Aberdeen Drilling School - HPHT

10" VENT
MGS
PRESSURE
SENSOR
VENT TO TOP OF
DERRICK
8
FROM C & K
MANIFOLD, 4" PIPE
36" DIAMETER
MUD - GAS
SEPERATOR
DOWNSTREAM
CHOKE TEMP.
SENSOR
DRILL FLOOR LEVEL
REMOTELY
ACTUATED
TO MUD/GAS
SEPARATOR
REMOTE
CHOKE
TO SHALE SHAKER
MANUAL
CHOKE
MANUAL
CHOKE
REMOTE
CHOKE
DOWNSTREAM
CHOKE TEMP.
SENSOR
TO PORT
FLARE LINE
MAIN DECK LEVEL

6 Meters
DIP TUBE
PRESSURE
SENSOR
TO
STARBOARD
FLARE LINE
7
UPSTREAM KILL
LINE TEMP.
SENSOR
DATA MONITORING SYSTEM

AND BYPASS CONTROL UNIT
MGS
STBD
PORT
DIP TUBE
PRESSURE
MGS
OPEN CLOSED
OPEN CLOSED
OPEN CLOSED
PRESSURE
TO SHALE
SHAKER
BOP
7
8
TEMP.
TO CEMENT UNIT
MUD PUMPS
1,2
UPSTREAM
CHOKE LINE
TEMP.
GLYCOL
INJECTION
POINT
CHOKE LINE
KILL LINE
UPSTREAM
CHOKE TEMP.
SENSOR
DECK LEVEL
UPSTREAM
KILL LINE
TEMP.
ALARM
DOWNSTREAM
CHOKE
TEMP.
REMOTE CHOKE AREA
SEA LEVEL
5,6
SUBSEA TEMP.
SENSOR
2
FLEX JOINT
ANNULAR
PREVENTEE
SUBSEA TEMP.
SENSOR
RD
CE
LC
& WEL
ON
N TRE
OL S
ABE
D RI L LI N G S
HO
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
Aberdeen Drilling Schools

&Well Control Training Centre
HIGH PRESSURE
HIGH BOTTOM HOLE TEMPERATURE
HPHT
This course has been prepared by Aberdeen Drilling Schools
using industry standard HPHT operational guidelines.
OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
To introduce HPHT operations and highlight the concerns
and hazards of drilling HPHT wells.
To encourage operational personnel to offer suggestions
and recommendations to improve the existing guidelines
and procedures for drilling HPHT wells.
To promote team building between onshore and offshore
drilling personnel.
50 Union Glen, Aberdeen AB11 6ER, Scotland, U.K. Tel: (01224) 572709 Fax: (01224) 582896
E-mail info@aberdeen-drilling.com
www.aberdeen-drilling.com
CONTENTS
Section
1
COURSE INTRODUCTION
GAS BEHAVIOUR, KICKS AND CONTROL
GAS SOLUBILITY IN OBM'S - EFFECTS ON KICK

BEHAVIOUR
RIG EQUIPMENT SUMMARY
SURFACE GAS HANDLING CAPACITIES AND

PROCEDURES FOR HPHT WELLS
DRILLING AND WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES FOR

HPHT WELL PROGRAMMES, TRAINING AND
COMMUNICATION
SHUT-IN PROCEDURES AND DECISION TREES
BULLHEADING OVERVIEW
VOLUMETRIC METHOD OF WELL CONTROL
10
STRIPPING
11
THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURES AND

PRESSURES ON MUDS
12
THE EFFECTS OF BOREHOLE BALLOONING ON

DRILLING RESPONSES
13
MANAGEMENT OF OPERATIONS
14
SAMPLE HPHT WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES (SEMI)
15
SAMPLE HPHT WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES (JACK-UP)
Appendix 1.
UKOOA GUIDELINES FOR HPHT WELLS
Appendix 2.
NPD GUIDELINES FOR HPHT WELLS
Appendix 3.
HPHT MUD PRESENTATION
Appendix 4.
HPHT CEMENT PRESENTATION
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
1.1
GENERAL OVERVIEW
1.2
LEARNING FROM THE PAST
OL S
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1. COURSE INTRODUCTION
D RI L LI N G S
HO
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HPHT Course
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HPHT Course - Section 1
1.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW
HSE Definition for HPHT Wells:

Where the undisturbed bottomhole temperature is greater then 150o C/300o F
and where either the maximum anticipated pore pressure of any porous
formation exceeds 0.8 psi/ft., or pressure control equipment with a rated
working pressure in excess of 10,000 psi, is required.
1.2 LEARNING FROM THE PAST

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF HPHT WELLS
(A)
Primary Well Control

B.H.P. > Pf
(i.e.) Mud
(B)
Secondary Well Control

B.O.P.E. Equipment
(C)
Tertiary Well Control

Special or Unusual Problems
1-2
DRILL PIPE
ANNULUS
DRILL PIPE
PRESSURE
CASING
PRESSURE
1220 psi / 84 bar
800 psi / 55 bar
MUD HYDROSTATIC
PRESSURE IN THE
DRILL PIPE
MUD HYDROSTATIC
PRESSURE IN THE
ANNULUS
8613 psi / 594 bar
9100 psi / 628 bar
67 psi / 5 bar
TOTAL PRESSURE
ACTING DOWN
(9100 + 800 = 9900 psi)
(628 + 55 = 683 bar)
9900 psi / 683 bar
9900 psi / 683 bar
TOTAL PRESSURE
ACTING DOWN
(8613 + 1220 + 67 =9900 psi)
(594 + 84 + 5 = 683 bar)
9900 psi / 683 bar
FORMATION
PRESSURE
9900 psi / 683 bar
9900 psi
683 bar
DRILL PIPE :
SIDPP + HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE OF MUD = FORMATION PRESSURE
ANNULUS :
SICP + HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE OF MUD + HYDROSTATIC
PRESSURE OF INFLUX = FORMATION PRESSURE
1-3
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
SUBJECT :
DISPERSED / NON DISPERSED INTRUSIONS / KICKS
W.B.M.
O.B.M.
WHAT HAPPENS :
BASIC PHYSICS ?
THE WORD IS -
PREVENTION !
EARLY DETECTION !
YOU WORKING AS A TEAM IS THE
1-4
KEY.
OPERATION IN PROGRESS
WHILE THE KICK OR BLOWOUT OCCURRED
DRILLING COMPLETION WORKOVER (WELL KILLED)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Bit on bottom
Pulling out of hole (POOH)
Going in hole (GIH)
Circulating
Fishing
Logging
Casing running
Primary cementing (incl. Nipping down BOP)
Drill stem testing
Exchanging BOP Xmas tree (excl. cementing)
Running tubing and packer
Killing
Perforation
Squeeze cementing
Stimulation
Cleaning
Gravel packing
Pressure testing (Production well alive)
Regular production
Production testing
Wireline work
Maintenance (Xmas tree, wellhead)
Freezing
Production logging
Testing of safety valves
Stimulation (without killing)
Gas lifting
Misc. concentric tubing operations
Water injection
Gas injection
Operation unknown
NUMBER OF
BLOWOUTS
19
17
4
3
2
1
2
9
1
3
1
1
1
1
6
4
4
1
1
1
18
100
* Worldwide statistics based on case histories.

1-5
WELL CONTROL INCIDENT RATE

for NORMAL PRESSURE WELLS
Incident in 20 to 25 Wells
or
4% - 5%
* Worldwide statistics based on verbal survey of oilfield personnel.
WELL CONTROL INCIDENT RATE

FOR HPHT WELLS WITH ABNORMAL PRESSURES
1 to 2 Incidents per Well

or
100% to 200%
* Worldwide statistics based on verbal information supplied by N.S. Operating Companies.
1-6
HUMAN FACTORS REVIEW

FOR OFFSHORE BLOWOUTS DURING DRILLING,
COMPLETION OF WORKOVER
INATTENTION TO OPERATIONS
26%
INADEQUATE SUPERVISION/WORK PERFORMANCE
20%
IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT
21%
IMPROPER INSTALLATION/INSPECTION
INADEQUATE TESTING
INADEQUATE DOCUMENTATION
IMPROPER METHOD PROCEDURE
11%
IMPROPER PLANNING
12%
NO DIRECT HUMAN ERROR INVOLVED
2%
2%
8%
* Worldwide statistics based on case histories.

1-7
CAUSES OF
PROBLEMS AND LOST WELLS
1-8
RIG AND SYSTEM PRESSURE CAPABILITIES
LACK OF PORE PRESSURE KNOWLEDGE

AND SIGNAL NEGLIGENCE
WILDCAT TYPE GEO PROGNOSIS
TOO SHALLOW SETTING OF INTERMEDIATE

CASING
LACK OF CASING PROGRAMME FLEXIBILITIES
OPERATIONAL MISCONDUCT
COMMON DIFFICULTIES
KICKS
(AVERAGE KICK FREQUENCY : 2 PER HPHT-WELL)
PROBLEMS GETTING THE WELL KILLED
LOST CIRCULATION
STUCK PIPE
1-9
WELL CONTROL AND HOLE CONSIDERATIONS
4 to 7 PPG / .48 to .87 SG

OPERATING MARGIN
1 2 3 4
FRACTURE
PRESSURE
PORE
PRESSURE
NORMAL
PRESSURE
D
E 13,000 ft 4000 mtr
P
T
H
TRANSITION
ZONE
1 to 2 PPG / .12 to .24 SG
OPERATING MARGIN
PRESSURE
1)
2)
3)
4)
1 - 10
ABNORMAL
PRESSURE
SAFE TRIP MARGIN

ECD OVER BALANCE
SWAB AND SURGE PRESSURE
SAFETY FACTOR
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
2.1
THE BEHAVIOUR OF GASES
2.2
REAL GAS BEHAVIOUR
2.3
CHANGE OF STATE FROM P1, V1, T1 AND Z1 TO STATE 2
2.4
STANDARD CONDITIONS
2.5
GAS EXPANSION RATIO
2.6
GAS KICK AND EXPANSION WHILE CIRCULATING OUT
2.7
DISPERSED KICKS AND NON-DISPERSED KICKS
2.8
GAS MIGRATION EFFECTS
2.9
KICK TOLERANCE
REFERENCES FOR SECTION 2
OL S
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2. GAS BEHAVIOUR, KICKS AND CONTROL
D RI L LI N G S
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HPHT Course
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2.1 THE BEHAVIOUR OF GASES

Gases and liquids are both fluids. That is they can both flow or be pumped.
Gases are compressible whereas liquids are almost incompressible. This means
that a change of pressure will cause a large change of volume of a gas, but the
same change of pressure will cause only a very small change of volume of a liquid.
Gases can be changed into their associated liquids at the correct conditions of
pressure and temperature. This means that a gas is an evaporated (or boiled-off)
liquid and a liquid is a condensed gas.
An equilibrium mixture of a gas and droplets of its associated liquid is called a
vapour.
When the pressure or temperature of a gas change then the volume also changes
according to the appropriate gas laws.
The basic equation of state for a unit of mass (ie 1 mol) of a perfect or ideal gas is:PxV=RxT
Where P
V
T
R
[Eqn 2.11]
=
=
=
=
the pressure in the gas, in absolute units.

the gas volume.
the temperature of the gas, in absolute units.
the Universal Gas Constant. The value of this depends on the
system of units in use, as shown below in TABLE 2.1.
1 mol = a mass of gas, expressed in lbm or Kg, equal to its molecular weight.
When the mass of gas is n mols, then the equation of state for a perfect gas becomes:PxV=nxRxT
[Eqn 2.11a]
TABLE 2.1
Pressure
units
abs.
Volume
units
lbf/ft2
lbf/in2
N/m2
bar
cu.ft
US gal
cu.m
cu.m
Temperature Value of
units
constant R
abs.
R
R
K
K
1545
80.3
8314
0.08314
For R = 1545 its units are ft lbf/lb-mol/R.

For R = 8314 its units are N m/KG-mol/K (or Joules per Kg-mol/K)
2-2
NB Pressure and temperature units are in absolute terms,

Abs pressure = gauge pressure + atmospheric correction
Abs temperature
= F + 460 = R (ie deg Rankine) or

= C + 273 = K (ie deg Kelvin).
For oilfield units, the ideal gas equation becomes:

P x V = n x 80.3 x T
Where P
V
T
mass
NB:
=
=
=
=
[Eqn 2.12]
pressure in psia.
gas volume in US gallons.
gas temperature in R absolute.
n lb-mol.
For all gases 1 lb-mol has a volume of 359 cu ft at a pressure

of 1 atmosphere and a temperature of 32F or 1 Kg-mol occupies
22.41 cu m at 1 atmosphere and 0C.
(Avogadros Hypogthesis of 1811).
WORKED EXAMPLE 2.1

What is the volume of 8 lbm of methane gas (Mol wt = 16) at a pressure of 350 psia
and a temperature 100F?
SOLUTION
By definition, the number of lb mols of mass of a gas is:
n = mass(in lbm) / Molecular weight.
In this case, n = 8/16 = 0.5 lb-mol.
Then, in 2.11a, 350 x V = 0.5 x 80.3 x (460 + 100)
Hence
V = 0.5 x 80.3 x 560 / 350 = 64.24 gal

= 64.24/42 = 1.5295 bbl = 8.588 cu ft.
2-3
2.1.1 Units Systems and Units Conversions.

In many cases drilling operations are planned using a system of units which is
either the SI or Oilfield systems. Some conversion factors between the two systems
are shown in TABLE 2.2.
TABLE 2.2
Quantity
Depths
Volumes
Density
Pressure
Press grad
Pipe dias
Capacities
Other dimensions
Weight, force
Mass
Temperature
Flowrates
SI OR METRIC
metres
litres
Kg/litre (or SG)
bar
bar/10m
litres/m
Kg
cm
1 atmosphere
C
->
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Units used
Oilfield Units
metres
litres or cu metres
Kg/litre(ie SG)
N/m2 or bar
bar/10m
mm
litres/m or cu.m/m
cm or m
Kgf
Kgm
C
litres/min
feet
US barrels or gallons
lbm/US gallon (ie ppg)
lbf/in2, ie psi
psi/ft
ins
bbl/ft
ins or ft
lbf or tonf
lbm or tonm
F
bbl/min or gal/min
TO
->
3.281
0.2642
8.33
14.504
0.4415
0.0001917
2.2046
2.54
14.695
1.8 + 32
OILFIELD
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
ft
US gallons
ppg
psi
psi/ft
bbl/ft
lb
ins
psia
F
In some cases metric pressure in units of Kgf/cm2 may be used. In this case the
added conversions are:
Kgf/cm2
x
14.22
2
Kgf/cm /10m
x
0.433
(ie SG)
1 atmosphere = 1.0332 Kgf/cm2
=
=
psi
psi/ft
In the above table, to convert from Oilfield units to SI, then divide the Oilfield unit
value by the above listed conversion factors.
2-4
2.2 REAL GAS BEHAVIOUR

Real gases do not behave exactly according to the ideal equation of state [2.11a]
given above, particularly at high pressures and temperatures. To account for such
variations the equation of state is modified to the form:PxV=nxZxRxT
[Eqn 2.21]
Where Z = the gas compressibility or gas deviation factor.

A graph of Z value variation is shown in FIG 2.1.
The value of Z depends upon the SG of the gas, its pressure and temperature. The
value of Z is 1 at atmospheric conditions and it varies between 1, down to about 0.6
and then up to a value which may be greater than 2.4. The variation of Z for a gas
with a molecular weight of 23.5 is as is shown in FIG 2.1.
An iterative method of calculating the value of Z is contained in the paper How to
Solve Equation of State for Z-Factors by L.Yarborough and K.R.Hall. SPE Reprint
Series No 13 Vol 1 (1977) pp 233-235.
FIG 2.1
2.2
200 OF
GAS COMPRESSIBILITY FACTOR Z
2.0
150 OF
250 OF
1.8
1.6
300 OF
1.4
1.2
Z = Value of Gas
300 OF
1.0
Mol. Wt = 23.5
SG = 0.8114 (Relative to air)
150 OF
0.8
0.6
0
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
GAS PRESSURE 1000'S (psia)
2-5
2.2.1: The density and pressure gradient of a real gas, of molecular weight M, in
oilfield units and in SI units is given by:Density
P.M
Oilfield : w = (ppg)
80.3 x Z x T
SI
.001 x P x M
: w = (Kg/l)
8314 x Z x T
Pressure gradient
Gg = 0.052 x w (psi/ft)
Gg = 0.981 x w (bar/10m)
= 0.433 x w (psi/ft)
The specific gravity of a gas is measured relative to the density of air rather than
fresh water. (As for liquids and solids.)
The SG of a gas relative to air is then:
Density at standard conditions
SGg =
Density of air at standard conditions
= Gas molecular wt / 28.964
[Eqn 2.22]
WORKED EXAMPLE 2.2

A gas has a pressure of 12000 psia and a temperature of 300F. The molecular
weight is 23.5. What will be its density and pressure gradient. Use FIG 2.1 for the Z
value.
SOLUTION
From FIG 2.1 at 12000 psia and 300F, the Z value is 1.59. Substituting this into
the density formula (TABLE 2.2), gives:
PxM
12000 x 23.5
w = =
80.3 x Z x T
80.3 x 1.59 x (300 + 460)
= 2.906 ppg 0.349 SG relative to water.
Gg = 0.052 x ppg = 0.052 x 2.906 = 0.151 psi/ft
2-6
2.3 CHANGE OF STATE FROM P1,V1,T1 AND Z1 TO STATE 2

If a gas undergoes a change of state from conditions of P1, V1, T1 and Z1 to those
at a new condition of P2, V2, T2 and Z2 (as shown in FIG 2.2) then, from
Eqn 2.21 :
PV/ZT = constant = R, then:P2 x V2
P1 x V1
=
Z1 x T 1
Z2 x T2
[Eqn 2.31]
This assumes that the gas remains as a gas and that there is no change of mass by
leakage or addition.
FIG 2.2
State 1
P1 V1
Z1 T1
Expand
Compress
State 2
P2 V2
Z2 T2
P1 V1
P V
= R = 2 2
Z1 T1
Z2 T2
2.3.1 Boyle's Law
Boyles Law (1662) is a simplification of the above statement in which the
temperature and compressibility products are taken to be constant ie:
P1 x V1 =
P2 x V2
[Eqn 2.32]
Boyles Law is commonly used in drilling practice to give an approximate answer.

If the Z and T values are not constant, the use of Boyles Law will produce errors
which may be interpreted as being on the safe side. However, in some shallow
wells, Boyles Law may be quite accurately applied.
2-7
2.3.2 Gas Gradient

The density of a gas is proportional to the gas pressure. The gas pressure gradient
formula is given above in 2.2.1.
As a gas bubble is expanded to the surface, its pressure and its pressure gradient
must change (and reduce). However, it can be shown that, as the gas bubble
expands and its gradient reduces, the length of the gas bubble increases so that
the total pressure drop across the bubble is constant for constant T and Z
conditions.
2.4 STANDARD CONDITIONS

In oilfield practice, gas volumes are usually compared by reference to Standard
Cubic Feet (SCF) or Standard Cubic Metres (SCM).
The standard volume of a gas (Std cu m) is the equivalent volume which the gas
would occupy at standard atmospheric conditions of 14.695 psia (usually quoted as
14.70) (1.0132 bar) and 60F (15.6C). The value of Zs is taken as 1. Thus a gas
which has a volume of V (cu ft) at P, T and Z will occupy a standard free volume (cu
ft) of:P x V x 520 x 1
Vs = =
14.70 x T x Z
35.37 x P x V
TxZ
[Eqn 2.41]
2.5 GAS EXPANSION RATIO

Expanded volume at surface (Std conditions)
Gas expansion ratio =
Original volume at downhole conditions
Vs
35.37 x Pbh
Expn ratio = =
V
Zbh x Tbh
[Eqn 2.51]
Where : Pbh = downhole pressure, psia units.

