CHEVRON DRILLING REFERENCE SERIES

VOLUME ELEVEN
WELL CONTROL AND BLOWOUT PREVENTION

SECTION O: TRAINING AND WELL CONTROL DRILLS

1. INTRODUCTION

Shutting in the well quickly to minimize the size of the influx is a major procedure in successful well
control. Drilling crews can only become proficient in performing this method correctly through training
and practice. The Drilling Representative should ensure that the Contract Toolpusher administers
training in kick detection and shut-in procedures until proficiency is demonstrated. The training must
be done frequently enough so that shutting in the well becomes automatic whenever a kick is
detected.

The Drilling Representative can judge the crew's level of shut-in proficiency through the use of pit
drills and trip drills that are coordinated with the Contract Toolpusher. Proper drills and training can
prevent a panic situation and provide the necessary experience if a kick should occur. The following
information describes how to conduct drills and provides a basis for crew evaluation.

2. PIT DRILLS

The pit drill is designed to simulate an actual kick while drilling ahead and is used as a teaching and
testing tool. It teaches the drilling crews to be alert for positive indicators of a kick and provides
practice in Chevron's shut-in procedures. Pit drills also define and reinforce the assigned duties of
every member of the drilling crew in well control situations. Drills are conducted unannounced, just
as an actual kick would occur, so that the crews can be observed under actual operating conditions.

Pit drills train the Driller to be constantly aware of the fluid level in the mud pits and to be in control
of the return mud flow. This training is expected to prepare the Driller to detect a kick at the first surface
indication with a minimum of reservoir fluid influx. The Driller will then be able to take the correct
preventive action and lessen the chances of disaster.

Pit drills should be supervised by the Contract Toolpusher and coordinated through the Drilling
Representative.

Pit Drill Equipment: All equipment required for pit drills is to be installed prior to drilling and kept
in good operating condition. A multi-float pit level indicator and flow show device must be available.
A prearranged horn or siren signal is an essential part of the pit drill. At the signal, each crew member
must go to an assigned post immediately and execute assigned duties. The Drilling Representative
should note the time required (in minutes) for various aspects of the pit drills and record them on the
tour report. The number and times for these drills should be relayed to the office.

Frequency of Pit Drills: One or more pit drills should be conducted each day until the crews become
proficient. After that, they should be held at least twice weekly per crew, or more often if deemed
necessary by the Drilling Representative.

Pit drills should be held at least once a day on offshore wells, wildcats, and wells where above-normal
bottomhole pressure exists. New Drillers should be given special drills and a thorough explanation
of procedures. This is one of the most important safety measures that can be initiated and followed.

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 CHEVRON DRILLING REFERENCE SERIES
VOLUME ELEVEN
WELL CONTROL AND BLOWOUT PREVENTION

Drills are to be conducted during both routine and special operations. The time to begin one would
be while drilling, during shutdown for equipment repairs, logging, waiting on orders, circulating, when
the Driller is off the floor and has been replaced by one of the crew, or practically any time there is
open hole and blowout preventers are installed.

Pit Drill Procedure

1. The Toolpusher simulates the kick by raising a float in the mud pits or by raising the arm
on the flow show indicator, and makes note of the time. The Drilling Representative
should assist in observing the crew and recording completion times.

2. The Driller must detect the kick, sound the alarm, and note the time the alarm sounded.
Upon hearing the alarm, all members of the drilling crew should immediately perform
their assigned duties.

3. The Driller should prepare to shut the well in using the approved Chevron Shut-in
Procedure While Drilling. The Drilling Representative must be on the rig floor to
announce to the Driller that the exercise is only a drill and to stop him before he actually
closes the blowout preventers. The time should also be noted when the Driller is prepared
to shut the well in.

4. Members of the drilling crew should report back to the rig floor when their assigned duties
are completed. These duties may include:

Driller :
Shut the well in (simulated).
Record drillpipe pressure and casing pressure.
Record time.
Measure pit gain.
Check choke manifold for valve positioning and leaks.

Derrickman:
Weigh sample of mud from suction pit.
Check volumes of barite, gel, and water on location.

Floor Hand #1:

Check accumulator pressures and pumps.
Check BOP stack for leaks and proper valve positions.
Turn on water jets to diesel exhausts.

Floor Hand #2:

Assist Driller on rig floor.

Floor Hand #3:

Assist Derrickman on mud pits.

