HYDRAULICS / WELL CONTROL / PRESSURE ANALYSIS

PART 2 WELL CONTROL

2.1 Kicks and Blowouts

a. Typical Causes
b. Kick Detection

2.2 Leak Off and Formation Integrity Tests

2.3 Maximum Allowable Annular Surface Pressure

2.4 Well Control Methods

a. Driller’s
b. Wait and Weight
c. Concurrent

2.5 Well Control Calculations

a. Kill Mudweight
b. Initial Circulating Pressure
c. Final Circulating Pressure
d. Pressure Step Down Procedure
e. Height of Influx
f. Gradient and Type of Influx
g. Weight of Barite Required
h. Mud Volume Increase
i. Determination of Formation Pressure
j. Maximum Mud Density

2.6 Kick Tolerance

2.7 Trip Margin

2.8 Gas Migration and Expansion

2.9 Use of the QLOG Kick/Kill Program

Appendix
2.1 Kicks and Blowouts

A kick is defined as an influx of formation fluid into the wellbore which is controllable at
surface.

In order for a kick to occur:-

a) the wellbore pressure (exerted at the depth of the formation in question) must be less
than the formation pressure

b) the formation must be sufficiently permeable for flow to occur.

If a kick occurs, the priority is to prevent it from becoming a blowout where fluid flow is
uncontrollable at surface.

There are 2 types of blowout:-

1) Surface blowout, where fluids are flowing at surface

2) Underground blowout, where fluids are flowing between underground zones.

2.1a Typical Causes of Kicks

• Not keeping the hole full when tripping - When pipe is pulled out of the hole, the mud
level will drop due to the displacement of the pipe. As the mud level drops, so does
the hydrostatic pressure exerted by that mud column. If the displacement volume is
not replaced by mud and the mud level drops to such a level that the hydrostatic
pressure exerted at a particular depth falls below the formation pressure, an influx
may occur. This is the major cause of kicks.

• A decrease in hydrostatic pressure due to the affects of swabbing.

• Insufficient mudweight in an overpressured formation.

• Lost circulation. If circulation is lost, the mud level will obviously drop, again causing
a decrease in hydrostatic pressure.

• Excessive ROP through gaseous sands - if a large quantity of gas is released into the
drilling fluid, the density of the fluid will be reduced, again causing a decrease in the
hydrostatic pressure.
2.1b Detecting Kicks

• Increased ROP, or drilling break, when drilling into a formation with increased
permeability/porosity - there is therefore the potential of an influx, so drill breaks
should always be flow checked.

• Increase in Mud Flow from the annulus. If the pump rate is constant, the flow out of
the hole should remain constant. An increase could be the result of formation fluid
feeding into the wellbore.

• Increase in Pit Levels. If the flow from the annulus increases, as described above,
more mud is leaving the wellbore than is being pumped into it. The pits lined up to
the hole will therefore show an increase.

• Gas or Water Cut mud causing a reduction in the mudweight. Gas will also obviously
be seen by detectors.

• A gradual decrease in Standpipe Pressure due to the reduction in annular pressure -

this is dependant on the rate and the size of the influx. A reduction in SPP may also
be accompanied by an increased pump rate.

• Incorrect hole fill (ie the volume of mud required to keep the hole full is less than the
calculated volume) during a trip; this will normally be accompanied by excessive
swabbing.

It is very important, for the safety of the well, that these indicators be constantly
monitored and that any unexplained changes be checked by the driller.

If the changes are caused by an influx, or kick, the earlier that it is detected, the easier it
will be to control and resolve the situation.

EARLY DETECTION ⇒ FLOW CHECK ⇒ SHUT IN IF FLOWING

Important data should be kept concurrent and up to date, so that, in the event of a kick,
minimum time is wasted performing calculations:-

This data includes the following:-

Slow Circulation Rates

These are the pressures recorded for slow pump rates such as 20, 30 and 40 strokes. In the
event of having to kill a well, one such pump rate will be used. It is then important to
know the pressure that would be caused under a normal situation, and what, of the
pressure being seen during kill, is due to the influx. The SCR pressure will be used in
kill calculations to calculate the Initial and Final Circulating Pressures during a kill
circulation, when the kill mud is being pumped down to the bit. This will be looked at
shortly.

