Geology
 Geophysics
 Drilling
 Petrophysics
224
Geomechanics
 Overburden Assessment
 Fracture Gradient Prediction
 Pore Pressure Prediction
 Offset and Regional Mud and LOT data
 Real Time analysis with PWD and ROV
225
BEST PRACTICES - PART 1
 Site Assessments to start early in prospect life.
 Multi-discipline cross functional team involved
 Third party analysis of hazards is not enough
 Pick locations with shallow hazards in mind
– Depth
– Thickness
– Geologic setting
– Presence/absence of sandstone
– Presence/absence of a pressure seal
– Presence/absence of hydrocarbons 226
 Wherever possible move locations to avoid
potential hazards
 If hazard can not be avoided, mitigate risk
– map interval & specific horizons
– radial seismic panels
– pressure prediction
– revise well design
 Set 36” casing deep enough to allow control of
shallow hazards with weighted mud.
 Utilize “UCL Riserless Drilling Procedure” to
minimize probability of a flow occurring.
227
 If flow occurs kill well immediately
– Problems worsen with time
– Assess situation before resuming drilling operations
 Riserless drilling “stops” when a 10 PPG leak-off can be
reasonably expected.
 Pump out of hole with “good quality” kill weight mud
 Run 20” casing as per “UCL Riserless Drilling

Procedure”
 Use Cementing Best practices
– Foam cement
– Centralized casing
228
CONCLUSIONS
 Unocal has made significant improvement with

regards to shallow hazard identification
 Shallow Hazard identification requires
considerable time & focused effort
 Unocal’s well design and well execution
capabilities have enabled us to drill potential
shallow hazards with a high degree of success
 Fully integrated multi-disciplined team approach to
shallow hazard identification is paying off
229
First Hole Section- Riser or Riserless?
230
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
231
SHALLOW GAS KICKS 1980-1989
CERVEZA - 1983 GRAYLING - 1985
• Diverted • Diverted
420’
• 2 - 8” lines • 1 - 4” line
2500’
• Diverter Failed • Diverter Failed
• Fire • No Fire
• No Breach • Breached
4000’ 3565’
$35 Million $40 Million
ATTAKA J1 - 1981 STEELHEAD - 1987

• Diverter Failed • Diverted
• Fire •2 - 10” lines
456’
766’ • Diverter Failed
5 Fatalities • Fire
Multiple Injuries • Breached
1225’
2265’
$150 Million (Operated
by Marathon)232
SHALLOW GAS KICKS 1990 - 2000
Attaka 38 - 1998 Attaka 38a - 1998
• Gas in water • Gas in water
• Moved rig off • Evacuated Rig
500’ location 460’ • Flow stopped
• Flow stopped on its own
on its own
No Injuries No Injuries
Minimal Cost Minimal Cost
B-TXT-2X - 2000 Molavia Bazar - 1997

• Gas in water • Diverter system failed
• Evacuated Rig • Fire
915’ • Flow stopped 509’ • Breached
on its own
No Injuries 2755’ •$10+ Million (Operated

Minimal Cost by Oxy)
233
DIVERTERS
Gas/Sand mixtures flowing through diverter lines have been
measured to erode through steel at the rate of 8” per hour.
NO RELIABLE MEANS EXISTS TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM!
Use of a diverter does not lead to control of a well. These devices may
be required where no better alternative exists for handling flow from
shallow holes, but their use should be limited to improving the
conditions during which evacuation takes place.
In short ---
DIVERT AND DESERT !

