ON JANUARY 10, 1901, THE LUCAS GUSHER BLEW IN AT SPINDLETOP, NEAR •

. BEAUMONT, TEXAS

The Hamill Brothers Had Started The Hole 3 Months Earlier For
Captain A. F. Lucas, And 6-inch Casing Had Been Set At 880 Feet
After Minor Indications Of oil In The Next 7 Days, The Well Had
Been Deepened By 140 Feet To , 1020 Feet, A Much Faster Rate
Than Before. Running In A New Bit, The Crew Had 700 Feet Of
;inch Drill Pipe In The Hole When The Well Started To Unload -4
That Is, Mud Started Flowing From The Casing. After Several Hard
. Kicks, Well Pressure Blew The Drill Pipe Out Of The Hole
Soon A Stream Of Oil And Gas Was Spraying More Than 100 Feet
In To The Air, Producing By Some Estimates
. To 100,000 Barrels Of Oil Per Day 75,000
: Most Of The Signs Of A Developing Blowout Were Observable On The Lucas Well
Shows Of Oil And Gas In The Mud
Drilling Break (Faster Drilling)
Flow Of Mud From The Well
Pit Gain
Lightened Hook Load
Hydrostatic pressure
hydrostatic pressure is defined as the pressure
exerted by a fluid column. The magnitude of
the pressure depends only on the density of
the fluid and the vertical height of the
column. The size and shape of the fluid
column do not a ect the magnitude of this
pressure
HP = C x MW x TVD
: where
HP = Hydrostatic Pressure (Ph )(psi or Pounds Per Square Inch)
MW = Fluid Density, or Mud Weight (1bs/gal or ppg or Pounds Per
Gallon)
TVD = True Vertical Depth of the Fluid Column (Feet or Ft)
: C = 0.052: Conversion Constant (psi /ft Per 1bs/gal) is derived as follow
A cubic foot contains 7.48 US gallons
A fluid weighing 1 ppg is therefore equivalent to 7.48 lbs /cu.ft
: The pressure exerted by one foot of the fluid over the base would be
lbs / 144 sq.ins = 0.052 psi 7.48
12”

12”

12”
Example: Calculating hydrostatic pressure
the hydrostatic pressure exerted by a 10-foot column of fluid with a density of 10
: ppg is
hydrostatic pressure = 0.052 x density (10 ppg) x height (10 ft) = 5.2 psi
PRESSURE GRADIENT
Pressure gradient is defined as the pressure
increment
per foot of depth . Water, for example , will
increase
the hydrostatic
foot - pressure by 0.433 psi for every
of hole.
PG = C x MW
PG = Pressure Gradient psi / ft
MW = Fluid Density lbs/gal
C = 0.052 conversion constant psi /ft / lbs/gal
OVER BURDEN PRESSURE
Overburden Pressure is the Result Of The Combined Weight Of The
Formation Matrix (Rock) And The Fluids (Water, Oil, And Gas) in the Pore Spaces
Overlying The Formation Of Interest. The Average Value Of
Overburden Pressure Gradient (OPG) is Often Assumed To be1.0 psi/ft .
Actually, it me be as high as 1.35 psi/ft in some areas , and lower than 1.0 psi/ft
. in others
PORE PRESSURE

The magnitude of the pressure in the pores of a

formation , known as the formation pore pressure
,(or simply formation pressure )
Formation Pressures Vary Greatly, And Depend
Upon Reservoir Characteristics. They Can Be
:Divided In To Three Categories

Normal Formation Pressure

Subnormal Formation Pressure
Abnormal Formation Pressure
NORMAL FORMATION PRESSURE
Normal Formation Pressure Is Equal To The Hydrostatic Pressure Of
Water Extending From The Surface To The Subsurface Formation Of
Interest.this is because sedmentary beds were originally deposited in a
water environment. Thus the normal pressure gradient in any area will be
equal to the hydrostatic pressure gradiant of the water that occupies the
.pore space of the formations in that area

, HENCE
PSI/FT < NORMAL FORMATION PRESSURE GRADIENT < 0.465 PSI / ft 0.433
ABNORMAL FORMATION PRESSURE
ABNORMAL FORMATION PRESSURE IS ANY FORMATION PRESSURE
GREATER THAN THE CORRESPONDING NORMAL FORMATION
. PRESSURE

Formation pressure gradient > 0.052 x 8.90 psi / ft > 0.465 psi / ft
Causes of abnormally high formation pressure
:are

