BASICS OF WELL

CONTROL

1
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE:
It is the pressure exerted
by a static column of fluid by virtue of its density. It depends
on the True Vertical Depth (TVD) of the fluid column and
the density of the fluid.
Hydrostatic Pressure will not depend upon the hole size
or the hole geometry.

Hydr. Press.(psi) = 0.052  Mud weight (ppg)  TVD(feet)

Ex. Mud weight = 10 ppg , TVD = 10,000 ft

Hydr. Press. = 0.052  10  10,000
= 5200 psi

2
PRESSURE GRADIENT:
It is the pressure exerted by
a fluid of a given density measured over a given unit
depth. Its unit is psi/ft.
Pressure Gradient = 0.052 × Mud weight
Pressure Gradient is also referred as Mud Gradient.

PRIMARY WELL CONTROL:

Maintenance of
sufficient hydrostatic pressure in the well-bore to control
back the formation pressure.

SECONDARY WELL CONTROL:

It involves the
proper use of B.O.P. & kill procedures for detection and
safe handling of kicks so as to re-establish the Primary
Well Control.
3
BOTTOM HOLE PRESSURE (BHP):

It is the sum total of all the pressures i.e. static,

dynamic and surface applied pressures acting on
the bottom the well.

4
1) If Form. Press. Grad. > Hyd. Press. Grad. of Salt Water
=> Abnormal Pressure

2) If Form. Press. Grad. < Hydrostatic Pressure Gradient of Fresh

Water
=> Sub-normal Pressure

3) If Form. Press. Grad. lies in between 0.433 and 0.465 psi / ft

=>Normal Pressure

5
 REASONS OF HAVING ABNORMAL
PRESSURE
• 1) UNDER-COMPACTION
In general the geological process is such that the rate
of deposition is slow and gradual, and hence the
excess water gets enough opportunity to escape to
the surrounding formations and full compaction
results.. But sometimes the rate of deposition is high
and the formation water may not be able to escape to
the surrounding formations at that proportionate
high rate and shall then support more part of the
overburden pressure.

. 6
•2)ARTESIAN EFFECT
When a water bearing permeable rock outcrops at the
surface in a mountain area then the formation fluids at
any depth are under hydrostatic pressure which is
equivalent to the height of the outcrop. Hence the
formation fluid in the valley below shall be abnormally
pressured.

If the formation water source is located above the rig

floor level, then abnormal pressure will be
encountered.

7
• 3) FAULTING

Faulting is up-thrusting of deep rocks . Due to various

geological reasons rocks from deeper depths gets
displaced up and the displacement may range from few
centimetres to kilometres. Since the formation pressure
normally increases with depth, when deep rocks get
faulted up, they have higher than normal pressure with
respect to the new depth they now occupy. Hence when
drilling across a fault , there is a possibility of
encountering abnormally high formation pressure.

8
•4) GAS CAP EFFECT
In a folded permeable formation ,
pore pressure at various places across the fold, though in
direct communication to each other, varies depending
upon the nature of the fluid trapped in the pores .
Difference in density between the gas and water causes
the abnormal pressures where hydrocarbon occur above
water. The magnitude of this pressure depends upon the
structural elevation of the hydrocarbon reservoir.

9
KICK INDICATIONS:
1. EARLY WARNING SIGNS : These are indications of
approaching higher formation pressure which means that the well
may go under-balance if no appropriate action is taken.
2. POSITIVE KICK SIGNS : These indicate that the kick has
already entered the well bore.

EARLY WARNING SIGNS:

1. Increase in rate of penetration.
2. Increase in torque and drag.
3. Decrease in Shale density : Shale density usually increases with
depth but decreases in abnormal pressure zones.

10
4. Change in cutting size and shape : Cuttings are normally small
in size with rounded edges. Cuttings drilled from abnormal
pressured formation are often long and splintery with angular edges.
As differential pressure is reduced due to increase in formation
pressure, the cuttings have a tendency to explode off bottom.
5. Change in mud properties
6. Change in ‘d’-exponent
7. Increase in chloride contents : Drilling through high pressure
formations having higher porosity results in contamination of
drilling fluid with considerable volume of saline water from pores.
This increases chloride content of the drilling fluid.
8. Increase in flow line temperature : The temperature gradient in
abnormal pressure formation is usually higher than normal pressure
formation.
11
.
9. Increase in trip, connection & background gas : An increase in
trip, connection & background gas should be considered as an
indication that pore pressure is increasing.

