The “Wait and Weight” method is the method recommended, in some circumstances, for controlling an influx taken while drilling or circulating on bottom. When drillpipe (string) volume is greater than open hole volume, the influx will already be inside the casing before heavy mud reaches the open hole. In this case the “Driller’s Method” can … Well Kill Using Wait and Weight Method (Balanced Method)
If well kicks while tripping and the well is shut in, wait for instructions from the Drilling Superintendent. All equipment shall be arranged to implement the stripping operation. This means that: it shall be possible to accurately measure any mud volume released from the well accurate pressure gauges should be available pressure regulators on blow … Well Kill Using Combined Volumetric Stripping
Well control precautions to be used when running casing. Change the rams to the casing size (on surface stack) and test the BOP bonnets. Prepare a circulating head. Ensure a cross-over from casing to drill pipe is available to allow the string to be hung off if needed. Take care while filling up the casing. … Kicks with Casing in the BOP Stack
The detection of a kick when the drill collars are in the BOP stack is a time of concern for the safety of the crew and the drilling unit as the normal methods of secondary control using the BOP’s may fail. A kick of this nature can occur when the drill siring is being pulled … Kicks with Drill Collars in the BOP Stack
This article describes the main requirements for Pressure Testing of Well Control Equipment. Well Heads and BOP Equipment Pressure tests on the ram type preventers, other BOP equipment, wellhead components and their connections in general shall be made in line with API RP 53, but see Drilling Programme for the minimum required test pressures. Where … Pressure Testing of Well Control Equipment
A kick occurs when the hydrostatic pressure of the mud column in the well is less than the formation pore pressure, providing that the well is capable of producing. The article summarise the effects which may indicate that a kick has taken place: Primary Indicators Increase in mud return flow Note: An increase in mud … Influx Detection
Conventional well killing procedures are based upon the basis that all of the well control equipment operates as designed and the wellbore is able to withstand the imposed pressures. Mechanical problems and formation fracturing, however, occur occasionally during well killing operations causing complications with conventional procedures. Stopping the Killing Operation Killing operations may have to … Problems Encountered During Well Control
Shallow gas is defined as any hydrocarbon-bearing zone which may be encountered at a depth close to the surface or mudline. Generally it is not possible to close-in and contain a gas influx from a shallow zone because weak formation integrity may lead to breakdown and broaching to surface / mudline. This situation is particularly … Shallow Gas – Planning Guidelines
Inflow tests are generally carried out to verify if there is communication with the formation through the casing, a liner lap or past a cement plug (bridge plug). Most of the applications are in connection with testing or squeezed off perforations and casing leaks, testing liner-laps, float shoes and float collars, cement plugs and bridge … Inflow Testing Procedure
A cement plug can be used to shut off a downhole flow. However, this generally involves abandonment of the well and loss of most of the drilling tools. It is also likely that the string will become plugged after pumping the cement, precluding any second attempt if the first should not succeed. Therefore, cement plugging … Cement Plugs