Tbh = downhole gas temperature, R units.
Zbh = value of gas compressibility factor at the downhole conditions.
Vs
284.8 x Pbh
For SI Units, the expansion ratio is =
V
Zbh x Tbh
The expansion ratio of 1 unit of methane gas expanded from a TVD of 14000 ft in a
well with 18.2 ppg mud and BHT of 300F is shown in FIG 2.3.
2-8
FIG 2.3
Assumed Conditions
(Est)
Temp
F
Specific
Volume of
Methane
ft3 /lb
Depth
ft
Volume
of Gas
ft 3.
85
23.0
354
564
130
0.7
600
10.7
940
135
0.4
1000
6.1
Pressure
(18.1ppg)
PSIG
SURFACE VOLUME 354 ft3

23 ft3
878 ft3
(5.1)
1880
150
0.195
2000
3.0
(2.91)
3760
180
0.115
4000
VOLUME OF GAS (INCREASING)
1.77
(1.58)
5640
210
0.08
6000
1.23
VOLUME OF GAS (INCREASING)
(1.32)
7520
235
0.073
8000
1.12
(1.16)
9400
260
0.068
10000
1.05
(1.08)
EXPANSION
Real Gas Law
11280
280
0.064
12000
Boyle's Law
0.98
(1.03)
13160
300
0.065
14000
1 ft3 BOTTOMHOLE
Volume of 1 ft3 of
Methane at BottomHole
Condition
Figures in brackets
are for 10.5ppg
Mud and 260 bht
2-9
This produces a straight ratio, ie SCF/downhole cu ft,

or bbl/ downhole bbl,
or SCM/ downhole cu m,
or SC litres/litre downhole.
A graph of calculated expansion ratios for a gas (23.5 Mol.Wt) for a well of about
16000 ft TVD (4900m) and with a mud density programme as specified, is shown
in FIG 2.4.
FIG 2.4
1.56 SG
1.77 to
2.01 SG
1.66 SG
340
320
300
280
Estimated Gas Influx.
260
Expansion Ratio from

Bottom Hole to Standard
Surface Conditions.
240
Gas MW = 23.5
GAS EXPANSION RATIO

3
(m at surface per. m at formation)
360
220
2000
3000
4000
CURRENT TVD of Drilling (m)
2 - 10
5000
2.5.1 WORKED EXAMPLE:

A 10 bbl (1590 litre) gas kick is taken at 15420 ft (4700m) TVD in a well with 1.95
SG mud and the SIDPP is 350 psi (24.13 bar). The downhole temperature is
estimated to be 320F (160C) and the downhole Z value of the gas is 1.677.
Question:
Calculate (a) the overall gas expansion ratio.
(b) the rate of gas production in Standard Cubic Feet, if the slow
circulation rate is 2.5 bbl/min (397 litres/min).
(c) the time to drive the gas out of the choke, if the gas expansion
ratio to the choke is 6.5:1
Solution:
Part (a):
Pbh =
=
=
Tbh =
The bottom hole pressure of the gas influx is:

SIDPP + mud hydro = SIDPP + Gm x TVD
350 + 1.95 x 0.433 x 15420
13370 psig = 13385 psia (935 bar)
320 + 460 = 780R
Then the expansion ratio is:

Vs
35.37 x Pbh
35.37 x 13385
= =
Vbh
Zbh x Tbh
1.677 x 780
= 361.9 : 1 Std CF/Res CF
(or Std cu m/Res cu m)
Part (b) : The rate of production of gas at the surface for a slow circulation rate of
2.5 bbl/min is then:
Surface gas rate = 361.9 x 2.5 = 904.75 Std bbl/min
= 904.75 x 5.615 x 1440 SCF/day
= 7.315 MMSCF/D (0.207 MMSCM/D)
Part (c) : The expanded gas volume at the choke is:

Vchk = 6.5 x 10 = 65 bbl (10.335 cu m)
Time to exhaust = 65/2.5 = 26 minutes at the choke.
2 - 11
2.6 GAS KICK AND EXPANSION WHILST CIRCULATING OUT

Prediction of Maximum Pressures at the Casing Shoe and Choke. Refer to
FIG 2.5.
FIG 2.5
SIDPP
Lgas
TVD - D
Depth of
Interest Di
SICP
Mud
Gm
m
bbl
Linear
Capacity
Ca =
Gm
Gas
Gi
Vg
Mud
Gm
Pbh
Ppore
Initial assumptions
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
The Drillers Method is used initially.

Temperature is constant.
An ideal gas is used ie Z = 1 = const.
The kick is not dispersed.
Pressure drop across the gas is neglected.
The maximum pressure Pi at any depth of interest Di below the surface occurs
when the top of the gas bubble is adjacent to the point at depth Di.
2 - 12
Then:Pi = Pbh - Gm x (D - Di - Lg)

Where D
Lg
Gm
Pbh
=
=
=
=
[a]
TVD (ft or m)
length of gas at Di (ft or m)
current mud pressure gradient (psi/ft or N/m2/m)
bottom hole pressure (absolute) at shut-in, (psia or N/m2abs)
NB:The above equation is written in consistent units.

Hence by further algebraic arrangement:
Pi = 0.5 x (b2 + 4c) + 0.5 x b
Where b
c
Pdp
Vg1
Ca
[Eqn 2.61]
=
=
=
=
=
SIDPP + Gm.Di
Gm x Vg1 x Pbh/Ca
SIDPP ( psia or N/m2abs)
initial influx volume (bbl or cu m)
the linear capacity of the annulus at the level of the depth
of interest Di in units of bbl/ft or cu m/m.
Pi = maximum pressure at depth Di (psia or N/m2abs)
The pit gain at the depth of interest Di is then:

Vg
= Vg1 x Pbh/Pi
[Eqn 2.62]
And the pressure at the choke is then :

Pchk = Pbh x ( 1 - Vg1 x Gm/Pi)
[Eqn 2.63]
To calculate the maximum pressure at the casing shoe, substitute Dshoe in place of
Di. To calculate the maximum pressure at the choke, substitute 0 for Di. The above
analysis is primarily for a surface BOP stack. For a sub-sea well head, the method
can be adapted .
2 - 13
2.6.1 CORRECTIONS for Z, T and W & W Method

The above anaylsis ignores changes in temperature, gas Z values and also the
pressure drop across the gas influx. Corrections for those can be made and
incorporated into the values of coefficients b and c as well as modifying the
analysis for the Wait and Weight method of pressure control.
Those corrections are summarised below in TABLE 2.3.
TABLE 2.3
Condition
Driller's Method
W & W Method
1. As above, but
also include
gas gradient.
b = Pdp + Gm x Di - d Pg
d Pg = H1 x Gg
Pdp x Vds
b = + Gk D1 - d Pg
D x Ca
C = no change
C = Gk x Vg1 x Pbh/Ca
b, as in 1 above.
b, as in 1 above.
2. As in 1 above
and include
change g T and
Z values.
C=
Gm x Vg1 x Pbh x Ti x Zi
Ca
Tbh x Zbh
Vg = Vg1 x Pbh x Ti x Zi
Pi x Tbh x Zbh
Where :
C, as for driller's, but

use Gk instead of Gm.
Vg, as for Driller's.
Vds= Total volume of drillstring, litres or bbls.

Gg = Gas gradient, Kgf/cm2/m or psi/ft.
Gk = Kill mud gradient, Kgf/cm2/m or psi/ft.
H1 = initial length (vertical) of influx, m or ft.
In addition, a set of graphs, as shown in FIG 2.6 can be used to make approximate
estimates of changes in Z values between two circulation depths.
2 - 14
FIG 2.6
SURFACE PRESSURE
Compressibility ratio vs depth for different kill weight muds.
2.0
18
17
16
15
1.9
1.8
14
1.7
13
12
11
1.5
KILL MUD WEIGHT, LB/GAL
Z=Z2 /Z1
1.6
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
5000
7000
9000
11,000
TOTAL DEPTH
13,000
15,000
FT
17,000
2.6.2 WORKED EXAMPLE:

The following data is for a well in which a gas kick occurred:TVD of the well
TVD to casing shoe
SIDPP
SICP
Influx volume
DC/OH linear cap.
DP/OH/Csg linear cap.
Fracture grad at shoe
Current mud grad.
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
14000 ft (4267 m)
10500 ft (3200 m)
520 psig (35.85 bar)
830 psig (57.23 bar)
12.6 bbl (2.0 cu m)
0.030 bbl/ft x 500ft.
0.046 bbl/ft.
0.930 psi/ft (2.104 bar/10m)
0.832 psi/ft (1.882 bar/10m)
Calculate : (a) The maximum pressure at the casing shoe and the associated
choke pressure. Has the MAASP been exceeded?
(b) The maximum pressure and gas volume at the choke.
2 - 15
Solution:
Part (a) :
Bottom hole pressure = SIDPP + Gm.TVD
= 520 + 0.832 x 14000
= 12168 psig = 12168 + 15 =12183 psia
At the shoe, the depth of interest, Di = Dshoe = 10500ft.
For Eqn 2.61,
b = SIDPP + Gm x Di = 520 + 0.832 x 10500 = 9256 psig
= 9256 + 15 = 9271 psia
c = Gm x Vg1 x Pbh/Ca = 0.832 x 12.6 x 12183 / 0.046
= 2776452 psia2.
Then Pi = Pmax at shoe
= 0.5 x (92712 + 4 x 2776452) + 0.5 x 9271
ie Pshoe = 9561 psia = 9546 psig.
Then the gas volume at the shoe is:
Vgsh = Vg1 x Pbh/Psh = 12.6 x 12183/9561
= 16.06 bbl.
Length of gas at shoe = 16.06/0.046 = 349 ft
Hence the pressure at the choke, with the gas at the shoe is:
Pchk = Pbh - Gm x Dmud = Pshoe - Gm x Dshoe
= 9546 - 0.832 x 10500 = 810 psig.
The MAASP = (Gfrac - Gm) x TVD shoe

= (0.93 - 0.832) x 10500 = 1029 psig
Hence the MAASP has not been exceeded neither at shut-in (830 psig) at the
shoe (810 psig).
2 - 16
Part (b) :
For maximum pressure at the choke the depth of interest is Di = 0.
Thus b = SIDPP + 15 + 0 = 535 psia.
The value of c is unchanged = 2776452 psia2.
Hence in Eqn 2.61 Pi = Pchk max = 1955 psia.
= 1940 psig.
The volume of gas at the choke is:
Vg chk = Vg1 x Pbh /Pchk = 12.6 x 12183/1955
= 78.5 bbl.
2.6.3 Pressure at the Choke for a Sub-sea Wellhead System
The method used in Section 2.6.1 can be adapted to calculate the pressure at the
choke for the sub-sea wellhead condition. Refer to FIG 2.7.
FIG 2.7
L is the vertical depth from the RKB
to the sub-sea wellhead.
Pdp
The depth of interest Di is measured

from the RKB as before.
Pck
RKB
For the condition when the influx is

at the top of the annulus, Di = L and
the value of the pressure at the top
of the annulus and the choke pressure
can be calculated from Eqns 2.6 and
2.63, as Pwhd and Pckwhd.
Once this has been done, the maximum
pressure at the choke, when the gas is
at the choke will be approximately:
Cc ft/bbl
L
Di
Mud Line
Gas
Ca ft/bbl
D
Hm
Mud Wm ppg
Pbh
Pckmax = Pckwhd + L x (Gm - Gg)
[Eqn 2.64]
2 - 17
2.7 DISPERSED KICKS AND NON-DISPERSED KICKS

In most simplified kick analyses it is assumed that the kick is non-dispersed among
the mud. ie it is assumed that a gas influx is a single large gas bubble. Nondispersed kicks do occur in the cases where an influx is swabbed in or when the
well flows with no mud circulation from the pumps.
However, in cases of drilled kicks, when the well flows whilst the mud is being
circulated, the influx will be mixed with and dispersed within the mud as the influx
enters, as shown in FIG 2.8. As a consequence the following may be deduced:
FIG 2.8
(a)
(b)
0.046 bbl/ft
(a) 5 bbl non-dispersed influx

for same
SICP-SIDPP = 86 psi
Mud
Gm = 0.75 psi/ft
Mud
Dispersed
Kick Zone
Gi (by "standard"
formula) = 0.235 psi/ft
0.03 bbl/ft
500 ft
(b) 5 bbl dispersed influx

(b) in 5 minutes at mud rate
(b) of 8 bbl/min
1152 ft
Mixed Zone = 45 bbl

SICP-SIDPP = 86 psi
167 ft
Gm = 0.75 psi/ft
Gi (correct) = 0.08 psi/ft
(a) The simplistic single bubble model is not strictly correct.

(b) The influx will be dispersed much higher up the annulus than the value from
the simple calculation. This means that the influx will arrive at the choke
sometime earlier than expected.
(c) The influx gradient and density will in fact be lower than those calculated
by the method :
Gi = Gm - (SICP - SIDPP)/Hi
(d) These will result in a slightly lower kick tolerance than may be expected from
the usual calculations.
2 - 18
The main reason why the more accurate calculation of influx gradient is not made is
that the time interval of flow, whilst the mud is being circulated and the influx enters,
must be known. This is at present unlikely to be available, with any reliability, on
the rig.
If it is necessary to make an estimate of what the influx gradient is, as calculated
from a dispersed kick, then the formula given below can be used:
Vmz x (SICP - SIDPP)

Gi = Gm -
Vi x Hmz
Where : Vmz =
=
Vi =
Qm =
tk =
Gm =
Gi =
SICP =
SIDPP =
Hmz =
[Eqn 2.71]
volume of mixed mud and influx, bbl

Vi + Qm x tk
measured influx volume (pit gain) bbl
mud circulation rate, bbl/min
time interval during entry of kick, min
current mud pressure gradient, psi/ft
influx gradient, psi/ft
shut-in casing pressure, psig
shut-in drillpipe pressure, psig
height of mixed or dispersed zone, ft, as calculated normally
for a total mixed volume of Vmz
2.7.1 Worked Example

A 26 bbl gas influx entered a well whilst the pumps were running. The SICP and
SIDPP values recorded were as 650 and 300 psig, with current mud of 12.0 ppg at
11500 ft TVD. The time interval of flow was estimated to be 5 minutes and the mud
circulation was 8 bbl/min whilst the influx flowed.
The annulus capacities were:
DC/OH
DP/OH
= 0.03 bbl/ft x 600 ft.

= 0.0459 bbl/ft x 2000ft.
Calculate : (a) The influx gradient by the normal method.

(b) The height and volume of the mixed zone and the influx gradient
for this case.
2 - 19
SOLUTION
Part (a) : Volume of the DC/OH annulus = 600 x 0.03 = 18 bbl
For a non-dispersed kick of 26 bbl, the influx height Hi is:
Hi = 600 + (26 - 18)/0.0459 = 774 ft.
The influx gradient is Gi:
Gi = 0.052 x 12.0 - (650 - 300)/774
= 0.172 psi/ft.
Part (b) : For a dispersed kick over a 5 minute flow period:
Mud volume = 8 x 5 = 40 bbl.
Influx volume = 26 bbl.
Mixed zone volume = 66 bbl.
Height of mixed zone: Hmz= 600 + 48/0.0459
= 1646 ft.
Hence from Eqn 2.71, the influx density is :
Vmz x (SICP - SIDPP)
Gi = Gm -
Vi x Hmz
66 x 350
= 0.624 - = 0.084 psi/ft.
26 x 1646
This is only about 49% of the value calculated by the simpler method, for a
non-dispersed kick.
2 - 20
2.8 GAS MIGRATION EFFECTS

Any body which is immersed in a fluid is subjected to an upward buoyancy force.
See FIG 2.9
The buoyancy force = weight of the volume of displaced fluid.
If the buoyancy force is greater than the weight of the immersed body, then this
body will rise upwards within the fluid. This is called migration (or percolation).
Generally, if an immersed body has a density which is less than the surrounding
fluid, then it will migrate upwards. The greater the density difference, the greater will
be the migration rate, all other factors being equal.
The factors which govern the rate of migration of an immersed body are:
(a) Difference in density.
(b) Fluid viscosity.
(c) Fluid gelling.
(d) Surface tension.
(e) Size and shape of the immersed body.
FIG 2.9
Upward
Velocity
Buoyancy
Force > Wt
Gas
Weight
Liquid
2 - 21
2.8.1 Gas Migration in a shut-in well

The fundamental concept of pressure control is CONSTANT BOTTOM HOLE
PRESSURE. This means that normally, in a circulation, gas MUST BE ALLOWED
TO EXPAND IN A CONTROLLED WAY.
If a gas bubble migrates in a static shut-in well and it is not allowed to expand, then
the gas pressure will not change (except for temperature changes), and so it will
bring formation pressure up with it. This means that all well-bore, bottom-hole and
surface pressures will also rise, with consequent dangers to the well. See FIG 2.10
FIG 2.10
SICP
800
SIDPP
400
SICP
1200
SIDPP
800
Vg
Pp
Pbh = Ppore + 400
Pp
Vg
Ppore
Ppore
The static rate of gas migration in ft/hr is:

Rate of rise of SIDPP or SICP (psig/hr)
Vel. =
Mud gradient ( psi/ft)
[Eqn 2.81]
This is usually quoted as lying in the range 450 to about 1500 ft/hr.
However, recent research, published in June 1993, indicates that even in a shut-in
well, free gas migration rates ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THOSE
VALUES.
Experiments on real wells and computer studies have confirmed that gas cooling,
2 - 22
mud seepage to open hole sections and wellbore elasticity can give values of SICP
and SIDPP which are much lower than they would be otherwise. If gas migration
rates are calculated on surface-read changes in SICP and SIDPP, then they are
likely to produce gas migration rates which are significantly lower than true values.
To counteract the adverse pressure effects of migration, it is necessary to allow a
controlled expansion of gas. This can be done by bleeding off surface pressure at
the choke.
CASE 1 : Bit at or near bottom
In this case, pressure at the choke is bled off until the SIDPP has fallen to its
original value by an amount dP. This allows the gas to expand by an amount dV1
and a similar volume of mud issues from the choke. It also allows the BH pressure
to fall to its original value. This process is repeated periodically. Since the gas is
allowed to expand in the annulus, the SICP will not fall back to its starting value.
The anticipated pressure profile for the SIDPP and SICP is as shown in FIG 2.11.
Eventually, the gas may be brought to the choke and the situation is then similar
to the first circulation of the Drillers Method with the gas at the choke.
FIG 2.11
Pressure
SICP
SIDPP
Time
CASE 2 : Pipe out of the hole

In this situation, no U-tube exists, and the SICP is used to monitor pressures. It is
then necessary to allow gas to migrate to the surface and control surface (and
bottom hole pressure) by the volumetric method.
2 - 23
2.8.2 Gas Migration in a Circulation Case

Research carried out in the UK and Norway indicates that, when the pumps are
started and circulation is established, the gas migration rate is likely to be much
higher than the values quoted above. The shear-thinning effects on the mud and
reduced gels allow larger gas bubbles to overtake smaller ones, when circulation
is in progress.
Data on this has been published in the paper Gas Rise Velocities During Kicks by
A.B.Johnson and D.B White (SPE Drilling Engineering December 1991 pp256-263).
This migration velocity is added to the upward velocity of the mud in the annulus as
the kick is circulated. This has the effect of causing gas to arrive at the surface
much earlier than anticipated, and higher gas flow-rates to be produced.
NB: The above has been written with respect to gases. For liquid influxes, the
laws of buoyancy still apply as they do with solids (eg wood) in liquids. The
relative incompressibility of a liquid influx is likely to mask any significant
changes in SIDPP or SICP. The fact that no such changes may be recorded
should not be taken to imply that liquid or dense gas influxes do not migrate.
2 - 24
2.9 KICK TOLERANCE

Gas influxes must be allowed to expand. The initial SICP should obviously be less
than MAASP, but to circulate a gas kick safely, then it is also necessary that the
choke pressure of the expanding gas at the casing shoe should not exceed
MAASP.
A definition for a gas Kick Tolerance is thus:
Kick Tolerance is the maximum tolerable gas influx volume which can be taken and
circulated safely to the surface.
Kicks generally fall into at least 2 categories:
(a) Swabbed kicks, when initially the well was balanced.
(b) Drilled kicks into an overpressurised formation.
Case (b) results in a SIDPP.
FIG 2.12
MAASP
SICP
E
PRESSURE
Mud
DEPTH (TVD)
di
Gra
ure
ss
Pre
ent/
Line
Shoe
Fra
H max (gas)
re
ctu
Lin
M
A
D
H1 (gas)
Phyd
Ppore
SIDPP
NB. Well geometry assumed to be constant.
2 - 25
From the diagram it can be shown that the maximum tolerable influx length Hmax,
either at the bottom of the hole or at the shoe is given by:
MAASP - SIDPP
Hmax =
Gm - Gi
[Eqn 2.91]
Where : Hmax = maximum length of influx, at BH or shoe, in ft or m.

Gm and Gi are the current mud and assumed influx
gradients in psi/ft, psi/m, bar/m or Kgf/cm2/m.
MAASP and SIDPP are in psi or bar or Kgf/cm2
When the value of SIDPP is > 0, then this is for a drilled kick.
When the value of SIDPP = 0, then this is for a swabbed kick, with the bit stripped
back to bottom.
Once Hmax is calculated it is then converted back into a volume,
(i) at the casing shoe, which is then reduced to an equivalent volume at the bottom
of the hole, or
(ii) at shut-in, and then converted back into a volume at bottom hole.
The Kick Tolerance is the smaller of the values calculated from (i) and (ii).
For many applications of a drilled kick, it is most likely that the value of Hmax for
the bottom hole condition will determine the kick tolerance.
HOWEVER in cases where there are long open hole sections, the value of Hmax at
the shoe may be the more important and thus set the kick tolerance.
Kick Tolerance, for oilfield unis, may also be expressed in terms of tolerable SG
addition, from Eqn 2.91, as follows :
MAASP - (Gm - Gi) x Hi
Kick tolerance, SG =
0.433 x TVD
[Eqn 2.92]
An alternative way of showing Kick Tolerance is in a graphical method, as shown

in FIG 2.13. The output from a computer program to calculate a range of kick
tolerances for a well with data as given below in WORKED EXAMPLE 2.9.1 is also
shown and has been used as the basis for the graph.
Further work on this topic is contained in the paper Understanding Kick Tolerance
and its Significance in Drilling Planning and Execution,
by K.P Redman (SPE Drilling Engineering December 1991 pp 245-249).
2 - 26
Tolerable SIDPP
FIG 2.13
Circulate
Kick Out
Tolerable Influx Volume bbl

The following data relates to a well:
TVD of drilling
TVD of shoe
Frac gradient(shoe)
Current mud
DC/OH capacity
DP/OH capacity
=
=
=
=
=
=
16000 ft.
12000 ft.
0.950 psi/ft.
0.860 psi/ft.
0.0292 bbl/ft x 400 ft.
0.0459 bbl/ft.
Calculate the Kick Tolerance for a gas influx with gradient of .15 psi/ft for a
SIDPP = 450 psig.
Solution
The MAASP = (Gfrac - Gm) x Dshoe
= (0.950 - 0.860) x 12000 = 1080 psig.
Then Hmax
= (MAASP - SIDPP)/(Gm - Gi)

= (1080 - 450) /(0.860 - 0.15)
= 887 ft.
The fracture pressure at the shoe is:

Pfrac = Gfrac x Dshoe = 0.950 x 12000 = 11400 psig.
The bhp for the drilled kick = SIDPP + Gm x TVD:
bhp
= 450 + 0.86 x 16000 = 14210 psig.
2 - 27
When Hmax is converted into a volume then:

Case 1 : Hmax at the shoe
Vg shoe = 887 x 0.0459 = 40.7 bbl at Pfrac
The equivalent volume of this gas at bottom hole conditions, by Boyles Law is:
Veq bh = 40.7 x Pfrac/Pbh = 40.7 x 11400/14210
= 32.7 bbl and the length is = 858 ft
Case 2 : Hmax at bottom hole
In this case Hmax = 887 ft and BH volume is 34.1
Thus the kick tolerance for this influx condition is 32.7 bbl rather than 34.1 bbl.
NB. In some cases the W & W method will give a greater safety margin on
formation breakdown than the Drillers method. The condition for this
benefit is:
open hole volume + influx volume > drillstring volume
The W & W method, however, will usually always give a lower value of maximum
2 - 28
pressure at the choke than the Drillers method.