Depositional causes
Diagenesis
Piezometric surface
Tectonic causes
Structural causes
.DEPOSITIONAL CAUSES
INSUFFICIENT COMPACTION - AS SEDIMENTS ARE
DEPOSITED, THE PORE PRESSURE IS NORMAL AS
PORE FLUID IS IN CONTACT WITH THE OVERLAYING
SEAWATER. AS SEDIMENTATION CONTINUES,
OLDER SEDIMENTS COMPACT (DUE TO INCREASE
IN OVERBURDEN PRESSURE) AND FLUIDS ARE
EXPELLED FROM THE OLDER SEDIMENTS. AS
LONG AS EQUILIBRIUM EXISTS BETWEEN RATE OF
COMPACTION AND RATE OF FLUID EXPULSION
FROM SEDIMENTS, AND THE EXPELLED WATER CAN
ESCAPE TO SURFACE OR IN OTHER POROUS
FORMATION, PORE PRESSURE REMAINS NORMAL
(HYDROSTATIC). IN SOME CASES, RATE OF
COMPACTION IS MORE THAN THE RATE OF PORE
.FLUID EXPULSION
diagenesis
Diagenesis is the process whereby the
chemical nature of the sediment is
altered due to increasing pressure and
temperature as the sediment is buried
.deeper
Gypsum converts to anhydrite plus free
water. The volume of water released is
approximately 40 % of the volume of
gypsum. If the water cannot escape then
.overpressures will be generated
PIEZOMETRIC SURFACE
A PIZOMETIC SURFACE IS AN IMAGINARY LEVEL TO WHICH THE •
GROUND WATER WILL RISE IN A WELL. THE WATER TABLE IN AN
AREA IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PIEZOMETRIC SURFACE. IF THE
SURFACE ELEVATION IS HIGHER THAN PIEZOMETRIC SURFACE LEVEL,
SUBNORMAL PORE PRESSURES ARE MOST OFTEN ENCOUNTERED
. (SEE FIGURE BELOW)
Structural causes
Any structure such as an anticline or dome may have abnormally
high pressures above the oil- water or gas –water contact in
the oil or gas zone because hydrocarbons are less dense than
water. If the anticline or dome is large ,abnormal pressures
may be quite high
TECTONIC CAUSES
TECTONIC FORCES MAY CAUSE ABNORMAL PRESSURES DUE TO
FOLDING AND FAULTING DUE TO SALT AND SHALE DIAPIRISM. •
DIAPIRISM IS THE UPWARD MOVEMENT OF LOW DENSITY PLASTIC
. FORMATIONS (SEE FIGURE BELOW)
Subnormal formation pressure
Subnormal Formation Pressure Is Any Formation Pressure Less Than
.the Corresponding Normal Pressure

Formation PressureGradient < 0.052 X 8.33 ppg < 0.433 Psi / ft

:Causes of subnormal formation pressure are

Depleted Reservoirs
Piezometric Surface
Decompressional Expansion
Tectonic Compression
DEPLETED RESERVOIRS
Producing Large Volumes Of Reservoir Fluids Causes A Decline In
Pore Pressure As The Fluids In The Reservoir Expand To Fill The
. Void Spaces Created Because Of Production
Example
The original reservoir formation pressure in oil field “A” was 3250 psi at a
depth of 2200 m vertical depth. This equates to a formation pressure
gradient of 0.45 psi , which is the normal hydrostatic gradient . After
producing many years from the field , the reservoir formation pressure
dropped to approximately 2525 psi .this gives a subnormal pressure
. gradient of 0.35 psi/ft
PIEZOMETRIC SURFACE
A PIZOMETIC SURFACE IS AN IMAGINARY LEVEL TO WHICH THE •
GROUND WATER WILL RISE IN A WELL. THE WATER TABLE IN AN
AREA IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PIEZOMETRIC SURFACE. IF THE
SURFACE ELEVATION IS HIGHER THAN PIEZOMETRIC SURFACE LEVEL,
SUBNORMAL PORE PRESSURES ARE MOST OFTEN ENCOUNTERED
. (SEE FIGURE BELOW)
DECOMPRESSIONAL EXPANSION

Decompressional Expansion Is The Term Describing

The Combined E ects Of Uplift And Erosion. In
Shales, Uplift And Overburden Removal By
Erosion May Cause A Reduction In Pore Fluid
.Pressure
TECTONIC COMPRESSION •
During A Lateral Compression Process Acting On Sedimentary •
Beds, Up warping Of Upper Beds And Down warping Of Lower
Beds May Occur. The Intermediate Beds Must Expand To Fill
The Voids Left By This Process Causing Subnormal Pressures,
. Due To The Increase In Pore Volume (See Figure Below)
FRACTURE PRESSURE
Fracture Pressure is the amount of pressure
of a
formation can withstand before it fails and
splits.

Excessive pressures in the hole can

cause
formation fracture and loss of whole mud
to the
formation.
Fluid first must penetrate the formation
before
fracturing can occur. This means that the
press.
imposed on the formation must exceed the
 GRADIENT PSI / FT
FORMATION PORE PRESS MUD PRESS FRAC PRESS
 leak-o test
this test is usually made just after drilling 10
to 30 feet through a casing shoe . It measures
the maximum mud weight or surface pressure
the formation at the casing shoe will withstand
before fluid is forced into it. The well is shut in
by closing the blowout preventer. Pressure is
increased by pumping slowly into the well. At a
certain point pressure will being to drop o ,
indicating that the exposed formation is taking
on significant amounts of mud . The fracture is
the total of the surface pumping pressure and
the hydrostaic pressure at the casing shoe
Leak-o test
 Maximum Allowable Annulus Surface Pressure

this is the maximum pressure that can be tolerated in the

annulus , without risking a possible formation rupture at
or below the casing shoe .
MAASP = Pressure required to fracture the formation
mines hydrostatic pressure created by the
column of mud in the annulus .