SCR pressure rates should therefore be recorded regularly by the driller:-

• every tour, if a significant interval has been drilled

• whenever there is a significant change in mud weight
• whenever there is a significant change in well/string profile
• before drilling ahead with a new bit

The Datalog engineer should ensure that he/she updates the SCR pressures in the
QLOG Kick/Kill program every time that they are recorded by the driller.

Lag Volumes and Strokes

Should be kept up to date so that minimal time is wasted in calculations - during a kill,
the strokes from the surface to bit, from the bit to casing shoe and from the casing shoe to
surface, will all have to be known precisely.

MAASP
If a kick results in a well having to be shut in, the maximum shut in pressure seen at
surface (ie that won’t fracture the formation at the shoe) must be known.
Therefore, at the time of a LOT or FIT, the MAASP should be calculated and recorded
for incremental mud weights. When the heavier kill mud is circulated, we will then still
know the maximum pressure that can be allowed at surface.
Once a well has been shut in, the following data needs to be recorded:-

SIDPP Shut in drillpipe pressure

SICP Shut in casing pressure ( ie annular pressure)
Pit Gain due to influx.

There are two types of shut in that can be performed by the driller:-

1) Soft Shut In - where the choke is open before shut in, to minimise the
shock exerted on the formation.

2) Hard Shut In - where the choke is closed prior to shut in

2.2 LEAK OFF and FORMATION INTEGRITY TESTS

A Leak Off Test is performed by shutting the well in and, with a slow pump rate,
increasing the mud pressure in the annulus until mud is injected into the formation.

This is performed in order to determine the maximum pressure that can be applied to the
formation during the drilling of the next hole section. The zone directly beneath the
casing seat is assumed to be the weakest section of the future hole, since it is the
shallowest depth, therefore Leak Off Tests are usually performed after casing has been set
and a small interval of the next section has been drilled.

Surface
Pressure
Rupture Pressure
Leak Off Pres
Propagation Pressure

Reduce Stop volume pumped or time

Strokes Pumping

Three ‘Pressure Stages’ are evident, and it is the Operators decision as to which one will
be taken as the pressure on which to base calculations:-

1) Leak Off Pressure - when fluid first starts to inject into the formation at the start of
fracture.

2) Rupture Pressure - the maximum pressure the formation can sustain before
irreversible fracture, determined by a sharp drop in the pressure
being applied.

3) If no more pressure is applied at this point, most formations will recover to a certain
degree, and the Propagation Pressure is determined when the pressure becomes stable
again.
The big disadvantage of a LOT is that the formation is actually being fractured and
weakened during the test, and the risk is that it may be permanently weakened or that a
fracture may be opened.

Most operators therefore perform a Formation Integrity Test where the pressure is
increased to a pre-determined level and held for a period of time. This pre-determined
pressure will be gauged from previous well plans and will be determined as to be
sufficient for the largest pressure anticipated during the next hole stage. Since actual Leak
Off (or fracture) will not be achieved, there is a built in safety margin.

The maximum pressure that can be applied to the formation is termed the Fracture
Pressure.

where Fracture Pressure = Hydrostatic + Applied Surface Pressure

Pressure at shoe (Leak Off Pressure)

a. Fracture Gradient (ppg emw) = PHYD at Shoe + Applied Pressure

Casing TVD x 0.052

assuming units: pressure (psi), depth (feet)

b. Fracture Gradient (kg/m3 emw) = PHYD at Shoe + Applied Pressure

Casing TVD x 0.00981

assuming units: pressure (KPa), depth (m)

Using the QLOG Leak Off Program

This program will read and record the pressure changes realtime and, at the end of the
test, will calculate the fracture pressure and equivalent mudweight. By default, the casing
pressure sensor will be the one monitored for pressure readings, so you should ensure that
the test is being conducted on the same manifold as your sensor.

Required information:-

Sampling interval, ie how often data will be recorded. Input by the user, typically 5
seconds.

TVD - taken from realtime system hole depth - this may need to be edited for the depth of
the test

Mud Density - taken from the realtime system - this may need to be edited to show the
value determined by the mud engineer and thus the value to be used for calculations.

Mud Pump or Auxiliary pump

Pump number to use - the pump output can then be determined from the pump data file.

Volume or Time - the parameter that the pressure will be plotted against. If Mud Pump is
selected above, you can select either volume or time so that the pressure will be plotted
against either the mud volume pumped or time; if Auxiliary is selected, you have to select
time here, since you will not have a stroke indicator.