234
Well Control Equipment
One of the critical aspects in planning a well is the
theoretical maximum surface pressure to be used in
designing the casing, wellhead, bop stack, choke manifold,
gas buster, testing, and other equipment.
Checklist: Well Control Equipment
Check temperature rating for elastomers, particularly

in variable bore rams. If shear rams are installed,
ensure that the shear rams can, in fact, shear
all grades of drill pipe in use.
235
BOP CONSIDERATIONS
ANNULAR
PIPE
RAMS
BLIND
RAMS
TO KILL LINE TO CHOKE LINE

PIPE
RAMS
WELLHEAD 236
Accumulators ‑ Should have sufficient

volume to close and hold closed all
preventers and maintain accumulator
pressure above minimum system pressure.
237
USEABLE FLUID
To provide energy, the bladder is pre-charged to 1000 psi with
Nitrogen.
To provide closing fluid, it must be pumped into the bottle
1000
10 gal
N2
238
Equation Triangle
P1 x V1 = P2 X V2
P1 = 1000 psi
V1 = 10 gal
P2 = 1200 psi
V2 = ?
1000
P1 x X
V110 1000 X 10 = 8.3 gal of Nitrogen
1200
10 - 8.3 = 1.7 gal of fluid

1000 x 10 = (10,000) ÷ 1200 =
P2
1200 X V?2
239
USEABLE FLUID
It takes 1.7 gallons of fluid to compress the Nitrogen to the
Minimum System Pressure of 1200 psi.
1000 1200
10 gal 8.3 gal

N2 N2
1.7 gal
Fluid
240
Equation Triangle
P1 x V1 = P2 X V2
P1 = 1000 psi
V1 = 10 gal
P2 = 3000 psi
V2 = ?
1000
P1 x X
V110 1000 X 10 = 3.3 gal of Nitrogen
3000
10 - 3.3 = 6.7 gal of fluid

1000 x 10 = (10,000) ÷ 3000 =
P2
3000 X V?2
241
USEABLE FLUID
To get useable fluid, I must continue to pump fluid until I reach
the Operating Pressure of 3000 psi.
It takes a total of 6.7 gallons of fluid to compress the
Nitrogen to 3000 psi.
1200 3000
8.3 gal 3.3 gal

N2 N2
•The volume of fluid it takes to

Useable
change the pressure from
Fluid
Minimum System Pressure to
Operating Pressure is the 1.7 gal 6.7 gal
useable Fluid per bottle. Fluid Fluid
(6.7 - 1.6 = 5 gallons/bottle)
242
Accumulator Volume
18 gal.
to close
7 gal. To close
3000 psi
1 gal. To open
6 gal. To close
Atmospheric
Pressure
7 gal. To close
Total gallons to close = 39 gallons
39 gal. X 1.5 safety factor = 59 gal. Of useable fluid required

59 gal. X 2 = 118 gal. Of total stored fluid
118 ÷ 10 = 11.8 or 12 bottles
243
High Pressure Flexible Hoses  Confirm

that flexible hoses are acceptable for
exposure to unusual fluids which may be
encountered or used and meet acceptable
temperature ranges.
244
Bleed Off Valve & Line  The bleed off

valve and line allow flow directly from the
choke manifold to the overboard line or
burner boom to protect the mud/gas
separator from being overloaded.
245
Low Temperature
Problems
All equipment, which may be
exposed to wellbore fluid
downstream of the choke,
should be designed to
withstand the low
temperatures resulting from
gas expansion during well
control procedures.
Critical guidelines on choke
manifold acceptance and
maintenance is important.
Periodic checks should be
conducted to check the
thickness of piping and
manifolds.
246
Mud/Gas Separator  Pressure gauge on

the separator body should be installed to
ensure that the separator is operating
within its rated capacity and no gas is
being allowed to "blow through" to the
mud processing areas. Thoroughly
inspect the separator structural integrity
and internal condition.
247
GAS BUSTER
• Diameter & length of vent
Vent Line GAS line controls amount of
NO VALVES! pressure in separator
Pressure Gauge Inspection Cover
Impingement Plate Baffle Plates