( Formation fracture gradient – MW gradient ) * Depth of

CSG
Fracture gradient = 0.8 psi/ft
MW gradient = 0.52
psi/ft
Depth of CSG = 8200 ft
MAASP = ( 0.8 – 0.52 ) * 8200
MAASP = 2290 psi
 well bore and the ‘U’
Tube
The U-Tube
A U- tube is a combination of two vertical tubes, column A
and B , connected at the bottom such that the pressure at the
bottom of each tube is the same

A B
PA = P B
 U Tube in a wellbore

A well bore is similar to a U- tube . The fluid column inside

the drill string can be considered column A, and the fluid
column inside the drill annulus can be considered column B.

pump

choke

A B
PA = P B
 FLOW LINE
FLOW LINE

Drill string

Annulus

BHP= Hydrostatic
pressure of drilling
fluid column inside
Annulus
BHP= Hydrostatic
pressure of drilling
fluid column inside
drill string
 FLOW LINE
1500 ft

Fluid column A :
Density 11 ppg
Drill string
Fluid column B :
Density 11.5 ppg
Annulus
2500 ft

BHP= Hydrostatic
pressure of drilling
fluid column inside
drill string
 Static well bore with External Pressure

In shut in well conditions , the BHP can be calculated using the following
equations

BHP = HPd + SIDPP

BHP = HP a + SICP
 SIDPP
SIDPP

Mud Mud
Pump Pump
SICP

CHOKE
SICP
CHOKE

Drill string

Annulus

BHP= Hydrostatic
pressure inside
FORMATION Annulus +SICP
ORESSURE
FORMATION
ORESSURE
BHP= Hydrostatic
pressure inside
drillstring +SIDPP
 example:

A well with 5000 feet of true vertical

depth is closed in at the surface .the
drill pipe pressure gauge reads 300
psi and the casing pressure gauge
reads 500 psi . If we know that the
density of the fluid inside the drill
string is 12 ppg , calculate the
density of the formation fluid
 Pump pressure

Mud
Pump

CHOKE
BHP= Hydrostatic
pressure inside
Friction pressure
loss in the
drillstring +pump
drillstring acting
against pump
pressure – pressure
pressure
loss inside drilling and
bit

FORMATION
ORESSURE

The well bore in dynamic condition – drill string side

 Pump
pressre
Mud
Pump

BHP=
Hydrostatic SICPsurface
casing pressure
CHOKE

pressure inside
Annulus Friction pressure
loss in the annulus
+surface casing acting downwards
pressure
+pressure loss
inside annulus

FORMATION
ORESSURE

The well bore in dynamic condition – annulus side

 ، ‫ ﺑﻪ درون ﭼﺎه و ﺧﻮاﻧﺪن ﻓﺸﺎرﻫﺎ‬INFLUX ‫ﭘﺲ از وارد ﺷﺪن‬
. ‫ﮔﺮادﻳﺎن ﺳﻴﺎل ورودي را ﻣﺸﺨﺺ ﻛﻨﻴﺪ‬
SIDPP + HP dp = SICP + ( MG ×H ) + ( IG ×h )

SIDPP + ( MG × H ) + ( MG × h ) =SICP + ( MG×H ) + ( IG × h )

( MG × H ) + ( MG × h ) - ( MG×H ) - ( IG × h ) = SICP-SIDPP

IG =MG -
SIDPP SICP
GAS =
TO 0.15

OIL&GAS = F/
H to/ 0.4
0.15 H
WATER & SALT
WATER
ABOVE
0.4

h
= h
Kick
A kick is the undesired entry of formation fluids into the well bore

Blowout

A blowout is the uncontrolled flow of gas , oil , or other

formation fluids
Sometimes ,formation fluids from a reservoir formation
at high pressure can flow into another underground
formation that is at a lower pressure and di erent depth
. This kind of uncontrolled flow is an underground
blowout and can be very di cult to control.
Kick causes
1. Not keeping the hole full
2. Swabbing
3. Overpressure ( abnormal pressure )
formations
4. Lost circulation
5. Gas/oil/water cut mud
1- Not keeping the hole full during tripping
As the drill string comes out of the well the level of
drilling fluid in the annulus drops by a volume equal
to the volume of drill string removed. If the fluid
level is allowed to drop too far , the hydrostatic
pressure on the formation is reduced below
formation pressure , which allows formation fluids
to enter the well bore.

Note that the majority of all kicks worldwide

occur during tripping operation
 2- swabbing
Swabbing occur when the drill string is pulled from
the well , producing a temporary bottom hole
pressure reduction . This can lead to an under
balanced condition , allowing formation fluids to
enter the well bore below the drill string
• Balled-up bottom hole assembly
• Pulling pipe too fast
• Poor drilling fluid properties
• Large OD tools
3- Abnormal pressure reservoir

4- Lost circulation
Causes of lost circulation
High density of drilling fluid
Going into hole too fast (surging)
Pressure due to annular circulation friction
Warning sign of lost circulation

Decrease in pump pressure

Decrease in flow returns
Loss of surface mud volume
Increase in string weight
5- cutting of drilling fluid with
oil , gas , or water

When the bit penetrates a porous formation

the fluids contained in the formation (gas,
oil , or water ) escape and mix with the
drilling fluid ,
Cutting drilling fluid (contaminating with
the low-density formation fluid ) reduce the
density of the fluid in the annulus and
causes a subsequent loss of hydrostatic
pressure.
Kick Indicators
1. Primary kick Indicators
2. Secondary kick Indicators
Primary Kick Indicators