Once all the data has been entered, press F3 to start. The program will then start
collecting data based on the sample interval selected.

Once the test has finished, press any key to stop the data acquisition.

Press F7 to calculate. The program will determine the maximum pressure recorded, and
from that it will calculate the Fracture Gradient in terms of Equivalent Mud Density.
Beware that the ‘Fracture Pressure’ quoted is the maximum Applied Pressure recorded
during the test, not the actual Fracture Pressure.

Use F2 or F8 to produce a printout or plot of the test.

2.3 Maximum Allowable Annular Surface Pressure (MAASP)

MAASP is defined as the maximum pressure that can be exerted on the formation (when
the well is shut in) without risk of fracturing the formation at the weakest zone. This zone
is normally assumed to be the interval directly beneath the last casing shoe although this
is not necessarily true.

MAASP is directly related to the density of the mud in the annulus between the weak
zone and the surface. It will only change as fluid density changes. It is normal practice
therefore, that when a Leak Off test is performed, the MAASP is recorded for that test
and mud density, and for incremental increases in the mud density.

At the LOT, the MAASP is clearly the pressure that is imposed at the surface, during the
test, that leads to the leak off.

After that, MAASP is defined as the difference between the maximum fracture pressure
at the shoe and the mud hydrostatic at the shoe.

MAASP = Fracture Pressure at Shoe − Hydrostatic Pressure at Shoe

Hence:

MAASP (psi) = Fract Press at shoe − (mud density x TVDshoe x 0.052)

(psi) (ppg) (ft)

= (FG − MD) x 0.052 x TVDshoe

where FG = Fracture Gradient ppg EMW

Metric equation:

MAASP (Kpa) = (FG − MD) x 0.00981 x TVDshoe

(kg/m3) (m)
EXERCISE 2a : Fracture Gradient and Maximum Allowable Annular Surface
Pressure

A Formation Integrity Test was performed at a shoe depth of 8800 ft (TVD 8502 ft)

The mudweight during the test was 9.6 ppg, and for the purposes of the test, surface
pressure was held at 3000 psi.

1) Calculate the Hydrostatic Pressure at the shoe.

2) Calculate the Fracture Pressure at the shoe.

3) Calculate the Fracture Gradient at the shoe.

4) Calculate the Fracture Gradient Equivalent Mud Weight.

5) What is the value of MAASP taken from the test ?

At 10000 ft ( TVD 9620 ft ), the mud density has to be raised to 10.2 ppg.

6) What is the Hydrostatic Pressure at the shoe ?

7) What is the new MAASP ?

Exercise 2b Fracture Gradient and MAASP

An FIT is performed at 4000m (3850m TVD) with a mudweight of 1100 kg/m3. The
pressure is held at 20000 Kpa.

1. Calculate the hydrostatic pressure at the shoe.

2. Calculate the fracture pressure.

3. Calculate the fracture gradient EMW.

4. What is the MAASP at the time of the FIT ?

5. Calculate the MAASP at the following incremental mudweights:-

1150 kg/m3

1200 kg/m3

1250 kg/m3
2.4 Well Control Methods

Drillers Method - involves 2 circulations

• Shut the well in

• Bring the pump up to the desired rate
• Circulate the influx to surface, using a constant SPM and maintaining constant
drillpipe pressure by adjusting the choke.
• Once the influx is out of the wellbore, shut the well in
• Circulate the kill mud at the kill rate maintaining a constant casing pressure.
• Pump the kill mud to the bit with constant SPM and using a pressure step down (see
next section) plan. When the kill mud is at the bit, the pressure should be at the final
circulating pressure (FCP).
• Continue to circulate, maintaining the FCP until the heavy mud is at surface.

