A kick is an undesirable influx of formation fluid into the borehole.

Blowout is an uncontrolled influx of formation fluid into the borehole.

Causes of Kicks.

1. Failure To Keep The Hole Full:

The majority of kicks occur when the bit is off bottom, while tripping. When the pumps are shut
down prior to tripping, there is a pressure reduction in the borehole equal to the annular pressure
losses.

2. Swabbing of Formation Fluids Into the Borehole:

When pipe is pulled it acts like a piston, more so below than above the bit. Both gel strength and
viscosity of the mud have a large effect on swabbing. Swabbing is further increased if the mud
cake is thick, the bit is balled-up, the nozzles are blocked, or a back-pressure valve is in the drill
string.

3. Insufficient Mud Density:

4. Poor Well Planning:

5. Lost Circulation:

Well control procedures.

1. Rig Control:
This includes the BOP's, pumps, drawworks and other rig equipment. This is the responsibility of
the driller, and any blowout control procedures should assign these operations to the driller.

2. Mud Control:
This involves the addition of weighting material (most commonly barite) to the mud to increase
its density, but also includes the correct operation of the mixing system and
chemical additions. These are generally the responsibility of the mud engineer and derrickman.

3. Choke Control:
This includes the correct calculation of pressures and time relationships, as well as operating the
choke and monitoring the pump rate. The choke operator should be the best trained man on the
rig in kick control. He will be required to give guidance during the kill operations.

4. Supervision.

They will supervise the previous three elements of well control operations.
1. Remove drilled cuttings from under the bit
2. Carry those cuttings out of the hole
3. Suspend cuttings in the fluid when circulation is stopped
4. Release cuttings when processed by surface equipment
5. Allow cuttings to settle out at the surface
6. Provide enough hydrostatic pressure to balance formation pore pressures
7. Prevent the bore hole from collapsing or caving in
8. Protect producing formations from damage which could impair production
9. Clean, cool, and lubricate the drill bit