1. Increase in return flow rate

2. Increase in pit volume
3. Insu cient hole fill during tripping
4. Positive flow check
secondary Kick Indicators
1. Drilling break
2. Decrease in circulating pressure with
a corresponding increase in
circulating rate
3. Increase in gas cutting, oil cutting , or
chlorides
Early warning signs( home work)

✔ Increase in background, connection, and trip gas

✔ Increase in the chlorides content of the mud
✔ Changes in the size and shape of cuttings
✔ Unaccounted –for fluid loss while tripping
✔ Increasing fill on bottom after a trip
✔ Increase in flow line temperature
✔ Increase in rotary torque
✔ Increase tight hole on connection
✔ Decrease in D-exponent
Most of these signs are related to the indication of a transition zone
prior to drilling into an abnormal pressure formation
 0
0 BALANCED STATIC CONDITION

Figure shows a balanced U-

tube situation with fluid of the
1 same density in the annulus
0 and drill pipe sides.
P
P
G 10PPG 2600
Depth = 10000 ft
Shoe depth = 5000 ft
Mud wt = 10 ppg

5200
 0
UNBALANCED STATIC CONDITION
00

1
0
P 10PPG
P
G 3900
Depth = 10000 ft
5PPG Shoe depth = 5000 ft

5200
 2600 STANDARD
0 CIRCULATION
SITUATION

1
0
P
P
G 10PPG 2730
Depth = 10000 ft
Shoe depth = 5000 ft
Mud wt = 10 ppg
Circulating pressure 2600 psi
APL = 260 PSI
5460
 2600
00

1
0
P 10PPG
P
G 4030
5PPG

5460
 2600 Circulating U-tube with
0 influx of formation fluids
BOPs are open

1
0
P
P
G 10PPG 2730
5200+260=5460 PSI

FP
57 BHP
2
PS 0
I
5720 PSI
 520
SHUT-IN KICK PRESSURES
1820

1
0
P 10PPG
P
G 4420
5PPG

575
27
PS 020
PI
SI
 GAS MIGRATION

When a well is shut-in on a gas kick because of its low

density , gas tends to migrate , or move upward , in a
well. If the gas volume remains the same ,the pressure
also will remain the same based on the gas
compressibility equation, but the casing pressure will
increase as the hydrostatic pressure decreases due to
the upward movement of the gas. If the gas is allowed
to expand , the pressure in the gas kick will decrease.
Gas expansion is controlling the backpressure with a
choke while circulating
GAS LAWS & GAS EXPANSION

Boyle’s law states that if the temperature of the gas is

kept constant , an increase in pressure causes a
decrease in the volume of the gas .
Charles’s law states that if the pressure is held
constant , an increase in temperature causes an
increase in the volume of gas . And if the volume of
the gas constant , An increase in the temperature of
the gas results in an increase in the pressure of the gas.
GAS LAWS & GAS EXPANSION

When Boyle’s and Charles’s laws are P1 V 1 P 2 V2

combined , the ideal gas equation is =
obtained T1 T2

P1 = formation pressure psi

P2 = hydrostatic pressure at any depth in the
wellbore
V1= original pit gain , bbl
V2 = gas volume at surface , bbl
T1 = temperature of formation fluid degrees
Rankine ( R = F +460 )
T2 = temperature at the surface R
GAS LAWS & GAS EXPANSION

In an oil well , the drilled gases are a complex mixture

of hydrocarbon gases . Hydrocarbon gases depart from
the ideal gas law by an amount equal to the
compressibility factor , Z , of the gases. The following
equation can be used for hydrocarbon gases

P1 V 1 P 2 V2
=
T1 Z1 T 2Z 2

Z1 = compressibility factor under pressure in

formation , dimensionless
Z2 =compressibility factor at surface, dimensionless
 EXAMPLE
MUD GRAD = 0.5 PSI / FT
SHOE DEPTH = 6000 FT
HYD PRESS @ SHOE = 3000 PSI

3000 PSI SHOE

TVD = 10000 FT
BHP = 5000 PSI

5000 PSI
 STAGE ONE 200 PSI

W/H PRESS = 200 PSI

HYD PRESS @ SHOE = 3200

PSI
200 + 3000 = 3200 PSI SHOE

BHP = GAS PRESS = 5200 PSI

5200 PSI
 STAGE TWO 2200 PSI

W/H PRESS = 2200 PSI

HYD PRESS @ SHOE = 5200

PSI
5200 PSI SHOE

BHP = 7200 PSI

2000 + 5200 = 7200
PSI
STAGE THREE 5200 PSI

W/H PRESS = GAS PRESS = 5200

HYD PRESS @ SHOE = 8200 PSI

5200 + 3000 = 8200 SHOE
PSI

BHP = 10200 PSI

5200 + 5000 = 10200

PSI
 SCR Measurements
When a well control situation arises , the pressure
inside the wellbore prohibits the use of normal
circulation rates used during drilling because :
It might lead to high pressure inside the annulus ,
causing lost circulation
It might cause higher pressure at surface than the
working pressure rating of the surface pump and high
pressure lines
It might be di cult to safely control the well and
monitor the process at high pumping rate
SCR Measurements (cont.)