From Choke
Siphon Breaker
• Height, Diameter &
Internal design controls
separation efficiency
d
To Mud Degasser • Height of “U” tube (D) & distance

from bottom of separator to top of “U”
NO VALVES!
tube (d) controls fluid level in
D
separator and keeps gas from going
to flowline
Drain Line With Valve 248
Additional Considerations  The

compatibility of elastomers with drilling,
completion, & testing fluids should be
checked. The collapse rating of the drill
string should be checked against
collapse load during a well control
operation. The most severe load is
frequently found at the closed pipe rams.
249
BOP TESTING
RECOMMENDED FIELD TESTS:
Low High
Ram Preventers 200-300 psi WP or CSG. Burst
Annular Preventers “ 70% WP
Ram and Annular preventers are “Wellbore Assisted.” This

means that pressure from the well helps to energise the
elements and seal off the well. This is why low pressure
tests are sometimes harder to achieve.
Bumping the pressure up to get a seal and then bleeding off

to get the test is dangerous.
How many 5,000 psi vs. 300 psi kicks do we take?
250
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
251
SBM OBM
Gas Kicks: migration, solubility. Ballooning;
252
Myths about Synthetic and Oil Base
Muds
Gas kicks do not migrate.

Gas kicks do not cause volume change.
Gas kicks come out of solution all at once.
Gas kicks come out of solution slowly.
253
Facts about Synthetic Base and Oil
Base Muds
Gas migrates in SBM / OBM until it goes into
solution.
Gas enters the wellbore at full volume.
Gas in solution may have one half the

volume as does gaseous gas.
Gas come out of solution at rates depending

on temperature, pressure and concentration.
254
Solubility vol/vol
6000
5000
4000
3000 Pressure
West
2000 North
1000
0
0 200 400 600
-1000
255
Boyle’s Law
• P1 x V1 = Constant
• P1 x V1 = Constant = P2 x V2
Known Any point

information in the well
256
Boyle’s Law (continued)
11.0ppg MW
P2 = ?2,860 psi
5,000’
V2 = P1 x V1 ÷ P2 = ? 20 bbl
10 bbl 10,000’
11 x 00.052 x 10,000 = 5,720 psi 257

Pressure / Temperature
Effect on Density
Temperature Pressure Measured
(°F) (psig) Density
( lbm/gal)
78 0 17.000
3,000 17.145
6,000 17.275
9,000 17.389 This table shows laboratory results
12,000 17.492 on a 17 ppg mineral-oil based mud.
15,000 17.589
200 0 16.392
3,000 16.592
6,000 16.760
9,000 16.905
12,000 17.033
15,000 17.149
350 3,000 15.890
6,000 16.122
9,000 16.310
12,000 16.469
15,000 16.608 258
Kick
Detection
• Kick detection is more difficult when oil/synthetic base
drilling fluid is used over a water base drilling fluid because
gas is soluble in the OBM/SBM.
• However, gas cannot enter the wellbore without causing some
changes in fluid volume .
• Therefore, it is concluded that an increase in flow and/or pit

gain is the most reliable indicator of a kick during drilling in
either OBM/SBM or WBM.
The perception that gas kicks totally “hide” in OBM / SBM is false.
The gain is there but our ability to measure that gain depends on
accurate, working PVT’s and flow shows, good pit discipline and
alert Drillers and Mud Loggers.
259
Volume At
Surface
• 12.4 ppg SBM
• The well unloaded 30 bbls at Bottoms Up.
• P1 = 14.7 psi
• V1 = 30 bbls
• P2 = 12.4 x 0.052 x 12,000 = 7,740 psi
• V2 = .057 bbl kick on Bottom (no solubility)
• V2 = .03 bbl Kick on Bottom (50% solubility)
Can you detect this size kick?
260
6” Open Hole to TD@12,000
Bubble
Point
• The gas oil ratio (GOR) is a measure of the amount of gas
that is mixed with a given volume of oil.
• The higher the GOR the deeper in the well the gas begins to
break out.
• As some of the gas breaks out it lowers the GOR of the

remaining influx.
The remaining influx is then circulated further up the hole

until it reaches the new “bubble point” at which time some
of the gas breaks out, again lowering the GOR in the
remaining influx.
• This cycle is repeated till all of the gas has become free
gas.
261
Bubble
Point
• If the well is circulated with the BOP’s open, the gas is able to
come out of solution quickly. This can result in mud being
pushed above the bushings.
• If the well is being circulated through the choke, the