Wait and Weight Method - one circulation

• Shut the well in and prepare the kill mud

• Bring the pump to the required kill rate and start the kill mud down the drillpipe. Use
a pressure step down plan as the mud goes down to the bit.
• When the mud is at the bit, the pressure should be at the FCP
• Bring the influx to surface maintaining the FCP with constant SPM

Concurrent

• Similar to Wait and Weight method, except that the kill circulation is begun
immediately with partially weighted mud.
• The influx is circulated out to surface with the partially weighted mud.
• During the previous circulation, kill mud is continually prepared. The procedure is
repeated with the new incremental mud weight.
• Repeat this procedure until the well is completely killed.
2.5 Well Control Calculations

a) Kill Mudweight

MWkill (ppg) = SIDPP (psi) + initial MW

TVD(ft) x 0.052

or MWkill (kg/m3) = SIDPP (Kpa) + initial MW

TVD(m) x 0.00981

b) Initial Circulating Pressure = SCR pressure + SIDPP

c) Final Circulation Pressure = SCR pressure x Kill Mudweight

Mudweight

d) Pressure Step Down Procedure

The circulation pressures are used in each well kill method when the kill mud is being
circulated from the surface to the bit.

When the kill mud is being circulated from the surface to the bit, the starting pressure
should be at the ICP and the pressure when the mud is at the bit should be at the FCP.

During this time, the pressure will be reduced in a step down fashion.

With continued circulation of the kill mud, when the mud is returning to surface (ie
bringing the influx to surface), the pressure is maintained at the FCP.
Well Kill Circulation using ICP and FCP

ICP

pressure step down

constant FCP
FCP

surface bit surface strokes

e. Height of Influx = pit gain ÷ annular volume

f. Gradient of Influx

Fluid Gradient (psi/ft) = (mud density x 0.052) − SICP − SIDPP

influx height

where mud density (ppg)

pressures (psi)
height (ft)

Fluid Gradient (KPa/m) = (mud density x 0.00981) − SICP − SIDPP

influx height

where mud density (kg/m3)

pressures (KPa)
height (m)
This gradient can then be used to determine the Type of Influx:-

psi/ft KPa/m

0.05 − 0.15 gas 1.131 - 3.393

0.15 − 0.40 gas/condensate/oil 3.393 - 9.048
0.433 fresh water 9.795
0.433 − 0.48 salt water 9.795 - 10.858

g) Weight of Barite required to increase mudweight

lbs/bbl = 1490 ( Kill MW − Original MW (ppg))

35.5 − Kill MW

h) Mud Volume increase due to barite addition

bbls = Total barite added (lbs)

1490
i) Determination of formation pressure

The formation pressure can be directly calculated from the shut in pressures at surface:

From Casing Pressure

FP = CSIP + mud hydrostatic − hydrostatic pressure of formation fluid

The hydrostatic pressure due to the formation fluid is calculated from the influx
gradient and the influx height

ie HYDfluid = influx gradient x influx height

From Drillpipe Pressure

FP = SIDPP + mud hydrostatic

j. Maximum mud density

ie the density of mud for which the resulting hydrostatic pressure during shut in would
cause the formation at the shoe to fracture.

ppg = applied Leak Off Pressure (psi) + mud hydrostatic at shoe (psi)
TVD of shoe (ft) x 0.052

kg/m3 = applied Leak Off Pressure (KPa) + mud hydrostatic at shoe (KPa)
TVD of shoe (ft) x 0.00981

k. Effective mud density at shoe ppg = mud density + CSIP (psi)

0.052 x TVD (ft)

kg/m3 = mud density + CSIP (KPa)

0.052 x TVD (m)
Exercise 2c Well Control

A kick is taken while drilling a 12 1/4” hole at 7500 feet (MD and TVD).
The present mud weight is 10.2ppg

The 13 3/8” casing shoe (ID 12.72”) is set at 4000 feet.

A leak off test performed with 9ppg mud gave a leak off pressure of 1500psi.

The pump capacity is 0.102 bbls/stroke

The drill string is composed of: drillpipe OD 5.0”, ID 4.28”

HWDP 500ft OD 5.0”, ID 3.0”
DC 600ft OD 8.5”, ID 3.0”

The last SCR’s taken gave 220psi at 30 spm.

A pit gain of 8 bbls was taken and the shut in pressures are SIDPP 280psi
SICP 330 psi

1) Calculate (bbls/ft) the pipe capacity for each section

2) Calculate (bbls/ft) the annular capacity for each section

3) Calculate the fracture gradient at the shoe.

4) At the time of the kick, calculate a) the present hydrostatic pressure

b) the present MAASP

5) Calculate the density of mud required to kill the well

6) Calculate the initial and final circulating pressures

7) Calculate a) strokes from surface to bit

b) strokes from bit to casing shoe
c) strokes from casing shoe to surface

8) Calculate the height of the influx

9) Calculate the gradient of the influx

10) What type of influx produced the kick ?