therefore in most cases control of the well is

gained while circulating at low flow rate ,
called slow circulation rate (SCR)
A drilling crew determines accurate circulation
pressure at specified slow circulation rate every
tour or every significant change in drilling fluid
density and properties or after drilling every
500 feet , whichever comes first.
‫در ھﻧﮕﺎم ﻛﺷﺗن ﭼﺎه ﺑﺣراﻧﻲ ﺗرﯾن ﻟﺣظﮫ زﻣﺎﻧﻲ‬
‫اﺳت‬
‫ﻛﮫ ﺳر ﮔﺎز ﺑﮫ ﻛﻔﺷك ﻣﯾرﺳد ‪ .‬ﭼـــــرا ؟‬

‫زﯾرا در اﯾن زﻣﺎن ﮔﺎز ﺑﯾﺷﺗرﯾن اﻧﺑﺳﺎط را در ﭼﺎه ﺑﺎز‬

‫ﭘﯾدا ﻛرده و در اﯾن ﻟﺣظﮫ ﻓﺷﺎر ھﺎﯾدرواﺳﺗﺎﺗﯾك اززﯾر‬
‫ﻛﻔﺷك ﺗﺎ ﺗﮫ ﭼﺎه ﺑﮫ ﻛﻣﺗرﯾن ﻣﻘدار رﺳﯾده اﺳت ﺑﻧﺎﺑراﯾن‬
‫طﺑﯾﻌﻲ اﺳت ﻛﮫ ﺑﯾﺷﺗرﯾن ﻓﺷﺎر ﺑﮫ زﯾر ﻛﻔﺷك در اﯾـــن‬
‫ھﻧﮕﺎم وارد ﺷود‪.‬‬
STAGE ONE 330
PSI
HGAS = 200 FT
HMUD= 8300 FT
SHOE @ 4000 FT
GG = 0.1 PSI / FT
MG = 0.5 PSI / FT 2330 SHOE
FP = 4500 PSI PSI

P@SHOE=4500-((200*0.1)+(4300*0.5))
SICP = 4500-((200*0.1)+(8300*0.5))

PSI 4500
STAGE TWO 410
PSI
HGAS = 400 FT
HMUD= 8100 FT
SHOE @ 4000 FT
GG = 0.1 PSI / FT
MG = 0.5 PSI / FT 2410 SHOE
FP = 4500 PSI PSI

P@SHOE=4500-((400*0.1)+(4100*0.5))
SICP = 4500-((400*0.1)+(8100*0.5))

4500 PSI
STAGE THREE 490
PSI

HGAS = 600 FT
HMUD= 7900FT
SHOE @ 4000 FT
GG = 0.1 PSI / FT
MG = 0.5 PSI / FT 2490 SHOE
FP = 4500 PSI PSI

P@SHOE=4500-((600*0.1)+(3900*0.5))
SICP = 4500-((600*0.1)+(7900*0.5))

4500 PSI
STAGE FOUR 650
PSI
HGAS = 1000 FT
HMUD= 7500 FT
SHOE @ 4000 FT
GG = 0.1 PSI / FT
MG = 0.5 PSI / FT 2250
FP = 4500 PSI PSI SHOE

P@SHOE=4500-(4500*0.5)
SICP = 4500-((1000*0.1)+(7500*0.5))

4500 PSI
 shut-in methods

There are two types of shut-in methods in the

oil industry
Hard shut-in
Soft shut-in
hard shut-in procedure

In the hard shut-in method, the hydraulic

valve on the choke line (HCR VALVE )and the
choke itself are kept closed during normal
operations. after kick indicators are observed
and a kick is confirmed ,following procedure
is used
 ` Valve or BOP Open
Valve or BOP Close

Choke
Closed

ANNULAR

To Mud gas
PIPE RAM Seperator, Mud
tanks, Flare
Kill Line BLIND RAM Choke line HCR
Valve Closed valve closed

PIPE RAM Bleed –o line to

Flare

To Mud gas Seperator,

Drill string Mud tanks, Flare

Choke
Closed

Hard Shut –in: initial line up of choke line and choke manifold
 ` Valve or BOP Open
Valve or BOP Close

Choke
Close

ANNULAR
Annular BOP
Close To Mud gas
PIPE RAM Seperator, Mud
tanks, Flare or
Kill Line Overboard
BLIND RAM
Valve Closed Choke Line
HCR Valve closed

PIPE RAM Bleed –o line to

Flare or Overboard

To Mud gas Seperator,

Drill string Mud tands, Flare or
Overboard

Choke
Closed

Hard Shut –in: Close Annular BOP

 ` Valve or BOP Open
Valve or BOP Close

Choke
Close

ANNULAR
Annular BOP
Close To Mud gas
PIPE RAM Seperator, Mud
tanks, Flare or
Kill Line Overboard
BLIND RAM
Valve Closed Choke Line
HCR Valve closed

PIPE RAM Bleed –o line to

Flare or Overboard

To Mud gas Seperator,

Drill string Mud tands, Flare or
Overboard

Choke
Closed

Hard Shut –in: open HCR valve

The primary advantage of a hard shut-in is
that the kick influx is held to a small
volume because the well is closed in more
quickly . One disadvantage is that with
some hard shut-in procedures , casing
pressure cannot be observed ,since the
choke-line valves are closed thus MAASP
could be exceeded , which could cause
formation fracture and lost circulation
soft shut-in procedure

In the soft shut-in method , the

HCR valve is closed and the
choke is open during normal
operations . When primary
indicators of kick are experienced ,
following procedure is used
 ` Valve or BOP Open
Valve or BOP Close