backpressure helps keep the gas in solution and protects the
rig and it’s crews.
262
Bubble
Point
• At any time that you suspect that you have taken a gas
influx, or that it is possible that you have taken a gas influx,
circulate the well with the last 2000+ ft. circulated across
the choke.
263
General Trends With Gas Solubility
The OBM/SBM composition has a dramatic effect on gas

solubility. Assuming that gas is insoluble in water, as the
amount of brine or water and emulsifiers increase then the
solubility of the gas in the mud system decreases.
As the amount of solids increase, the solubility of the gas

decreases.
As temperature increases, gas solubility decreases.
As the gas specific gravity increases gas solubility decreases.
As pressure increases gas solubility increases.

264
Ballooning / Micro Fracturing
265
Connection Flow Monitor - Breathing
150
130
Feb. 14, 142 bbl.
Breathing
110
Feb. 15, 112 bbl.
Breathing
90
Change Pit Vol., bble
Feb. 14, 80 bbl.

No breathing
70
50
30
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
-10
266
Time, min.
Connection Flow Monitor - Flowing
150
130
Jan.. 12, well
flowing, 140 + bbls
110
Point of infelction
90
Change Pit Vol., bble
Jan. 10, start of interval,

100 bbls.
70 No breathing
50
30
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
-10 267
Time, min.
268
Intro
Kicks & Shut-in

Drillers Method
Gauge Questions
Pressure Lag Time
LOT & Well Design

Shallow Hazards
Equipment
SBM
Special Problems
269
GAS INFLUX / MIGRATION AFTER
CEMENTING
Gas may enter well after cementing due to temporary
reduction in annulus pressure as cement begins to set,
resulting in a kick.
Observe the well after cementing and be ready to shut
well in if annular flow occurs.
To reduce the likelihood of this problem, the following
cementing practices have been shown to be helpful:
• Fast Transition Time- Right set cement

• Condition mud well before cementing.
• Use a well designed spacer/wash ahead of the
cement to assist in mud removal.
• Centralize the casing in the wellbore.
• Maintain turbulent flow while cementing.
• Move the casing while cementing.
No technique to date has been 100% successful in eliminating this problem -

270
Remain Alert!
ABANDONING A “DEAD” WELL
Air
Air
Heavy Fluid
Oil
Water 271
Producing Zone
ABANDONING A “DEAD” WELL
There are very few “DEAD” wells.

Remain ALERT at ALL times
Use the trip tank when ever possible
Keep good pit Discipline
272
BROKEN U-TUBES
This requires a high rate of

losses. Slight losses can be
dealt with during the regular
Drillers Method.
273
RECOGNIZING BROKEN U-TUBES
• A sudden break back in surface pressures
• Fluctuations in casing pressure
• Fluctuations in drillpipe pressure
• Numerous choke changes
• Loss of communication between drillpipe & annulus
• Drillpipe pressure decreasing or on vacuum
• Sudden vibration in drillpipe, BOP, and/or tree

274
REPAIRING BROKEN U-TUBES
• Analyze and think
• Try slowing down first - ECD’s may be to high.
• Must fix from the top down.
• Temporarily shut off bottom.
275
COMMON CONTROL METHODS
Most of the attempts to control an Underground

