Primary Well Control -- Using Mud hydrostatic

Secondary Well Control -- Using BOP equipment

Tertiary Well Control -- Blowout control measures
 NORMAL, ABNORMAL &
SUB-NORMAL PRESSURES
Pressure Gradient of Fresh Water = 0.052 × 8.33 = 0.433 psi / ft

Pressure Gradient of Salt Water = 0.052 × 8.94 = 0.465 psi / ft

If Formation Pressure Gradient lies in between 0.433 and 0.465 psi /ft
=>Normal Pressure

If Formation Pressure Gradient > Pressure Gradient of Salt Water

=> Abnormal Pressure

If Formation Pressure Gradient < Pressure Gradient of Fresh Water

=> Sub-normal Pressure
 SHUT-IN PRESSURES
SIDPP
SICP

TVD = 10,000 ft
MW = 10.0 ppg
Hydrostatic Pr. = 0.052 x TVD x MW
= 0.052 x 10000 x 10
10,000 ft
= 5200 psi
Formation Pr. = 5300 psi
5200
SIDPP = 5300 - 5200 psi
3 ppg
= 100 psi
100 ft

5300 psi
 CONCEPT OF BOTTOM HOLE PRESSURE (BHP):
It is the sum total of all the pressures i.e. static, dynamic and surface
applied pressures acting on the bottom the well. SIDPP
SICP
BHP IN DIFFERENT WELL SITUATIONS:
1) WHEN NOT CIRCULATING (STATIC)
BHP = Hyd. Press. Of mud column

2) WHILE DRILLING
BHP = Hyd. Press. Of mud +Annular pr. loss
(add to mud density called ECD)

3) WELL SHUT-IN ON A KICK

BHP = Hyd. Press. Of Drill String + SIDPP
BHP = Hyd. Press. Of Annulus + SICP
4) BHP while tripping-out (P/O)
BHP = Hyd. Press - Swab Pressure (reverse of annular pr. Losses)

Swab pressure can increase by:

a) P/O speed
b) Mud viscosity & gel strength
c) Annular clearance
d) Wall cake is thick
e) Balled-up bit & stabilizer
(Trip margin to check BHP reduction, 0.2-0.3 ppg or 0.04 gm/cc)

5) BHP while tripping-in ( R/I )

BHP = Hyd. Press.+ Surge Pressure
Surge pressure can increase by:
a) R/I speed
b) Mud viscosity & gel strength
c) Annular clearance
d) BHA length & size
 KICK INDICATIONS
1. EARLY WARNING SIGNS: These are
indications of approaching higher
formation pressure which means that the
well may go under-balance if no
appropriate action is taken.
2. POSITIVE KICK SIGNS: These indicate
that the kick has already entered the well
bore.
 EARLY WARNING SIGNS

1. Increase in rate of penetration

2. Change in cutting size and shape : Cuttings drilled
from abnormal pressured formation are long and splintery
with angular edges.

3. Increase in torque and drag.

4. Decrease in Shale density : Shale density usually
increases with depth but decreases in abnormal pressure
zones.
5. Change in mud properties : Due to more cuttings, mud
wt. rises
6.Increase in chloride contents : Drilling through high
pressure formations having higher porosity results in
contamination of drilling fluid with saline water which
increases chloride contents.

7. Increase in flow line temperature : The temperature

gradient in abnormal pressure formation is usually higher than
normal pressure formation.
8. Increase in trip, connection & background gas :
An increase in trip, connection & background gas should
be considered as an indication that pore pressure is
increasing.
 POSITIVE KICK SIGNS

1. Increase in return flow ( With Pump on )

2. Pit gain
3. Decrease in pump pressure and increase in
pump SPM
4. Flow from the well ( With Pump off ) i.e.
FLOW CHECK
 LEAK OFF TEST (L.O.T.)
Leak off test is conducted to determine the pressure at which
formation begins to leak. It also establishes the integrity of
cement bond at the casing shoe.
TEST PROCEDURE:
1) Drill 10 to 15 feet of fresh formation.
2) Circulate out all the cuttings thoroughly to get a homogenous
mud column.
3) Pull out up to casing shoe. Fill the hole and close BOP. Open
casing annulus valves.
4) Pump into the well in small increments of ¼ to ½ barrel by low
discharge high pressure pump, waiting each time for 3-4 minutes
or the time required for pressure to stabilise.
5) Plot Pressure versus Volume graph simultaneously. Continue
pumping in increments until plotted curve deviates from straight
line. This is Surface leak off pressure.
 L.O.T. CURVE

Surface Leak Off Pressure = MAASP

LOT is not last reading Elastic propagation
but a point where curve No permanent damage to formation
leaves straight line x
x

x
Fracture
x Propagation pressure

x
x

Volume Pumped
 MAASP
(MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE ANNULAR SURFACE PRESSURE)

MAASP is defined as:

a. The maximum surface pressure that the casing and well head will hold.
b. The maximum surface pressure that the casing shoe will hold.