Choke
open

ANNULAR

To Mud gas
PIPE RAM Seperator, Mud
tanks, Flare or
Kill Line Overboard
BLIND RAM Choke line HCR
Valve Closed
valve closed

PIPE RAM Bleed –o line to

Flare or Overboard

To Mud gas Seperator,

Drill string Mud tands, Flare or
Overboard

Choke
Close

soft Shut –in: initial line up of choke line and choke manifold
 ` Valve or BOP Open
Valve or BOP Close

Choke
open

ANNULAR
Annular BOP
Close To Mud gas
PIPE RAM Seperator, Mud
tanks, Flare or
Kill Line Overboard
BLIND RAM
Valve Closed

PIPE RAM Bleed –o line to

open Choke Line Flare or Overboard
HCR Valve
To Mud gas Seperator,
Drill string Mud tands, Flare or
Overboard

Choke
Close

Soft shut-in :open choke line HCR valve

 ` Valve or BOP Open
Valve or BOP Close

Choke
open

ANNULAR close
Annular BOP
To Mud gas
PIPE RAM Seperator, Mud
tanks, Flare or
Kill Line Overboard
BLIND RAM
Valve Closed

PIPE RAM Bleed –o line to

Choke Line Flare or Overboard
HCR Valve Opened
To Mud gas Seperator,
Drill string Mud tands, Flare or
Overboard

Choke
Closed

soft Shut –in: Close Annular BOP

 ` Valve or BOP Open
Valve or BOP Close

Closec
hoke

ANNULAR
Annular BOP
Close To Mud gas
PIPE RAM Seperator, Mud
tanks, Flare or
Kill Line Overboard
BLIND RAM
Valve Closed

PIPE RAM Bleed –o line to

Choke Line Flare or Overboard
HCR Valve Opened
To Mud gas Seperator,
Drill string Mud tands, Flare or
Overboard

Choke
Closed

Soft shot-in : Close choke

The primary disadvantage
of a soft shut-in is that it
requires more steps and
time than a hard shut-in .
The result can be a large
influx of kick fluids .
 Shut-in procedure while drilling
When a kick is taken while drilling , the following well shut-in procedure
should be used:
Stop pipe rotation
Pick the drill string up o -bottom to space out correctly ( ensure that a
tool joint is not across a BOP pipe ram )
Stop pumping - shut o the mud pumps .
Check the well for flow and confirm kick .
Shut in the well with the annular BOP , using either a hard or soft shut-in
method
Verify that the well is shut in and that there are no leaks in the system .
Read and record SIDPP and SICP
 Shut-in procedure while tripping
When a kick is suspected during tripping , the following well shut-in
procedure should be used:
Check the well for flow and confirm kick .
Space out the drill string correctly , with a drill pipe tool joint close to the
rotary table and no tool joints placed across a BOP pipe ram . Set the drill
string in slips in the rotary table
Install a fully opened drill string safety valve
Close the drill string safety valve
Shut in the well with the annular BOP using either a hard or soft shut-in
method
 Killing a well
All well kill methods use a common principle :
Maintain a minimum constant bottom
hole pressure equal to or greater than
the formation pressure while circulating
out the formation influx to regain
control of the well
Minimum constant bottom hole pressure ≥ formation pore pressure
≥ shut-in drill pipe
pressure+
hydrostatic pressure
of the
original drilling fluid
column in
the drill string

Minimum constant bottom hole pressure ≥

formation pore pressure + safety margin (0-200
psi)
 After well shut-in
After a kick has been taken and the well is shut in
adequate preparation is required before starting a
well kill operation . These preparations include :
• preparation a kick sheet
• Determining kill fluid density and mixing kill fluid
• Performing calculations to obtain the data required
for well kill
• Preparing a pump pressure schedule
 Prepare kick sheet
The general well data , drill string / annulus
contents , circulating times , and the mud pump
data (SCR ) is recorded routinely and kept available
at all times at the rig floor through a kick sheet .
The shut-in drill pipe pressure , shut-in casing
pressure , and pit gain is also recorded on the kick
sheet after the well has been shut in.
Some additional information is also added to kick
sheet , such as kill fluid density , initial circulating
pressure final circulating pressure / pump pressure
schedule , time to kill the well , etcetera.
 Mix kill fluid
The well will be considered killed only when the
hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid column in
the well is higher than the formation pressure
and primary control of the well has been
regained . The required density of the kill fluid is
calculated using following equation :
(a) Calculate kill fluid density
SIDPP
MW k = +
MWo
0.052 ×TVD
 Mix kill fluid
( b ) calculate the required quantity of weighting material
Normally , barite is used as weighting material to raise the
density of the drilling fluid . The required quantity of
barite to raise the original drilling fluid density to kill
fluid density can be calculated using following equation:

Barite required (lbs) = MWk -

MWo
1472× Total active drilling fluid volume (bbl) ×

35 – MW k
MWo = original drilling fluid density , or original Mud Weight (ppg )
example :

Original density = 10 ppg

TVD = 6000 ft
SIDPP = 150
Safety margin = 50 psi
Drill string volume = 150 bbl
Annulus volume = 500 bbl
Active surface volume = 300
Calculate weighting material requirement
 Perform calculations for well
killing procedure

(a) Initial circulating pressure ( ICP )