References for Section 2
1. "Practical Natural Gas Engineering"

by R.V.Smith : PennWell Books.
2. Understanding Kick Tolerance and Its Significance in Drilling, Planning

and Execution.
by K.P Redman : SPE Drilling Engineering, December 1991.
3. Gas Rise Velocities During Kicks

by A.B. Johnston and D.B.White : SPE Drilling Engineering, December 1991.
4. Field Calculations Underestimate Gas Migration Velocities.

by A.B. Johnston and J.A.Tarvin : EWCF Conference, Paris June 1993.
2 - 29
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
3.1
PHASES OF HYDROCARBON FLUIDS
3.2
PHASE BEHAVIOUR
3.3
GAS SOLUBILITY
3.4
DRILLED GAS AND KICK GAS
3.5
INFLUX TO PIT GAIN RATIO
3.6
APPENDIX TO SECTION 3 - FORMULAS
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
3. GAS SOLUBILITY IN OBMS - EFFECTS ON KICK BEHAVIOUR.
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
HPHT Course- Section 3
3.1 PHASES OF HYDROCARBON FLUIDS

Hydrocarbon reservoirs fall into 3 classes:
Liquid reservoirs
Here the reservoir fluid is a homogeneous liquid and the following points may
be noted:
a)
A liquid influx will remain as a liquid, but some gas may be produced
downstream of the choke, if the liquid has dissolved gas within it. An
average gas production rate in North Sea hydrocarbon liquid reservoirs
is about 1,000 - 1,500 SCF/Res bbl of oil.
b)
The liquid will not mix with water based muds, although the kick may
be dispersed in the mud. A liquid influx will mix readily with the oil phase
of oil based muds.
c)
The pressure at the choke will change only a little as the influx is
circulated to the choke. The measured pit gain will be a reasonably
accurate measure of the influx volume.
Gas reservoirs
Those are reservoirs in which the fluid is free gas and when this is produced
to surface, there is free dry gas at the surface.
3-2
a)
Such a gas influx will not dissolve readily in water-based muds, the
solubility being about 1% of the gas solubility in oils.
b)
The pit gain as measured will be a reasonably accurate measure of the

influx volume.
c)
A free gas influx in WBM will expand as it is circulated up to the choke,

with a rising choke pressure. The rate of expansion will increase the
closer the gas gets to the choke.
d)
An influx from a free gas reservoir in an oil based mud will dissolve
readily in the oil phase of the OBM.
e)
A dissolved gas influx in OBM will behave as a liquid influx until its
bubble point pressure is reached, after which large volumes of gas may
be released in the annulus, with rapid rises in choke pressure.
f)
The measured pit gain will generally be somewhat smaller than the true
free gas influx volume, the discrepancy becoming larger at low
pressures.
Gas condensate reservoirs

Such reservoirs are now being drilled and they are mainly in high pressure
regions. Free gas production rates lie in the range 8,000 - 16,000 SCF/Stbbl.
a)
Generally the fluid in the reservoir will be a free dense gas, at a

temperature above its critical temperature.
b)
A gas influx from a gas condensate reservoir may start to condense in

the annulus as its pressure and temperature are reduced. If the mud is
water based, the effect will be largely that of a free gas. If the mud is
oil-based, then the effect will be similar to that of a dissolved gas kick.
The effects of such kicks on choke pressure are indicated in FIG 3.1.
FIG 3.1
A = 10 bbl free gas in WBM.

B = 10 bbl liquid influx.
C = 10 bbl gas influx desolved in oil-based mud.
PRESSURE AT CHOKE
Q = Position of bubble point.
A&C
A
C
PUMP STROKES
3-3
3.2 PHASE BEHAVIOUR

A typical phase equilibrium diagram for a hydrocarbon system is shown
in FIG 3.2. The following should be noted:
a)
For pressures above the bubble point line and below the critical
temperature, ie ZONE A: the material in the reservoir is a liquid.
b)
For pressures above the dew point line, ie ZONE B: the material in
the reservoir is a gas.
c)
For material outside the dew point line ie ZONE C: the material is
always a gas.
d)
For material within the phase envelope, ie ZONE D: the material is

a 2-phase equilibrium mixture of free gas and its associated liquid.
e)
If a hydrocarbon liquid at point 1 is expanded down line 1 to 2, then

when the pressure reaches the bubble point line, the liquid starts to
evaporate (ie boil) and bubbles of gas appear within the liquid. As
the expansion proceeds, more gas is produced at the expense of
liquid.
f)
If a hydrocarbon gas at point 3 is expanded down a line to point 4,

then when the pressure is reduced to the dew point line, droplets of
liquid start to appear in the gas (ie the gas condenses). As the
expansion proceeds, more liquid is produced at the expense of gas
FIG. 3.2
Zone A
7000
Zone B
Liquid
Free Gas
1
De
6000
bb
Bu
40
%
25
%
le P
2 - Phase Zone D
10%
oint L
ine
e
Lin
int
Po
CP
Critical
Point
Pressure psig
Zone C
0
400
-200
Temperature F
3-4
800
3.3 GAS SOLUBILITY

Hydrocarbon gases are highly soluble in hydrocarbon liquids. Some work on
this was published by Thomas, Lea and Turek in 1982 and by OBryan,
Bourgoyne, Monger and Kopcso in 1986.
Graphs of the solubility of (a) methane gas (CH4) in diesel and (b) the
solubility of methane, carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in
diesel are shown in FIGS 3.3 and 3.4.
FIG. 3.3
200F
400F
500F
1000 scf CH4/std bbl Oil
600F
H2S at
250F
GAS SOLUBILITY IN DIESEL (Methane Gas)
Gas solubility to
achieve saturation.
Increase of
temperature reduces
pressure to get
saturation.
At constant pressure,
increase of
temperature increases
saturation.
2000
4000
6000
8000
Pressure psia
FIG. 3.4
MISCIBILITY PRESSURE FOR VARIOUS GASES IN NO. 2 DIESEL OIL
Miscibility Pressure, 1000 psia
10
Meth
ane
e
oxid
n Di
o
b
r
Ca
2
Ethane
lphide
gen Su
Hydro
0
100
200
300
400
Temperature, F
3-5
From FIGS 3.3 and 3.4 it can be noted that:

a)
The solubility of methane in diesel may be many 1,000s of SCF/bbl of

diesel.
b)
At each temperature he solubility graphs turn almost vertical at a

particular pressure. This is the miscibility pressure for methane/diesel
mixtures at those specific temperatures. At the miscibility pressure, the
diesel appears to have an infinite capacity to dissolve methane and
produce a homogeneous liquid.
It should be further noted that the solubility of hydrocarbon gases in water is about
1% of the solubility in hydrocarbon liquids.
3.3.1 Gas Kick Solubility in Oil-based Mud
Effects on Kick Detection
A gas kick from a gas reservoir will behave according to the gas law and to the
phase behaviour for that fluid, as long as it is not exposed to other fluids.
However, when a gas kick enters a well-bore with oil-based mud, the gas
dissolves in the oil phase of the OBM, producing a new fluid mixture, which
will have an entirely unique phase equilibrium diagram, with the new mixture
being in the liquid phase of the phase relationship. This liquid will have its
own distinctive bubble point pressure, depending upon the gas/liquid
concentration and temperature.
Thomas, Lea and Turek in their paper Gas Solubility in Oil-Based Drilling
Fluids-Effects on Kick Detection (SPE 11115 1982), conclude the following:
a)
Pit gain (in 1982) was the most reliable kick indicator in both WBM and OBM.
Regardless of solubility or not, there is a volume increase which should be
detectable.
b)
Short flow-checks are not reliable in OBMs. Extended flow checks

(>10 minutes) may be necessary to detect flow.
c)
The pit gain detected is limited to the condensed volume of the free gas
entering from the reservoir.
d)
As a gas influx dissolves in the oil phase of the OBM, this masks the surface
responses of pit gain and flow, which are less pronounced than in WBM.
It can also be concluded that ANY SMALL UNDETECTED DISSOLVED GAS

INFLUX which is circulated in an OPEN WELL, will reach a bubble point pressure
which is likely to occur in the annulus (or marine riser) near to the surface. The
gas expansion ratio at this point may be in excess of 300, as demonstrated
in Section 2 of the manual!
3-6
The consequence of this is that a small, undetected, dissolved swab of 1/4 bbl may
not be detected until it reaches its bubble point and becomes 75 bbl of free gas in
the annulus just below the slip joint.
3.3.2 WORKED EXAMPLE
A gas influx of 10 bbl flowed into a well in a period of 10 minutes, when the mud
circulation rate was 8 bbl/min. The bottom hole pressure was 12,000 psia, the
gas Z value was 1.7 and the temperature was 260F.
Calculate :
a)
The gas/mud and the gas/oil concentrations, if the oil volume factor in the
oil-based mud was 0.55.
b)
The bubble point pressure when the temperature was 140F and the gas
SG relative to air was 0.75. Use the formula given in Equation 3.32 in the
REFERENCE to Section 3.
SOLUTION
Part (a)
The gas equivalent volume of gas at standard conditions is:
35.37 x Pbh
Vs = x Vbh x 5.615 =
Zbh . Tbh
35.37 x 12,000
x 56.15
1.7 x (260 + 460)
= 19,471 SCF influx in 10 minutes

Hence the kick influx rate was Qgk = 19,471/10 = 1,947 SCF/min.
Thus the gas/mud concentration was Rgm = Qgk/Qm
Rgm = 1,947/8 = 243 SCF/bbl
And the gas/oil concentration was Rgm/fo = 243/0.55
ie Rgo = 442 SCF/bbl.
3-7
Part (b)
The bubble point pressure will be the saturation pressure at which the above is the
gas/oil concentration at 140F.
Using the values for a and b as quoted in Equation 3.3.1 and calculating n
from:
n=
1.24 - 1.08 x SGg + 1.16 x SGg2 and the gas SG was

0.75 relative to air, then:
n = 1.24 - 1.08 x 0.75 + 1.16 x 0.752 = 1.0825

This value is then substituted in Equation 3.3.2 to calculate the bubble point
pressure as:
Pb = a x Tb x Rgo1/n
= 1.922 x (460+140)0.2552 x (442) (1/1.0825)
= 1.922 x 5.1166 x (442) 0.92378
= 9.8341 x 277.8 = 2,732 psia = 2,717 psig.
3.4 DRILLED GAS AND KICK GAS
The rate at which drilled gas is released into the mud in the annulus is related to
the volumetric rate at which the rock is being drilled and to the gas content of the
pore spaces:
The rate of release of drilled gas into the annulus is likely to be small in relation to
the rate of inflow in a kick situation. This produces very low gas/oil concentrations
in the mud, if the gas dissolves, and those would produce low bubble point
pressures.
3-8
Some typical drilled gas/oil concentrations are shown in FIG 3.5 below.
Some extreme values for a drilled gas example may be:
TVD
ROP
Mud
Gas/oil
Bubble pt
Depth
=
=
=
=
=
=
15,000 ft
100 ft/hr
15 ppg
10 SCF/bbl oil in mud
67 psig
86 ft to bubble point
Drilled Gas Concentration SCF/bbl Oil in Mud
FIG 3.5
15
15 ppg 4,000 ft
15 ppg 8,000 ft
10
15 ppg 15,000 ft
20
40
60
80
100
Penetration Rate ft/hr
Kick gas is likely to enter a well at a very much higher rate than drilled gas,
due to the pressure underbalance. It is not generally possible to measure the
rate at which a reservoir flows, in a drilling situation, but some estimates can
be made using a radial transient flow model and some typical values are
shown on the graphs in FIG 3.6.
3-9
FIG 3.6
4000
Data: TVD = 16,000 ft
K = 40 MD = 25%
Mud = 0.8 psi/ft
BHT = 240F
Dia = 8.5 in
ROP = 7.5 ft/hr
Gas Kick Inflow Rate SCF/min
3000
Gas SG = 0.60
2000
Gas SG = 0.65
Gas SG = 0.70
1000
Gas inflow rate at any other ROB, Rp is :Qgk = Graph Value x Rp
Qgk = Graph Value x SCF/min
Qgk = Graph Value x 7.5
500
1000
1500
SIDPP - psia
If there is drilled gas plus influx flowing gas then the total gas production flow-rate
will be Qdg + Qkg = Qg. However, as indicated above, the drilled gas rate is so
small in relation to the influx flow-rate that it is reasonable to neglect it.
3 - 10
3.5 INFLUX TO PIT GAIN RATIO

It is normal to assume, with water based muds, that the pit gain as measured for
a drilled kick is the same as the influx volume.
It has been indicated above that when a kick gas dissolves in an oil based mud,
the pit gain is limited to the CONDENSED volume of the influx gas, and so:
Measured pit gain is less than true influx volume.
This can be illustrated by values from a laboratory test carried out by BP at a
simulated TVD of 20000 ft, 16840 psi and 350F ie:
3 bbl methane + 1 bbl diesel gave 3.72 bbl of liquid mixture.
In this case the influx was 3 bbl and the measured pit gain was 2.72 bbl. ie the
ratio:
Influx volume/pit gain = 3.0/2.72 = 1.10
OBryan and Borgoyne in their paper Swelling of Oil-Base Drilling Fluids Due to
Dissolved Gas (SPE Paper No 16676 Dallas Sept 1987) base a simple method
(and approximate) for predicting this expansion ratio upon the behaviour of
methane/diesel solutions. Typical graphs of the swelling of such solutions from
20,000 psia to bubble points at 100, 200, 300 and 400F are given in the paper,
and shown below in FIGS 3.7(a) and 3.7(b).
FIG 3.7(a)
T = 200 F
Oil = No.2 Diesel
Gas = Methane
Po
in
tP
re
ss
ur
e
1.3
1.2
800 SCF
/STB
Bu
bb
le
Volume Factor Bo, BBL/STB
1.4
600
1.1
400
200
1.0
0
Miscibility Pressure
0.9
10
12
14
16
18
20
Pressure (1000's psia)
3 - 11
FIG 3.7(b)
T = 300 F
Oil = No.2 Diesel
Gas = Methane
Po
in
tP
re
ss
ur
e
1.3
1.2
Bu
bb
le
1.4
600 SCF
/STB
1.1
400
200
1.0
0.9
10
12
14
16
18
20

The method for determining the influx multiplier, for a dissolved gas kick is shown
below by means of worked example:
A gas influx has entered a well while drilling ahead and the gas is believed to
have dissolved in the oil-based mud. The following is the relevant data:
TVD
SIDPP
Gas SG
Gas Zbh
SICP
Pump o/p
= 15,000 ft
= 700 psi
= 0.65 (rel to air)
= 1.740
= 810 psi
= 7.8 bbl/min
Mud density = 16.3 ppg

Pit gain
= 7.5 bbl
BHT
= 200F
APL
= 250 psi
Oil vol fraction= 0.460
What would be an estimate for:
3 - 12
a)
The influx: pit gain multiplier.
b)
The bubble point pressure if the gas is released when the temperature is
about 150F.
c)
The depth at which the gas is released.
SOLUTION:
PART (a)
(i)
From the graph on FIG 3.6 the rate of gas inflow for the above conditions
is given as 2154 SCF/min (Qgk) at a SIDPP of 700 psi.
(ii)
The gas/mud concentration for the contaminated mud zone is:

Rgm = Qgk/Qm
(iii)
= 2154/7.8 = 276 SCF/bbl mud.
The gas/oil concentration in the mud is:

Rgo = Rgm/fo
= 276/0.46 = 600 SCF/bbl oil.
(iv) Select the graph of swelling of methane/diesel solution:

pressure for the BHT of 200F, as in FIG 3.8.
FIG 3.8
1.4
T = 200 F
Oil = No.2 Diesel
Gas = Methane
c = Bo = 0.9836
Po
in
tP
re
ss
ur
e
1.3
Bu
bb
le
1.2
d
1.1
d = Bog = 1.123
800 SCF
/STB
b
600
400
200
1.0
c
Pbp = 4444 psia

0.9
10
12
14
16
18
20
(v)
Enter the graph at a pressure of 13,679 psia and draw a line vertically up
from this to cut the 600 SCF/bbl gas/oil line at point b and the zero
concentration line at a.
Draw horizontal lines from b and a to cut the end vertical axis (volume
factors)
.
(vi) Scale off from the vertical axis the values of Bog and Bo as the volume factors
for the 600 SCF/bbl solution and pure diesel.
3 - 13
From the graph those give values of:

Bog = 1.1283
Bo = 0.9836
(vii) Calculate the pit gain (bbl) per 1,000 SCF of dissolved gas from:
Vgo = 1,000 x fo x (Bog - Bo)/Rgm
= 1,000 x 0.46 x (1.1283 - 0.9836)/276
= 0.2417 bbl/1,000 SCF
(viii) Calculate the pit gain which would have been seen, per 1,000 SCF of
undissolved gas (ie as if in a water based mud) from:
1,000 x 14.7 x Tbh x Zbh
Vgf = bbl/1,000 SCF
Pfp x 520 x 5.615
1,000 x 14.7 x 660 x 1.74
= = 0.4227 bbl/1,000 SCF
13,679 x 520 x 5.615
(ix) Calculate the pit gain multiplier from:
Vgf/Vgo = 0.4227/0.2417 = 1.75 bbl/bbl of pit gain.
This means that the pit gain of 7.5 bbl dissolved gas represented
1.75 x 7.5 = 13.1 bbl of free gas influx.
PART (b)
To estimate the bubble point pressure at 150F, use the graphs in FIG 3.7 for 100
and 200F at 600 SCF/bbl and interpolate between to get the Pbp value at 150F,
as follows:
On the 200F graph, Pbp at 600 SCF/bbl = 4444 psia
On the 100F graph, Pbp at 600 SCF/bbl = 3651 psia
By interpolation at 150F and 600 SCF/bbl, Pbp = 4048 psia
= 4033 psig
3 - 14
Part (c).
The pressure at the choke will stay almost constant while the gas remains in
solution. Hence at the bubble point depth,
Pbp = SICP + Gm x Depth to bubble point
Depth = (4,033 - 810)/.8476 = 3803 ft below the RKB
This example indicates that the pit gain as measured, for a dissolved gas influx, is
less than the real volume of dense free gas flowing from the reservoir.
This will be the case when the pumps are running, as for a drilled kick. In the case
of a swabbed kick, with the pumps off, there will be only a small amount of mixing
and the influx gas will not dissolve fully, at least until gas streaming causes
sufficient mixing for this to occur. In the case of no mixing, the recorded trip tank
gain will be approximately equal to the influx volume.
The graphs shown in FIG 3.7 also show that the bubble point pressure reduces as
the gas/oil concentration is reduced. This means that a small dissolved influx may
not reach its bubble point pressure until it has passed through the choke.
In a recent publication by Lindsay & White, the "influx volume/pit gain" ratio
described above has been drawn in graphical form for an 88:12 OWR oil-based
mud between 2,000 and 9,000 ft TVD. This is shown below in FIG 3.9.
FIG 3.9
INFLUX : PIT GAIN VOLUME RATIO
EXTRA GAS HELD IN SOLUTION

OBM COMPARED TO WBM
FOR THE SAME PIT GAIN
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
BOTTOM HOLE PRESSURE (PSI)
3 - 15
3.6 REFERENCES FOR SECTION 3

1.
Gas solubility in oil-based drilling fluids : Effects on kick detection.

By Thomas, Lea and Turek
SPE Paper 11115 New Orleans Sept 1982
2.
An experimental study of gas solubility in oil-based drilling fluids.

By OBryan, Burgoyne, Monger and Kopcso
SPE Paper No 15414 : New Orleans Oct 1986.
3.
The swelling of oil-based drilling fluids due to dissolved gas.