POSITIVE KICK SIGNS:

1. Increase in return flow ( Pump on )
2. Flow from the well ( Pump off )
3. Pit gain
4. Decrease in pump pressure and increase in pump SPM

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A Typical Blow Out
13
 WELL CONTROL
SIDPP
SICP

TVD = 10,000 ft
MW = 10.0 ppg
Hydrostatic Pr. = 0.052 x TVD x MW
= 0.052 x 10000 x 10 10,000 ft

= 5200 psi
Formation Pr. = 5700 psi 5200
psi
SIDPP = 500 psi
SICP = 700 psi

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5700 psi
LINE-UP

Manual
Valve

CHOKE MANIFOLD

15
PRESSURE STABILISATION
TIME SIDPP (psi) SICP (psi)
0900 50 100
0915 150 220
0930 240 320
0945 320 410
1000 400 500
1015 425 525
1030 450 550
1045 350 400 16
 SLOW CIRCULATING RATE
30 or 40 SPM
Drill Pipe Pressure at this SPM is called:
KRP (Kill Rate Pressure) or
SCR (Slow Circulation Rate)
WHY WELL IS KILLED AT SLOW CIRCULATING RATE
1. To reduce pressure exerted on open hole
2. To reduce pressure exerted on surface equipment
3. To reduce choke wash-out & better choke adjustments

WHILE STARTING PUMP FOR KILLING (from 0-30 spm)

• Start pump in steps of 5 SPM (0-5-10-15-20-25-30)
• During pump startup from 0 – 30 SPM, keep SICP Constant
• Once pump comes to 30 SPM, Drill Pipe Pressure is called ICP
ICP = SIDPP + KRP = 500 + 300 = 800 psi
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 SHUT- IN PRESSURES
SIDPP
DATA
SICP

• TVD = 10,000 ft
• MW = 10.0 ppg
• D/S Strokes = 1000
• Annulus Strokes = 2000
• KRP @ 30 SPM = 300 psi 10,000
• Hyd. Pressure = 5200 psi ft

• Formation Pressure = 5700 psi

• SIDPP = 500 psi
• SICP = 700 psi

18
Bring pump to 30 spm keeping SICP constant

1. Initial Circulating Pressure (ICP)

ICP = SIDPP + KRP = 500 + 300 = 800 psi

2. Kill Mud Weight (KMW)

SIDPP
KMW = Original MW +
0.052 X TVD
= 10 + 500 / (.052 x 10,000) = 10.96 ppg
3. Final Circulating Pressure (FCP)
FCP = (Kill MW / Original MW) X KRP
= (10.96 / 10) x 300 = 329 psi
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 OBJECTIVES OF WELL KILLING

TO CIRCULATE OUT THE TO REGAIN THE PRIMARY

INFLUX CONTROL

20
 WELL KILLING METHODS

CIRCULATING KILLING NON CIRCULATING KILLING

VOLUMETRIC
{ONLY FOR GAS KICK & IN SPECIAL
SITUATIONS e. g. NOZZLE PLUG,
STRING OUT OF HOLE ETC. }

DRILLER’S WAIT & WEIGHT

21
 DRILLER’S METHOD

• TWO CIRCULATION KILLING

• Ist CIRCULATION IS CARRIED OUT WITH

ORIGINAL MUD & INFLUX IS REMOVED
FROM THE WELLBORE

• IInd CIRCULATION IS CARRIED OUT WITH

KILL MUD & ORIGINAL MUD IN THE WELL
IS DISPLACED
22
 WAIT AND WEIGHT METHOD

• ONE CIRCULATION KILLING

• KILL MUD IS CIRCULATED IN THE

WELL & BOTH INFLUX AS WELL AS
ORIGINAL MUD ARE DISPLACED IN
ONE CIRCULATION

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 DRILLER’S METHOD
• Ist CIRCULATION ( ORIGINAL MUD)
 BRING THE PUMP TO KILL RATE IN STEPS,
GRADUALLY OPENING THE CHOKE, KEEPING
THE CASING PRESSURE CONSTANT

 KEEP THE DRILL PIPE PRESSURE CONSTANT

EQUAL TO ICP ( ACTUAL OR CALCULATED )
& REMOVE THE INFLUX

 STOP THE PUMP IN STEPS, GRADUALLY

CLOSING THE CHOKE MAINTAINING CASING
PRESSURE CONSTANT. SICP = SIDPP
24
 DRILLER’S METHOD
• IInd CIRCULATION ( KILL MUD)
 BRING THE PUMP TO KILL SPEED IN STEPS,
GRADUALLY OPENING THE CHOKE, KEEPING
THE CASING PRESSURE CONSTANT
 KEEP CASING PRESSURE CONSTANT AS KILL
MUD IS PUMPED SURFACE TO BIT.
 KEEP THE DRILL PIPE PRESSURE CONSTANT AS
KILL MUD IS PUMPED BIT TO SURFACE

