WELL CONTROL

Learning Objectives
Describe primary and secondary well control Explain the mechanism of a kick List causes of kicks Explain shut-in procedure Explain the two well control methods commonly used Describe the working of annular and ram preventers Describe the layout of the choke manifold and control panel Explain the function of the closing unit Identify mud/gas separator

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

Primary Control

Hydrostatic pressure of the mud column prevents flow of formation fluid into the wellbore if it is equal to or greater than the formation pressure

Mud weight 10 ppg

Hydrostatic pressure on bottom of hole 10 x 0.052 x 10,000 = 5,200 psi Overbalance = 5,200 5,000 = 200 psi

Vertical depth = 10,000 Formation pressure = 5,000 psi

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

A Kick
Shut-in drillpipe pressure

300 psi

500 psi

Shut-in casing pressure Higher than SIDPP due to influx in part of the annulus

A kick is an influx of formation fluid into the wellbore when the formation pressure exceeds the hydrostatic pressure of the mud column. The intruding fluid could be liquid or gas.
Vertical depth = 10,000
Introduction to Drilling

Hydrostatic pressure on bottom of hole 10 x 0.052 x 10,000 = 5,200 psi Overbalance = 5,200 5,500 = -300 psi Well is shut-in to prevent a blow out Drill string is still full of 10.0 ppg mud Drill pipe pressure represents magnitude of underbalance. Mud weight required to just balance the formation pressure: Old MW + 300/(10,000 x 0.052) = 10.0 + 0.6 Influx enters wellbore (Kick is taken)
4

Formation pressure = 5,500 psi

Well Control

Calculation of Kill Mud Weight KMW = OMW +

Example: True Vertical Depth (TD)= 8,000 feet Old Mud Weight (OMW) = 11.5 ppg Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure (SIDPP) = 325 psi Kill Mud Weight (MW) = 11.5 + 325 0.052 x 8,000

SIDPP (0.052)(TD )

TVD

= 12.28, say 12.3 ppg

Add trip margin of 0.5 ppg New Mud Weight for drilling = 12.3 + 0.5 = 12.8 ppg
Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

Causes of Kicks

Failure to keep the hole full while tripping out Unexpected formation pressure Low density fluid Lost circulation Swabbing Mechanical failure Human error

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

Shut-In Procedure
Kick detected while drilling
Space out
Stop pumps Close uppermost applicable BOP Record SIDPP, SICP, pit gain, time

Kick detected while tripping

Stab full opening safety valve, close same Space out

Close uppermost applicable BOP

Record SICP, pit gain, time Prepare to strip to bottom
7

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

Well Control Methods

Drillers Method:
The influx (kick) is circulated out of the hole immediately after the well is shut in. Kill weight mud is pumped in the second circulation

Wait & Weight Method:

With the influx in the well, kill weight mud is prepared at the surface and pumped in to circulate out the kick and kill the well in one circulation

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

Drillers Method -Example

First Circulation

500 700

1500 700

1500 800

1500 1800

500 500

SHUT-IN

START PUMP

CIRCULATE INFLUX OUT

SHUT-IN

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

Drillers Method -Example

Second Circulation

500 500

1500 500

1100 500

1100 0

0 0

SHUT-IN

START PUMP

KWM TO BIT

KWM TO SURFACE

SHUT DOWN

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

10

Wait & Weight Method -Example

Kill Weight Mud to Bit

500 700

1500 700

1400 705

1200 715

1100 720

SHUT-IN

START PUMP

200 STROKES

600 STROKES

KWM TO BIT

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

11

Wait & Weight Method -Example

Kill Weight Mud to Surface

1100 720

1100 1500

1100 100

1100 0

0 0

KWM TO BIT

GAS TO SURFACE

GAS OUT

KWM TO SURFACE

SHUT DOWN

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

12

Typical Blow Out Preventer (BOP) Stack

Surface Application
Main considerations:
Size inside diameter Pressure rating Ram sizes
Kill Line Pipe Ram Annular Blind Ram Pipe Ram To Choke Manifold

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

13

Typical Blow Out Preventer (BOP) Stack

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

14

Hydril GK Annular Preventer

Piston Indicator Hole

1200 psi normal operating pressure 1500 psi maximum operating pressure Highly wellbore assisted

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

15

Cameron type U Ram Preventer

Bonnet Bonnet Bolt Ram Assembly

Operating Piston

Manual Locking Screw Ram Change Piston

Intermediate Flange (Larger for shear rams)

16

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

Choke Manifold

Annular Blind Ram Pipe Ram C O

O O O

Pipe Ram

Master

C
C

O C

Normally Open Normally Closed

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

17

Typical Mud/Gas Separator

Outlet of the choke manifold is connected to a mud/gas separator The mud/gas separator is designed to provide effective separation of the mud and gas circulated from the well by venting the gas and returning the mud to the mud pits via gravity feed Small amounts of entrained gas may remain in the mud and can be removed by the degasser located at the mud pits

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

18

Remote Choke Control Panel

Manual hydraulic pump and handle

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

19

BOP Operating Unit

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

20

Remote Operating Station

API RP 53 2nd Edition Minimum of one remote control panel should be provided along with the main hydraulic control manifold. The controls should be clearly marked One station should be located near the Drillers console and the other should be located a safe distance from the wellbore near an escape route

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

21

Jackup Drilling Rig

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

22

After a Blowout

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

23

After a Blowout

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

24

Barge Rig Blowout

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

25

Land Rig After a Blowout

Introduction to Drilling

Well Control

26