WELL CONTROL

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 Learning Objectives

Describe primary and secondary well control

Explain the mechanism of a kick
List causes of kicks
Explain shut-in procedure
Explain the two well control methods commonly used
Describe the working of annular and ram preventers
Describe the layout of the choke manifold and control panel
Explain the function of the closing unit
Identify mud/gas separator

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Primary Control

Hydrostatic pressure
of the mud column Mud weight
prevents flow of 10 ppg
formation fluid into
the wellbore if it is
equal to or greater
Hydrostatic pressure on bottom of hole
than the formation 10 x 0.052 x 10,000 = 5,200 psi
pressure
Overbalance = 5,200 5,000 = 200 psi

Vertical depth = 10,000

Formation pressure = 5,000 psi

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 A Kick
Shut-in casing pressure
Shut-in drillpipe pressure 300 psi 500 psi Higher than SIDPP due to
influx in part of the annulus

A kick is an influx of Hydrostatic pressure on bottom of hole

10 x 0.052 x 10,000 = 5,200 psi
formation fluid into
the wellbore when Overbalance = 5,200 5,500 = -300 psi

the formation Well is shut-in to prevent a blow out

pressure exceeds
Drill string is still full of 10.0 ppg mud
the hydrostatic Drill pipe pressure represents magnitude
pressure of the mud of underbalance.
column. The Mud weight required to just balance the
formation pressure:
intruding fluid
could be liquid or Old MW + 300/(10,000 x 0.052) = 10.0 + 0.6

gas.
Influx enters wellbore
(Kick is taken)
Vertical depth = 10,000
Formation pressure = 5,500 psi
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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Calculation of Kill Mud Weight

SIDPP
KMW = OMW +
(0.052)(TD ) TVD

Example:

True Vertical Depth (TD)= 8,000 feet

Old Mud Weight (OMW) = 11.5 ppg
Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure (SIDPP) = 325 psi

325
Kill Mud Weight (MW) = 11.5 + = 12.28, say 12.3 ppg
0.052 x 8,000

Add trip margin of 0.5 ppg

New Mud Weight for drilling = 12.3 + 0.5 = 12.8 ppg

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Causes of Kicks

Failure to keep the hole full while tripping out

Unexpected formation pressure
Low density fluid
Lost circulation
Swabbing
Mechanical failure
Human error

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Shut-In Procedure

Kick detected while drilling

Space out
Stop pumps
Close uppermost applicable BOP
Record SIDPP, SICP, pit gain, time
Kick detected while tripping
Stab full opening safety valve, close same
Space out
Close uppermost applicable BOP
Record SICP, pit gain, time
Prepare to strip to bottom

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Well Control Methods

Drillers Method:
The influx (kick) is circulated out of the hole
immediately after the well is shut in. Kill weight mud
is pumped in the second circulation
Wait & Weight Method:
With the influx in the well, kill weight mud is
prepared at the surface and pumped in to circulate
out the kick and kill the well in one circulation

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Drillers Method -Example

First Circulation

500 1500 1500 1500 500

700 700 800 1800 500

SHUT-IN START CIRCULATE INFLUX OUT SHUT-IN

PUMP

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Drillers Method -Example
Second Circulation

500 1500 1100 1100 0

500 500 500 0 0

START KWM TO KWM TO SHUT DOWN

SHUT-IN
PUMP BIT SURFACE

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Wait & Weight Method -Example

Kill Weight Mud to Bit

500 1500 1400 1200 1100

700 700 705 715 720

SHUT-IN START 200 600 KWM TO

PUMP STROKES STROKES BIT

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Wait & Weight Method -Example

Kill Weight Mud to Surface

1100 1100 1100 1100 0

720 1500 100 0 0

KWM TO GAS TO GAS OUT KWM TO SHUT

BIT SURFACE SURFACE DOWN

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Typical Blow Out Preventer (BOP) Stack

Surface Application
Annular
Main considerations:
Size inside diameter Blind Ram
Pressure rating
Ram sizes Pipe Ram

To Choke
Kill Line
Manifold

Pipe Ram

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Typical Blow Out Preventer (BOP) Stack

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Hydril GK Annular Preventer

Piston
Indicator
Hole

1200 psi normal

operating pressure

1500 psi maximum

operating pressure

Highly wellbore
assisted

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Cameron type U Ram Preventer

Bonnet
Bonnet Bolt Ram Assembly

Operating Piston

Manual Locking Screw

Ram Change Piston Intermediate Flange
(Larger for shear rams)

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Choke Manifold

Annular C C

Blind Ram O
Pipe Ram C O O
O

C C
Pipe Ram Master C

C C

O Normally Open
C Normally Closed

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Typical Mud/Gas Separator

Outlet of the choke manifold is

connected to a mud/gas separator
The mud/gas separator is designed
to provide effective separation of
the mud and gas circulated from
the well by venting the gas and
returning the mud to the mud pits
via gravity feed
Small amounts of entrained gas
may remain in the mud and can be
removed by the degasser located
at the mud pits

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Remote Choke Control Panel

Manual
hydraulic
pump
and
handle

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 BOP Operating Unit

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Remote Operating Station

API RP 53 2nd Edition

Minimum of one remote control
panel should be provided along
with the main hydraulic control
manifold.
The controls should be clearly
marked
One station should be located
near the Drillers console and
the other should be located a
safe distance from the wellbore
near an escape route

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Jackup Drilling Rig

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 After a Blowout

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 After a Blowout

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Barge Rig Blowout

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control
 Land Rig After a Blowout

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Introduction to Drilling Well Control