DRILLERS METHOD

This method requires TWO circulation’s

During the first circulation:

The influx is circulated out from the well.

During the second circulation:

The Kill mud weight is pumped and circulated to kill the well.
 Ist Circulation
At The End of Stabilization
DP Pr = SIDP ; Csg Pr = SICP , MP Zero

ICP
SIDP
1. Bring the pump up to kill speed
while Holding Casing Pr = SICP Constant
CP= During this time Pump speed( SPM) Will increase from Zero to Kill speed
CP
SICP
SIDP
Max
DP Pressure will increase from SIDP to ICP
Casing pressure will stay equal to SICP (Held constant)
2. Continue to Hold DP Pressure = ICP Constant and continue
pumping until all the influx is circulated out of the hole
During this time CP Will increase until Influx on surface (if the influx is Gas..Due to Expansion)
During the time Influx is Circulated out of hole, CP Will drop from highest to Original SIDP
When all the influx is circulated out of the hole, DP Pressure
will be equal to ICP and Casing pressure equal to Original SIDP
3. Shut in the well. Keep CP Constant while reducing Pump
strokes from Kill speed to Zero
When The well is Shut in SIDP should be equal to Casing Pressure (SICP..at this time)
 Drillers 2nd Circulation : Start when Kill Mud is ready
At The End of Ist Circulation
DP Pr = SIDP = Csg Pr MP Zero

Line up MP suction To Kill Mud

FCP
ICP
SIDP
1. Bring the pump up to kill speed while Holding
Casing Pr Constant ( = Original SIDP)
SICP
During this time Pump speed( SPM) Will increase from Zero to Kill speed
DP Pressure will increase from SIDP to ICP
Casing pressure will stay equal to SICP (Held constant)
2. Pump Surface to Bit Strokes, (until Kill Mud is at Bit)
Keep Casing Pressure Constant during This Time
Reset Stroke counter to zero after pumping surface line vol( Kill mud @ RF)

DP Pressure will Drop from ICP to FCP

Casing pressure will stay Constant equal to SICP (Held constant)

Alternatively: Follow DP Pressure Drop down Schedule From ICP to FCP

Recommended Practice- Safer in case of more influx (secondary kick) in hole
 Now The Kill Mud Has Reached The Bit
DP Pressure is equal to FCP
Casing Pressure is equal to SICP
FCP
3. Keep DP Pressure Constant equal to FCP While Kill
mud rises in the Annulus and is circulated all the way
up in the Hole
CP=0
SICP

During this time DP Pressure will stay constant equal to ICP

Casing Pressure Will Drop from SICP to Zero

Choke will be gradually shifted to full Open Position

4. When Kill Mud is is coming out and it is circulated all

around the hole - Shut the well and Check Pressures
SIDP = SICP = Zero
5. Flow check the well Through Choke- If Okay Open the
Preventer
Warning : Be careful for any Trapped Gas Below the BOP
 DRILLERS METHOD PRESSURE SCHEDULE
PRESSURES
FIRST CIRCULATION SECOND CIRCULATION
BHP
INFLUX
PASSING
SHOE

SP

PVT

CP ICP

FCP

DPP

PUMP STROKES
END OF STARTING PUMP TOP of INFLUX INFLUX INFLUX PUMP KILL MUD KILL MUD KILL MUD PUMP
OBSERVATION PUMP @ SCR INFLUX ABOVE AT BOP OUT @ SCR AT BIT AT shoe AT surface OFF
@ SHOE SHOE PUMP OFF (end of kill)
Keep DPP
Maintain CP KEEP DRILL PIPE PRESSURE CONSTANT maintain
constant &
CONSTANT CP CONST
equal to SIDPP
 DRILLERS METHOD PRESSURE SCHEDULE
PRESSURES
FIRST CIRCULATION SECOND CIRCULATION
BHP
INFLUX
PASSING
SHOE

SP

PVT

CP ICP

FCP

DPP

PUMP STROKES
END OF STARTING PUMP TOP of INFLUX INFLUX INFLUX PUMP KILL MUD KILL MUD KILL MUD PUMP
OBSERVATION PUMP @ SCR INFLUX ABOVE AT BOP OUT @ SCR AT BIT AT shoe AT surface OFF
@ SHOE SHOE PUMP OFF (end of kill)
Keep DPP
Maintain CP KEEP DRILL PIPE PRESSURE CONSTANT maintain
constant &
CONSTANT CP CONST
equal to SIDPP
Driller’s Method
Advantages:
- Can start circulating immediately
- Less effect of gas migration
- Simplicity - Less calculation
- Able to remove influx even if not enough barite on board

Disadvantages:
- Higher surface pressure
- In certain situation, higher shoe pressure
- Two circulation, more time through the choke
WAIT & WEIGHT
METHOD
Wait and Weight