By OBryan and Burgoyne
SPE Paper 16676 : Dallas Sept 1987.
4.
The use of a gas kick simulator to produce an oil-based mud training

package.
By Lyndsay and White
1993 IADC European Well Control Forum : Paris June 1993..
3 - 16
APPENDIX TO SECTION 3 : FORMULAS

3.3.1 Gas Solubility in OBM : Bubble Point Pressure
In the above papers, it is indicated that there is a relationship between
the saturation concentration, the temperature and the bubble point
pressure, as given by:
Rso =
[ ]
P
a.Tb
n
[Eqn 3.31]
Where:
Rso
P
T
a
b
n
=
=
=
=
=
=
saturation gas/liquid concentration, SCF/bbl

saturation, or bubble point pressure, psia
mixture temperature R
a constant = 1.922 for hydrocarbon gas in base oil
a constant = 0.2552 for hydrocarbon gas in base oil
an index = 1.24 - 1.08 x SGg + 1.16 x SGg2, for
hydrocarbon gas in base oil
SGg = gas specific gravity, relative to air.
From this it can thus be shown that the bubble point pressure for a
specific gas/liquid concentration of Rgo is:
Pb
= a.Tb . Rgo (1/n)
[Eqn 3.32]
3.4 DRILLED GAS AND KICK GAS

The rate at which drilled gas is released into the mud in the annulus is
related to the volumetric rate at which the rock is being drilled and to the
gas content of the pore spaces:
P b x d 2 x f x Sg x Rp
Qgd =
310.97 x Zb x Tb
Where: Pb
d
f
Sg
Rp
Zb
Tb
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
SCF/min
[Eqn 3.41]
bottom hole pressure, psia.

bit diameter, in.
rock porosity, decimal.
gas saturation fraction of the pores, decimal.
rate of drilling penetration, ft/hr.
gas Z value at bottom hole conditions.
bottom hole temperature, R.
3 - 17
The radial flow rate of kick for a uniform thickness transient gas reservoir is
given by:
k x h x (Pf2 - Pb2)
Qgk = MSCF/day
1424 x Pd x Zb x Tb x
[Eqn 3.42]
Where: Pb = the dynamic value of the bottom hole pressure, psia.

k = formation permeability, milli dArcy units.
h = thickness of permeable rock exposed or drilled in
a known or assumed time interval, ft.
= gas viscosity, cP.
Pf = the effective formation pressure, psia, while flowing.
Pd = a dimensionless pressure group,
= 0.5 x [Log(Td) + 0.81]
Td = a dimensionless time group
0.0002634 x k x t
=
f x x c x (Rw2)
c = fluid (liquid) compressibility, 1/psi.
Rw = wellbore radius, ft.
t = time interval of influx, hours.
The gas viscosity, cP, at inflow conditions is given by:
y
= 0.0001 x K1 x e (Xg )
[Eqn 3.43]
(9.4 + 0.02 M) x Tb1.5

Where: K1 =
(209 + 19 M + Tb)
X = 3.5 + 986/Tb + 0.01 M
y = 2.4 - 0.2 X
g = gas SG (Relative to water) = 0.0014926.Pf.M/(Zb.Tb)
3 - 18
RD
ABE
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
4. RIG EQUIPMENT SUMMARY
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN

RIG EQUIPMENT SUMMARY
Aberdeen Drilling Schools & Well Control Training Centre.

GUIDANCE NOTES
HIGH PRESSURE WELL CONTROL SYSTEM
Fail-safe Valves: Sequenced (manual or automatic) closing of the fail safe
valves on a subsea stack, with the outer valve closing first, should be used
to limit the effects of cutting out of the gates. Also consideration should be
given to the closure mechanism and whether additional hydraulic assist
should be incorporated in order to increase closing force.
Flexible Hoses
Strict attention must be given to the flexible hoses to ensure that they are
designed for appropriate temperatures, pressures and well fluids. The hose
should be checked to ensure that it is the correct length for the given stack.
BOP Stack Outlets
There should be a minimum of two outlets to the choke manifold below the
upper set of pipe rams on a subsea stack.
Hang Off Rams
The upper pipe rams should be positioned in the stack so that they can be
used to hang off the drillstring with the blind/shear rams closing above.
Chokes
The choke manifold should be equipped with two remote hydraulic chokes
and at least one manually operated choke.
SURFACE GAS HANDLING SYSTEM
Mud Gas Separator (MGS):
The mud gas separator must be designed and certified for a given capacity
of gas and mud. Design will include vessel working pressure, sizing of
vent lines, length of mud seal, retention time, and control system. The
degasser should be designed, constructed, inspected, tested and stamped
in accordance with ASTM VIII Division 2 - Boiler and pressure vessel code
or similar pressure vessel code.
MGS Instrumentation
The MGS should be instrumented and controlled so that the working
pressure is not exceeded.
MGS Bypass
An alternative method to dispose of produced fluids must be provided in
the event the capacity of the MGS is exceeded.
Glycol Injection System
A system for injection of glycol upstream of the choke to prevent hydrate
formation should be available.
4-1
General Layout 13 5/8" - 15,000 psi BOP Stack

FIG. 1
4-2
WELL CONTROL AND SURFACE EQUIPMENT

Temperature Limitations and Pressure Ratings
The following limitations apply to this equipment:
Equipment
Continuous
Service
Rating(1 Month)
Emergency
Service
Rating(1 Hour) Pressure (psi)
Max Deg F
Max Deg F
PIPE RAMS
250
350
15,000
VARIABLE RAMS
190
N/A
15,000
BOP CHOKE AND

KILL VALVES
250
350
15,000
SHEAR RAMS
190
N/A
15,000
RAM DOOR SEALS

& RAM SHAFT SEALS
250
350
15,000
ANNULARS
170
225
5,000/
10,000
FLEXIBLE HOSE
212
320
15,000
CHOKE AND KILL

LINE STAB SEALS
250
350
15,000
CHOKE MANIFOLD
VALVES, UPSTREAM
OF THE BUFFER TANK
250
350
15,000
CHOKE MANIFOLD
VALVES, DOWNSTREAM
OF THE BUFFER TANK
250
350
5,000
CHOKE MANIFOLD
OVERBOARD
PIPEWORK
250
350
5,000
SLIP JOINT - CHOKE
250
350
15,000
KILL BOX SAVER SUB
4-3

MUD/GAS SEPARATOR
FIG. 2
10" VENT UP DERRICK
HOT MUD
RECIRCULATING
LINE
6" VENT
28' - 8 1/2" ABOVE

MAIN DECK
10" DOWN TO
SHAKER
HEADER BOX
THERMO-COUPLE
AND PRESSURE
TRANSDUCER
FLANGE
FLOW LINE
18"
BY-PASS
PRESSURE (psi)
THROUGHPUT PERFORMANCE
AT 60 DEG F.
50.0
30
47.6
28
45.2
26
42.8
24
40.4
22
37.9
35.5
AD
O
NL
18
GI
16
14
IT
12
AD
S
6P
R
MA
O
NL
10
33.0
30.4
27.8
22.4
19.5
16.4
13.0
8.9
8
20" PIPE
X - STG
25.1
10" PIPE Sch. 80

INSIDE
6" TO TRIP TANK
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
FLUID DENSITY Lb/gal
MUD GAS SEPARATOR

FLOW CAPACITY CURVE
4-4
GAS FLOW
(mm scf/day)
32
20
10" CLEAROUT
27' - 5"
24' - 4"
3', 1"
10" Sch. 80 PIPE
MUD
HEAD
SUBSEA BOP SYSTEM
FIG. 3
VENT TO TOP OF
DERRICK
10" VENT LINE
MGS
PRESSURE
SENSOR
8
FROM C & K
MANIFOLD, 4" PIPE
36" DIAMETER
MUD - GAS
SEPERATOR
DOWNSTREAM
CHOKE TEMP.
SENSOR
DRILL FLOOR LEVEL
REMOTELY
ACTUATED
VALVES
TO MUD/GAS
SEPARATOR
TO SHALE SHAKER
MANUAL
CHOKE
REMOTE
CHOKE
MANUAL
CHOKE
REMOTE
CHOKE
TO PORT
FLARE LINE
MAIN DECK LEVEL
DIP TUBE
PRESSURE
SENSOR
6 Meters
TO
STARBOARD
FLARE LINE
7
UPSTREAM
KILL LINE TEMP.
SENSOR

STBD
MGS
PORT
DIP TUBE
PRESSURE
OPEN CLOSED
OPEN CLOSED
PRESSURE
TEMP.
GLYCOL
INJECTION
POINT
TO SHALE
SHAKER
BOP
MGS
OPEN CLOSED
DOWNSTREAM
CHOKE TEMP.
SENSOR
TO CEMENT UNIT
MUD PUMPS
1,2
UPSTREAM
CHOKE LINE
KILL LINE
CHOKE LINE
TEMP.
UPSTREAM
CHOKE TEMP.
SENSOR
DECK LEVEL
UPSTREAM
KILL LINE
TEMP.
VALVE STATUS
ALARM
DOWNSTREAM
CHOKE
TEMP.
REMOTE CHOKE AREA
5,6
SEA LEVEL
SUBSEA TEMP.
SENSOR
2
FLEX JOINT
ANNULAR
PREVENTER
REMOTE CHOKE CONTROL PANEL
DRILLPIPE
PRESSURE
ANNULUS
PRESSURE
SUBSEA TEMP.
SENSOR
CHOKE
POSITION
INDICATOR
H-4
CONNECTOR
KILL LINE
CHOKE LINE
ANNULAR
PREVENTER
CHOKE CONTROL
SHEAR
RAMS
5"
RAMS
B1
A1
VARIABLE
RAMS
SEABED
C1
5"
RAMS
H-4
CONNECTOR
4-5
SURFACE BOP SYSTEM
FIG. 4
STARBOARD
PORT

VENT LINE
TO
DERRICK
DRILLPIPE
PRESSURE
ANNULUS
PRESSURE
CHOKE
POSITION
INDICATOR
MUD GAS SEPARATOR

CHOKE CONTROL
MGS
OPEN CLOSED
STBD
OPEN CLOSED
PORT
OPEN CLOSED
RETURN TO
MUD
SHAKERS
MGS
BOP
PRESSURE
TEMPERATURE
OVERBOARD
LINE
PRESSURE/TEMP. SENSOR
TO STARBOARD/PORT VALVES
TEMPERATURE
TO MGS VALVE
ALARM
TO BOP TEMP. SENSOR
VALVE STATUS
MUD GAS SEPARATOR

BUFFER
CHAMBER
REMOTE CHOKE/MONITORING
MANUAL CHOKE
REMOTE CHOKE
REMOTE CHOKE
CHOKE/KILL
MANIFOLD
MUD
MANIFOLD
BYPASS
CMT UNIT
CHOKE LINE
ANNULAR
RAM
HCR VALVE
KILL LINE
RAM
RAM
RAM
15 M BOP STACK
4-6
HCR VALVE
GLYCOL
INJECTION
TEMPERATURE MONITORING EQUIPMENT

A temperature monitoring system must be in place to ensure that the
continuous temperature rating of the elastomer system is not exceeded
during drilling, well control operations and well testing. Temperatures
should be monitored at the mud return flowline, at the chokeline upstream
of the choke, and at the well test flowline upstream of all chokes.
KILL SYSTEM
Kill Pump
A 15,000 psi kill pump capable of slow circulation rates +/- 0.5 bbls/min
should be available. There should be a good communications link between
the kill pump and rig floor. Consideration should be given to equipping the
kill pump for remote operations from the rig floor. There should also be a
choke on the bleed down line to reduce erosion of plug type valves when
bleeding off pressure.
High Pressure Line
High pressure line from the kill pump to the rig floor with a circulating head
and flexible hose or chicksans ready for quick make up should be
available.
DRILLSTRING BACK PRESSURE VALVE

A means of avoiding back flow up the drill pipe should be incorporated by
either using a sub for a drop in back pressure valve or by using a float
valve in the BHA before drilling through the transition zone from normal to
abnormally high pressure, commonly reached below the 13-3/8" casing
point.
Drillstring Circulating Capability
A high pressure lubricator and drill pipe perforation system or drillstring
circulating sub should be available while drilling below deep intermediate
casing.
PIT LEVEL INDICATOR

Minimum pit level indicator requirements are 2 pit level indicators per
active tank for semi submersibles. All tanks should be monitored and
include a pit volume totaliser.
4-7
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
5.1
INTRODUCTION: GAS EXPANSION
5.2
THE CHOKE MANIFOLD and CHOKE
5.3
MUD-GAS SEPARATORS: DESIGN, CAPACITIES and OPERATION
5.4
WELLHEAD and FLOWING TEMPERATURES
5.5
FORMATION and PREVENTION of HYDRATES
APPENDIX : SECTION 5 FORMULAS

5.6
STEADY FLOW ENERGY EQUATION
5.7
FLOW REGIMES
5.8
FLOW OF GASES THROUGH AN ORIFICE
5.9
FLOW THROUGH A CHOKE
5.10 FLOW OF GASES ALONG PIPES: THE WEYMOUTH FORMULA
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
5. SURFACE GAS HANDLING CAPACITIES and PROCEDURE FOR

HPHT WELLS
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
5.1 INTRODUCTION : GAS EXPANSION

In any well control operation in which an influx is circulated out of the well via
the choke, the BASIC OBJECTIVE is to hold bottom hole pressure constant at
all stages of the process.
This is usually achieved by controlling the drillpipe pressure at constant pump
speed (ie at constant slow circulation rate), according to a predetermined
schedule of pressure and strokes (via the Drillers, W & W or Concurrent
methods). As long as the pump speed is held constant, the means of controlling
the drillpipe pressure is by adjusting the opening at the hydraulic choke at the
drillfloor choke manifold.
As indicated in Section 2, gas expansion ratios increase with increase in
bottom hole pressure. A gas expansion factor is used to convert from a nondimensional ratio to the units which are commonly used ie SCF/bbl,as shown
below :
Vsc
198.4 x Pbh
=
Vbh
Zbh x Tbh
Where Pbh
Vbh
Tbh
Zbh
Vsc
Vsc/Vbh
=
=
=
=
=
=
SCF
[ Eqn 5.1.1 ]
bottom hole pressure in psia.

free gas influx volume at bottom hole conditions in bbl.
gas bottom hole temperature in R.
gas compressibilty factor at BH conditions.
free gas volume at standard conditions, SCF.
1/Bg, where Bg is the gas formation volume factor.
It should be noted that Vbh is the free gas influx volume at bottom hole conditions.
In a water-based mud this will equal the measured pit-gain, but in an oil-based
mud with a dissolved gas kick, the pit gain correction factor should be introduced.
FIG 5.1b
F/
10
0f
t
FIG 5.1a
ft
00
00
ft
.2
5
F/
1
:1
Vs
198.6 Pbh
1
= =
Vbh
Zbh.Tbh
Bg
2000
2100
Gas SG = 0.70 (rel to air)

Vs
198.6.Pbh
1
= =
Vbh
Zbh.Tbh
Bg
2000
14
5-2
280
F
300
F
32 0
F
350
F
Gas Expansion Factor SCF/bbl (1/BG)
.3
0
:1
i/ft
ps
i/ft
ps
Gas SG = 0.70 (rel to air)
Surface Temp = 100F
250
F
F
/1
ft :
s i/
0.9
0p
0.8
5
2100
0.8
0
Gas Expansion Factor SCF/bbl (1/BG)
2200
1 .3
2200
15
16
17
18
19
Well TVD - 10005 ft
20
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Bottom Hole pressure - 10005 psia
18
The graphs in FIGS 5.1(a) and (b) indicate the relative values of such
expansion factors at constant mud weights against depth (FIG 5.1a) and at
constant bottom hole temperatures against bottom hole pressures (FIG 5.1b)
for a gas with SG = 0.7 relative to air (MWt = 20.3).
5.1.1 Worked Example: Gas expansion and gas flowrate at MGS
A 10 bbbl gas kick is taken at a TVD of 16500 ft in a well with 0.9 psi/ft mud and
a temperature gradient of 1.35F/100 ft. The slow pump rate is to be 2.5 bbl/min.
The gas SG relative to air is estimated to be 0.65.
Calculate:
(a)
The gas volume SCF/bbl at standard conditions.
(b)
The gas flowrate at the outlet from the MGS,in MMSCF/Day.
SOLUTION:
(a)
From the graph for 0.9 psi/ft mud and 1.35F/100 ft temperature
gradient, the gas expansion ratio is measured as 2194 SCF/bbl.
(b)
The gas flowrate at the MGS outlet, for a pump rate of 2.5 bbl/min is:
Flowrate =
SCF/bbl x bbl/min x minutes/day/1000000
2194 x 2.5 x 1440/1000000
7.898 million SCF/Day (MMSCF/D)
It is obviously necessary, when choosing the slow pump speed, to ensure that
the gas production rate calculated as above does not exceed the handling
capacity of the MGS.
5.2 THE CHOKE MANIFOLD AND THE CHOKE

A typical HPHT choke manifold is shown in FIG 5.2 It is essential that
the choke manifold should be designed to provide the following principal
features:
(a)
adequate pressure integrity for the highest anticipated pressures. This will
be at least 15000 psi with test pressures of 22500 psi for HP wells.
(b)
adequate temperature range capability without loss of the main physical

properties. This will be at least 250F for continuous operation and 320F
for 1 hour. Sub-zero temperatures on the downstream side of the chokes
will also be likely.
(c)
A range of flow-path options with at least 2 variable power (remote)

chokes and 1 manual adjustable choke.
(d)
A point upstream of the chokes at which HP antifreeze (glycol) can be

injected to suppress hydrate formation.
5-3
(e)
An adequate buffer chamber between the downstream side of the chokes

and the mud gas separator, to dampen out pressure surges and
accommodate slugs of mud/gas.
(f)
A means of by-passing the mud gas separator, rapidly, in the event of the
blow-down pressure rating of the MGS being approached, so that the
pressure in the MGS can be reduced and the well can be shut in safely.
FIG 5.2
Glycol
Injection
Point
CHICKSAN
CONNECTION
TO KILL
STANDPIPE IN
DERRICK
TO 3" DST
STANDPIPE
IN DERRICK
CHOKE
LINE
FROM MUD
MANIFOLD
REMOTE
CHOKE
MANUAL
CHOKE
CHICKSAN
CONNECTION
MANUAL
CHOKE
TO MANUAL
CHOKE
STRIPPING
TANK
REMOTE
CHOKE
FROM
CEMENT
PUMP
TO 4:1
DEBOOSTER
AND
CHICKSAN
CONNECTION
KILL
LINE
BUFFE
RTANK
TO PORT
FLAREBOOM
TO STARBOARD
FLAREBOOM
KILL PUMP
TO
KILL LINE
(CHOKE & KILL
MANIFOLD)
TO
CHOKE LINE
(CHOKE & KILL
MANIFOLD)
POORBOY
DEGASSER
CHOKE LINE
18 - 21ft
SEAL
5-4
TRIP
TANK
SENSORS IN
MUD PITROOM
KILL LINE
In the manifold indicated, all equipment from the 3" choke line and HCR valves
through the various choke valves to the entry to the buffer chamber is rated at
15000 psi working pressure. All valve stem seals using elastomers should have
those rated as for any elastomers connected to the BOP stack. The buffer
chamber and the lines and valves leading into it are rated at 10000 psi, whilst
the lines downstream of the buffer chamber leading to the mud gas separator
are rated at 5000 psi.
5.2.1 Flow through a choke orifice
The remote, hydraulic chokes may be either bean type or plate type and the
flow through those is either like flow through a nozzle or flow through a
sharp-edged orifice, as shown in FIG 5.3.
FIG 5.3
The rate of flow of fluids through an orifice depends upon:

(a)
the size of the orifice,
(b)
the fluid density,
(c)
the pressure drop across the orifice.
Unfortunately the compressibility effects of gases mean that the flow of gases
through an orifice or nozzle is more complex than that of a liquid. There is also
a "critical pressure ratio" for the flow of gases through a nozzle or orifice and
this means that if the downstream pressure is less than that specified by the
critical pressure ratio, then the nozzle or orifice flow is said to be choked, ie it
is not capable of flowing more fluid regardless of how low the downstream
pressure is, unless the upstream pressure is raised or the orifice size is
increased. For natural gases the critical pressure ratio is about 0.544. In such
cases of choked flow, the flow through the orifice is directly dependent on the
upstream pressure.
5-5
The gas flowrate through an orifice in such a case can be calculated by a

formula suggested by the US Bureau of Mines for Prover Orifices. This is
detailed in the appendix to this section as:Qg = 399.75 x P1 x d2 x E x (1/T1/Zav/SGg)
Where
d
P1
T1
SGg
Zav
Qg
=
=
=
=
=
=
[Eqn 5.2.1]
effective diameter of the choke orifice, in.

upstream pressure at the choke, psia.
upstream temperature R.
gas specific gravity, relative to air.
a weighted average Z value for the gas.
gas flow through the orifice, MSCF/D.
For a gas of SG 0.65 and upstream temperature of 120F and for an orifice with
a 1" diameter in a 3" diameter choke line, the gas flowrates are:
Pressure
psi
Flowrate
SCF/min
Flowrate
MMSCF/Day
500
1000
1500
2000
4000
7424
14969
22816
30910
63222
10.691
21.555
32.855
44.509
91.039
Because gases have very low densities and viscosities, compared to liquids, a
given pressure drop across a choke valve will flow much larger volumes of gas
than mud or hydrocarbon liquids. However, if the choke orifice or nozzle is
Flow Choked as described above, the upstream pressure will be self adjusting
to allow the appropriate gas flowrate for the actual choke aperture. This means
that when gas starts to flow through the choke, large and rapid changes in
choke pressure can occur, causing difficulty in maintaining constant bottom hole
pressure.
5-6
5.3 MUD GAS SEPARATORS

Experiences in the early 1980s with influxes of high pressure gas in deep wells
indicated that in some cases the capacity ratings of the surface handling
equipment, in particular the liquid seal tubes, vent lines and mud gas separators
(Poor Boy Degassers), were not adequate to circulate the influx safely out of the
well, at the normal slow circulating rates, although influx volumes and shut-in
pressures indicated that anticipated maximum well-head pressures could be
safely accommodated.
Typical mud gas separators in use at that time are shown overleaf in FIG 5.4
and are vertical in design. The liquid seal was achieved by either a U-tube or a
dip-tube with a liquid seal height of about 10 ft and a vent tube of about 6"
diameter. In addition separator capacity was usually less than 10 MMSCFD.
FIG 5.4
6" Derrick
Vent
6" Derrick
Vent
6" Derrick
Vent
2" Siphon
Breaker
Siphon
Breaker
Usually Fitted
Inlet
Inlet
Inlet
Dip Tube
Height
Drain
Shaker
Trough
TRIP-TANK
MOUNTED
API
U-TUBE
DESIGN
At present there is no standard which is specifically derived for mud gas

separators. The current standard in use is that of API 12J Specification of Oil
and Gas Separators, which is widely used in production separation technology.
The basic concepts in separator design require to include consideration of:(a)
The ability to achieve multi-phase separation.
(b)
The range of fluid rheologies likely, from heavy mud to gas and
even hydrocarbon liquid or condensate.
(c)
The fluid properties of gas-cut mud.