2.6 Kick Tolerance

Kick Tolerance is the maximum formation balance gradient that could be safely
controlled without risk of shoe fracture, should a kick be taken at the present TVD with
the present mud density, and the well shut in.

It therefore represents the maximum formation pressure that could be safely controlled by
shutting the well in without causing fracture. Should a greater formation pressure be
expected, a new casing string would have to be set; the deeper shoe giving a greater
fracture pressure.

Kick Tolerance = [Shoe TVD x (FG − MW) ] + MW

TVD

where FG is the minimum Fracture Gradient EMW

The weakest formation is again taken to be at the shoe, therefore the minimum fracture
gradient will be that calculated by the Leak Off test.

Worked Example:

Present TVD is 10000 feet

Present mud weight is 10.0 ppg

Shoe depth is 7500 feet TVD

Leak off performed with 9.4 ppg mudweight, yielded a 2000 psi leak off pressure.

Fracture gradient at shoe = 2000 + (9.4 x 7500 x 0.052)

7500 x 0.052

= 14.53 ppg EMW

Kick Tolerance = [ 7500 x (14.53 − 10.0) ] + 10.0 = 13.40 ppg EMW

10000

Therefore, the maximum formation pressure at the current TVD and mudweight is equal
to 13.4 ppg EMW.
2.7 Trip or Safety Margin

A Trip Margin is the mud density required in order to provide a specific pressure safety
margin or desired overbalance over a given formation pressure.

eg the formation pressure at 11000 feet TVD is 8500 psi

FP emw = 8500 ÷ (11000 x 0.052) = 14.86 ppg EMW

What is the mud density to provide a 250psi trip margin? :

= 8500 + 250 = 15.30 ppg

0.052x11000

Worked example:

A kick is taken at a TVD of 14000 ft.

The kill mud weight is calculated at 16.2ppg

What mud density would provide a trip margin of 300psi ?

trip margin = 300 + 16.2 = 16.61 ppg

0.052 x 14000

or (16.2 x 14000 x 0.052) + 300

14000 x 0.052

This parameter is typically utilised to counter the reduction in mud hydrostatic caused by
swabbing when pulling pipe.
For example, if swab pressures of 100psi were being induced during tripping, the
mudweight required to give a trip margin of 100 psi over the formation pressure could be
calculated in order to prevent the hydrostatic pressure being reduced below the formation
pressure.
Exercise 2d Kick Tolerance and Safety Margin

The current drilled depth is 8000 ft (7920ft TVD) with a mud weight of 10.5ppg.

The last shoe depth is 4500 ft (4460ft TVD). A LOT was performed with 9.5ppg mud,
yielding a surface pressure of 2000 psi.

1. What is the MAASP as determined at the time of Leak Off.

2. Calculate the fracture gradient EMW.

3. Calculate the MAASP with the current mud weight.

4. Calculate the present kick tolerance.

5. Assuming the formation pressure to be 10.0 ppg EMW, what mud density is required
to provide a safety margin of 300psi ?

The current depth is 3500m (TVD 3200m) and mudweight 1060 kg/m3.

The last shoe is at 2000m MD and TVD.

An FIT was performed with mudweight 1050 kg/m3 to a surface pressure of 8000 Kpa.

6. Calculate the Fracture Pressure and Equivalent Mudweight.

7. What is the MAASP at the current depth ?

8. Calculate the Kick Tolerence at the present depth .

2.8 Gas Migration and Expansion

Speed of Migration

How fast a gas influx is migrating up the well bore can be determined by monitoring how
quickly the pressure rises when the well is shut in.

= pressure increase per unit of time ie psi/hr = ft/hr

hydrostatic gradient psi/ft

eg depth 11000 ft
MD 11.1 ppg
pressure increase of 200 psi in 30mins

migration speed = 200 x 2 = 693 ft/hr

11.1 x 0.052

Gas expansion

Under normal conditions, as the gas rises up the annulus it will expand since the pressure
acting against the gas, ie mud hydrostatic, decreases with depth
:

Boyles Law states that P1 V1 = P2 V2

T1 T2

When the annulus is shut in, the gas can continue to rise, to a point, but it cannot expand.
The increase in CSIP seen when the well is shut in indicates that gas is still feeding in to
the wellbore from the formation. When the total pressure acting on the annulus balances
the formation pressure, the CSIP will stop increasing.