ICP = SIDPP + P scr
ICP = initial circulating pressure
SIDPP = shut-in drill pipe pressure
Pscr = pump pressure at kill flow rate ( slow circulation
rate)
 Perform calculations for well killing procedure
(cont.)
(b ) Displacement times and corresponding pump strokes
Calculate displacement times and pump strokes
using the volume and the slow circulation rate
for well kill operation .normally , the
displacement time and corresponding pump
strokes are calculated for three milestones,
these are:
✔ Kill fluid at the bit
✔ Influx circulated out of the well
✔ Kill fluid returning to surface
(c ) Final circulating pressure (FCP )
FCP is the circulation pressure on the drill pipe pressure gauge
when the kill fluid exits the bit. FCP can be calculated
using the following equation:
Pscr × MWk
FCP =
MWo
FCP = final circulating pressure
MWk = kill fluid density or Kill Mud Weight (ppg)
Pscr = pump pressure at kill flow rate (slow circulation rate)
MWo = original drilling fluid density , or original Mud
Weight(ppg)
Driller’s Method
1. Start pumping
2. Hold casing pressure constant by manipulating the choke.
3. Bring pumps up to kill speed.
4. Adjust pressure to ICP.
5. Casing pressure will increase this due to gas expansion in
the well bore
6. Hold ICP constant until influx is out
7. Shut down pumps holding casing pressure constant
8. Check that drill pipe pressure and casing pressure is equal
 300 500

DP CP
300 500
close open
Mud weight = 10 ppg

10000 * 10 * .052 =5200 psi

BHP
5200+300 = 5500 psi

TVD = 10000
 Casing pressure is held constant as pumps are
brought up to speed by opening the choke
If the casing pressure is held constant when
starting then BHP is constant
1300 500

DP CP
1300 500
close open
KRP@40spm = 1000 psi

ICP = 1000+300 =1300 psi

BHP
5500 psi

TVD = 10000
 Till the gas influx gets further up the hole there is
little expansion and the casing pressure will rise
slowly as mud (hydrostatic) is pushed out of the
hole.

1300 520

DP CP
1300 520
close open

BHP
5500 psi
 As the bubble begins to expand it pushes mud out of
the hole causing a loss of hydrostatic.
To keep BHP constant, drill pipe pressure must be
kept constant.
1300 650

DP CP
1300 650
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1300 800

DP CP
1300 800
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1300 1000

DP CP
1300 1000
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1300 1250

DP CP
1300 1250
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1300 1400

DP CP
1300 1400
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1300 1600

DP CP
1300 1600
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1300 1750

DP CP
1300 1750
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1300 1000

DP CP
1300 1000
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1300 400

DP CP
1300 400
close open

BHP
5500 psi
 Once the influx is circulated out , the well should be
shut –in
Compare the drill pipe and casing pressure gauges
and confirm that they are equal .if casing pressure is
greater than drill pipe pressure then you may not
have all the influx out of the well.
300 300
Once you are confident that the annulus is clean line
up the pumps on kill weight fluid

DP CP
300 300
close open

BHP
5500 psi
 Hold casing pressure constant as you bring the pumps
up to 40 spm .
Continue to hold casing pressure constant as you
displace the drillsting .
Drillpipe pressure should drop as hydrostatic in the
300 drillpipe increases.
1300

DP CP
1300 300
close open

KRP @40 spm = 1000 psi

ICP= 1000+300 = 1300 psi

on DP

BHP
5500 psi
1250 300

DP CP
1250 300
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1200 300

DP CP
1200 300
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1150 300

DP CP
1150 300
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1100 300

DP CP
1100 300
close open

BHP
5500 psi
 Once the drillpipe is full of kill weight fluid
the hydrostatic will remain
Continue circulating holding drillpipe
pressure constant at FCP .

1060 300 Casing pressure should drop as kill weight

fluid displaces the annulus .

DP CP
1060 300
close open

BHP
5500 psi
1060 250

DP CP
1060 250
close open

BHP
5500 psi
 ANALYSIS OF ICP & FCP
3000

I F
200

C
0
C
100
0
P P
2500 2380 2260 214 0 2020 1900 1780 1660 1540 142
0 100 200 300 4 00 500 600 700 800
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
GAS BUBBLE COLLAPSE
H GAS = 200 FT
H MUD = 6000 FT
GG = 0.1 PSI / FT
MG = 1.0 PSI / FT
GAS BUBBLE COLLAPSE
H GAS = 50 FT
H MUD = 6150 FT
GG = 0.1 PSI / FT
MG = 1.0 PSI / FT
Other well control
methods
✔ Volumetric
✔ Lubricate and bleed
✔ bullheading
Volumetric method
The volumetric method is a non-circulating well kill method and
can be used only if the influx can migrate up , such as a gas kick
where the free gas is able to migrate up in the well . Generally , the
volumetric method is used in following situations
During any shut in period after the well has kicked and the gas is
migrating up
If the pumps are inoperable.
If there is a washout in the drill string that prevents displacement
of the kick through conventional circulation methods .
If the pipe is a considerable distance o bottom, out of the hole or
stuck / parted o bottom.
If the drill string is plugged
❶ Record the shut-in casing pressure
❷ Monitor the shut-in pressure and if they are found to be increasing
with time , this confirms gas migration. Commence with the
volumetric method to allow controlled expansion of gas.
❸ Select an overbalance margin and operating range for casing pressure.
Recommended overbalance margin , 100 psi
Note : the overbalance margin in the casing pressure ensures that the
overbalance inside the well bore is maintained as mud is bled from
the well
❹ Calculate hydrostatic pressure (HP) per bbl fluid in the upper annulus.