Blowout (complete losses) are hit or miss.
Instead of analyzing the well to define the real
problem, assumptions are made and one of the
following solutions is begun. If this doesn’t work
you try something else.
276
• Pumping LCM, gunk or cement to the loss zone in an attempt to
regain conventional control.
• Bullheading kill fluids into the loss and/or producing zones.
• A Dynamic kill using frictional pressure loss and fluid density to
increase wellbore pressure opposite the producing zone.
• A Bottom Kill (weighted slug below the loss zone to overbalance
the producing zone).
• A “sandwich kill” that bullheads kill fluid from both above and
below the loss zone.
• A barite pill or cement plug to bridge and isolate the producing
zone from the loss zone.
• A bridge plug set to isolate the producing zone from the loss
zone, or more commonly just to provide a subsurface closure
while surface equipment is changed or pipe is run in the well. 277
To improve your chance of success with the previous
methods, formulate a strategy that includes;
• Knowledge of the location, pressure, and flow characteristics of
the producing and loss zones and the flow path
• Definition of a kill approach and a sequence of steps that will
achieve the ultimate objective
• Confirmed information on fluid properties, densities, volumes,
placement and rates necessary
• Access to the necessary people, equipment, materials and
instrumentation to implement the strategy
• Checkpoints, usually pressures, that allow you to monitor your
progress and/or success
• An agreed upon basis for stopping the operation, analyzing and
changing the operation if your plan is not progressing as
278
predicted.
MECHANICAL COMPLICATIONS
= HAPPENS FIRST = HAPPENS AFTER TIME LAG
COMPLICATION DP CP
GAUGE GAUGE
PLUGGED JET NO CHANGE
PLUGGED CHOKE
WASHED CHOKE
LOSING WILL FOLLOW CP ERRATIC

CIRCULATION WITH SMALLER FLUCTUATING
SWINGS
HOLE IN NO CHANGE
WORKSTRING
HOLE PACKED
OFF
279
INTACT U-TUBE
DRILLERS DP CP PIT CHOKE
METHOD GAUGE GAUGE GAIN DIRECTION
CLEAR KEEP SLOWLY INCREASING MOSTLY
INFLUX CONSTANT INCREASING THEN BACK OPENING
TO ORIGINAL
KWF TO DECREASING KEEP CONSTANT NO
BIT CONSTANT CHANGE
KWF TO KEEP SLOWLY CONSTANT MOSTLY

SURFACE CONSTANT DECREASING OPENING
280
WELL CONTROL LOG
TIME DP CASING CHOKE STROKES PIT COMMENTS
PSI PSI SIZE GAIN
281
ORGANIZING & DIRECTING IN
WELL CONTROL
Value of Rig Crew Drills - TEAMWORK
• Keeps possibility of kick control in minds of crew
and supervisors (like school).
• Gets everyone familiar with the equipment on the

rig and get more comfortable with the procedures.
• Causes drilling foreman to plan ahead of time how

he will organize and direct.
• Make assignments for circulating-out kick the last
step in shut-in drills.
282
ORGANIZING & DIRECTING IN
WELL CONTROL
Foreman Should Be At Critical Spot While Kick
Is Being Circulated Out
• Needs to be free to move around as much as possible.
• Will depend on competence of contractor people
(toolpusher and driller, particularly).
• Hopefully not running the choke, but should be
observing choke operations until a certain point.
• When is that point?
Driller’s Method: Bringing pumps up & down, changing gauges.
W & W Method: Bringing pumps up & down, until KWM to bit.
283
Formulas
1 Phydrostatic = MWppg x .052 x TVDft
2 MWppg = Pressurepsi ÷ .052 ÷ TVDft
3 TVDft = Pressurepsi ÷ .052 ÷ MWppg
4 Gradientpsi/ft = MWppg x .052
5 Gradientpsi/ft = Pressurepsi ÷ TVDft
6 MWppg = Gradientpsi/ ft ÷ .052
7 Capacitybbl/ft = Hole Diameter2 ÷ 1029.4
8 Annular Capacitybbl/ft = (Hole diameter2 - Pipe Diameter2) ÷ 1029.4

284
9 Fluid Column Heightft = Volumebbls ÷ Capacitybbl/ft
Formulas
1 Displacementbbl/ft = Pipe Weightlbs x .00036
2 Triplex Pump Outputbbl/stk = .000243 x Liner Diameterin2 x Stroke Lengthin x Efficiency%
3 Total Pump Strokes = Volumebbls ÷ Pump Outputbbl/stk
4 Kill Weight Mudppg = (SIDPPpsi ÷ .052 ÷ TVDft) + MWppg
5 Volume of Slugbbls = Mud Weight.ppg x Dry Pipe Lengthft x Pipe Capacitybbl/ft