5-7
(d)
The likelihood of 2-phase slugs and surge flow.
(e)
Venting of free gas and removal of liquid.
(f)
Response and retention time to allow effective separation.
(g)
Adequate instrumentation for temperature and pressure recording in

transient situations.
The design philosophy should also address itself to:-
High capacity to allow for the large gas expansion ratios.

The special problems associated with horizontal wells.
The need for compact design, particularly for offshore rigs.
Compatibility with established well control practices and the
Kick tolerances specified at various depths.
Reliability in operation.
Generally there are 2 common types of design ie the vertical and the horizontal.
An example of a recent vertical MGS design is shown in FIG 5.5.
FIG 5.5
PRESSURE
SENSOR/GAUGE
"GAS"
FROM
BUFFER
TANK
8" TO 12" DIA

VENT PIPE TO
DERRICK
MGS CHAMBER
30" TO 48" DIA
BAFFLE
PLATES
PRESSURE
SENSOR
5-8
DIP OR SEAL TUBE
"LIQUID" POOL
GAS/CUT
SHAKER
PIT
Generally there are 2 separate criteria of MGS performance ie:(a)

(b)
Separation Capacity.
Blowdown Capacity.
If the MGS is correctly proportioned and designed, it is probable that the

blowdown capacity will be 50 to 100% greater than the separation capacity.
Those are detailed below.
5.3.1 Separation Capacity
The separation process in an atmospheric mud gas separator is governed
mainly by an application of STOKES LAW. This is used to determine the
maximum superficial upward gas velocity to allow separation of gas and liquid
droplets. This is then used to calculate the volumetric rate of gas flow through
the MGS vessel, as indicated in the equation below:
Sc = 0.7854 x D2 x A x K x [(Dl - Dg)/Dg]
Where Sc
D
A
Dl
Dg
K
=
=
=
=
=
=
[Eqn 5.3.1]
separation capacity of the MGS in SCFD.

MGF vessel internal diameter, in ft.
a constant of conversion = 86400.
density of the liquid phase.
density of the gas phase (in the same units as Dl).
a constant, 0.12 to 0.24 for vertical vessels up to 5 ft
deep, or 0.18 to 0.35 for vessels up to 10 ft deep.
The separation capacity is defined as the volumetric gas flowrate through a

MGS which will permit venting of gas with a limiting liquid droplet size at the
exhaust. It is likely that the actual separation capacity of a MGS will be less than
that predicted by the above formula due to:
-
Viscosity and gel characteristics of the liquid.

Retention time within the MGS.
Liquid droplet particle size.
Volumetric throughput rate.
Typical retention times for vertical MGS vessels are 1 to 4 minutes.

The separation capacities for a range of vertical separators for different
densities of liquid and for a gas of 0.7 SG (relative to air) at 60F are shown in
FIG 5.6 (a) and (b) at pressures of 5 psig and 9 psig within the MGS vessels.
Those are based upon Eqn 5.3.1.
5-9
FIG 5.6a
4.0 ft dia
Separation Capacity MMSCF/Day
12
10
3.5 ft dia
3.0 ft dia
6
2.5 ft dia
4
Gas SG = 0.70
Pressure inside MGS = 5.0 psig
MGS Temp = 60F
10
12
14
16
18
20
Liquid Density in MGS (ppg)
FIG 5.6b
12
Separation Capacity MMSCF/Day
4.0 ft dia
10
3.5 ft dia
8
3.0 ft dia
6
2.5 ft dia
4
Gas SG = 0.70
Pressure inside MGS = 9.0 psig
MGS Temp = 60F
10
12
14
16
Liquid Density in MGS (ppg)
5 - 10
18
20
5.3.2 Blowdown Capacity

The blowdown capacity of a MGS is that flowrate which is sufficient to cause
enough internal pressure to blow out the liquid seal at the base of the MGS. It
can be shown that the pressure within the MGS, due to vent line friction is
related to the vent line diameter by:
(Pi2 - 14.72) a Dv5
Where :
Pi
Dv
=
=
[Eqn 5.3.21]
internal pressure, psia, in the MGS.

internal diameter of the vent line, inches.
The flowrate into the MGS governs the velocity in the vent line and thus the
friction pressure loss of the vent line. The Weymouth formula (Given in the
appendix to this section) is commonly used to calculate the pressure loss along
the vent line for a range of gas gravities. Generally the heavier the gas, the
greater will be the pressure loss and the blowdown pressure for a particular gas
flowrate.
For an 8" vent line with an equivalent length of 250 ft, the blowdown pressures
for a range of flowrates are shown in FIG 5.7.
FIG 5.7
250 ft long
220 ft
180 ft
Pressure Inside MGS (psig)
Gas SG = 0.70
ID = 7.625" (8" nominal)
Temp = 60F
10
12
14
16
18
Gas Flowrate MMSCF/Day
The blowdown pressure inside the MGS is also related to the hydrostatic
pressure at the base of the liquid seal dip tube or U-tube by the formula below:
Pb = Sf x Ldt x Gl psi
Where
Sf
Gl
Ldt
Pb
=
=
=
=
[Eqn 5.3.22]
a safety factor ( usually about 0.8).

liquid gradient in dip tube, psi/ft.
length of dip-tube column, ft.
blowdown pressure inside the MGS vessel, psig
5 - 11
It cannot be assumed that the liquid gradient in the dip tube is that of the mud.
At best, the mud gradient is likely to be heavily gas-cut. At worst it is likely to be
gas-cut condensate liquid, with a gradient of 0.3 psi/ft. This is used in worstcase scenario estimates. For a dip-tube of 18 ft and 0.3 psi/ft liquid gradient, the
maximum tolerable blowdown pressure inside the MGS would then be 4.8 psig.
If the blowdown capacity exceeds the separation capacity, then this means that
liquid droplets will be carried over into the vent line.
5.3.3 Optimum slow circulation rate
In normal pressure control operations, it is common to operate the mud pumps
at a slow circulation rate which is between 38 and 50% of the normal circulation
rate for drilling.
This is regarded, from bitter experience, as being much too arbitrary for the
correct operation of the MGS in HPHT wells with gas kicks.
From the gas expansion factor, Eqn 5.1.1, the gas formation volume factor can
be calculated from:
Bg = 1/Vsc
bbl/SCF
It can then be shown that the correct slow circulating mud rate, Scr, for a MGS
with a specific 10 MMSCF/Day separating capacity is given by:
Scr = 6944 x Bg bbl/min.
[Eqn 5.3.3.1]
Or, for a MGS in which the separation capacity is Cmgs MMSCF/Day, then
the optimum slow circulation rate will be:
Scr = 694.4 x Cmgs x Bg bbl/min
Where
Cmgs =
Scr =
[Eqn 5.3.3.2]
separator capacity (separation criteria) in MMSCF/D.

optimum mud pumping rate, bbl/min.
This is shown in graphical form for a 10 MMSCF/Day separating capacity in

FIG 5.8 overleaf.
5 - 12
FIG 5.8
4.0
Maximum Pump Rates for MGS

Separator Capacity : 10 MMSCFD
Gas SG = 0.60
Slow Circulation Rate bbl/min
3.5
BHT = 350F
3.0
BHT = 250F
2.5
Pump Rate to use = Graph value x MGS Capacity (106 SCFD)

Pump Rate to use = bbl/min
Pump (Maxm)to use = Graph value x MG10
2.0
10000
12000
14000
16000
18000
20000
Bottom Hole Pressure (psig)
This may produce Scr values which are significantly lower than those which may
sustainable by a normal triplex mud pump. In such a case a special kill pump or
a cement pump may be used. For such a case, the correct slow circulating
pressure (assuming FCP has been reached) will be:
FCP(opt) = FCP x (Q2/Q1)2
Where
Q2
Q1
=
=
FCP(opt) =
[Eqn 5.3.33]
Optimum slow circulating flowrate for MGS, bbl/min.

Normal slow circulating flowrate, bbl/min, at which the
FCP is calculated.
the FCP at the optimum slow circulating rate Q2

The following data applies to a gas influx taken while drilling a gas condensate
zone in a HPHT well with a water based mud.
Influx volume
Mud gradient
BH temperature
Gas Z value at BHT
Vent line length
Liquid seal depth
=
=
=
=
=
=
12 bbl
0.85 psi/ft
308F
1.717
180 ft
18 ft.
TVD
SIDPP
Gas SG
MGS dia
Vent dia
=
=
=
=
=
16000 ft.
650 psi.
0.7
3.5 ft.
8" (Nominal)
5 - 13
Slow circulating pressure loss at 30 SPM (3.51bbl/min) is 680 psi.

It is estimated that the gradient of the liquid in the MGS seal will be 0.5 psi/ft
when the gas is flowing through the MGS.
Determine the following:
(a)
The overall gas expansion factor from bottom hole to standard

surface conditions.
(b)
The estimated pressure inside the MGS.
(c)
The estimated separating capacity of the MGS.
(d)
The optimum slow circulating rate for adequate separation.
(e)
The estimated blowdown capacity of the vent line.
(f)
The safety margin between blowdown and separation at the optimum

SC rate.
(g)
The slow circulation pressure at the optimum slow circulating rate.
SOLUTION
(a)
The overall gas expansion factor is calculated from Eqn 5.1.1:

Vsc
=
Vbh
198.4 x Pbh
Zbh x Tbh
The bottom hole pressure at shut-in is Pbh:

Pbh = Gm x TVD + SIDPP + 15 = 0.85 x 16000 + 650 +15
= 14265 psia.
The bottom hole temperature at shut-in is Tbh:
Tbh = 300 + 460 = 760 R ( or F absolute), hence:
198.4 x 14265
Vsc
= = 2168.9 SCF/bbl = 1/Bg
Vbh
1.717 x 760
5 - 14
(b)
The pressure inside the MGS = G(liq) x Depth of seal

Hence Pmgs = 0.5 x 18 = 9.0 psig. (Estimated)
(c)
The separating capacity for a 3.5 ft ID MGS at 9 psig can be obtained

from the graphs in FIG 5.6(b).
The estimated liquid seal density is 0.5/0.052 = 9.62 ppg.
At this density the separating capacity is = 5.75 MMSCF/Day.
(d)
The optimum slow circulating speed is calculated from Equation 5.3.3.2

or from the graph FIG 5.8.
By calculation:
Scr (opt) = 694.4 x 5.75 / 2168.9 = 1.84 bbl/min.
(e)
The blowdown capacity of the 8" vent line at a pressure of 9 psig in

the MGS is taken from the graph on FIG 5.7:
At 9 psig, blowdown for 0.7 SG gas in an 8" x 180 ft vent line is about
18.25 MMSCF/day.
(f)
Hence the safety margin between separation and blowdown is about

18.25 - 5.75 = 12.5 MMSCF/day.
(g)
The slow circulating pressure at this reduced rate will be:

Pscr = 680 x(1.84/3.51)2 = 188 psi
It should be noted that the selected optimum slow circulation rate for the
operation of the MGS need not be used from the start of the circulation process.
Low and Jansen suggest that the circulation process should initially be started
as quickly as possible with as high a circulation rate as is feasible for the safe
circulation past the casing shoe. They then indicate that this circulation should
be stopped when it is estimated that the influx (or dispersed kick) is about 4000
ft below the surface and the well then shut in. Thereafter circulation should be
re-established, possibly with a kill pump, at the optimum slow circulation rate
and appropriate DP circulating pressure until the influx is evacuated from the
well.
In using this procedure, it must be stressed that appropriate allowances should
be made for rapid migration rates of free gas or dissolved kicks so that an
accurate estimate of time or strokes to get the influx to a position about 4000 ft
below the surface can be made.
5 - 15
5.4 BOP AND CHOKE LINE FLOWING TEMPERATURES

The temperatures at the BOP and choke line are likely to be of importance in a
well control operation from 2 aspects:
(a)
If the well is flowing rapidly, the temperature at sub-sea flexible

elements may be near to their operational limit.
(b)
In a sub-sea BOP stack system, there will be a cooling effect

between the BOP and the surface choke manifold. The expansion
of gas across the choke may then lead to downstream temperatures
which are low enough to cause hydrates to form.
Computer model predictions of both the sub-sea BOP temperature and surface
choke temperatures (produced by TEMPEST program) for a deep HPHT well
for various uncontrolled flowrates through the choke are shown in FIG 5.9. In a
normal well control kill operation it is estimated that the SS BOP temperature
would be about 250F.
FIG 5.9
300
250
Temperature at Sub-Sea BOP F
Predicted BOP Temp F

200
150
Predicted Surface
Choke Temp F
100
B.H. Temp = 350F

Water Depth = 300 ft
B.H. Press = 14000 psi
50
20
40
60
80
100
120
5 - 16
140
160
At special slow circulation rates, other computer simulations indicate that there
is a cooling effect from the SS BOP up to the choke of between 12F and 48F,
as shown in FIG 5.10, for 8.375 - 8.5" open hole sections.
FIG 5.10
8 3/8" Hole Section

140
130
TEMPERATURE (F)
120
110
100
90
80
70
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
MUD FLOW RATE (bpm)
110
120
130
140
147
Mud Temperature at BOP (F)
5 - 17
5.5 FORMATION AND PREVENTION OF HYDRATES

Hydrates are ice-like solids which are formed when gases are flowing in the
presence of small quantities of water vapour.
The temperatures at which hydrates can form may be well above the
temperature at which pure ice would normally be formed, particularly at
pressures above atmospheric. A typical set of graphs showing the temperatures
and pressures at which hydrates can form in hydrocarbon gas-flow situations is
shown in FIG 5.11. If a pressure/temperature plot for a particular gas is below
the line for that gas, then hydrates will form.
FIG 5.11 Hydrate-forming conditions for natural gases
with various gravities.
6000
4000
3000
2000
Pressure for hydrate formation (psia)
1500
1000
800
600
an
h
et
400
300
ty
ga
vi
200
0.
150
a
gr
7
0.
8
0.
9
0.
100
80
60
1.
40
30
40
50
60
Temperature (F)
5 - 18
70
80
90
Hydrates form as small lattices of water with interstices which contain gases.
The water forms an ice with molecules of gas locked into the frozen solid lattice.
Those can build up into large pieces of solid hydrate at bends or restrictions,
such as chokes or other valves. See FIG 5.12.
FIG 5.12
Solid Hydrate
Build-up
Gas + Water
(Vapour)
When hydrates form, the gas becomes locked into the solid at the local
pressure. It is estimated that 1 cu ft of hydrate may hold the equivalent of
170 SCF compressed gas. This can be released when the hydrate is melted by
the application of heat.
5.5.1 Expansion and Cooling Effect
Generally any source of sudden expansion of a gas can cause a reduction of
temperature. This is the Joule-Thomson effect, as shown in FIG 5.13. It is
estimated that for a hydrocarbon gas the Joule-Thomson cooling effect is about
30F per 1000 psi drop across an orifice or choke. This agrees with the
pressure/temperature modelling graph in FIG 5.14.
h - Total Heat of enthalpy
FIG 5.13
Lines of
Constant
Temp.
T2
2
Expansion
T1 > T2
Pressure
5 - 19
FIG 5.14
UPSTREAM PRESSURE (psia)
4000
3000
2000
1000
-72
0
-80
-60
-40
-20
DOWNSTREAM TEMPERATURE (Deg F)

Upstream Temperature = 46 deg F
Downstream Pressure = 24.7 psia
Once hydrates have formed they may lead to complete plugging of chokes,
fail-safe valves, choke lines and expansion points at entry to the MGS. It is
normal to try to prevent hydrates from forming by the injection of a suppressant
at the upstream side of the choke or at the BOP, on the occasions when
hydrate formation is likely.
To predict whether or not hydrates are likely to form, a graph such as that
shown in FIG 5.11, may be used, for gas with the appropriate SG.
5 - 20
5.5.2 Worked Example: Prediction of hydrate formation possibility

Mud/gas temperature at BOP
Slow circulation rate
Upstream choke pressure
Hole diameter
=
=
=
=
130F
2 bbl/min.
2500 psia.
8.375".
Question
Estimate whether or not hydrates are likely to form downstream of the choke,
without glycol injection.
Solution
(a)
From FIG 5.10, at a BOP temperature of 130F and a slow circulation

rate of 2 bbl/min, the estimated upstream choke temperature will be about
115F.
(b)
Refer to graph FIG 5.13. This graph is based on an upstream

temperature of 43F, but it is assumed that the same degree of colling
due to expansion across the choke takes place, even it the choke
upstream temperature is higher.
From the graph, for an expansion from 2500 psia, the estimated down
stream temperature would be -67F. Thus the cooling or drop in
temperature through the choke would be :
T = 46 - (-67) = 113F.
Thus, for an upstream temperature of 115F at 2500 psi, the downstream
temperature would be about 115 - 113 = 2F at a pressure of about 35 to
40 psia.
This is well into the potential hydrate-forming zone.
5 - 21
5.5.3 Suppression and Removal of Hydrates

Prevention of hydrate formation is always regarded as the preferential action.
Monoethylene glycol is the most common suppressant and it has a freezing
point of 8.6F (-13C). Some information about other suppressants is given in
TABLE 5.14. It should be noted that it is the water-vapour associated with the
gas which has to be inhibited, rather than the whole volume of water in the mud.
It is common in HPHT wells to make provision for the injection of glycol hydrate
suppressant at a point into the BOP upstream of the inner choke line valves and
upstream of the choke at the choke manifold. This is done by a glycol injection
pump which can deliver at a pressure up to the rated pressure of the choke
magnifold. The injection is started at a point when the gas influx is some depth
below the BOP, such as 1500 to 2000 ft. The minimum injection rate is about
.05 gpm but should be increased as necessary.
TABLE 5.14
Property
Ethylene
Glycol
Diethylene Triethylene
Glycol
Glycol
Methanol
Molecular wt.
62.1
106.1
150.2
32.04
SG at 77F
1.11
1.113
1.119
0.77
Boiling pt.
at 14.7psia F
387
473
546
148
Freezing pt.F
8.6
17.6
19.4
-143
Flash pt. F
241
280
320
54
LEL %
3.2
N/A
0.9
6.0
Toxic
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
If hydrates have formed and plugged the lines, the well must be properly shut in
and steps taken to melt the hydrate plug. Such steps may be:
5 - 22
(a)
Steam or hot liquid jets directed onto the external surfaces of the affected
areas.
(b)
Circulation of heated mud into the MGS, if hydrates are forming there.
(c)
The injection of small quantities of methanol into the area upstream and
downstream of the hydrate plug. Methanol has a freezing temperature
of -143F.
References for Section 5

1.
Well Control When Drilling with Oil-Based Muds - Recent British

Experiences in Deep Offshore Wells.
by E.B.Turner: Offshore Technology Report OTH 86 260 HM
Stationery Office, London 1986.
2.
Drilling and Control Aspects of High Pressure Deep Wells.

by J.M Prieur: SPE Paper 19245 :1989 SPE Offshore Europe
Conference, Aberdeen.
3.
A Method for Handling Gas Kicks Safely in High Pressure Wells.

by E.Low and C. Jansen: JPT June 1993 pp 570 - 575.
4.
Practical Natural Gas Engineering

by R.V.Smith. PennWell Books.
5.
Orifice Metering of Natural Gas American Gas Association,

Report No.3 1955.
6.
Applied Drilling Engineering - Chapter 4 by Bourgoyne, Chenevert,

Millheim and Young: SPE Textbook Series Vol 2. 1986
5 - 23
APPENDIX TO SECTION 3 : FORMULAS.