Since well head and casing are designed based on the maximum
anticipated surface pressure, limiting factor usually is pressure that
the shoe will hold. Hence,
MAASP is the maximum surface pressure which can be applied
over and above hydrostatic pressure before the shoe fractures.

MAASP is to be recalculated whenever mud weight is changed.

Whenever mud weight is increased MAASP will decrease.
At the time of LOT , MAASP is equal to surface leak off
pressure for the used test fluid density.
 LINE - UP

 Line Up for Hard Shut In – Choke Closed

 Line Up for Soft Shut In – Choke Partially Open
 SHUT- IN PROCEDURES
(WHILE DRILLING)

HARD SHUT- IN SOFT SHUT- IN

CLOSE BOP OPEN HCR
(Any BOP - As Per API)
CLOSE BOP
OPEN HCR CLOSE CHOKE
RECORD SIDPP, SICP RECORD SIDPP,
& PIT GAIN SICP & PIT GAIN
 SHUT- IN PROCEDURES
(WHILE TRIPPING)

HARD SHUT-IN SOFT SHUT-IN

1. STAB F.O.S.V. 1. STAB F.O.S.V.
2. CLOSE IT 2. CLOSE IT
3. CLOSE BOP 3. OPEN HCR
(Any BOP - As Per API)
4. CLOSE BOP
4. OPEN HCR
5. CLOSE CHOKE
5. ADD KELLY,
6. ADD KELLY,
OPEN F.O.S.V.
OPEN F.O.S.V.
6. RECORDING
7. RECORDING
 SLOW CIRCULATING RATE
WHY WELL IS KILLED AT SLOW CIRCULATING RATE
1. To reduce pressure exerted on open hole
2. To reduce pressure exerted on surface equipment
(Max. Allowable Pump & Surface Line Rating)
3. To increase time to dispose off the kick at surface
(Gas Handling Capacity)
4. To permit sufficient time for kill mud preparation
(Barite Loading Capability)
5. To reduce volume handled by choke, choke wash-out
& better choke adjustments
When Slow Circulating Rate pressure is recorded
 Beginning of each shift
 Change in Mud Weight or Bit Nozzle size or BHA
 Pump repair
 After drilling more than 500 feet in a shift
 Should be recorded when bit is near to the bottom &
recorded on D/P Pressure gauge on remote choke panel
TO CIRCULATE OUT THE INFLUX

TO REGAIN THE PRIMARY CONTROL

CIRCULATING KILLING NON CIRCULATING KILLING

DRILLER’S WAIT & WEIGHT VOLUMETRIC

ONLY FOR GAS KICK & SITUATIONS LIKE

NOZZLE PLUG, STRING OUT OF HOLE ETC.
 TWO CIRCULATION KILLING

 Ist CIRCULATION IS CARRIED OUT WITH

ORIGINAL MUD & INFLUX IS REMOVED
FROM THE WELLBORE

 2nd CIRCULATION IS CARRIED OUT WITH

KILL MUD & ORIGINAL MUD IN THE WELL
IS DISPLACED
ONE CIRCULATION KILLING

KILL MUD IS PREPARED AND DURING THE

WAITING PERIOD IF SURFACE PRESSURES
START INCREASING SIDPP IS MAINTAINED
CONSTANT BLEEDING THROUGH CHOKE

KILL MUD IS CIRCULATED IN THE WELL,

BOTH INFLUX AS WELL AS ORIGINAL MUD
ARE DISPLACED IN ONE CIRCULATION
 PUMP TO KILL SPEED
DRILLER’S METHOD (Ist CYCLE)
60 7
50 0 500
590
660
705
740
800
775 psi
psi
0

