Kick Tolerance

• Kick Tolerance: The maximum volume of influx that can be circulated out
without breaking down the weakest formation (presumed to be at the last
casing shoe, if no other information is available).

• Kick Intensity: The increase in mud density required to balance the formation
pressure. It can also be defined as the difference between the kicking
formation pore pressure and the current mud density.

• Rig Detection Threshold: The volume of influx that can be detected by the
kick detection system of the specific rig and as determined by the most
recent field tests by the personnel of the rig.

• Kick Margin: The difference between the formation strength and the
maximum wellbore pressure gradient when handling a kick.

146 PWC Rev.6

May 10, 2002
 IPM Kick Tolerance
Standard IPM-ST-WCI-011
• The minimum kick tolerance shall be three times the rig’s
detection threshold plus a minimum kick (safety) margin of 0.5
ppg at the weakest formation.
Vinf = 3 x Rig’s kick detection threshold (in bbls)
subject to a minimum kick margin of
0.5 ppg on the shoe strength
(It is estimated that the influx volume at shut-in is approximately three times the
influx volume at the time the kick is detected by the rig’s detection system.)
• Assuming a 25 bbl kick, the minimum kick detection threshold
for the rig would be 8.33 bbls.
147 PWC Rev.6
May 10, 2002
 Calculation of Kick Size
Hole Size: 8-1/2”
5” Drill pipe to surface
6-3/4” Drill Collars – 1500 ft
Assume Gas Gradient: LOT @ shoe = 16 ppg
0.1 psi/ft Casing Depth =10,000 ft

TD = 15,000 ft
Max Formation Pressure = 14 ppg
Max Mud Weight = 14.5 ppg
Max Mud Gradient = 0.754 psi/ft

148 PWC Rev.6

May 10, 2002
 Calculation of Kick Size: Case 1
PShoe = PForm – PGas – PMud
PShoe = PForm – MudGrad(TD – Shoe – H1) – GasGrad1(H1)
H1 = PShoe – PForm + MudGrad(TD – Shoe)
MudGrad – GasGrad1
PForm = 0.052 x 14 ppg x 15,000 ft = 10920 psi
PShoe PShoe = 0.052 x 15.5 ppg x 10,000 ft = 8060 psi
Mud
H1 = 8060 – 10920 + 0.754(15,000-10,000)
0.754 – 0.1
H1 Gas = 910
PForm
0.654
H1 = 1391.5 ft
V1 = H1 x Annular Capacity
= 1391.5 ft x 0.0259 bbl/ft
149 PWC Rev.6
May 10, 2002 V1 = 36.07 bbl
 Calculation of Kick Size: Case 2
PShoe = PForm – PGas – PMud
PShoe = PForm – MudGrad(TD – Shoe – H2) – GasGrad2(H2)
GasGrad2 = GasGrad1 PShoe TD
PForm DShoe
= 0.1 (8060/10920)(15000/10000)
PShoe
H2 Gas GasGrad2 = 0.111 psi/ft
Mud H2 = PShoe – PForm + MudGrad(TD – Shoe)
PForm MudGrad – GasGrad2
H2 = 8060 – 10920 + 0.754(15,000-10,000)
0.754 – 0.111
= 910
150 PWC Rev.6
0.643
May 10, 2002
H2 = 1415.2 ft
 Calculation of Kick Size: Case 2

PShoe = P1
V1 Gas

Mud
V2
PForm = P2
H = 1415.2 ft P1 x V1 = P2 x V2
V1 = H x Ann Cap V2 = P1x V1
= 1415.2 ft x 0.0459 bbl/ft P2
V1 = 64.9 bbls V2 = 8060 x 64.9 / 10920
V2 = 47.9 bbls
151 PWC Rev.6
May 10, 2002 Case 1 = 36.07 bbl < Case 2 = 47.9 bbls