5.6 STEADY FLOW ENERGY EQUATION
By steady flow it is intended that the mass flowrate between stations 1 and 2
in a duct system does not change, although the other properties and geometry
may change.
Then SFEE states:- The total energy at point 1 = total energy at point 2.
This is usually written as:Qh + h1 + v12/2gJ + z1.g/J = Wd + h2 + v22/2gJ + z2.g/J
[Eqn 5.6.1]
Where Qh
heat supplied to the system .
h1,h2
the enthalpy or thermal energy of the system at 1 or 2.
z1,z2
the potential energy or height levels at points 1 or 2.
v12/2gJ
the kinetic energy of the system at point 1, etc.
the mechanical equivalent of thermal energy.
Wd
the work done in the transfer.
In Equation 5.6.1 the enthalpy h is sometimes known as the total thermal

energy capacity of the fluid and h = U + P x V/J where U is the internal energy
of a gas, P is its pressure and V is its volume. Thus if the pressure, temperature
and volume of a gas change it is probable that its thermal energy will also
change.
The SFEE is most important in analysing the nature of gas flow through pipes,
ducts, nozzles and orifices.
5 - 24
5.7 FLOW REGIMES

Laminar and turbulent flow regimes exist for the flow of gases as for liquids and
the criteria is the same i.e. at Reynolds numbers less than 2000 the flow is
laminar and at Reynolds numbers greater than 4000 then the flow is turbulent.
Between those 2 values the flow is transitional.
The Reynolds Number for a fluid flow in a pipe is given by:NRe = v x d x w /
Where
[Eqn 5.7.1]
flow velocity in either m/s or ft/s.
pipe internal diameter in m or ft.
gas density in kg/cu m or in lbm/cuft.
absolute viscosity of the gas either in cP x .001 units

(ie in Ns/m2) or in lbs/ft2 units. To convert cP to
lbs/ft2 units multiply cP by 0.0000208854
The viscosity of a gas is usually much lower than that of liquids and so for
gases the flow regime is often turbulent even at relatively low velocities. For
example, air at 14.7 psia and 520F abs has a viscosity of 0.00948 cP and a
density of .0765 lbm/cuft. For a flow of only 5 ft/s in a pipe which is 2" ID the
Reynolds Number is then NRe = 10000, which is clearly in the turbulent region.
5 - 25
5.8 FLOW OF GASES THROUGH AN ORIFICE

Normally when it is necessary to measure the volumetric or alternatively the
mass flowrate of a fluid in a pipe, this is done by means of a differential
pressure meter using either a profiled bozzle or alternatively using a sharpedged orifice plate which is made to standard proportions such as those
specified in BS 1042 or by the US Bureau of Mines. Such an orifice plate is
shown in FIG 5.3 above, and it is specifically intended that the pressure drop
from the upstream side to the downstream side should be very small, as
measured in terms of inches head of water on a manometer tube.
The equation for the volumetric flowrate is derived directly from the steady flow
energy equation above and takes the form of:Qgh = 218.44 d2 x K x (Tb/Pb) x (1/Tf/SGg) x hw x Pf
[Eqn 5.8.1]
Where Qgh = gas flowrate in cu ft/hr at the base conditions.

d = orifice diameter in inches.
K = the coefficient of discharge of the orifice plate. (This should
be measured experimentally at a calibration facility.
For most sharp-edged orifices the Cd = 0.65)
Tb = temperature at base conditions, F abs.
Pb = pressure at base conditions, psia.
Tf = temperature at flowing upstream conditions, F abs.
Pf = static pressure at upstream side, psia.
(This is really the pressure which would be measured by a
pitot-static device. It is really the flowing pressure + a pressure
correction for the kinetic energy of the flow stream.
SGg = the specific gravity of the gas.
hw = the differential pressure across the orifice meter in inches of
water on a manometer tube.
It is usual to adopt base temperature and pressure as 60F and 14.7 psia so
that when those are inserted in Equation 5.8.1 the constant becomes 7727.13
which gives the flow in SCF/hour.
5 - 26
5.9 FLOW THROUGH A CHOKE

Choke valves are usually plte chokes, which behave as sharp-edged orifices, or
bean type chokes, which behave as nozzles. A choke orifice is similar to those
used for metering gas flows, except that the pressure drop across the choke is
likely to be very much higher than that used for flow metering. Under those
circumstances it is necessary to take into account the compressibilty effects of
the gas. The most appropriate comparison to this condition is the flow through a
prover orifice which is used to assess the flow from a gas producing well which
cannot be readily piped into an existing system for measurement. In this case
the appropriate flowrate formula is that suggested by the US Bureau of Mines,
which can be modified to include the velocity of approach factor E : ie:Qg = 399.75 x P1 x d2 x E x (1/T1/Zav/SGg)
Where
[Eqn 5.9.1]
d = orifice diameter, inches.

D = pipe ID inches.
P1 = the upstream pressure in psia.
T1 = the upstream temperature in F abs.
Zav = the average value of the gas compressibility in the expansion.
SGg = the gas specific gravity.
E
[ 1 - (d/D)4]
The average value of Z may be calculated at a weighted-average value of the

pressure as follows:Pav = (2/3) x [Pu + Pd - Pu x Pd/(Pu + Pd)]
Where
Pu
Pd
=
=
[Eqn 5.9.2]
upstream pressure psia.

downstream pressure psia.
At low pressures Zav will tend to 1 and the flow will agree with that predicted by
the normal orifice flow equation. However, at high pressures and temperatures
the effect may be to reduce the flow.
5 - 27
5.10 FLOW OF GASES ALONG PIPES: THE WEYMOUTH FORMULA

From the above theory and observations, the flow in the surface lines is likely to
be in the turbulent regime. The Weymouth formula is one which is used most
frequently in calculating the flow capacity of pipes or alternatively, if the flow is
known, to calculate the friction pressure drop in the pipe line. The Weymouth
formula is primarily intended for use with pipes from 10 to 30 inches internal
diameter, but it is used, to acceptable standards of accuracy, for pipes of 6 and
8 inches diameter. The flowrate capability of a pipe is given by:-
Q = .0013716 x
Where: Sg
(P12 - P22) x D5
x Sg x L x Z x T
1/2
[Eqn 5.10.1]
= The specific gravity of the gas.
Z = the gas compressibility factor. This will be 1 at or near

atmospheric pressure.
Tsc = standard reference temperature = 520F abs.
Psc = standard reference pressure = 14.7 psia.
T = flowing temperature in F abs. If hydrates are forming this could
be well below atmospheric temperature.
P1 = upstream pressure at inlet end of pipe, psia.
P2 = downstream pressure at outlet end of pipe, psia.
L = the equivalent length of the pipe, in miles. This should include
the length equivalent of all bends, valves and fittings in the pipe,
those values being obtained from tables.
Q = pipe flow capacity in MMSCFD.
f = the pipe friction factor. For smooth pipes the friction factor,
between Reynolds numbers of about 2500 and 100000, is given
to a good approximation, by Blasius solution of Colebrooks
function, as:
0.0791
=
Nre0.25
5 - 28
[Eqn 5.10.2]
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
6.1
DRILLING AND WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES
6.2
H2S PROCEDURES
6.3
PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM EQUIPMENT

INSPECTION/REPAIR PROCEDURES
6.4
TRAINING
6.5
MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF OPERATIONS
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
6. DRILLING AND WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES FOR HPHT

WELL
PROGRAMMES, TRAINING & COMMUNICATIONS
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
6.1 DRILLING AND WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES.

The Operator should submit written procedures which pay particular
attention to the downhole environment and specific precautions to be taken
when operations are in progress in those sections of the well where
formations with known or potential high overpressures are present.
Special reference is to be made to the following:A. Drilling Procedures
6-2
Serviceability and consistency or instrumentation for monitoring

pressure, temperature, and flowrates of fluids entering and leaving
the well bore at surface and recording of such information and
relevant information pertaining to incidents and events.
Status of automatic MAASP control in 12 inch and smaller hole

sizes.
Specific instructions regarding equipment to be installed, or not, in

the bottom hole assembly.
Penetration rate limitations.
Action to be taken on encountering a drilling break.
Procedure/action to be taken if rate of increase of temperature of

the fluid returns increases above the previously observed trend
when circulating at the rate used in drilling to the existing depth in
the present hole size.
Procedures prior to, during, and after trips including acquisition of

borehole survey data.
Procedure for monitoring wellbore fluid losses or gains when open

hole is exposed and there is no pipe in the hole, or through the
BOPs, particularly when the annular preventer and/or blind rams
are closed.
Precautions to be taken when coring in overpressured reservoirs.
Procedure when gas content of mud increases.
Casing wear monitoring and procedures/practices to minimise

casing wear.
Frequency of BOP and ancillary pressure control equipment tests.
Frequency of kick drills.
Operational status of overboard vent lines.
B. Well Control Procedures

-
Shut-in procedures including sequence of operation of BOPs and

valves in the pressure control system.
Procedures in case of doubt whether an influx has occurred.
Procedure for determining kick size and classification.
Guide-lines on choice of kick handling method and procedures for

handling various types of kick .
Pressure limits for bullheading.
Stripping-in procedures.
Procedure/precautions to ensure mud-gas separator does not

become overloaded when circulating out a kick.
Procedures/precautions to prevent hydrate formation and/or if

hydrate formation is suspected/occurs whilst circulating out a kick.
Procedure when circulating out a kick if the temperature and

pressure measured upstream of the surface choke exhibit
anomalous trends or reach levels inconsistent with the circulation
rate, especially during the later stages of removal of the influx
from the wellbore.
Precautions to guard against explosive decompression of

elastomeric components in the pressure control system when
depressurising the system if such components have been exposed
to hydrocarbon gases at high pressure for a prolonged period for
any reason.
Procedures in the event of loss of control.
C. High Temperature Situations

Monitoring procedures, precautions, and actions to be taken to insure
that the rated working temperatures of elastomers in the equipment
below are not exceeded:
-
Flexible hose linings.
BOP Pipe ram face seals.
Any other seals in the pressure control equipment which could be

exposed to extremes of temperatures.
6-3
6.2 H2S PROCEDURES.

Unless there is conclusive evidence that H2S monitoring will not be
required whilst drilling the well, the Operator should submit a copy of his
H2S Procedures Manual, or that part of his Emergency Procedures Manual
addressing H2S Procedures.
6.3 PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM EQUIPMENT INSPECTION/REPAIR
PROCEDURES
-
Policy in respect of testing and inspection of annular BOPs after

stripping-in operations.
Procedures to maintain total well control if the BOP stack has to be

pulled/removed to repair faulty or failed components.
Flexible choke and kill hose pressure testing and inspection frequency
and procedures.
Frequency and procedures for inspection and testing of permanently

installed surface pressure control equipment, surface gas handling
facilities, and solid pipework components of the choke and kill lines on
the riser and BOP stack.
6.4 TRAINING
The following should be addressed:-
6-4
Operators plans/procedures to ensure that all operator and contractor

personnel directly involved in drilling operations on the subject well
and those with day to day operational decision making responsibility
receive specific training to enable them to handle, or make decisions
regarding, well control situations in deep high pressure wells in a
competent manner.
Familiarisation of key members of the above mentioned personnel with

the contingency plans developed by the Operator (through well control
simulation, simulator training, previous experience etc.) for the most
probable well control scenarios that could be encountered in the
subject well.
Drilling crew safety/awareness meetings in respect of operations in

progress or planned.
H2S training and drills.
6.5 MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF OPERATIONS.

The following should be addressed:-
Reporting relationships both offshore, onshore, and between the two,

withdefinite clarification of the person onboard the installation to whom
ultimate authority for decision making in respect of safety of the
installation has been given.
Level of supervision of operations offshore by Operators staff.
Communications between offshore and onshore.
Duties of individual personnel.
Any major changes in reporting relationship between normal and

emergency situations.
6-5
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
7.1
SHUT-IN LINE UP
7.2
SURFACE BOP'S WHILE TRIPPING
7.3
SURFACE BOP'S WHILE DRILLING
7.4
SUBSEA BOP'S WHILE TRIPPING
7.5
SUBSEA BOP'S WHILE DRILLING
7.6
SURFACE & SUBSEA BOP'S WHILE OUT OF THE HOLE
7.7
SURFACE & SUBSEA BOP'S WHILE WIRELINE LOGGING
7.8
TYPICAL SHUT-IN DECISION TREE FOR SURFACE BOP'S
7.9
TYPICAL SHUT-IN DECISION TREE FOR SUBSEA BOP'S
7.10
KILL WELL DECISION TREE
7.11
KILL CIRCULATION DECISION TREE
7.12
BULLHEADING DECISION TREE
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
7. SHUT-IN PROCEDURES AND DECISION TREES
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN

7.1 SHUT IN LINE UP
The valves located on the BOP, surface and subsea, systems will be
closed The choke and kill manifold will have the choke closed plus, in the
event that the choke is not a positive sealing choke, a block valve
immediately upstream or downstream closed. The valve downstream of
the choke can only be used as a block valve if it is the same working
pressure as the choke, and is equipped to open when underpressure.
7.2 SURFACE BOPS WHILE TRIPPING
-
Set slips below top tool joint.

Install full opening safety valve, torque connection and close safety valve.
Close annular and open choke valves.
Ensure the well is shut in and begin recording shut in pressures.
Pass word to the OIL COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE and SENIOR
DRILLING CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE of the well condition.
Make up the kelly or top drive or circulating kill assembly.
Open safety valve.
Complete recording of shut in pressure build up and pit gain.
Decide on kill programme. Refer to decision tree Section 7.11.
7.3 SURFACE BOPS WHILE DRILLING

-
Stop drilling.
Pick drill string off bottom to predetermined shut in point. Stop the mud
pump. If flow is excessive begin next step immediately and strip drill
string to close in predetermined point once well is secured.
Close annular and open choke line valves.
Ensure well is shut in and begin recording shut in pressures.
Pick up circulating kill assembly if it is to be used.
Check space out then close upper pipe rams.
Bleed off any trapped pressure between the annular and rams.
Open annular.
Decide kill programme. Refer to decision tree Section 7.11.
7.4 SUBSEA BOPS WHILE TRIPPING

7-2
Set slips below top tool joint.

Install full opening safety valve, torque connection and close safety valve.
Close upper annular and open choke line failsafe valves.
Ensure the well is shut in and begin recording shut in pressures.
Make up the kelly or top drive or circulating kill assembly.
Open safety valve.
7.5 SUBSEA BOPS WHILE DRILLING

-
Stop drilling.
Pick drill string off bottom to predetermined shut in point. Stop the mud
pump. If flow is excessive begin next step immediately and strip drill
string to close in predetermined point once well in secured.
Close upper annular and open choke line failsafe valves.
Ensure well is shut in and begin recording shut in pressures.
Pick up circulating kill assembly if it is to be used.
Check space out and close upper pipe rams.
Adjust BOP closing pressure as required for stripping and landing drill
string on upper pipe rams.
Land drill string on upper pipe rams, adjust BOP closing pressure and
down weight on upper pipe rams to prevent the hydraulic effect on the
drill string.
Close wedge locks.
Bleed off any trapped pressure between the annular and rams.
Open annular.
7.6 SURFACE & SUBSEA BOPS WHILE OUT OF THE HOLE

-
Close shear/blind rams and open kill line valves.

Allow pressure to stabilise, record pressure and pit gain.
Prepare to bullhead influx to formation.
If well is dead run in hole to condition mud. If well is not dead, strip in
the hole for kill operations. Refer to decision tree Section 7.11.
7.7 SURFACE & SUBSEA BOPS WHILE WIRELINE LOGGING

-
Direct the wireline loggers to cease operations and close the well on
the upper annular.
Open kill line valves and begin to record shut in pressure and pit gain.
Decide on kill programme. Refer to decision tree Section 7.11.
Note:
If at all possible the wireline should be pulled or stripped out of the
hole. If the line needs to be cut and dropped, a surface hydraulic
cable cutter should be used. The shear rams should be considered
as a last resort and used only if the annular(s) fail to secure the well.
7-3
7.8 TYPICAL SHUT-IN DECISION TREE FOR SURFACE BOP'S

WELL FLOWS
OPERATION
IN PROGRESS
DRILLING
(BIT ON BOTTOM)
TRIPPING
(BIT OFF BOTTOM)
RAISE KELLY
OR TOP DRIVE
INSTALL OPEN
SAFETY VALVE
CLOSE
SHEAR RAMS
STOP PUMP
CLOSE
SAFETY VALVE
OPEN
CHOKE LINE
CLOSE
BOP'S
CLOSE
BOP'S
OPEN
CHOKE LINE
OPEN
CHOKE LINE
CLOSE KELLY COCK

OR TOP DRIVE
SAFETY VALVE
COLLARS
IN BOP?
NO PIPE IN BOP
NOTE 1.
IS UPWARD FORCE
ACTING ON COLLARS
GREATER THAN
STRING WEIGHT?
YES
NO
INSTALL KILL
ASSEMBLY & TEST
INSTALL KILL
ASSEMBLY & TEST
CHECK SURFACE
PRESSURES
SEE
NOTE 1
YES
NO
DROP STRING
WAIT THEN
CLOSE
SHEAR RAMS
PRESSURE UP
TO S.I.D.P.P.
OPEN KELLY COCK
OR TOP DRIVE
SAFETY VALVE
OPEN
SAFETY VALVE
OBSERVE WELL
MUSTER HALL
CREWS FOR
INFORMATION
CALCULATE
PREPARE TO KILL
7-4
WITHDRAW ALL
WORK PERMITS
ADVISE
STANDBY BOAT
INFORM DRILLING
CONTRACTOR
OFFICE
INFORM
OFFICE
7.9 TYPICAL SHUT-IN DECISION TREE FOR SUBSEA BOP'S
WELL FLOWS
OPERATION
IN PROGRESS
DRILLING
(BIT ON BOTTOM)
TRIPPING
(BIT OFF BOTTOM)
RAISE KELLY OR
TOP DRIVE
INSTALL OPEN
SAFETY VALVE
CLOSE
SHEAR RAMS
STOP PUMP
CLOSE
SAFETY VALVE
OPEN
CHOKE LINE
CLOSE
UPPER ANNULAR
CLOSE
UPPER ANNULAR
OPEN
CHOKE LINE
OPEN
CHOKE LINE
CLOSE KELLY COCK

OR TOP DRIVE
SAFETY VALVE
COLLARS
IN BOP?
NO PIPE IN BOP
NOTE 1.
IS UPWARD FORCE
ACTING ON COLLARS
GREATER THAN
STRING WEIGHT?
YES
INSTALL KILL
ASSEMBLY & TEST
NO
INSTALL KILL
ASSEMBLY & TEST
CHECK SURFACE
PRESSURES
CHECK
SPACE OUT
CHECK
SPACE OUT
SEE
NOTE 1
CLOSE UPPER
5" PIPE RAMS
CLOSE UPPER
5" PIPE RAMS
LAND STRING
CLOSE RAM LOCKS
LAND STRING
CLOSE RAM LOCKS
PRESSURE UP
TO S.I.D.P.P.
OPEN KELLY COCK

OR TOP DRIVE
SAFETY VALVE
OPEN KELLY COCK

OR TOP DRIVE
SAFETY VALVE
OBSERVE WELL
MUSTER HALL
CREWS FOR
INFORMATION
CALCULATE
PREPARE TO KILL
YES
NO
DROP STRING
WAIT THEN
CLOSE
SHEAR RAMS
WITHDRAW ALL
WORK PERMITS
ADVISE
STANDBY BOAT
INFORM DRILLING
CONTRACTOR
OFFICE
INFORM
SHOREBASE
OFFICE
7-5
7-6
BULLHEAD
INFLUX
See Section 7.12
TRIPPING
BULLHEAD TO
REDUCE VOLUME
?? bbls
KICK SIZE
DRILLING
KICK TAKEN WHILST:
FLOW DETECTED
WELL SHUT IN
CIRCULATE OUT
INFLUX
See Section 7.11
?? bbls
BULLHEAD
INFLUX
See Section 7.12
OUT OF HOLE
7.10 KILL WELL DECISION TREE
7.11 KILL CIRCULATION DECISION TREE

Monitor DP/CSG
Pressures
is pipe
on bottom?
NO
Strip to
bottom
YES
Doubt
exists
YES
NO
Wait and
Weight
Calculate the following:
Max anticipated surface pressure.
Max anticipated surface gas volumes.
Hydrate formation points
Max SCR at surface
Driller's
Method
Line up surface facilities:

a) Poorboy/trip tank
b) Blow down line
c) Glycol injected unit
d) Cement unit for glycol
injection
Start circulation at
selected SCR
Influx ??? ft from BOP
Are hydrates predicted

at BOP
YES
Start injecting glycol at

?? gall/min down kill line
NO
Stop pumps
and restart
at lower SCR
YES
U/S Choke temperature

approaching ?? F
NO
Gas at choke
Start injecting glycol

into CM at ?? gall/min
Restart pumps
at lower SCR
Shut choke.
Stop pumps.
Open vent line.
Monitor Buffer
Tank Pressure
Exceeding
??? psi?
Stop pumps.
Select lower SCR
Exceeding
Trip Tank
gauge pressure
Shut choke.
Stop pumps.
R/U to heat manifold
to clear plug
Approaching
??? psi
Redirect flow to
another choke.
Increase glycol
injection rate.
Monitor Poorboy
Pressure
Approaching
Trip Tank
gauge pressure
YES
Hydrates plug formed?
NO
Influx circulated out
Stop pumps.
Monitor pressures
0 psi?
NO
Perform further
circulation
YES
Clear BOP
Circulate riser
Open well
7-7
7.12 BULLHEADING DECISION TREE

DECISION MADE TO BULLHEAD
PIPE HUNG OFF IN U.RAMS
UPPER CHOKE LINE F/S's OPEN
- CHOKE CLOSED
CALC:
INFLUX VOLUME
VOLUME TO BE BULLHEADED
MAX. INJ. PRESSURE GRAPH
POSITION OF INFLUX
ALLOW PRESSURES TO STABALISE
LINE UP SURFACE EQUIP TO KILL PUMP

