Homework of Well Kick

1. What is the PRIMARY means of preventing kicks?

a. Closing in the well with the BOPs.
b. Monitoring pit levels and flow rate to recognise a kick.
c. Taking regular slow circulating rate pressures.
d. The use of mud hydrostatic to balance fluid pressure in the formation.

2. What is the PRIMARY means used to prevent formation fluid entering the well bore?
a. The BOP stack.
b. The Annular Preventer.
c. Hydrostatic pressure of the mud.
d. Monitoring trips.

3. What is the correct definition of ‘Primary Well Control’ during normal drilling operations?
a. Preventing the flow of formation fluid into the well bore by using BOP equipment when the
hydrostatic pressure in the well bore does not balance or exceed the formation pressure.
b. Preventing the flow of formation fluid into the well bore by keeping the dynamic pressure loss
in the annulus equal to or greater than formation pressure.
c. Preventing a kick by maintaining drilling mud hydrostatic pressure equal to or greater than
formation pressure.
d. Preventing the flow of formation fluid into the well bore by maintaining the sum of drilling
mud hydrostatic pressure and dynamic pressure loss in the annulus equal to or greater than
formation pressure.

4. A well 9,850 feet (TVD) is filled with 9.2 ppg brine.

The plan is to run in the hole to 6,200 feet TVD (6,600 feet measured depth) and displace with drill
water (8.4 ppg).
What will the hydrostatic pressure be at 9,850 feet when the drill water has been circulated back to
the surface?
a. 4,815 psi
b. 4,303 psi.
c. 4,454 psi.
d. 5,164 psi.
5. In a well with gas cut mud, when is the reduction in bottom hole pressure greatest?
a. When the gas is at the casing shoe.
b. When the gas is at bottom.
c. When the gas reaches the surface.

6. Gas cut mud may reduce the bottom hole pressure enough to cause a well kick; when is bottom hole
pressure reduced most?
a. When the gas is at the bottom.
b. When the gas is near the surface.
c. When the gas is halfway up the well bore.

7. (s) Calculate the reduction in bottom hole pressure when circulating gas cut mud in the following
well:
Vertical depth = 7,000 feet
Surface to 800 feet mud weight = 11.2 ppg
800 – 2,100 feet mud weight = 11.8 ppg
2,100 feet to bottom mud weight = 12.5 ppg
Original mud weight = 12.5 ppg
a. 76 psi.
b. 101 psi.
c. 139 psi.

8. How will bottom hole pressure be affected by gas cut mud whilst drilling?
a. There will be a small drop.
b. There will be a large drop.
c. There will be no change.

9. Which of the following would be the immediate effect of swabbing?

a. Reduction in bottom hole pressure.
b. A kick.
c. Losses.
d. Increase in bottom hole pressure.
10. Which of the following are likely to increase the chance of swabbing?
(THREE ANSWERS)
a. Pulling through tight hole with the pump off.
b. Pulling pipe too quickly.
c. Pulling pipe too slowly.
d. Pumping out of the hole.
e. Pulling through tight hole with the pump on.
f. High mud viscosity.

11. Which of the following increase the risk of swabbing?

(THREE ANSWERS)
a. Low permeability formation.
b. Viscous mud.
c. Spiral drill collars in the BHA.
d. Tripping out too fast.
e. Balled up stabilisers.

12. Overpull while tripping out is a stuck pipe warning sign.

What well control problem may be associated with overpull?
a. Swabbing.
b. Losses
c. Hydrogen Sulphide gas.
d. Surging.
13. Which of the following increase surge pressures when running in the hole.
(TWO ANSWERS)
a. Small annular clearance.
b. Large bit nozzles.
c. Running-in slowly.
d. High gel strength mud.
e. Large annular clearance.
f. Low gel strength mud.

14. When pulling out of the hole from the top of the reservoir at 10,000 feet swab pressures are calculated
to be 150psi.
Mud Weight = 10.2 ppg.
Formation Pressure = 5200 psi.
Will the well flow?
a. No.
b. Yes.