This method involves one circulation

• The kill mud weight is prepared

• Then kill mud weight is pumped while circulating out the influx
of the well.
Wait and Weight The kill mud weight is used to circulate the influx out of
the well
ICP
FCP
SIDP
Line Up MP to Kill Mud
SICP
Reset the stroke counter to Zero
1. Bring the pump up to kill speed while
Holding the casing pressure constant = SICP
During this time Drill Pipe Pr will Increase from SIDP to ICP

2. Reset the stroke counter after pumping the

surface line volume. (Kill Mud @ RF)
3. Pump kill mud from surface to bit while
following a calculated DP pressure drop
schedule.
Total Pressure drop from surface to Bit = ∆P = (ICP – FCP)
Pressure Drop ( In circ Pr @ Kill speed) every 100 strokes = ∆P100Stks

(ICP – FCP) X 100

∆P100Stks =
Strokes(Surface to Bit)
When Kill Mud @ Bit DP Pressure = FCP
Wait and Weight

When kill mud enters the annulus,

maintain FCP constant on DP until kill
mud is at surface.
 WAIT AND WEIGHT METHOD PRESSURE SCHEDULE
PRESSURES
BHP

Influx INFLUX
Passing EXITING
CHOKE
shoe
SP

ICP
PVT

CP

FCP

DPP

PUMP STROKES
END OF STARTING PUMP KILL MUD KILL MUD INFLUX INFLUX INFLUX KILL MUD PUMP
OBSERVATION PUMP @ SCR AT FLOOR AT BIT @ SHOE AT BOP OUT @ SURFACE OFF
(end of kill)
Keep DPP Maintain DPP ICP to FCP Maintain DPP
Maintain CP
constant & constant & schedule constant and equal
CONSTANT
equal to SIDPP equal to ICP to FCP
 WAIT AND WEIGHT METHOD PRESSURE SCHEDULE
PRESSURES
BHP

Influx
Passing
shoe
SP

ICP
PVT

CP

FCP

DPP

PUMP STROKES
END OF STARTING PUMP KILL MUD KILL MUD INFLUX INFLUX INFLUX KILL MUD PUMP
OBSERVATION PUMP @ SCR AT FLOOR AT BIT @ SHOE AT BOP OUT @ SURFACE OFF
(end of kill)
Keep DPP Maintain DPP ICP to FCP Maintain DPP
Maintain CP
constant & constant & schedule constant and equal
CONSTANT
equal to SIDPP equal to ICP to FCP
Wait & Weight Method
Advantages:
- Can generate lower pressure on formation near the shoe
- With a long open hole, less risks to induce losses
- Less Time choke exposed to pressure
 Differences between W&W and Driller’s methods

Drillers Method W & W Method

Gas at Casing Shoe h'i h'i Gas at Casing Shoe,
kill mud in drill string

hm hm
 Differences between W&W and Driller’s methods

Drillers Method W & W Method

Gas at Casing Shoe h'i h'i Gas at Casing Shoe,
Kill mud in annulus
hm
hm
H”km
w
Wait & Weight Method
Advantages:
- Can generate lower pressure on formation near the shoe
- With a long open hole, less risks to induce losses
- One circulation, less time spent circulating through the choke
- In most situation generate less pressure on surface equipment

Disadvantages:
- Longer waiting time prior to circulate the influx
- Cutting could settle down and plug the annulus
- Gas migration might become a problem
- More Calculations
Pump Start Up and Speed Change Procedure

TB Cont’d
Exercice

You have been transferred to a new rig...

It is the crew change

You have just stepped on board

And the Driller who just came with you, phones

and tells you…
 WE HAVE JUST TAKEN A KICK !!!!!!

0 M.W. ?? = 10 ppg

800
SCR ?? Driller forgot

Calculator ?? Battery dead

Handover book ?? Lost

SIDPP = 0?? Float in bit sub

9,700 ft
This is the WELL from HELL !!
WHAT WILL WE DO ?????
YOUR ANSWER IS :

Record pressure (CP) until the curve show that the

1. casing pressure build up is over.

2. Determine SIDPP with pumping in DP with cement

pump. Record Pressure vs Pump strokes.