 STOP PUMP, CLOSE CHOKE, PRESSURES = 0

25
 WAIT & WEIGHT METHOD
 BRING THE PUMP TO KILL RATE IN STEPS,
GRADUALLY OPENING THE CHOKE, KEEPING
THE CASING PRESSURE CONSTANT

 KEEP DRILL PIPE PRESSURE AS PER STEP DOWN

CHART AS KILL MUD IS PUMPED SURFACE TO BIT

 KEEP THE DRILL PIPE PRESSURE CONSTANT AS

KILL MUD IS PUMPED BIT TO SURFACE

 STOP PUMP, CLOSE CHOKE, RECORD PRESSURES

26
•KMW = 10.96 ppg
•ICP = 800 psi
•FCP = 329 psi
•ICP - FCP = 800 - 329 = 471 psi

•Drill Pipe Pressure Drop in 1000 strokes = 471 psi

•D/ Pipe Pr. Drop in 100 strokes = (471 / 1000) x 100

= 47 psi / 100 strokes

27
 STEP-DOWN PRESSURE SCHEDULE

Strokes D/P Pressure Revised Schedule

0 ICP = 800
100 800-47 = 753
200 753-47 = 706
300 706-47 = 659
400 659-47 = 612
500 612-47 = 565
600 565-47 = 518
700 518-47 = 471
800 471-47 = 424
900 424-47 = 377
934 377-48 = 329 28
 DRILLER’S METHOD

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND TWO CIRCULATIONS ARE

REQUIRED

MINIMUM CALCULATIONS MORE TIME ON CHOKE

OPERATION

NO GAS MIGRATION RESULTS IN HIGHER

PROBLEM AS NO WAITING CASING PRESSURE

29
 WAIT & WEIGHT METHOD

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

ONLY ONE CIRCULATION MORE CALCULATIONS

IS REQUIRED

LESS TIME ON CHOKE SAND SETTLING MIGHT

OPERATION HAPPEN DURING WAITING
FOR KILL MUD
RESULTS IN LOWER GAS MIGRATION TO BE
CASING PRESSURE HANDLED WHILE WAITING
PERIOD

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 SHUT- IN PROCEDURES
(WHILE DRILLING)

HARD SHUT- IN SOFT SHUT- IN

1. CLOSE BOP 1. OPEN HCR
(Any BOP - As Per API)
2. CLOSE BOP
2. OPEN HCR (Preferably Annular BOP)
3. RECORD SIDPP, 3. CLOSE CHOKE
SICP & PIT GAIN 4. RECORD SIDPP,
SICP & PIT GAIN

31
 SHUT- IN PROCEDURES
(WHILE TRIPPING)

HARD SHUT-IN SOFT SHUT-IN

1. STAB F.O.S.V. 1. STAB F.O.S.V.
2. CLOSE IT 2. CLOSE IT
3. CLOSE BOP 3. OPEN HCR
(Any BOP - As Per API)
4. CLOSE BOP
4. OPEN HCR (Preferably Annular BOP)
5. ADD KELLY, 5. CLOSE CHOKE
OPEN F.O.S.V. 6. ADD KELLY,
6. RECORDING OPEN F.O.S.V.
7. RECORDING 32
 SHUT- IN PROCEDURES
(WHILE NO STRING IN THE WELL)

• OPEN HCR
• CLOSE BOP
• CLOSE CHOKE
• RECORD SICP & PIT GAIN

33
ADVANTAGES
•Easier to install BODY
•Wire line tools can be
lowered through it

UPPER SEAT
DISADVANTAGES
•Cannot be used alone
BALL
for stripping
CRANK
LOWER SEAT

FOSV / Kelly Cock 34

DISADVANTAGES Lock screw
•Not easier to install
Release tool body
•Wire line tools cannot be
lowered through it
Release Rod

ADVANTAGES Upper body

•Can be used for stripping
Seat
•Can circulate through tool
Seal
•No back flow through tool

Spring

Lower body

Inside BOP 35
RAM BLOW-OUT PREVENTER
36
 RAM BOP
Pressure Rating:
Rating refers to the maximum pressure that BOP can control.
Following API Ratings of RAM BOP are available:
2M, 3M, 5M, 10M, 15M, 20M (1 M = 1000 psi)

Standard Sizes:
Size refers to Internal Diameter (ID) of RAM BOP. Following
API Sizes of RAM BOP are available:
71/16”, 9”, 11”, 13 5/8”, 16 ¾”, 18 ¾”, 20 ¾”, 21 ¼”, 26 ¾”, 30”