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 CHEVRON DRILLING REFERENCE SERIES
VOLUME ELEVEN
WELL CONTROL AND BLOWOUT PREVENTION

3. TRIP DRILLS

The trip drill is designed to train the drilling crews in recognizing and responding to kick indications
that occur while tripping pipe. Like the pit drill, the trip drill is useful for both teaching and testing
purposes. The pit drill also demonstrates that it is essential to have detection equipment installed and
in good operating condition.

The trip drill is supervised by the Contract Toolpusher with the compliance of the Chevron Drilling
Representative. All parts of the well control system must be kept hooked up and in good condition,
ready for drills.

Frequency of Trip Drills: When a new rig is picked up, trip drills should be conducted during each
trip (both while pulling out and going into the hole) while the bit is up in the casing. When the crew
becomes proficient, trip drills should be conducted at least twice weekly per crew if conditions allow.

Trip Drill Procedure

1. The Toolpusher simulates the kick by raising a float in the mud pits, and makes note of
the time. The Drilling Representative should assist in observing the crew and recording
completion times.

2. The Driller must detect the kick, sound the alarm, and note the time. Upon hearing the
alarm, all members of the drilling crew should immediately perform their assigned duties.

3. The Driller should prepare to shut the well in using the approved Chevron Shut-in
Procedure While Tripping. This will include spacing out and stabbing/closing the full
open safety valve. After the safety valve is installed and the Driller is ready to close the
preventers, the Drilling Representative should announce to the Driller that the exercise
is only a drill and that it is not necessary to close the preventers. The time should be noted
when the Driller is prepared to shut the well in.

4. Members of the drilling crew should proceed with their assigned duties and report back
to the rig floor upon completion. These duties may include:

Driller : Floor Hand #1:

Shut the well in (simulated). Check accumulator pressures and pumps.
Record drillpipe and casing pressure. Check BOP stack for leaks.
Record time. Turn on water jets to diesel exhausts.
Measure pit gain.
Check choke manifold for valve Floor Hand #2:
positioning and leaks. Stab safety valve. Close safety valve.
Stab inside BOP. Open safety valve.
Derrickman: Assist Driller on rig floor.
Weigh sample of mud from suction pit.
Check volumes of barite, gel, and water. Floor Hand #3:
Assist Derrickman on mud pits.

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 CHEVRON DRILLING REFERENCE SERIES
VOLUME ELEVEN
WELL CONTROL AND BLOWOUT PREVENTION

4. ACCUMULATOR DRILL

Accumulator drills are designed to verify that the accumulator/closing system is in good working order
and that it is properly sized for the particular blowout preventer stack in use. Accumulator
performance must be proven with an accumulator drill when the blowout preventers are first installed
(which verifies proper sizing), and every week thereafter in conjunction with the weekly BOP pressure
tests that check for hydraulic leaks.

Results of the accumulator drill, including closing times of the rams and annular preventer, as well
as initial and final accumulator pressures, are to be reported on the “Blowout Preventer Test and
Equipment Checklist." A notation should also be made on the tour report that an accumulator drill was
conducted.

Accumulator drills must be conducted when the drillpipe is not in open hole, but up in the casing. At
least one joint of drillpipe must be in the hole for the pipe rams to close on.

The Chevron Drilling Representative and contract Toolpusher should witness all accumulator drills,
but the Toolpusher is responsible for the actual supervision of the drill.

Use the remote station to close the preventers on every other drill.

Surface Accumulator Drill Procedure

1. Turn off all accumulator pressurizing pumps.

2. Record the initial accumulator, manifold, and annular pressures.

3. Close all of the preventers (except the blind rams). Substitute a reopening of a pipe ram
to simulate the blind ram closure when applicable. Open the HCR valve.

4 Measure and record the closing times for each preventer with a stopwatch.

5. Record the final accumulator, manifold, and annular pressures.

6. To pass the accumulator test, all BOP’s must have closed in less than 30 seconds with
at least:
a. 1,500 psi accumulator pressure remaining in a 3,000 psi accumulator.
b. 1,385 psi accumulator pressure remaining in a 2,000 psi accumulator.
c. 1,285 psi accumulator pressure remaining in a 1,500 psi accumulator.

Note: a) Equipment that does not meet these requirements either has insufficient
capacity, insufficient precharge, or needs repair.
b) Closing time for annular preventers 20" or larger should not exceed
45 seconds.

7. Observe the remaining pressure for at least 5 minutes to detect any possible ram piston
seal leaks.

8. Reopen the BOP and turn the accumulator pump(s) back on.

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