KicK DETECTION Well “kicks” were defined in Chapter 2, and some of the situations that could cause a well to kick were discussed. This chapter discusses the pri mary warning signs that could indicate to the crew that a kick might be im progress. Failure to recoginze a developing well control incident and take prompt action can lead to an excessive surface pressures and eventually 10.8 blowout and fire. The danger to human life and the environment are unae ceptable \ kick can enter a well during almost any wellsite operation. Drillers are taught that when the warning signs ofa kick are detected they should isnme- diately suspend the present operation, and observe the well to see if it will flow after the pumps have be Detailed procedures are discussed later in this for performing flow checks chapter Kick warni x signs can be dividedKICK DETECTION WHEN CIRCULATING ABNORMAL PRESSURE On most wells drillers are instructed to drill with a specific wei bit (WOB), rotary speed, and pump pressure. When downhole aoe used the speed that the bit turns is controlled by hydraulic concerns, that ig the recommended pump rate and pressure. Once the parameters are set, 4 stant drilling tend is established. In this way sude den or unexpected deviations in the established rate of penetration (ROP) indicate that the bit may be entering a different formation. somewhat reasonable cc When rock bits are used, a definite bit wear or “dulling trend” is estab: lished. This is reasonable because as the bit drills, the teeth will wear and. become duller. Also, as drilling continues the deeper formations are more! compacted. A steady, slight decrease in ROP would be considered normal, An increase in ROP may be an indication that a transition zone is being Figure 3.1 Abnormally pressured formations can be identified by electric logs. Flowline Mad Salin, Gain o Mud Wt.ppg 8.6. Gas Units Temp. om (i 1050 10 17910032 IES Log T Tisete niet eardrilled. This is because as the differential pressure between bottom hole pressure and the formation pressure decreases: there i {habigpe overcome sede Pipl crease PROP Figure 3.2 On the right: A change in rate of penetration note the drilling break approximately 8 and 150 feet. Below: A geolograph records ROP and depth while drilling. PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) and TSP (thermally stable poly crystalline) bits react differently than roller cone bits when they enter a tran These bits may actually drill slower than the established trend or even stop drilling altogether as the formation characteristics change. In either case, a definite change in ROP is one of the first signs that indicate that the bit may be approaching an abnormally pressured formation. sition zone. Figure 3.3 ay Be STRIATED (plat nae caving reduced Funderbalanced conditionsIt stands to reason that if the drilling rate changes, the amount of bit cut. face will also change. In shale formations many of and often they are curved, or odd tings coming to the sur the cuttings may be larger than normal c : shaped. These misshapen cuttings are not true bit cuttings at all, but pieces tchale that have sloughed or “popped off” the walls of the hole due to pres: sure. A change in the appearance (the amount, size and shape) of cuttings, ‘ ‘tions, can be a predictor of abnormal pressure, tied in with other indi € 100, can indicate a formation change. In short, many of the rigfloor fhdicators grouped togeth- er as “hole trouble” can indicate that the bit is approaching, or has entered. an abnormally pressured formation. Figure 3.4 “‘Tiiereasesjinjthe|gas!eOAtEM of the fluid returns may be an indication of abnormal pressure. If the pumping rate is steady, the gas content should remain at approximately the same level. It is not the gas content itself that is the warning sign; itis the increase that should be noted. The gas that returns steadily as drilling progresses is called background gas. The amount that is considered “normal” depends entirely on the penetration rate and the char acteristics of the formation being drilled. It is common to see increases in gas at bottoms up from a connection OF after trips. These “spikes” in gas content in the working fluid occur because bottom hole pressure decreases when the pump is stopped and becau there may be some swabbing and surging effect when the work string, moved. Like background gas, connection gas and tip gas in itself is not essarily a matter of concern. It is the increase in the trends that may ind formation change.TRIPPING 2. S s so last tool joint is at normal afety valve in the open. pulling BHAReview Questions 1. What does the rate of penetration have to do with kick detection? 2. How does rotaru torque relate to detection of kicks? 3. Which of the following could indicate that the bit is entering a trans tion zone? @. A change in the rate of penetration (ROP) b. An increase in rotary torque c. An increase in gas content of the mud returns @)All of the above 4. What could hinder the flawline sensor from being a good indicator of @ potential kick? 5. Which of the following is true? a. pit volume gain is an absolute indicator that a kick is in progress. ‘BDA gain in pit volume is an indicator that the well has possibly taken a kick. 5. While drilling. it is noticed that the pump rate has changed and the standpipe pressure has decreased. What could cause these chang- es? @.A washout in the drill string b. A leaky swab in the pump C. An influx of formation fluid into the well @A\I\ of the above 7.A gas kick taken while drilling might cause the weight indicator to reflect an increase in drill string weight. Explain why this is so.