As seen in equation 2.5i, the hydrostatic pressure due to the mud in the annulus is reduced
by the hydrostatic of the influx. The CSIP is therefore a measure of the difference
between the formation pressure and overall hydrostatic pressure (Mud Hyd - Influx Hyd).
When the influx is circulated out, expansion of the gas is prevented since the well is lined
up to the choke line. As the influx rises, a rise in annular pressure will be seen since the
gas cannot expand normally.

To maintain constant hydrostatic pressure as the influx is circulated out, mud will have to
be released from the annulus in order for the gas to expand.

Vmud = ∆P x Acap
mud gradient

where Acap is the annular capacity in the top section of the hole

Example: The pressure rises by 50 psi

MW = 14.0ppg
Annular capacity = 0.047 bbls/ft

The volume of mud that has to be released in order to return the pressure to normal

= 50 x 0.047 = 3.23 bbls

14 x 0.052

This would allow the gas to expand normally as it moves up the hole.

The extent at which the gas is allowed to expand has to be balanced with the pressure
increase in the event of not allowing expansion. If the shut in pressure was to approach
the MAASP, mud would have to be released from the annulus (ie open choke) to allow
the gas to expand thus reducing the pressure in the annulus.
A rough rule of thumb is that gas volume will double if the pressure is halved.

Referring back to Boyles Law; V2 = P1 V1

P2

Hence, expanded volume = formation pressure x initial pit gain

hydrostatic pressure at any depth

Worked example:

A 10 bbls pit gain is taken at 12500 ft.

Formation pressure = 8900 psi
Mud density = 14.0 ppg

Calculate the volume of gas at 7500, 3000 and 500 feet.

@ 7500 ft, v = 89000 ÷ (14 x 7500 x 0.052) = 16.3 bbls

@ 3000 ft v = 40.7 bbls
@ 500 ft v = 244.5 bbls

The increase in volume is therefore very significant. If no expansion was allowed, the
pressure would increase significantly and risk exceeding the MAASP, thereby fracturing
the shoe. Therefore, as a gas kick travels up the annulus, both casing pressure and pit
level (ie increased mud displaced due to gas expansion) must be allowed to increase ie
balancing expansion with pressure increase.
The relation between maximum volume increase and maximum casing pressure:

CSIPmax = 200 √ (FP x V x MD) ÷ AC

where FP = formation pressure, psi x 10−3

V = pit gain, bbls
MD = balancing mud density, ppg
AC = annular capacity at surface, bbls/1000ft

Maximum pit gain = 4 √ (FP x V x AC) ÷ MD

Worked Example :-

A 10bbls pit gain is taken at 12500 ft

Form pressure is 8900 psi, balancing mud weight 13.7 ppg
Annular volume = 47 bbls/1000ft

Pmax = 200√ (8.9 x 10 x 13.7) ÷ 47 = 1019 psi

Max gain = 4√(8.9 x 10 x 47) ÷ 13.7 = 70 bbls

2.9 Using the QLOG Kick/Kill Program

This program takes data both from the realtime system and from user input. Any data
taken from the realtime system can be edited if required.

Page 1 Data

Pump speed and pressure for Slow Circulation Rates. These should be performed
regularly by the driller and the mudlogger should update this program every time they are
performed. The pump output will be calculated automatically from the pump speed and
the output stored in Realtime-Pump Data. Use ‘enter’ to update the calculation.

Pump to use - ie which pump are they going to use to circulate kill mud.

Drillpipe and Annular Capacities - calculated automatically from hole and pipe
profiles.

Original Mudweight - taken from the realtime system.

Trip Margin - enter the required pressure if a certain overbalance on the kill mudweight
is required.

Down Strokes and Lag Strokes - calculated from the current profiles, but will only be
updated if the rig is circulating and the system is
registering pump strokes. Since, when running this
program, the well is likely to be shut in, you may have
to enter the correct strokes.

Casing Burst Pressure - obtain from the drilling engineer

Depth of Last Casing Shoe - this will be taken from the hole profile but remember that
this will be measured depth. If the well is deviated, the
True Vertical Depth should be entered here.

Formation Fracture Gradient - taken from the last Leak Off or Formation Integrity
Test.
Page 2 Data

Shut in Pressures (drillpipe and casing) - these will be read from the realtime system,
but should be confirmed with the driller
when the pressures have stabilized.

