Bullheading

Workover Well Control Guide (Vol 15,1994 ed.) - Section H Chevron

Bullheading
• Definition
• Pump Pressure
• Considerations
• Procedure
• Drilling Applications

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Bullheading

Practice of pumping into a shut-in well to force

formation fluids back into the formation.

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 Pump Pressure
Pump
Pressure

What are the components of pump

ON
FrPsurf
pressure?
Pump Pressure =
+ Friction Pressure in Surface Lines
+ Friction Pressure in Tubing String
FrPtub + Friction Pressure Across Perforations
+ Friction Pressure in Formation
+ Reservoir Pressure
- Tubing hydrostatic pressure
Tbg HP

FrPperfs + FrPform

Reservoir pressure

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Pump Pressure
Factors affecting pump pressure:
– Formation / perforations exposed
– Formation permeability
– Formation plugging / skin
– Formation fluid
– Pump rate
– Casing & tubing size and length
– Reservoir pressure
– Kill fluid density and composition

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Pump Pressure Limitations
Surface pressure limitation for bullheading down
tubing / casing:
– Formation fracture pressure
– Tubing / casing burst rating (adjusted for condition)
– Wellhead or tree rating
– BOPE rating

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Considerations
• Planning:
– Poor permeability may prevent bullheading
– Handling of formation fluid may require bullheading

– Determine if fracturing the formation is an option

• Operational:
– Pressure differential across packer and seal assembly could be
a concern
– Pump speed must exceed gas migration rate
– Consider possibilities for reducing required surface pressure

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General Procedure
1. Calculations:
– Determine required density (ppg) and volume (bbls) to bullhead
– Establish surface pressure limitations (psi)

2. Pressure test all lines.

3. Bring the pump on slowly. Once injectivity is established,
increase pump speed without exceeding surface pressure limit.
Monitor and record pressures and volumes during the procedure.
4. Shut down when calculated volume has been pumped.
5. Read, record and monitor SITP.
6. If SITP exists, determine if it is due to trapped pressure or
underbalance.

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 Bullheading Example
SITP = 2,500 psi Well Data: Capacity Burst
9-5/8” - 47# N-80 Casing: (0.0732 bbl/ft) 6,870 psi
3-1/2” - 9.3# N-80 Tubing: (0.0087 bbl/ft) 8,640 psi

Calculations:
• Estimated avg. fluid density in tubing =
(4,500 psi – 2,500 psi)/(0.052 x 10,000’) = 3.85 ppg
HP =
2,000 psi
4,500 • KWF = 4,500 psi / (0.052 x 10,000’) = 8.7 ppg
• Vol to bullhead = 9,500 x 0.0087+ 500 x 0.0732 =120 bbls
• Initial pressure limit = 6,500 – 2,000 psi = 4,500 psi
• Final pressure limit = 6,500 – 4,500 psi = 2,000 psi

Packer = 9,300 ft

EOT = 9,500 ft

Perfs = 10,000 ft

Pore pressure = 4,500 psi Frac Pressure = 6,500 psi

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Bullheading Example
5000

4500 Max Allowable Initial Surface Pressure

4000
Fracture Zone
3500
Max Allowable Final Surface Pressure
Surface Pressure,psi

3000
Bullhead zone
Bullhead Zone
2500

2000

1500
End of Tubing
1000 Flow Zone
500

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Volume Bullheaded, bbls

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Drilling Applications
• Applications:
– Force influx back into the formation
• H2S
• HPHT gas kick

– Reduce surface pressures

• Bullheading heavy mud prior to stripping
• Gas kick volumes beyond well design limits (MASP)

• Surface pressure is usually limited by the open hole

weakpoint

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