Before commencing operations on a well, a planning meeting should be held to discuss the drilling programme. Company, Contractor, and appropriate Service Company personnel should attend the meeting. The discussion should at least include the following points: previous field experience regarding lost circulation zones, depth and magnitude of abnormally pressured formations, possible shallow gas sands, … Communicating information
It is the Company drilling supervisors’ responsibility to ensure that all drilling and workover operations are conducted in a manner which provides safe and complete well control. In this capacity he may delegate technical and supervisory tasks (but not responsibility) to others. The responsibilities of the Company drilling representative in no way reduce those of … Well Control Safety
Retainers, bridge plugs and packers should be set as deep as possible. With a shallow packer or plug, a higher fluid gradient will be necessary to control abnormal pressures which may build up below the tool. In such cases it could become impossible to control the pressure encountered when drilling or retrieving such tools without … Setting of retainers, bridge plugs and packers
How to avoid loss of primary control: mud of adequate density is used; active volumes are sufficient and continuously monitored; any change in density, volume, or return flow from the well to the active mud tanks is detected immediately and prompt corrective action taken; swab and surge pressures are kept to a minimum. Below are … Avoiding loss of primary control
Main features of a blowout contingency plan shall include: single phone call approach from the wellsite, to activate the plan. This will allow field personnel to concentrate their efforts on personnel/equipment protection and well control; emergency control centre for coordination of rescue and fire fighting operations; emergency response teams; emergency response facilities; emergency well control … Blowout contingency planning
Fluid measuring devices play an important role in the casing design of a well, because the maximum anticipated influx volume is one of the parameters used to calculate maximum safe drilling and casing setting depths. The following measuring devices are available: trip tank, trip tank chart recorder, or trip sheet; pit level indicator/chart recorder with … Fluid measuring devices
To detect a kick while the string is out of hole it is essential that drilling fluid is circulated across the well and trip tank at all times. Automatic alarms should be set to provide early audible/visual warning of an increase/decrease in the trip tank level. Should it be necessary to close the Blind/Shear Rams, … Well Control Procedure – While Out of Hole
To detect a kick while round tripping as early as possible, it shall be standard practice to use the trip tank at all times while tripping both into and out of the hole. The Driller shall be responsible for monitoring the trip tank volume at regular intervals to ensure that the hole is either taking … Well Control Procedure – While Tripping
Should an influx be detected while on bottom, the following procedure shall used: 1. RECOGNISE the kick and ALERT the crew. 2. STOP rotary table. 3. PULL BACK kelly until kelly cock is above rotary table. 4. STOP pump. 5. CLOSE ram type preventer. 6. Inform Toolpusher and Company Man. 7. OPEN hydraulic operated valve … Well Control Procedure – While on Bottom
Primary well control shall be maintained at all times. In the event secondary control becomes necessary, the well shall be brought back under control as safely as possible. For each well control operation all personnel shall have a pre-assigned task appropriate to their function. All personnel shall also ensure familiarity with Company well control procedures. … Responsibilities for Well Control