P/T SURFACE LINES TO BULLHEAD
DOWN KILL LINE
START KILL PUMP

BRING UP TO SPEED AT LOW RATE
START BULLHEADING AT CONSTANT RATE
PLOT INJECTION PRESSURE/VOLUME RELATIONSHIP
MONITOR DP AND CGS PRESSURES
YES
CONTINUE
BULLHEADING
NO
IS
FLUID BEING
INJECTED?
IS
INJECTION
PRESSURE AT
MAXIMUM?
NO
INCREASE
INJECTION
PRESSURE
YES
GO TO
WELL KILL
CIRCULATION
YES
IS
INJECTION
PRESSURE
DECREASING?
NO
STOP PUMPS
SHUT IN. ALLOW
PRESSURES TO
STABILISE
IS
SICP<
ORIGINAL
SICP?
YES
YES
BULLHEAD REQUIRED
INFLUX VOLUME.
NO
7-8
BLEED OFF
TRAPPED
PRESSURE
YES
IS
SIDP=SICP?
IS
PRESSURE
TRAPPED
IN WELL?
NO
GO TO
WELL KILL
CIRCULATION
NO
RD
ABE
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
8. BULLHEADING OVERVIEW
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN

Rev.1/07-05-96
BULLHEADING OVERVIEW
Aberdeen Drilling Schools & Well Control Training Centre

Bullheading is a method used to displace an influx back into the formation
using available mud weight. The well is later killed circulating heavy mud
as required. The advantage with this method is that it avoids handling of
gas at surface. With this in mind bullheading should be considered a gas
handling method rather than a primary well control method.
If the bit is off bottom, the influx can be bullheaded and the well killed with
the normal mud weight. In most cases (i.e. the influx was induced by
swabbing).
Bullheading can also be used if it is apparent that the surface pressure (or
H2S presence) would pose a serious risk to the rig and its equipment
during normal killing operations.
When bullheading where open hole sections are exposed, there is a
chance that the formation could break down at the shoe rather than at the
formation where the influx came from. It should always be kept in mind that
bullheading may aggravate the development of an underground blowout.
Due diligence must be taken when using bullheading therefore, the
injection pressure should normally decrease as the influx is forced back to
the formation. A constant injection pressure indicates that the influx is
below the fractured zone/injection point.
Bullheading a mixture of mud and hydrocarbons into the formation may
create an artificial pore pressure which is equal to fracture closure
pressure. This charged formation will tend to act as a kick and will create
problems in relation to the amount of fluid pumped and the properties of
the formation. Small and minor zones/fractures with no or little porosity and
permeability are more likely to swell while more porous and permeable
zones may absorb the injected fluid more easily.
When injecting hydrocarbons with an increasing content of mud the
injection pressure may increase due to plugging of the pores. The pressure
will increase further when non-contaminated mud is being bullheaded into
the formation and a fracture is created.
The well MAASP figure should be considered and reviewed prior to the
bullheading operations. Maximum bullheading pressure needs to be
worked out well in advance so as to minimise any confusion in this
operation.
8-1
The success of a bullheading operation is dependent of several things such

as:
-
Record and double check pressure limitations of pumping equipment,

wellhead equipment and casing. These limitations must be monitored
and be used to govern the bullheading procedure.
The earlier an influx is bullheaded the less volume has to be

bullheaded. If a gas kick occurs and is allowed to migrate, a larger
volume than the initial conditions will have to be bullheaded back into
the formation.
A smaller volume bullheaded will create less super-charging effect on

the formation.
Based on influx volume, migration time, pressures and hole

configuration decide whether to bullhead down drillstring and annulus
or annulus only.
Dependent on surface rig up, it is recommended to have a check valve

between the pumping unit and the well. This will act as a fail-safe valve
in the event surface equipment should fail during bullheading.
If an influx is to be bullheaded, the pumping rate for bullheading must

be fast enough to exceed the rate of any gas migration. This can be a
problem in large diameter holes.
If pump pressure increases instead of decreasing, it might be an

indication that the pumping rate is too low to bullhead the influx back
into the formation.
Bullheading a kick can be the method used when the following conditions
exist:
A. The kick size is too large to be circulated to the surface.
B. Returns are lost when starting to circulate out the kick.
C. When the drillstring is out of the hole.
D. The kick is caused by swabbing when POOH.
E. The influx or drilling mud returns contain more H2S than
the operation can tolerate.
F. Plugged or parted drillstring where kill mud cannot get to the bottom
of the hole.
G. Rig operation must gain time when short of material,
skilled personnel and/or equipment problems.
8-2
PROCEDURE FOR BULLHEADING

When an influx is detected and the well is shut in, the following critical
parameters shall be evaluated:
-
estimated maximum surface pressure
estimated surface gas volumes
possibility of hydrate formation
capacity of Mud Gas Separator and limits placed on kill rate
probability of breaking down the formation circulating the kick to

surface
NOTE: A decision should be taken fairly soon to avoid packing

off annulus due to settling of barite or drill solids.
Decide the rate and the volume to be bullheaded. The volume shall be
based on the influx volume and how the influx was taken. For a kick taken
during drilling, the volume circulated while the kick was taken must be
added to the measured surface gain plus a safety factor for uncertainty and
migration.
For a kick taken during tripping (swabbed), the volume should be equal to
the influx. Make sure sufficient mud volume is on hand to complete the
bullheading operation.
Line up and pressure test surface equipment.
Keep an estimate of surface pressure needed to fracture the formation
based on an estimate of the formation strength of the kicking zone.
If the influx occurred during drilling, do not start bullheading before the
shut-in drillpipe pressure has stabilised.
The maximum allowed bullheading pressure shall be determined and
decided upon before bullheading operations commence.
NOTE: The weight of the mud can be the same as the actual mud
in use when the kick or influx occurred.
Start the bullheading at a low rate and establish an injection rate. (Volume
vs. Pressure). Monitor the injection pressure to check that it is less than
the maximum pressure to be used. If this pressure is less than MAASP
value there is a good chance that the influx is being pumped back to where
it came from.
8-3
Attempt to keep a constant rate and plot the injection pressure versus the
volume. Have the LOT information available so this information can be
compared.
NOTE: Update the leak-off test plot each time the mud weight
is changed. Take SCR down kill/choke-line with the cement
unit after setting the first competent casing string and
all succeeding casing/liner strings.
Bullheading should be interrupted if injection is not obtained within the
predetermined maximum allowable injection pressure. Start over again
with a lower pump rate. If surface injection pressure exceeds the
predetermined pressure, re-evaluate the situation where consideration is
given to proceed with a conventional kill operation where circulating back
to surface is performed.
When the initial predetermined volume is bullheaded, shut the well in and
observe the annulus and drillpipe pressures. If the shut-in annulus
pressure has dropped, proceed with the bullheading operation until the
annulus and drillpipe pressures are equal. Bleed off any trapped pressure.
If the kick or influx was taken during drilling and bullheading operations
were performed, proceed with a conventional kill method.
If the kick or influx was taken during tripping consider stripping back to
bottom (possibly in stages) and using a conventional kill method once
bullheading has been completed.
PROCEDURE IF INITIAL BULLHEADING WAS UNSUCCESSFUL

If the initial bullheading was unsuccessful (injecting into formation above
the influx), strip back to bottom (if off bottom) and proceed to bullhead
down both drillstring and annulus in order to minimise the influx volume
(influx too large
to be circulated out).
NOTE: In this case the formation has been fractured and may have been
charged.
Shut the well in and bleed off any trapped pressure. Circulate out the influx
with a limited SPM in order to maintain returns and to minimise the rate of
gas on surface.
8-4
ALTERNATIVE TO BULLHEADING WHILE TRIPPING

If a kick occurs during tripping, possibly consider using the following
procedure as a alternative to bullhead.
If the size of the influx volume is minor, shut in the well and consider to
circulate in a heavy mud pill with sufficient density and volume to create at
least 50 psi overbalance
Flowcheck the well on trip tank, open the BOP and RIH if the well is stable.
When the drillstring has displaced the top of the heavy pill to the surface,
shut the well in and place another pill in the annulus.
Flowcheck the well on trip tank, open the BOP and RIH if the well is stable.
Repeat the steps until the drillstring enters the influx.
Strip in to bottom (or to the top of the reservoir) and circulate the influx
according to normal kick handling procedure.
8-5
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
9.1
THE VOLUMETRIC METHOD OF WELL CONTROL
9.2
BASIC THEORY
9.3
PHASE 1: BRINGING THE GAS TO THE SURFACE CHOKE
9.4
STANDARD CONDITIONS
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
9. VOLUMETRIC METHOD OF WELL CONTROL
D RI L LI N G S
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HPHT Course
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9.1 THE VOLUMETRIC METHOD OF PRESSURE CONTROL

Occasions arise when it is necessary to use the volumetric method of well
control although there is commonly less emphasis upon this method than
normal circulation methods. However it is a reliable and well-tried method for
removing a gas influx from a well.
The circumstances when the VOLUMETRIC METHOD is used fall into the
following categories:
(a)
Drill-string at or near bottom but with some problem which makes

it impossible to circulate a kick in a normal way. (Plugged or
damaged or burst string).
(b)
Drill string off-bottom, with a gas kick rising below or above the bit.
(Possibly a swabbed kick).
(c)
Drill string out of the well with a migrating gas influx shut-in within
the well. (Possibly a swabbed kick).
The basic procedure is in 2 parts:

Part 1, whereby the gas is allowed to migrate to the surface and mud is bled
from the well in pre-determined volumes, while the gas is within the annulus.
During this stage the gas pressure is reduced and the choke pressure rises,
whilst the bottom hole pressure remains almost constant, within a safety
tolerance margin.
At the end of this stage, the gas volume and the choke pressures are
substantially the same is if the gas had been brought to the choke by the first
circulation of the Drillers Method.
Part 2, when the gas is bled from the well at the choke and mud is lubricated
(pumped) into the well. During this stage the gas volume and choke pressure
reduce, while the bottom hole pressure again remains substantially constant.
Current mud is used throughout.
9-2
The fundamental principles which apply for the gas behaviour, assuming that
no gas escapes from the annulus, are :
(a)
The gas migrates upwards, either as a large single bubble or as a

system of small bubbles. Care has to be taken in estimating the rate
of gas migration, and a large slug of gas is known to migrate more
rapidly than small bubbles.
At shut-in conditions, the nominal rate of gas migration, Umg, is likely
to be in excess of the rate calculated from:
Umg =
Rate of rise of choke pressure (psi/hr)
Mud gradient (psi/ft)
[Eqn 9.11]
(b)
Changes of gas temperature and compressibility factor, Z, are

ignored. ie, if the gas does not expand, its pressure and its volume
do not change (Boyles Law).
(c)
The total gas hydrostatic pressure in the well is constant regardless

of whether the gas is expanded or unexpanded, or if it is a single
bubble or a system of small bubbles. This means that as the gas is
allowed to expand its density and its pressure gradient reduce.
(d)
If a volume of mud is bled from the well, then the gas in the well
must expand by the same volume.
Other definitions which are used in this method are :
SAFETY MARGIN:
This is a small amount of additional bottom hole

pressure which is held above the formation pressure.
This is applied by allowing some extra gas
compression during its initial migration. Depending on
fracture and formation conditions this may be between
100 and 300 psi.
OPERATING MARGIN: This is the additional pressure which is allowed to

build up and on the choke in the periods when no
mud is being bled at the choke and the gas is rising in
the annulus. This is commonly allocated as 100 or 200
psi, depending on the well conditions.
9-3
9.2 BASIC THEORY

Although the method is primarily a practical hands-on method, it is still of
some value to make an estimate of :
(a)
The approximate value of the expected maximum choke pressure.
(b)
The approximate volume of the expanded gas at the choke. From

this it is then possible to estimate the total volume of mud which
needs to be bled from the choke during the rise of the gas in the
annulus.
It is also assumed that the following data is known:

Well TVD (ft)
Mud density (ppg) and gradient (psi/ft)
Bottom hole pressure (psi)
Initial gas influx volume (bbl).
Annulus geometry and capacities (bbl/ft) for each part of the well.
It is also unlikely that the SIDPP will be known and in many cases when the
volumetric method is used, the kick will have been swabbed and hence the
degree of final pressure imbalance, when the bit is eventually back on bottom,
should be zero.
9.2.1 Maximum Anticipated Choke Pressure and Gas Volume.
It has been indicated above, that even although no mud is circulated, but mud
is bled off as the gas rises, and the choke pressure is adjusted accordingly to
maintain constant bottom hole pressure, the net result is the same as if the
1st circulation of the Drillers Method is used.
From Section 2 The Behaviour of Gases, the maximum pressure at the
choke for a gas kick , using the Drillers Method, is calculated from Equation
2.62, by substituting the value of zero for the depth of interest. Then :
Pckmax = 0.5 x (Pdp2 + 4 x Vg1 x Gm x Pbh/Ca) + 0.5 x Pdp
9-4
For a swabbed kick, with the correct pre-swab bottom-hole pressure, the
SIDPP = Pdp = 0. Then :
Pckmax = (Vg1 x Gm x Pbh/Ca)
Where
Vg1
Gm
Pbh
Ca
[Eqn 9.21]
=
=
=
=
initial gas influx volume, bbl.

current mud gradient, psi/ft.
bottom hole pressure, psia.
annulus capacity at the top section of the
annulus, bbl/ft.
Pckmax= maximum anticipated pressure when gas is
at the choke psia.
This formula can be simplified to give :

Pck max = 228 x (P x Vg1 x W/C)
Where
P
W
C
[Eqn 9.22]
= Bottom hole pressure, in 1000s of psia.

= Mud density, in ppg.
= Annulus capacity, in bbl/1000ft at the top of
the annulus.
NB:Some texts use 200 instead of 228 as the coefficient in Eqn 9.22.
This produces an error of about 10% on the low side for Pckmax.
Once the maximum choke pressure has been calculated, it is possible to
calculate (by Boyles Law) the volume of gas which can be expected when it
reaches the top of the annulus, as:
Vgck = Vg1 x Pbh/Pckmax
(bbl)
[Eqn 9.23]
The expansion of the gas, and the total amount of mud to be bled off is then :
Vmud
= Vgck - Vg1
(bbl)
[Eqn 9.24]
Those values of Pckmax and Vmud should be used only as a guide.
9-5
9.2.2 Calculation of Change in Choke Pressure for Bleeding Off a Volume of

Mud.
The change in choke pressure for bleeding off a volume of mud changes from
section to section of the well, if there is drill string in the hole.
Let Gm = mud gradient, psi/ft.
Let Cdc = capacity of the drill collar/hole/casing annulus,
ft/bbl.
Let Cdp = capacity of the drillpipe/hole/casing annulus, ft/bbl.
Let Ch = capacity of the open hole or casing, ft/bbl.
Let dP = change in choke pressure, psi, during one bleed-off stage.
Let dVm = change in mud volume ( ie mud bled off), bbl, during one
bleed-off stage. This is also the gas expansion.
Example :
Mud gradient = 0.65 psi/ft.
Cdc
= 0.0291 bbl/ft. for 600 ft inside the casing.
Cdp
= 0.0459 bbl/ft. for 10400 ft inside the casing.
Ch
= 0.0702 bbl/ft. for 4000 ft below the collars.
How much mud has to be bled off at each stage of the well to give a change in
choke pressure of 200 psi?
The volumetric change in mud hydrostatic pressure in the well is calculated
from :
dPhm = Gm (psi/ft)/ Capacity (bbl/ft)
[Eqn 9.25]
= 0.65/0.0702 = 9.259 psi/bbl in open hole

or
= 0.65/0.0291 = 22.34 psi/bbl in DC annulus
or
= 0.65/0.0459 = 14.16 psi/bbl in DP annulus
The volume of mud to be bled off at each stage to give a 200 psi change in
the choke pressure is then :
dVm
9-6
= DPck / dPhm
[Eqn 9.26]
And if the change in choke pressure for each bleed-off is to be 200 psi
(ie DPck = 200), the :
dVm = 200/9.259 = 21.60 bbl in open hole
or
= 200/22.34 = 8.95 bbl in DC annulus
or
= 200/14.16 = 14.12 bbl in DP annulus.
ALTERNATIVELY, if it was decided always to bleed ,off the same volume of

mud, say 15 bbl at each step, then the change in choke pressure could be
calculated from Eqn 9.26 as:
DPck = dVm x dPhm

= 15 x 9.259 = 139 psi in the open hole
or
= 15 x 22.34 = 335 psi in the DC annulus
or
= 15 x 14.12 = 212 psi in the DP annulus.
9.3 PHASE 1 : BRINGING THE GAS TO THE SURFACE CHOKE.

Prior to starting this operation it is necessary to ensure the following:
(a)
All pressure control equipment and the choke has been checked and
is correctly lined up.
(b)
There is an accurate means of measuring the volume of mud which

is bled from the annulus into a trip tank. It may be useful to hook up
a small volume bleed tank which has a volume of 10 to 15 bbl,
which can be drained into the main trip tank.
(c)
The mud pump delivery per stroke is known accurately.
(d)
The choke pressure gauge is accurate and has as fine a scale

graduation as possible.
9-7
It is possible to proceed in one of 2 ways:

(1)
Elect to bleed off a constant volume of mud on each step and then
calculate the increase in choke pressure due to the reduction in the
mud hydrostatic pressure. This gives THE CONSTANT VOLUME
METHOD OF WELL CONTROL.
This means that, as the gas rises past the various sections of the
drillstring (if it is in the hole), then the change of choke pressure will
differ from one section to the next.
OR (2)
Elect to bleed off a constant amount of mud hydrostatic pressure

and then calculate the volume of mud which has to be bled off at
each stage of the well.
Some operating companies regard this as a more reliable method,
as the value of the pressure change at the choke at each stage is
constant and there is a more accurate control of bottom hole pressure.
Obviously, if there is no drillstring in the hole, the calculations involve only one
value of dPhm.
9.3.1 Phase 1 Procedure.
(a)
Estimate the rate of gas migration and the approximate position of

the gas in the well as the operation is about to start.
(b)
Estimate the total volume of mud to be bled off and the maximum
choke pressure.
(c)
Confirm the values of Safety Margin and Operating Margins to be

used, making sure that while the gas is below the casing shoe, the
MAASP will not be exceeded.
(d)
Allow the choke pressure to build up above its initial shut-in value by
(i) The Safety Margin PLUS (ii) The operating margin. This value is :
Pck1 = SICP + Safety Margin + Operating Margin
9-8
(e)
When Pck1 has been reached, the choke operator opens the choke
and HOLDS THE CHOKE PRESSURE CONSTANT AT THIS
VALUE while the correct amount, dVm, of bleed-off mud is bled to
the measuring tank. When this has been done, the choke is closed.
(f)
The choke pressure is now allowed to rise again ( due to gas

migration without expansion) until the choke pressure is now Pck2,
where:
Pck2 = SICP + Safety Margin + 2 x Operating Margin
(g)
When Pck2 has been reached, Step (e) is repeated. If the gas has
moved from one section of the well to another, the new mud bleed
volume will require to be bled off.
(h)
This process is repeated until gas is recorded to be at the choke. For

each step, the new choke pressure is :
Pckn = SICP + Safety Margin + n x Operating Margin
Graphs of (a) Choke pressure against gas distance ( or time interval) from
bottom hole and (b) Choke pressure against mud bled-off volume are shown
in FIGS 9.1 and 9.2 below.
CHOKE PRESSURE (PSI)
FIG 9.1
VM
VM
VM
Pck4
VM
Pck3
Pck2
Pck1
SKP
GAS POSITION - HEIGHT ABOVE BOTTOM HOLE (TIME)
Pck (PSI)
FIG 9.2
Pck1
VM
VM
MUD BLED OFF (BBL)

9-9
When the gas is located behind the surface choke the PHASE 1 of the
operation is completed.
NOTE OF CAUTION : THE ABOVE MATERIAL HAS BEEN WRITTEN FOR
THE CASE OF FREE GAS WITHIN THE MUD IN THE ANNULUS. IF AN
OIL-BASED MUD IS IN USE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AN INITIAL SWABBED
INFLUX OF FREE GAS WILL DISPERSE AND STREAM WITHIN THE MUD,
AFTER WHICH IT IS LIKELY TO DISSOLVE WITHIN THE OIL PHASE OF
THE MUD. THIS WILL LEAD TO A VOLUME CHANGE AND POSSIBLY A
CHANGE OF CHOKE PRESSURE.
IF THE BUBBLE POINT PRESSURE OF ANY GAS/LIQUID SOLUTION SO
FORMED IS BELOW THE MAXIMUM ANTICIPATED CHOKE PRESSURE (
WHICH MAY BE APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE SICP) THEN THERE
WILL BE NO FREE GAS TO EXPAND TO THE SURFACE AND LITTLE OR
NO MUD TO BLEED OFF.
IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE GAS WOULD NOT BE RELEASED
FROM THE MUD UNTIL THE GAS/LIQUID SOLUTION IS DOWNSTREAM
OF THE CHOKE AND ON ITS WAY TO THE MUD GAS SEPARATOR.
9.4 PHASE 2 PROCEDURE: PUMPING IN MUD AND BLEEDING OFF GAS.