15. Which of the following causes of well kicks is totally avoidable and due to a lack of alertness by the
Driller?
a. Lost circulation.
b. Gas cut mud.
c. Not keeping the hole full.
d. Abnormal pressures

16. With the pumps running continuously a light mud pill is circulated. When will bottom hole pressure
start to decrease (ignore dynamic pressure losses in the well)?
a. As soon as the pill starts to be pumped down the drillstring.
b. Once all the pill is pumped inside the drill string and is about to exit the bit.
c. Once the pill starts to be displaced into the annulus.
d. Once all the pill is in the annulus.

17. Does a kick always occur after a total loss of circulation?

a. No, it depends on the mud level in the annulus and the formation pressure.
b. Yes, losses will always occur above any potential kick zone.
c. No, it depends on the reduction in drill string weight.
18. When drilling with water based mud, a complete loss of returns occurs and no mud is visible when
looking down the hole.
What is the first action to take?
a. Pump lost circulation material immediately.
b. Pump a heavy slug into the annulus.
c. Fill the annulus with water and record the volume added.
d. Pump a cement plug into the annulus using the kill line.

19. The flow sensor shows a total loss of returns and the mud level cannot be seen in the annulus.
What immediate action should be taken?
a. Shut the well in and pump lost circulation material.
b. Fill the annulus with water (or lightest mud available) and record volume.
c. Pump at reduced rate adding lost circulation material.
d. Continue drilling ahead cautiously.

20. Severe losses occurred while drilling. The pumps were stopped and the mud in the well could not be
seen. The well was then filled to the top with water.
Mud weight 12 ppg
Sea water weight 8.6 ppg
Equivalent height of water column 150 ft of annulus
What is the reduction in bottom hole pressure with the 150 ft of water?
a. 94 psi.
b. 26 psi.
c. 67 psi.
d. 30 psi.

21. At 171/2 inch surface hole is being drilled at 3750 feet

The formation fluid pressure is 2000 psi at this depth.
Is the formation fluid pressure?
a. Above normal.
b. Below normal.
c. Normal.
22. What is meant by abnormal pressure?
a. The excess pressure due to circulating mud at high rates.
b. The excess pressure that needs to be applied to cause ‘leak-off’.
c. Heavy weight mud used to give an overbalance.
d. The formation fluid pressure that exceeds formation water hydrostatic pressure.

23. A formation is over-pressured by an artesian effect.

What has created the over-pressure?
a. Compaction of the formation by the overburden pressure.
b. A formation water source located at a higher level than the rig floor.
c. The difference in density between oil and formation fluid.

24. What is the most common cause of abnormally high formation pressures worldwide?
a. Under-compacted shales.
b. Carbonate layers.
c. Depleted sands.

25. What is the SECONDARY means used to control formation fluid pressure.
(Choose ONE answer).
a. The Blow Out Preventers.
b. Mud Viscosity
c. Mud hydrostatic pressure.
d. Cement Plugs
26. What is meant by Abnormal Pressure.
(Choose ONE answer).
a. High overbalance with heavy mud.
b. Formation fluid pressure that is greater than normal formation water hydrostatic pressure.
c. Pressure required to exceed MAASP.
d. The excess pressure due to Annular Pressure loss.
27. Which of the following are likely to increase the chance of swabbing?
(Choose THREE answers).
a. Pulling through tight hole with pump off.
b. Pulling through tight hole with pump on.
c. Pumping out of the hole.
d. Pulling pipe too quickly.
e. Maintaining high mud viscosity.
f. Pulling pipe slowly.

28. Which of the following drilling practices should be considered when connection gas is noticed?
(Choose TWO answers).
a. Increase mud viscosity.
b. Keep connection time to a minimum.
c. Reduce mud weight by a small amount.
d. Control ROP so that only one slug of connection gas is in the hole at any one time.
e. Change the bit.

29. A complete loss of returns occurs, there is no mud visible when looking down the hole. Which of the
following is the first action to take?
(Choose ONE answer).
a. Pump a cement plug below the loss zone.
b. Fill the Annulus with base fluid at the surface and record the volume.
c. Pump LCM as soon as possible.
d. Pump a heavy slug on top of the loss zone.