3. We start the DRILLER’s method.

 Driller’s Weight up Table
Depth in feet

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000
100 1.9 1.0 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2

200 3.8 1.9 1.3 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4

300 2.9 1.9 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6
3.8 2.6 1.9 1.5 1.3 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.8
Pressure in 400
500 3.2 2.4 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.1 1.0
psi
600 3.8 2.9 2.3 1.9 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2

700 3.4 2.7 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.3

800 3.8 3.1 2.6 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.5

900 3.5 2.9 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.7

1000 3.8 3.2 2.7 2.4 2.1 1.9

SIDPP
or
0,052 x TVD
 Mud Pit Management : Killing
Can Become challenging Method and capability of increasing Mud
weight
Method used for killing : Availability of Kill Mud

Total usable pit volume Vs Hole Volume

Available Volume to Accommodate increase due to expansion of Influx (GAS)

Gas Volume @ surface = (Formation Pr x Pit Gain) / Gas Pr @ Surface

Type of Influx and its Toxicity Kill Plan: Out line job responsibilities and JSA
Means of handling and Disposing off Kick fluids @ Surface

Treatment of Contaminated Mud

Kick Tolerance
Gain Maximum Allowable (Gmax)
or
KICK TOLERANCE

GMax is defined as the influx gain which, when

circulated out of the well, results in formation
breakdown at the weakest point in the well.
(Assumed at the casing shoe)
 Kick Tolerance - Definitions
•Kick Tolerance: The maximum volume of influx that can be taken
and circulated out without breaking down the weakest formation
•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.
 Kick Tolerance
The highest pressure in the open hole
occurs when the top of the gas bubble
reaches the casing shoe

The largest bubble we can handle will

occur when the pressure in the bubble
equals the fracture strength of the
casing shoe

QUESTION? HOW BIG IS THAT BUBBLE BEFORE

WE CIRCULATE IT UP TO THE SHOE?
Kick Tolerance

KT is The biggest influx which can be circulated out of hole

without fracturing the weakest part(Shoe area)

i.e. When Pshoe ≤ Fracture pr ….. During entire process

Pshoe = BHP – ( Mud Hyd below shoe + Gas Hydrostatic below shoe )

Pshoe Is Max When Hyd of fluid below shoe is Minimum

Pshoe Is Max When Hight of Influx Below Shoe is Maximum

This Could be when

1. Gas Influx is around BHA ( Small Annulus)

OR
2. Gas Influx Top is @ Shoe …New bigger vol due to expansion
Kick Tolerance

Maximum Height if Influx below shoe…..Which can be tolerated

= Hi Max

(MASP – SIDP)
Hi Max = (Mgrd - Influxgrd )

Max Kick Size @ bottom (Bbls) which can be tolerated = KTBbls @ bottom

Pfracture@shoe x (MASP-SIDP)X Capannulus(DP-OH)

1. KTBbls @ bottom =
(Mudgrd – Influxgrd)x Pformation

2. KTBbls @ bottom = Hi Max x Capannulus(OH-BHA)

Lower Value of the above two is the Kick Tolerance…In

bbls on bottom
Kick Tolerance
Kick Tolerance is calculated before the kick using some assumptions

For Development work…calculated for ½ ppg (0.5ppg ) Underbalance

SIDP = 0.026x Tvd

This means
and
Consider
Pformation = (Mudgrd + 0.026) X Tvd

For Exploration work…calculated for 1 ppg (1.0ppg ) Underbalance

This means SIDP = 0.052 x Tvd

Consider and
Pformation = (Mudgrd + 0.052) X Tvd

Kick Tolerance Standard

Kick Tolerance ≥ 3 Times Rig detection Threshold
Kick Tolerance ≥ 25 Bbls in all cases
For ½ PPG Kick in Development Work
For 1 PPG Kick in Exploratory Work
Kick Tolerance
KT is built in the Well design

As the well is drilled further…KT Comes down

Low KT »»»» Hi Risk of Fracture

Exemptions and Adequate Risk Control Measures are required

when KT is below minimum standard
Aim to Maintain Primary control at all times
and to Minimize Kick size by all means

• Extended Checks : for warning signs of underbalance

• More Drills and function tests to improve detection and
response times

Run Casing /Liner to increase KT

If a Kick is taken bigger than the Tolerance »»»»

»»»» It will Exceed the MASP before it will reach the shoe »»»» Causing
Fracture »»»» Causing Lost Control
CASING SETTING DEPTH
Casing Depth (Position)with :

1 - Fracture Pressure

2 - Pore Pressure

3 - Kick Gain Tolerance

MAASP > GainMax
4 - Lithology

At with step : open hole is too long

and we have no BOP.
We have to set a surface casing before ~ 1200 ft.

MAASP > GainMax

Trip Margin
Volumetric Method

When are you going to use the Volumetric Method :

When we cannot use Driller’s and W&W.

• String out of hole

• Power or mechanical failure
• String plugged
• Weighting up period very long
• Wash out in the drill string
• String very far from bottom with the kick below the string
Volumetric Method

• Used only if a gas kick cannot be circulated from the wellbore.

• If no action is taken, Gas Migration may occur in water base fluids,

resulting in HIGH surface, casing shoe and bottom hole Pressures.

• To maintain BHP “constant” the Volumetric allows the gas to expand as

it migrates to surface.