Pit Volume Increase - ie pit gain due to the kick.

Pit Volume Total - this should be the total of the pits that will be used to make up and
circulate the kill mud. This volume is required to determine how
much barite is required to increase the mudweight.

Total Vertical Depth - taken from the system (hole depth) but it will have to be edited if
the kick does not occur at the bottom of the hole.

Kill Method - 1 for Drillers, 2 for Wait and Weight, 3 for Concurrent

Stroke/MW increment

For the Drillers and Wait and Weight methods, this is the stroke increment for the
pressure step down when the kill mud is being circulated to the bit (as the kill mud goes
from surface to bit, the pressure should be reduced from the Initial to the Final
Circulating Pressure).

For the Concurrent Method, it is the incremental increase in mudweight that should be
entered - the program will then determine how many circulations will be required.
Options

F7 to calculate: Initial Circulating Pressure

Kill Mudweight
Final Circulating Pressure
Maximum Allowable Casing Pressure
Total Barite Required
Sacks of Barite to Add
Fluid Invasion Type

Trip Margin Mudweight ie kill mudweight + increment necessary

to give the defined pressure overbalance

Trip Margin Sacks (of barite)

F3 for Table:

For Driller/Wait and Weight methods, this will be a table of strokes vs pressure for the
pressure step down (Initial to Final) as the kill mud is circulated to the bit.

For Concurrent method:- for each circulation required, the final pressure is shown

F2 to Print: Prints out the table above

F8 for Plot: Shows pressure reduction vs strokes for the above step down.
Exercise 2e Well Control

SIDPP (psi)
710
1035 CSIP (psi)

Bit Size: 8.5”

Casing size: 9 5/8”
LOT: 2875psi performed with 10ppg mud

Pump output: 0.119 bbls/stk

Surface line drain off: 23 bbls

Last SCR @ 30spm = 400psi

Ann Ploss is 40psi when killing well at this
rate

Drilling @ 80spm = 2900psi

Ann Ploss = 300 psi

Shoe 10350ft MD
9800ft TVD
Pipe lengths: HWDP 490 ft
DC 750 ft

Pipe capacities (bbls/ft):

DP 0.01776
HWDP 0.0088
Bit 15670 ft MD DC 0.008
14760 ft TVD

Annular Capacities (bbls/ft)

DP/CSG 0.0562
DP/OH 0.0505
HWDP/OH 0.0505
DC/OH 0.0292
The well is being drilled with a mud weight of 10.7 ppg, providing a sufficient
overbalance over the formation pressure.

At 15670ft MD, a pit gain is observed. The pumps are stopped, and a total pit gain of
43bbls is taken before the well is shut in. The shut in pressures are recorded as shown.

1) Calculate the surface to bit strokes

2) Calculate the bit to casing shoe strokes

3) Calculate the shoe to surface strokes

4) Calculate the total annular capacity

5) Calculate the drillstring capacity

Prior to the kick being taken,

6) Calculate the fracture gradient at the shoe

7) Calculate the maximum allowable mud weight to avoid fracturing the shoe

8) Calculate the ECD while drilling

Once the kick has been taken,

9) Calculate the kill mudweight

10) Calculate the formation pressure

11) Calculate the initial circulating pressure

12) Calculate the final circulating pressure

13) Calculate the ECD while killing the well at 30 spm. Assume the annulus is
completely
displaced to kill mud.

14) At the kill rate, calculate the downtime

bit to shoe time
shoe to surface time
15) Calculate the MAASP with kill mud in the hole

16) Calculate the height of the influx

17) Calculate the gradient of the influx

18) What type of kick is it ?

19) For the present depth (15670ft MD) and the new kill mudweight, calculate the
maximum formation gradient (emw) that can be safely controlled without risk of
fracturing the shoe.

20) Before drilling ahead with this new mudweight, calculate the mudweight required
to produce a trip margin of 500psi.