DRILL PIPE PRESSURE

80
30 4

PUMP SPM

90 100 700 psi

20

11
10 0 CASING PRESSURE
0
DATA
Reset at 30 SPM
• KRP @ 30 SPM = 300 psi
TOTAL STROKES • SIDPP = 500 psi
• SICP = 700 psi
1/2
3/4

1/
4

OPEN CLOSE

CHOKE POSITION
INDICATOR
 STOP THE PUMP
DRILLER’S METHOD (Ist CYCLE)
60 7
50 0 500 psi
0

DRILL PIPE PRESSURE

80
30 4

PUMP SPM

90 100 500 psi

20

11
10 0 CASING PRESSURE
0
DATA
Reset at 30 SPM
• KRP @ 30 SPM = 300 psi
TOTAL STROKES • SIDPP = 500 psi
• SICP = 700 psi
1/2 D/String Vol = 2012 st
3/4

1/

O/Hole Vol = 1071 st

4

OPEN CLOSE
Annular Vol = 5773 st
System Vol = 7785 st
CHOKE POSITION
INDICATOR
 Pressure Profile Driller’s Method
( Ist Cycle)

Original Mud Influx

Drill pipe pressure

P
R
E
S
S Casing pressure
U
R =SIDPP
E

STROKES
 Pressure Profile Driller’s Method
( 2nd Cycle )

Original Mud Kill Mud

P
R
Drill pipe pressure
E
S
S
U
R
E Casing pressure

Surface to Bit Bit to Surface

STROKES
 SIDPP
DATA
SICP

• TVD = 10,000 ft
• MW = 10.0 ppg
• D/S Strokes = 1000
• KRP @ 30 SPM = 300 psi
• SIDPP = 500 psi 10,000
ft
• SICP = 700 psi

FIND ICP, Kill Mud Weight & FCP

Bring pump to kill rate in steps, keeping
SICP constant by gradually opening choke.
Keep drill pipe pressure as per step down chart
as kill mud is pumped from surface to bit.

Keep drill pipe pressure constant as Kill mud is

pumped bit to surface.

Stop pump, close choke, record pressures.

 DRILLER’S METHOD
ADVANTAGES
§ SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND
§ MINIMUM CALCULATIONS
§ NO GAS MIGRATION HASSLE
§ SAND SETTLING AROUND BHA IS MINIMUM

DISADVANTAGES
☺ TWO CIRCULATIONS ARE REQUIRED
☺ HIGHER MAXIMUM CASING PRESSURE
☺ MORE TIME ON THE CHOKE OPERATION
☺ HIGHER CASING SHOE PRESSURE IF OPEN HOLE VOLUME
IS MORE THAN THE STRING VOLUME
ADVANTAGES
ONLY ONE CIRCULATION REQUIRED
LOWER MAXIMUM CASING PRESSURE
LESSER TIME ON THE CHOKE OPERATION
LOWER CASING SHOE PRESSURE IF OPEN HOLE VOLUME

IS MORE THAN THE STRING VOLUME

DIS-ADVANTAGES
MORE CALCULATIONS
SAND SETTLING AROUND BHA MAY HAPPEN DURING
WAITING PERIOD
GAS MIGRATION TO BE HANDLED WHILE WAITING FOR
KILL MUD PREPERATION
Well Control School, IDT
RAM BLOW-OUT PREVENTER
Well Control School, IDT
 HYDRIL ANNULAR PREVENTER

Wear Plate
Element Segment
Packing Element
Latched Head
Opening Chamber

Piston
Closing Chamber

Piston Seals

Figure 5.3 HYDRIL GK ANNULAR PREVENTER

Well Control School, IDT

 Head

Packing Element

Adapter Ring
CAMERON ‘D’ TYPE
Opening
Chamber

Piston
Closing Chamber

Well Control School, IDT

SHAFFER SPHERICAL TYPE
NEED :-

1. To reduce the closing time of BOP functions

2. To enable the BOP’s to be closed in event of

power failure

Well Control School, IDT

 PRESSURE TESTING
CUP TESTER TEST PLUG

The cup of the tester gives Designed to seat in well

effective sealing in the head and seal
casing
Limited to 70-80% of the Can be tested up to RWP of
burst of upper part of casing Ram BOP

Yield strength of drill pipe Different makes of well

may limit the test pressures. head have different types of
rams test plugs
Can not be used to test Blind/ Shear Blind Rams
blind/ shear blind can be tested.