• This method cannot be used with the OBM. Due to the gas solubility in
OBM, the influx does not migrate.
Volumetric Method

It’s only That …!!!

In fact : it’s the DRILLER’S without circulation.
Volumetric Method

Drill Pipe Communication : (DP on BOTTOM)

- The DP gauge should be utilized, keeping 100

psi above initial Shut-in pressure for a safety
factor.

- Maintain the new DP pressure constant by bleeding mud

from the annulus until the gas reaches surface.

- Then Lubricate and bleed

Volumetric Method
No Drill Pipe Communication, Off Bottom or Out of Hole:

- Monitor Casing pressure, allowing it to increase by 100 psi

above initial Shut-in pressure for a safety factor.

- Calculate the hydrostatic pressure exerted by each barrel of

mud in the annulus or in the gauge hole
Ph of 1 bbl of mud = 1 BBL X Mud Gradient
Ann. or Hole Vol. per FT
- Calculate the Volume to bleed which is correspond to the
increase in casing pressure. = .Casing Pressure Increase
Hydrostatic pressure of one barrel

- Maintain the new Casing pressure constant and keep a

record of time, pressures and volumes bled.

- Then Lubricate and bleed when gas reaches surface.

Volumetric Method Principle

Expansion at P = Cst
Migration at V = Cst

Expansion at P = Cst

Migration at V = Cst
Volumetric Method Bleed & Migration

DP

Bleed & Migration

865

DP

Bleed & Migration

795

DP

SICP+ margin = 725

SICP = 625

2970

Pore Pressure + margin

2900

Pore Pressure = 2800

0 100 200 300 400

Time
Lubricate & Bleed Method
Inject Mud & Bleed Gas

• Slowly pump a selected volume of mud into the annulus.

• Allow the mud to fall through the gas.

• Bleed gas from the wellbore allowing casing pressure to fall

only an amount equal to the hydrostatic pressure of the mud
being pumped into the wellbore.

• Repeat until all gas has been bled off or the desired surface
pressure is reached.

Do not Bleed Mud!!

 Stripping to Bottom

The drill string on or near the bottom is the most

desirable position for well control operation
because the well then can be most effectively
killed using the Driller’s method or W & W
method.

If there is a strong indication that bull heading will

not be successful, every effort should be made to
return to bottom or as close as possible.

Once the bit is on bottom or below influx, the

preferred method is the drillers method.
 Stripping to Bottom (con’d)
Important points to note when stripping in

•Install full open safety valve

•Install inside BOP (Grey Valve) or pump a drop in
check valve
•Open safety valve and ensure inside BOP is not
leaking.
•Have an additional safety valve available on rig
floor.
 Stripping to Bottom (con’d)

Improve the integrity of sealing element as

follows.

•Remove all DP or casing protectors if any.

•Lubricate the string with grease or pour oil on top of
annular. Ensure TJ are smooth.
•Apply the lowest closing pressure on Annular BOP
while avoiding leakage. In case of any leakage, returns
should go to trip tank.
 Stripping to Bottom (con’d)
•Accurately measure and record mud volumes bled off
using trip tank via MGS. If possible a separate strip
tank should be used.
•Keep the string full by using the trip tank.
•Plot the graph for casing pressure Vs stands and
check for significant change of slope in order to
identify when the string has entered in the influx.
•Surge bottle connected to closing line of annular
improves effective BOP control when TJ passes
through annular.
•Stripping speed should not exceed 2 ft/ sec.
 Stripping to Bottom (con’d)
After shut in the well, record SICP and pit gain.
Allow SICP to build up to P choke.
Pchoke = SICP + Psaf + Pstep
Psaf = (V inf ÷ Cap oh/DC – Cap oh) x (Gmud – Ginf
P saf > is the loss of PH as the influx rises from below the bit to around the
DCs.
Vinf > is initial volume of influx.
Reduce closing pressure until it starts leaking.
Allow the choke pressure to build up to.
Pchoke = SICP + Psaf + Pstep
Pchoke is kept constant while DP stand is stripped in the hole. Excess
pressure is bled off via choke manifold into the trip tank.
If the influx is liquid, the volume of mud bled should be equal to the
close end displacement of DP but it’ll be more in case of gas as it
expands due to migration.
 Forces acting During Stripping
Buoyant weight of string is acting downwards with Gravity. String which
is not full will be More buoyant.

Fdn = String wt (Bouyant)

Well bore Pressure is working to expel the string out, Direction upwards
Fup = WB Pr x A A= Area of tubular (C End) being stripped (TJ Area when TJ is passing)

Fd is the drag force , friction between string and stripper

When Fdn = String wt (Bouyant) > Fup = WB Pr x A + Fd

String can be stripped In (Pipe heavy condition)

Otherwise its Pipe light Condition and string will have to be Forced In (Snubbing)