Well-Control Worksheet

Driller’s Method

Procedure
I. Prerecorded Information
Casing: Size ________ in. Weight________ lb/ft Grade________ Internal yield________ psi Depth, TVD ___________ ft
Maximum allowable casing pressure:
80% of casing yield (entire well kill) ___________psi
Fracture pressure limit (Initial closure only) (#2) ___________psi* *Must be changed as mud weight changes.
Used only if approved.
Approved by: ________________________________________

Normal circulating rate and pressure ________ bbls/stroke, ______ strokes/min, ________ bbl/min & __________ psi
Kill rate and pressure: Pump No. 1 ________ bbls/stroke, ______ strokes/min, ________ bbl/min & __________ psi
Pump No. 2 ________ bbls/stroke, ______ strokes/min, ________ bbl/min & __________ psi
Drillpipe capacity: ____________ bbl/ft

II. Immediate Action

When a kick occurs, stop rotary, raise kelly, stop pump, open choke line and choke (if closed), close annular preventer, close choke while
observing casing pressure. Do not let casing pressure exceed maximum allowed (#2).

Record: Shut-in drillpipe pressure __________ psi Casing pressure __________ Size of kick __________ bbls
Depth, TVD __________ ft Mud weight __________ lb/gal

III. Establish Circulation

 Open the choke while increasing the pump rate to the selected kill rate.
 Increase the pump rate slowly while holding the casing pressure constant at the shut-in value by slowly opening the choke.
 After reaching the kill rate, note the drillpipe circulating pressure and hold it constant by holding the kill rate constant and adjusting
the choke.
 The drill-pipe pressure should be the sum of kill-rate pressure plus the shut-in-drillpipe pressure (#3). If not, correct by adjusting the
choke.
 Record the new drillpipe pressure __________ psi at __________ strokes/min and __________ bpm.

IV. Circulate Out the Kick

 While holding kill rate constant, keep new drill-pipe pressure constant by adjusting the choke.
 Opening the choke will decrease the drillpipe circulating pressure, while closing the choke will increase the drillpipe pressure.
 The casing pressure must be allowed to vary to maintain constant bottom-hole pressure.
 When the well is free of gas, salt water and oil, stop the pump and close the choke. Record the new shut-in casing pressure
__________ psi.

V. Increase the Mud Weight

 Calculate the required mud weight (#3) and increase weight in suction pit.
VI. Circulate the Heavy Mud
 Establish circulation as per III, using the new shut-in casing pressure.
 Hold the kill rate and new circulating casing pressure constant by adjusting the choke.
 Maintain the required mud density in the pits while circulating.
 Circulate the heavy mud to the bit using strokes (#5).
 When the heavy mud reaches the bit, read and record the final drillpipe circulating pressure __________ psi.
 Hold the final drillpipe circulating pressure constant by adjusting the choke while holding the kill-rate constant.
 When the uncut kill mud reaches the surface, stop pumping and check for a flow.

Calculations and Notes

Leak off pressure
(#1) Fracture mud weight (lb/gal) = .052 x ca sin g depth + Leak-off test mud weight.

_____________ psi
Fracture mud weight (lb/gal) = .052 x ___________ ft + ________ lb/gal = __________lb/gal

(#2) Fracture pressure limit (psi) = .052 x Casing depth x (Fracture mud weight – Present mud weight)

Fracture pressure limit (psi) = .052 x __________ ft x (__________ lb/gal - __________ lb/gal) = __________ psi

Measure at the beginning of each tour, after drilling 500 ft and after each change of more than 0.1 lb/gal mud weight.

If the casing pressure reaches maximum allowed, stop closing the choke, resume circulation holding not more than the maximum
allowed casing pressure and start increasing the mud weight. The mud weight required is estimated from the maximum drillpipe
pressure observed before circulating

(#3) Drillpipe circulating pressure (psi) = Shut-in-drill pipe pressure + Kill-rate circulating pressure

Drillpipe circulating pressure (psi) = ____________________ psi + ____________________ psi = ____________________ psi

19.25 x Shut  in drillpipe pressure

(#4) Required mud weight (lb/gal) = Present mud weight + Bit depth , TVD

19.25 x __________ __________ psi

Required mud weight (lb/gal) = _______________ lb/gal + __________ __________ ft = _______________ lb/gal

If two sections or pits are weighted and circulation is established between them, the mud weight can be more evenly controlled
while circulating the hole.

Drillpipe capacity ( bbls / ft ) x Drillstring length ( ft )

(#5) Circulating strokes to the bit = Pump Output ( bbls / stroke )

_______________ bbl s / ft x _______________ ft

Circulating strokes to the bit = _______________ bbls / stroke = _______________ strokes

* Note: After killing the well, the formation pressure will be balanced. Before pulling the pipe out of the hole, the mud weight must be
increased to compensate for the loss in hydrostatic pressure on bottom due to pulling the pipe. This increase should be the
difference in the equivalent circulating density and static mud weight or about 0.3 ppg.

** Use 0.5 lb/gal for the trip margin if the hole diameter is less than 7 in.