HP per bbl ( psi/bbl ) = fluid gradient (psi/ft) ÷ annular capacity factor

(bbl /ft)
❺ Calculate volume to bleed each cycle.
Volume to bleed (bbl/cycle ) = range (psi) ÷ HP per bbl (psi/bbl)
Construct casing pressure vs. volume to bleed schedule.
❼ Allow SICP to increase by over balance margin.
❽ Allow SICP to increase by operating range.
❾ While maintaining the SICP constant at the new value , bleed small
volumes of mud into a calibrated tank until the calculated volume in
step 3 is bled
❿ Repeat steps 6 and 7 until gas is at surface

Safety margin = 100 psi

Range = 100 psi
Fluid grad. = 0.546 psi /ft
Capacity factor = 0.04425 bbl /ft (9 5/8” * 5” )

Hp per bbl = 0.546 ÷ .04425 bbl / ft = 12.34 psi/bbl

Volume to bleed = 100 ÷ 12.34 = 8 bbls

Casing pressure 1 = 400 + 100 +100 = 600 psi
Casing pressure 2= 600 + 100 = 700 psi
Casing pressure 3 = 700 + 100 = 800 psi
 Example SICP = 400 psi ; range &SM = 100 psi ; volume bleed =8 bbls

Gas migrating
1600
to surface
1400
Bleeding while
Casing pressure (psi)

1200 holding
constant casing
1000 pressure
800
range
600
Range : 100 psi

400 Safety margin : 100 psi

200

0
8 16 24 32 40 48 56 Volume
bled (bbls)
 Lubricate and bleed procedure
In this procedure, the gas and the associated casing pressure is bled o
and replaced with fluid keeping the bottom hole pressure constant. The
following procedure is used for lubricate and bleed
❶ mix kill fluid
❷ Pump through kill line into closed –in well to increase casing pressure by
desired range . Recommended range = 100 psi
❸ Allow time for fluid to “ fall “ through the gas (usually 10- 15 minute ).
❹ Calculate bleed down pressure . The shut-in casing pressures during the
lubricate and bleed procedure are related as the following equation
P3= (P1)² ÷P2
Where , P1 = SICP before pumping P2 = stabilized SICP after pumping
P3 = the pressure to bleed down to
❺ Bleed dry gas from choke to reduce casing pressure to P3
❻ Repeat step 1 through 4 until gas is removed
 (P1 )² ÷ P2 =
P 1 =1000 psi P 2 =1100 psi P3 psi
1000 psi 1100 psi 909

psi 909 psi 1009 psi 819

Bullheading
In this well kill method , the formation influx is pumped
back (bullheaded ) into the reservoir . It is a common well
kill method is also used when
The influx is very large and circulating out the influx will
either exert very high pressure on the surface equipment
or will result in very high volume of gas at the surface .
The influx contains hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and it is not
desired to circulate out the kick to the surface due to
personal safety reasons
When an influx is taken with no pipe in the hole
 ‫ﺑﺮرﺳﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﺘﻲ ﻛﻪ وزن ﮔﻞ دا‬
‫‪3120‬‬
‫‪20‬‬
‫ﻟﻴﺰ‬
‫از وزن ﮔﻞ درون ﻟﻮﻟﻪ ﻫﺎ ﻛﻤـــﺘﺮ‬
‫‪1‬‬ ‫اﺳـﺖ و ﮔﺮدش ﮔﻞ ﺑﺎ ﺳﺮﻋﺖ‬
‫‪0‬‬ ‫زﻣﺎن‬
‫‪P‬‬ ‫‪10PPG‬‬
‫‪P‬‬ ‫ﺣﻔﺎري ﻫﻤﺮاه ﺑﺎ ﭘﺲ ﻓﺸﺎر ﺑﺮﻗﺮا‬
‫‪G‬‬ ‫‪4550‬‬
‫ر‬
‫‪5PPG‬‬
‫اﺳﺖ ‪.‬‬
‫‪SIDPP= 520PSI‬‬
‫‪SPL= 2600‬‬
‫‪5980PSI‬‬
‫‪APL= 260‬‬
 ‫‪1220‬‬ ‫ﺑﺮرﺳﻲ ﺣﺎﻟﺘﻲ ﻛﻪ وزن ﮔﻞ دا‬
‫‪20‬‬ ‫ﻟﻴﺰ‬
‫از وزن ﮔﻞ درون ﻟﻮﻟﻪ ﻫﺎ ﻛﻤـــﺘﺮ‬
‫‪1‬‬ ‫اﺳﺖ و ﮔﺮدش ﮔﻞ ﺑﺎ ﺳﺮﻋﺖ‬
‫‪0‬‬
‫‪P‬‬ ‫‪10PPG‬‬ ‫آرام‬
‫‪P‬‬ ‫ﻫﻤﺮاه ﺑﺎ ﭘﺲ ﻓﺸﺎر ﺑﺮﻗﺮا راﺳﺖ ‪.‬‬
‫‪G‬‬ ‫‪4485‬‬
‫‪5PPG‬‬

‫‪SIDPP= 520PSI‬‬
‫‪SPL= 700‬‬
‫‪5850PSI‬‬
‫‪APL= 130 PSI‬‬