30. If the mud is gas cut, when will the gas cause the greatest reduction in bottom hole pressure.
(Choose ONE answer).
a. When the gas is at bottom of the hole.
b. When gas reaches the surface.
c. When the gas is at the Casing Shoe.
31. Select the factors that can cause swabbing.
(Choose THREE answers).
a. High viscosity mud.
b. Keeping the hole full.
c. Pumping out of the hole.
d. Balled up bit or stabilisers.
e. Pulling out of hole too fast.

32. Do kicks always occur following total losses.

(Choose ONE answer).
a. Yes, kicks will always occur in this situation.
b. No, it depends on the mud viscosity.
c. No, it depends on how much the mud level drops in the Annulus.

33. What is the most common cause of abnormal formation pressures.

(Choose ONE answer).
a. Trapped water in under-compacted shales/claystones.
b. Thick layers of Limestone.
c. Depleted reservoir sands.
d. Lost circulation zones.

34. If there are total losses and the mud cannot be seen in the Annulus, what action should be taken?
(Choose ONE answer).
a. Increase pump rate by 30% and continue drilling.
b. Slow down the pump and start mixing LCM.
c. Try to fill the Annulus with water (or lightest fluid available) and record volume
pumped.
d. Close the well in.
35. Swabbing is due to:
(Choose ONE answer).
a. An increase in bottom hole pressure while tripping.
b. A reduction in bottom hole pressure while tripping.
c. A kick.
d. Lost circulation.

36. During a trip, the Driller decides that the well is swabbing. A flow check is negative.
What should the Driller do next?
(Choose ONE answer).
a. Because the well is not flowing, continue pulling pipe from the hole.
b. Shut the well in and check for pressures.
c. Run to bottom and circulate bottoms up.
d. Pull 5 stands and carry out another flow check.

37. Which of the following statements are true for drilling TOP HOLE?
(Choose ONE answer)
c. Reduce SPM to prevent breaking down formation.
d. Control ROP to prevent too many cuttings in the hole.
e. Maintain high overbalance to prevent shallow gas kick.

38. How will the drilling of a gas bearing formation affect Bottom Hole Pressure?
(Choose ONE answer).
a. Bottom Hole Pressure will fall by a large amount.
b. Drilled gas in the mud, as a result of drilling through a gas bearing formation, will normally cause
a small reduction in the bottom hole pressure.
c. There will be no change in the bottom hole pressure.
39. If total losses occurred while drilling with Water based mud, what would you do? ?
(Choose ONE answer).
a. Drill blind.
b. Stop drilling, shut the well in and see what happens.
c. Stop drilling and try to fill the hole up with water.
40. If a light mud pill is circulated around the well, when will the bottom hole pressure start
to decrease?
(Choose ONE answer).
a. Once all the pill is in the Annulus.
b. When all the pill has been pumped into the drillstring.
c. When the pill starts to be pumped into the drillstring.
d. When the pill starts to be pumped into the Annulus

41. When tripping in the hole, mud returns to the trip tank are less than calculated. Once back drilling,
the return flow is less than expected. What is the most likely cause of this?
(Choose ONE answer).
a. Swabbing.
b. A kick.
c. Total losses.
d. Partial losses.

42. (S) In a clean well:-

Vertical depth : 8000 ft
Mud density : 11.50 ppg
Due to gas cutting the mud in the Annulus has the following densities:-
Surface to 800 ft : mud density of 10.20 ppg
800-2000 ft : mud density of 11.0 ppg
2000 ft to bottom : mud density of 11.50 ppg
Calculate the reduction in bottom hole pressure due to the gas cut mud
a. 20 psi
b. 70 psi
c. 85 psi
d. 108 psi
43. Measured Depth = 9800 ft
Mud Weight = 9.4 ppg
The mud from 3800 ft to surface is to be displaced with 8.5 ppg water.
What will be the mud hydrostatic after displacement of the water.
(Choose ONE answer).
a. 1680 psi
b. 2933 psi
c. 4612 psi
d. 4815 psi

44. Gas/Water Contact in a Reservoir = 5400 ft

Top of Reservoir is at 4000 ft.
Gas Gradient = 0.1 psi/ft.
Formation Water Gradient = 0.465 psi/ft
Calculate pressure at top of the reservoir? (Choose ONE answer).
a. 2511 psi
b. 140 psi
c. 2371 psi
d. 2231 psi