Slug Weightppg - Mud Weightppg
6 Slug Weightppg = Mud Weightppg + Mud Weight.ppg x Dry Pipe Lengthft x Pipe Capacitybbl/ft
Slug Volumebbls
7 Pit Gain from Slugbbls = Volume of Slugbbls x Slug Weightppg - Mud Weightppg
Mud Weightppg
8 Depth Slug Fallsft = Pit Gain from Slugbbls ÷ Pipe Capacitybbl/ft
9 Pump Pressure Correction: For Mud Weight Change-

Change
285
New Pump Pressurepsi = Original Pressurepsi x (New Mud Weightppg ÷ Old Mud Weightppg)
Contact Information
Rick Dolan:
richard.dolan@unocal.com
George Grundt: Benny Mason:

grundt@unocal.com bmason@unocal.com 286

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DRILLING

© Union Oil of California, dba Unocal 2001 1

Pressure Basics (The U-Tube)

Kicks & Shut-in

LOT & Well Design

SECTION SLIDE SECTION SLIDE

• Introduction 2-11 • Gauge Questions 110-139

Rick Dolan - (281) 287-7215 - richard.dolan@unocal.com

Benny Mason - (281) 287-7545 - bmason@unocal.com

George Grundt - (281) 287-7254 - ggrundt@unocal.com

• Everyone is responsible to participate

• One conversation at a time

• All ideas get equal consideration

• Notes - write in the book or paper

• Problem solving - work as a team (by table)

• FOR THE MONEY- Game show - win prizes

• Homework - DO IT - you will pass the test

• Relax- The more we work together the more we all learn.

• Parking Lot - Ideas brought up that we are not ready for.

Daily Start - Exactly @ 8 AM

Daily End - Approximately 4:30 PM

Hook high pressure hose up to the soap suds machine.

Turn the machine "on".

Receive an important call and have to leave work to go home.

Refer to attachment for the results.

Pressure Basics (The U-Tube)

Kicks & Shut-in

LOT & Well Design

Hydrostatic = 5000 psi Hydrostatic = 5000 psi

BHP = 5000 psi 13

Fluid at rest creates a pressure that we call Hydrostatic Pressure.

hydro (Fluid) static (at rest)

1’ PSIhydrostatic = Fluid Weightppg x 0.052 x Vertical Height of fluid

1 ft. = 0.052 gal.

12” X 12” = 144 in2

A one cubic foot container will hold 7.5 gallons of fluid.

Gradientpsi/ft = Fluid Weightppg x 0.052 x 1ft

1 ft. = 0.052 gal.

•Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = Gradient (psi/ft) X Depth (ft.)

•Gradient (psi/ft) = Fluid Weight (ppg) X 0.052

•Equivalent Mud Weight (ppg) = Gradient (psi/ft) ÷ 0.052

Bottom Hole Pressure = Hydrostatic Pressure + Gauge

Pressurepsi = MWppg X 0.052 X TVDft

If you want to solve for MW or TVD, fill

MWppg X 0.052 X TVDft

1) SIDPP is 500 psi. Hole TVD is 11,000 ft.

On your calculator you would key in:

On your calculator you would key in:

8.4 ppg > Normal Pressured formations < 8.9 ppg

Poor cement practices can

PC = PB= 1860 psi G = 1860 / 3900ft = .477 psi/ft MW C = 9.2 ppg

PB = 4000’ x .465 psi/ft = 1860 psi MW b = 8.9 ppg

The workstring and

The gauge should be

If I started filling the

9.6ppg x 0.052 x 10ft = 5 29

If I then put another few

5 = 9.6ppg x 0.052 x 10ft 30

1,500 ft of 13.6 ppg

4,000 ft of 10.2 ppg

5,000 ft of 9.6 ppg

6,000 ft of 10.5 ppg

6,000 ft of 12.5 ppg 6,000 ft of 10 ppg fluid