Verify the kill calculations by using the QLOG kick/kill program.

ie confirm the following Kill Mudweight

Initial and Final circulating pressures
MAASP with kill mud
Influx type
Trip Margin

You will need to input the following:-

SCR data for pump 1

Drillpipe Capacity (Q5)
Annular Capacity (Q4)
Mudweight
Trip Margin required
Bit to Surface Strokes (Q2 + Q3)
Surface to Bit Strokes (Q1)
TVD depth of Casing
Formation Fracture Gradient (Q7)
Shut in Pressures
Pit Volume Increase
TVD
Exercise 2f Well Control

SIDPP (KPa)
1500
1800 CSIP (KPa)

Bit Size: 311mm

Casing size: 339mm
FIT: 10000 KPa, with 1020 kg/m3 mud

Pump output: 0.016 m3/stk

Last SCR @ 40spm = 2500 KPa

Pipe lengths: HWDP 250m

DC 150m

Shoe 1000m MD
1000m TVD Pipe capacities (m3):
DP 23.82
HWDP 1.13
DC 0.68

Annular Capacities (m3)

DP/CSG 70.29
DP/OH 101.28
Bit 3000m MD HWDP/OH 15.82
2650m TVD DC/OH 6.54

The well is being drilled with a current mudweight of 1045 kg/m3 when a 5m3 pit gain is
taken. The well is shut in and pressures recorded as shown above.
1. Calculate the surface to bit strokes

2. Calculate bit to casing shoe strokes

3. Calculate shoe to surface strokes

From the FIT....

4. What is the fracture pressure at the shoe ?

5. What is the maximum equivalent mudweight to avoid fracturing the shoe ?

When the kick has been taken...

6. Calculate the mudweight required to kill the well

7. Calculate the initial circulating pressure

8. Calculate the final circulating pressure

9. Calculate the MAASP when kill mud is in the hole

10. Calculate the height of the influx

11. Calculate the gradient of the influx

12. What is the fluid causing the kick

Before drilling ahead with the kill mudweight....

13. What is the kick tolerance at the present depth ?

14. What mudweight would provide a trip margin of 2000 KPa ?

Appendix: Answers to Exercises

Exercise 2a Fracture Gradient and MAASP.

1) 4244 psi

2) 7244 psi

3) 0.852 psi/ft

4) 16.39 ppg EMW

5) 3000 psi

6) 4509 psi

7) 2735 psi

Exercise 2b Fracture Gradient and MAASP

1. 41545 Kpa

2. 61545 Kpa

3. 1630 kg/m3 EMW

4. 20000 Kpa

5. 18111 Kpa
16223 Kpa
14334 KPa
Exercise 2c Well Control

1) drillpipe 0.0178 bbls/ft

HWDP 0.00874 bbls/ft
DC 0.00874 bbls/ft

2) drillpipe/casing 0.13289 bbls/ft

drillpipe/hole 0.12149 bbls/ft
HWDP/hole 0.12149 bbls/ft
DC/hole 0.07559 bbls/ft

3) mud hydrostatic = 1872psi

fracture pressure = 3372 psi
fracture gradient = 0.843 psi/ft
EMW = 16.21 ppg

4) a) hydrostatic = 3978 psi

b) MAASP = 1250 psi

5) 10.92 ppg

6) ICP = 500psi
FCP = 236psi

7) a) 1216
b) 3902
c) 5211

8) 106 feet

9) 0.058 psi/ft

10) gas
Exercise 2d Kick Tolerance and Trip Margin

1. 2000psi

2. 18.12 ppg EMW

3. 1767 psi

4. 14.8 ppg EMW

5. 10.73 ppg

6. 28606 KPa, 1458 kg/m3

7. 7809 KPa

8. 1309 kg/m3
Exercise 2e Well Control

1) 2240

2) 2123

3) 4888

4) 834.3 bbls

5) 266.6 bbls

6) 7971 psi = 0.813 psi/ft

7) 15.64 ppg emw

8) 11.1 ppg emw

9) 11.63 ppg

10) 8923 psi

11) 1110 psi

12) 435 psi

13) 11.68 ppg emw

14) 75 mins
71 mins
2 hrs 43 mins

15) 2044 psi

16) 685 ft

17) 0.082 psi/ft

18) Gas

19) 14.3 ppg emw

20) 12.3 ppg

Exercise 2f Well Control

1. 1602

2. 7727

3. 4393

4. 20006 KPa

5. 2039 kg/m3

6. 1103 kg/m3

7. 4000 KPa

8. 2639 KPa

9. 9186 KPa

10. 114.7m

11. 7.636 KPa / m

12. Condensate or Oil

13. 1456 kg/m3 emw

14. 1180 kg/m3