37
 RAM BOP
Manufacturing Companies:
• Cameron
• Hydril
• Shaffer
• Koomy
Types of RAM BOP:
1. Pipe Ram
2. Blind Ram
3. Variable Bore Ram
4. Shear Blind Ram
38
Piston Indicator
Hole

Wear Plate
Element Segment
Packing Element
Latched Head
Opening Chamber

Piston
Closing Chamber

Piston Seals

Wear Sleeve

HYDRIL GK ANNULAR PREVENTER

39
 MAKES of Annular BOP
HYDRIL
MSP - 0.5M, 1M, 2M – Diverter
GK - 2 to 10M - Surface
GL - 5M - Subsea
GX - 10M,15M – Surface, Subsea

SHAFFER - Spherical Annular BOP

CAMERON - D Type Annular BOP

40
 TESTING PROCEDURE
FUNCTION TEST & PRESSURE TEST

FUNCTION TEST

•To Check BOP Closing Time, which as per API should be:
RAM BOP (ALL SIZES) < 30 Seconds
ANNULAR BOP (SMALLER THAN 18 ¾” ) < 30 Seconds
ANNULAR BOP (18 ¾” & LARGER) < 45 Seconds

•To check the condition of Accumulator.

Recorded final accumulator pressure after all the functions should
not be less than 1200 psi
•At least once in a week

41
 PRESSURE TESTING BY CUP TESTER

CUP TESTER

The cup of the tester

gives effective sealing in
the casing
Limited to 70-80% of the
burst of casing & Yield
strength of drill pipe
Can not be used to test
Well
Head blind/ shear blind
CUP
Well Head can be tested
along with BOP
CUP TESTER
42
 PRESSURE TESTING BY TEST PLUG

TEST PLUG
Designed to seat in well
head and seal
Should be compatible
with type of well head
Two types: Through bore
& Blind bottom
Blind/ Shear Blind Rams
Well
Head
can be tested.

Well Head valve to be

kept open while testing
TEST PLUG
43
 PRESSURE TEST
•Clear water is considered as the best test fluid
•Lines must be properly washed before testing
•All BOP components should be tested first to a
Low Pressure of 200 to 300 psi and then to a
High Pressure
•A stable low test pressure as well as stable high test
pressure should be maintained for at least 5 minutes.
•Pressure test frequency
1.Prior to Spud or upon Installation
2.After repairs – Limited to the affected component
3.Not to exceed 21 Days

44
Initial High Pressure Test (prior to spud or upon installation)

Ram Preventers, RWP of Ram BOPs or RWP of the

Well Head, which ever is lower.
Annular BOP 70% of RWP of Annular preventer
or Ram test pressure , which ever
is lesser.

Subsequent High Pressure Tests (not to exceed 21 Days)

Ram Preventers, Maximum anticipated surface

pressure, limited to RWP of BOP
Annular BOP 70% of RWP of Annular preventer
or Ram test pressure , which ever is
lesser.
45
46
 Gas fluid
separation
Bladder

Shock
Dampner

Puppet
Spring
Safety
Relief Port
Assembly
Flow Port
Fig 5.28 ACCUMULATOR BOTTLE WITH CHARGING & GAUGIING ASSEMBLY 47
USABLE FLUID
Usable fluid is defined as the fluid that can be recovered
from Accumulator Bottles between
Accumulator operating pressure (3000 psi)
&
Maximum of following three conditions:
1. 1200 psi
2. Precharge pressure + 200 psi
3. Operating pr. Based on C/R of BOP.

48
RESERVOIR TANK :
A reservoir tank provides means for storage of Hydraulic fluid.
The capacity of the reservoir tanks should be such when
system is not pressurised the level should be about one
inches below the inspection port and when the accumulator
bottles are charged fully at 3000 psi the level of the tank
should be at least one inch above the suction valves of the
pumps used in unit.
As per API recommendation the tank capacity should
be at least two times the usable fluid.
High quality SAE - 10W hydraulic oil should be used in the
system.
Prevent Hydrate formation - Methanol and Glycol
Antifreeze - Ethylene Glycol 49
50
Figure 5.5 CAMERON ‘D’ TYPE ANNULAR PREVENTER

51
 Head
Packing Element

Adapter Ring

Opening Chamber

Piston

Closing Chamber

Figure 5.6 SHAFFER SPHERICAL ANNULAR PREVENTER

52
RESPONSE TIME
Closing Response Time begins when a function is activated at any
control panel and ends when a BOP is closed , effecting a SEAL
(Regulated pressure recovers to normal value)
SURFACE STACKS
RAMS < 30 Sec.
ANNULAR BOP, smaller than 18 ¾” < 30 Sec.
ANNULAR BOP , 18 ¾” & Larger < 45 Sec.
HCR Valves ( Open or Close ) Less than min. observed
Ram close response time

53