The process of pumping mud into the top of a closed-in well containing gas,
and then bleeding off gas at the choke, is known as lubricating mud into the
well.
Prior to starting to lubricate it is necessary to check the following :
(a) An adequate supply of clean CURRENT mud should be available.
(b) The pump manifold alignment and the choke/downstream alignment to
the MGS should be checked.
(c) The setting of automatic valves to open overboard lines should be
checked.
(d) The output per stroke of any pump to be used should be accurately
known. Pumps include mud pumps, cement pumps or dedicated kill
pumps.
(e) The setting of any MGS blowdown/seal-tube alarms should also be
checked.
9 - 10
9.4.1 Calculations
At the end of the Phase 1, the gas will be behind the choke and the choke
pressure will still have the Safety Margin component within it.
It is generally advisable to release gas in small quantities, to avoid the
possibility of overloading the MGS/seal tube which might happen with large
bursts of gas.
Since the gas is at the top of the well, it will usually be only one annulus
capacity at the top of the well which enters into the calculations, unless there
is drillpipe and collars in the well near to the top.
As in Eqn 9.25, the volumetric change in mud hydrostatic pressure is
calculated from :
dPhm = Gm/C
(psi/bbl),
where C is the particular

annulus capacity, bbl/ft.
The total volume of gas at the choke is estimated from Eqn 9.24 as :
Vgck = Vmud + Vg1 (bbl), where Vmud is the total volume
of mud bled off in Phase 1 and
Vg1 is the initial gas volume.
This can be used as a guide to determine how much mud has to be lubricated
into the well, but when no more gas is being released at the choke, the
lubrication would be stopped, unless a policy of lubricating and bleeding extra
(clean) mud is adopted as a safety measure.
The total volume of mud to be lubricated into the well is broken down into
manageable slugs, so that the choke pressure is not being reduced too
rapidly when gas is bled off. As a rule, lubricating mud to give an in crease of
mud hydrostatic pressure of 100 psi is reasonable.
Thus, per 100 psi of mud hydrostatic pressure pumped into the well, the
volume of mud injected will be :
dVmi = 100/ dPhm
(bbl)
[Eqn 9.41]
The number of pump strokes which have to be pumped to inject this volume
of mud are given from :
Strokes = Vol of mud to inject(bbl)/Pump delivery (bbl/stk)
= Vmi / Vpst
[Eqn 9.42]
9 - 11
When mud is lubricated into the well against a closed choke, the bottom hole
pressure rises due to:
(a) The extra mud hydrostatic pressure in the well.
(b) The extra compression of the gas, which is given by:
New Pchk after mud injection - Old Pchk before injection.
In addition, the Safety Margin pressure will still be acting on the bottom hole.
Then, if Pchk1 = initial choke pressure ( with SM) before mud injection,
Pchk2 = new choke pressure after mud injection.
And when gas is bled off, for a 100 psi mud injection, the choke pressure is
allowed to fall by:
dPchk = Pchk2 - Pchk1 - 100
[Eqn 9.43]
9.4.2 Lubrication Procedure

(a) Record the final pressure at the choke after all mud of Phase 1 has been
bled off and the gas is stabilised at the choke. This is Pchk1.
(b) Operate the pump slowly and for the pre-determined number of strokes to
inject (via the kill line) the correct volume of injection mud, Vmi. It is
essential to do this slowly so that the mud (heavier than the gas) has time
to sink down through the gas. When the mud has been injected, the pump
is stopped.
(c) The choke pressure will rise to a new value, Pchk2. Give this time to
stabilise and calculate the drop in choke pressure, dPchk, necessary as
gas is bled off.
(d) The choke operator should then open the choke slowly and allow the
choke pressure to fall by the predetermined amount Pchk, as calculated .
(e) This procedure is repeated until all the gas has been exhausted from the
annulus.
(f) When all the gas has been exhausted and the system stabilised, record
the final choke pressure : Pck (end) . It should be remembered that the
Safety Margin pressure is still held within this pressure.
9 - 12
If the choke pressure is greater than the Safety Margin, the well will still
be underbalanced and kill mud will have to be circulated eventually.
(g) If it is possible, drillstring may be snubbed and stripped back into the well
to bottom, with current mud in the well.
(h) If there is a shut-in drillpipe pressure at this point, it will be necessary to
calculate the correct kill mud density and circulate this around the well.
(j) If there is no SIDPP when string has been stripped back to bottom, then it
would be necessary to flowcheck and condition the mud before proceeding
with further operations.
A typical graph of choke pressure against volume of mud injected is shown
in FIG 9.3.
FIG 9.3
Pchk2
CHOKE PRESSURE (PSI)
Pchk1
BLEED-OFF GAS
MUD HYDRO
Vmi
Vmi
ALL GAS
REMOVED.
Vmi
Vmi
FINAL
SICP
VOLUME OF MUD INJECTED (BBL)
9 - 13
EXAMPLE:
At the end of a volumetric process to bring a 30 bbl swabbed gas influx to the
surface the following were the relevant values:
Choke pressure
Gas volume
Mud gradient
Annular capacity
Pump output
Operating margin
=
=
=
=
=
=
2300 psig (including a 200 psi Safety Margin)

135 bbl
0.806 psi/ft
0.04892 bbl/ft
0.117 bbl/stk
200 psi
The mud volumetric hydrostatic ratio is dPhm
= 0.806 / 0.04892
= 16.48 psi / bbl
For a 200 psi hydrostatic operating margin, the volume of mud to be pumped
is the dVm = 200 / 16.48 = 12.14 bbl.
The pump strokes to do this are dSt = 12.14 / 0.117 = 104 strokes.
With the choke closed, the pump is slowly stroked for 104 strokes and the mud is
injected through the kill line. As it does so it (a) increases the mud hydrostatic
pressure on the bottom hole by 200 psi and (b) it compresses the gas by a volume
of 12.14 bbl.
The new choke pressure after the mud injection therefore rises to :
Pchk = P gas = Initial gas vol x Initial choke press / New gas vol
= 135 x 2300 / (135 - 12.14) = 2527 psig.
Once pressures have settled, the choke is then slowly opened, and the gas is
allowed to vent to the MGS . The choke is held open until the 200 psi of mud
hydrostatic pressure is removed from the bottom hole, ie until the choke pressure
has fallen to 2300 - 200, ie 2100 psi.
It should be noted that in doing so, the mass of gas in the well has been reduced
and the gas hydrostatic pressure is less than it was before.
This process is repeated, with successive 12.14 bbl mud injections and choke
pressures, after the bleed-offs of gas, coming down in 200 psi intervals, eg 1900,
1700, 1500 psi, etc, until all the gas (135 bbl) has been vented from the well.
9 - 14
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
10.1 STRIPPING
10.2 ANNULAR STRIPPING PROCEDURE
10.3 RAM COMBINATION STRIPPING PROCEDURE
10.4 SAFETY MARGIN (OVERBALANCE) AND OPERATING MARGIN
10.5 RECORDING OF DATA IN A KICK AND/OR STRIPPING
OPERATION
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10. STRIPPING
D RI L LI N G S
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10.1 STRIPPING
Annular stripping technique equipment requirements:
-
Ability to read annulus pressure satisfactory

A method of bleeding volumes from the annulus
A small measuring tank
Surge dampener on annular
Record keeping of operation (pressures, volumes & depths)
10.2 ANNULAR STRIPPING PROCEDURE

1) Establish initial shut in conditions.
-
Continue to monitor for migration
2) Install NRV :
-
Drillpipe Dart
Gray Valve
3) Determine the close end displacement of drill string

Example:
Hole Size - 8 3/8" 5" DP Cap = 0.01776 bbls/ft

Drill Pipe Size - 5" 5" DP Displ. = 0.0076 bbls/ft
Closed in Displacement
=
=
=
Capacity + Open End Displacement

0.01776 bbls/ft + 0.0076 bbls/ft
0.02536 bbls/ft
4) Determine hydrostatic pressure per barrel of mud.

Example:
Hydrostatic
Hole Size 8 3/8"

Mud Weight 18 ppg
Drill Pipe Size 5"
=
Gmud psi/ft
Annulus Cap bbls/ft
0.052 X WT ppg
D2 - d 2
bbls/ft
1029.4
(
=
=
10 - 2
0.052 X 18
8 3/82 - 52
1029.4
0.938
0.04385
21.35 psi/bbls
5) Estimate surface pressure rise when BHA enters influx.

Example 1: Hole Size 8 3/8"
Mud Weight 18 ppg
Influx Gradient converted to ppg 16 ppg
Influx Volume 10 bbls
BHA O.D. 6 1/2"
Max Surface Pressure Increase
=
1
1
0.433 X 1029.4 X (MW - Influx MW) X Influx Vol X (D2 - d2) - D2
0.433 X 1029.4 X (18 - 16) X 10 X
1
(8 3/8 - 6 1/22)
53.53 X 2 X 10 X [0.03585 - 0.01426]
23 psi
1
8 3/82
Example 2: Hole Size 8 3/8"

Mud Weight 18 ppg
Influx Gradient converted to ppg 2.9 ppg
Influx Volume 10 bbls
BHA O.D. 6 1/2"
Max Surface Pressure Increase
1
1
0.433 X 1029.4 X (MW - Influx MW) X Influx Vol X (D2 - d2) - D2
0.433 X 1029.4 X (18 - 2.9) X 10 X
((8 3/8 -6 1/2 )
53.53 X 15.1 X 10 X [0.03585 - 0.01426]
175 psi
1
8 3/82
6) Determine overbalance margin and allow annulus pressure to rise.

Maintain overbalance between 50 to 200 psi
7) The following points are possible recommendations by a manufacturer
concerning their annular when performing stripping operations.
Stripping Operations Manufacturer's Recommendations :
a) Allow a slight leak by annular when stripping for lubrication
purposes.
b) When closing on anything which is not moving use the
manufacturer's recommended closing pressure,
10 - 3
8) Strip in the Hole.

-
Drill floor remove burrs from Tooljoint & Dope.
Reduce running speed as tooljoint travels through annular.
Bleed off mud volume when drill string is stationary, at

connections.
Fill drill string while RIH and completely fill every 5 stands.
Post person at BOP Driller's panel for shut in purposes in case of

annular failure.
10.3 RAM COMBINATION STRIPPING PROCEDURE

The following procedure can be used as a guideline for the implementation
of annular to ram stripping. The procedure for ram to ram stripping is
similar.
1.
Monitor surface pressures and establish initial shut in conditions.
2.
Install NRV :
3.
Determine the close end displacement of the drillpipe.
4.
Determine hydrostatic pressure per barrel of mud.
5.
Estimate the surface pressure rise when BHA enters the influx.
6.
Check ram spaceout by :

A) Ensuring the distance below the Drill Floor to the two preventers to
be used for stripping is known.
Drillpipe Dart
Gray Valve
B) Ensuring the distance between the two preventers to be for

stripping has enough length to fit a drill pipe tool joint connection
plus 4 to 6 inches extra.
7.
Isolate the accumulator bottles at full operating pressure.

Note:
10 - 4
It is a good practice to keep the accumulators as back-up in

the event of pump failure.
8.
Allow the surface pressure to increase by the overbalance margin.
9.
Reduce annular closing pressure to recommended manufacturer

values for stripping and begin stripping operations.
10. Stop when tool joint is above top preventer.

11. Close lower preventer at normal regulated manifold pressure.
12. Bleed off cavity pressure between the preventers.
Note:
Before opening the top preventer it will be necessary to bleed

down the pressure below it.
13. Reduce lower preventer operating pressure.

14. Open top preventer and strip in.
15. Stop stripping when tool joint is just below top preventer.
16. Close top preventer at maximum operating pressure.
17. Pressurise the cavity between the two preventers to equalise across
them.
Note:
Do not use wellbore pressure to equalise across this space.
18. Reduce top preventer closing pressure.

19. Open lower preventer.
20. Continue to strip in according to the above procedure.
Note: Fill the drillstring as required when stripping in.
10 - 5
10.4 SAFETY MARGIN (OVERBALANCE) AND OPERATING MARGIN

SAFETY
MARGIN
150
250
OPERATING
MARGIN
Pore P
ressur
e
4,500
1300 SAFETY
MARGIN
1417
MAASP
1,500
PRESSURE GAUGE
(psi)
3,000
Closed End D.P. Disp.

= 0.02536 bbls/ft
Stand = 93.9 ft
Stand = (approx.)
9 5/8"
10,900 ft
27.7 Stands (approx.)
MAASP
= 1417 psi
10 - 6
13,500 ft
10 bbls
8 1/2" TVD
10.5 RECORDING OF DATA IN A KICK AND/OR STRIPPING OPERATION

10.5.1 Recording of Data in a Kick Operation.
It's extremely important that good relevant data gets recorded when a well
control incident occurs. It cannot be stressed enough how vital recorded
information will be in determining future courses of actions and assisting in
learning from an unscheduled event. It is the Driller's sole responsibility to
accurately record all relevant information during a well control situation.
The Mud Loggers, if onboard, will provide back-up recording information to
the Driller. It will be the Driller's responsibility to advise the necessary
supervisory staff plus the Mud Loggers should a well control event occur.
The Mud Loggers once informed will switch their equipment to well control
status and establish running logs and tables as accurately as possible.
The minimum information a Driller should record during a well control
situation is listed as follows. Mud Loggers should record and duplicate this
information.
1) Time, Depth, Operations in progress, Shut-in Pressures and Kick
Volume Amount when incident initially occurs.
2) A well kill sheet will be completed for the incident.
3) Start of time of Killing Operation and Method used.
4) Time, Strokes and Pressure, when Kill Mud is at Bit.
5) Estimated Time of Influx at Shoe.
6) Time and Gauge Pressure when Influx at Surface.
7) Time and Gauge Pressure when old Mud behind Influx at Surface.
8) Time and Gauge Pressure when Kill Mud at Surface.
9) Time of Opening BOP's to Circulate up an open Annulus to add in
Trip Margin.
10) Start and Completion of time when Removing Trapped Gas in BOP's.
11) Time of any unusual events during the Well Kill.
12) Choke Operations and Pump Operations during the Kill.
13) BOP device the well is closed in on.
14) Time of resumption of normal operations.
It is strongly recommended that the Driller assign a dedicated person to
record data during the kill operation. This leaves the Driller's hands and
mind free to concentrate on the kill. Verbal instruction can then be passed
to the recorder for recording purposes.
10 - 7
10.5.2 Recording of Data in a Stripping Operation.

In a stripping situation the Driller or Toolpusher will assign a permanent
person to record and fill out the Stripping Sheet Data.
STRIPPING WORKSHEET
Well No.
Rig
Bit Depth
Date & Time
TD
MW in Hole
Safety Margin (Overbalance)
psi
Page No.
Lub. MW
Operating Margin
Closed End Drill Pipe Displacement
per/ft.
psi
per/stand
Volumetric Well Control Information

Psi per bbl of
Psi per bbl of
Psi per bbl of
Psi per bbl of
Time
(Hr/Min)
10 - 8
ppg Mud in
ppg Mud in
ppg Mud in
ppg Mud in
Operation
Surface
PSI
Change in
Surface PSI
x
x
x
x
Bit
Depth
Annulus =
Annulus =
Hole =
Hole =
Pipe
Stripped
PSI of Mud
Bled/Lub
psi/bbl.
psi/bbl.
psi/bbl.
psi/bbl.
Over
Balance
Vol of Mud Total Vol

Bled/Lub of Mud
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
11.1
EFFECTS OF PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE ON DENSITY.
11.2
SURFACE DENSITY VARIATIONS WITH TEMPERATURE
11.3
TEMPERATURE OF MUD IN THE CHOKE LINE
11.4
TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE EFFECTS ON RHEOLOGY OF

MUDS
11.5
OL S
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11. THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE ON MUDS
D RI L LI N G S
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11.1 EFFECTS OF PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE ON DENSITY

Liquids are not totally incompressible and those compressibilities are themselves
influenced by temperature and pressure. Compressibility is usually defined as :
Compressibility = Change of volume per unit volume per unit of pressure.
= bbl/bbl/psi
= 1/psi.
ie c = V
VxP
An indication of compressibilities of typical OBM base oils and saturated
NaCl brine is given in FIG 11.1 below:FIG 11.1
Pressure
psig
Compressibility
1/psi
Base oil
2500
15000
2500
15000
Temperature
F
NaCl Brine
0.0000050
0.0000031
0.0000100
0.0000048
0.0000016
0.0000019
0.0000028
0.0000033
78
78
350
350
Changes in compressibility cause changes in density which lead to differences

between the common isothermal calculations of downhole pressures and the
actual downhole values. Under certain circumstances this may lead to a real value
of downhole pressure which may be either higher or lower than the basic
calculated value.
This has obvious implications on pressure control whilst drilling and tripping, apart
from any influences on other rheological properties.
Density of a material is defined as :
w = mass/volume
11 - 2
Referring to FIG 11.2, the effects of changes in pressure and temperature can
be reasoned, as follows:
(a)
Increasing pressure:
As pressure increases with depth into a well, then the compressibility
reduces the volume, whilst mass stays the same. Thus density is increased
with pressure.
(b)
Increasing temperature.
As depth increases in a well, temperature also (generally) increases. Liquids
expand with temperature and consequently the volume increases and thus
the density decreases.
FIG 11.2
START
DENSITY
Increase
Temperature
Increase
Pressure
HIGHER
DENSITY
?
=
LOWER
DENSITY
The simple isothermal formula for hydrostatic pressure is written as :

Phyd = c x density x TVD
Eqn [11.11]
This assumes that the density does not change with depth. This assumption itself
additionally assumes that the increase in density due to pressure effects is
balanced exactly by the reduction in density due to temperature effects within a
well. This assumption is not necessarily correct.
The effects of temperature and pressure on the compressibility and density of
2.041 SG (17 ppg) oil-based muds are shown, at constant temperature conditions
of 78F and 350F, in FIGS 11.3(a) and (b), and the implications of those upon
static (isothermal) density (at 78, 200 and 350F) are shown in FIG 11.4.
11 - 3
FIG 11.3(a) and (b)

350F
6.0e-6
78F
COMPRESSIBILITY (1/psi)
COMPRESSIBILITY (1/psi)
4.0e-6
2.0e-6
17-lbm/gal Muds
Diesel Oil Mud
Mineral Oil Mud A
Mineral Oil Mud B
4.0e-6
2.0e-6
17-lbm/gal Muds
Diesel Oil Mud
0.0e+0
Mineral Oil Mud A
5000
10000
15000
Mineral Oil Mud B
PRESSURE (psig)
0.0e+0
0
5000
10000
15000
PRESSURE (psig)
FIG 11.4
18.0
78F
17.5
DENSITY (lbm/gal)
200F
17.0
350F
16.5
17-lbm/gal Muds
16.0
Diesel Oil Mud

Mineral Oil Mud A
15.5
Mineral Oil Mud B

15.0
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
PRESSURE (psig)
Temperature profiles in flowing wells differ from static or geothermal profiles, the
mud generally being cooler whilst circulation is in progress. Also, the mud is
warmer when moving up the annulus than when pumping down the drillstring.
Typical flowing and static temperature profiles, from reference 2, are shown in FIG
11.5. Those have been used to show the effects of compressibility and
temperature on actual downhole mud density pressure, as shown in
FIGS 11.6(a) and (b) from reference 2.
11 - 4
FIG 11.5
MUD TEMPERATURE VS. DEPTH
0
5,000 ft, 300 gpm
25,000 ft, 300 gpm

15
DEPTH (1.000 ft)
15,000 ft, 300 gpm

10
TG = 0.020oF./ft
20
25
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
TEMPERATURE (OF)
MWO VSO VCO
13.50 23.00 0.0
VWO VDO
77.00 0.0
FIG 11.6(a) and (b)

PRESSURE VS. DEPTH
MUD WEIGHT VS. DEPTH

500
0.50
PRESSURE (psi)
MUD WEIGHT (ppg)
0.25
0
-0.25
-0.50
-0.75
-500
-1
-1.25
-1.50
-1,000
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
5,000
DEPTH (ft)
MWO
13.50
13.50
13.50
13.50
13.50
13.50
VSO VCLO VWO VDO

TG GPM
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.010
0
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.012
150
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.014
300
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.016
0
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.018
150
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.020
300
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
DEPTH (ft)
MWO
13.50
13.50
13.50
13.50
13.50
13.50
VSO VCLO VWO VDO TG GPM

0
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.010
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.012 150
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.014 300
0
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.016
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.018 150
23.00 0.0 77.00 0.0 0.020 300
11 - 5
It can be seen that, for the conditions specified, bottom hole pressures at 20000 ft
(6100 m) may be about 400 psi less than those anticipated by the constant
temperature hydrostatic pressure formula. The implications of such pressure
reductions on pressure control and on the potential for swabbing must be noted.
An analysis has been made using the above graphs for a nominal 17 ppg OBM at
depths to 16000 ft (4875 m), with a circulating temperature gradient of 1.5F/100ft
(4.94 F/100m). The results are shown in FIG 11.7 and indicate that the static
bottom hole pressure may be about 156 psi less than that calculated by a constant
17 ppg density assumption, which would have given a pressure of 14144 psi.
FIG 11.7
Depth
ft.
Temp
F
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
110
140
170
200
230
260
290
320
Density
ppg
16.95
16.90
16.85
16.83
16.79
16.77
16.72
16.69
Pressure
psi
1763
3521
5273
7023
8840
10608
12252
13988
Change
P psi
-5
-15
-31
-49
-71
-95
-124
-156
It has also been estimated that for a water based mud with a starting density of
17ppg, with a similar circulating temperature profile, the reduction in bottom hole
pressure would be about 105 psi below the constant density value.
11 - 6
11.2 SURFACE DENSITY VARIATIONS WITH TEMPERATURE.

It can readily be deduced from FIG 11.4 that even at atmospheric pressure, as
at the flowline, the effects of temperature can influence the mud density. This is
shown in FIG 11.8 for a range of 90:10 oil based muds with SGs ranging from
1.8 to 2.2 over a range of possible surface temperatures from 30 to 210F.
TEMPERATURE (Deg F)
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210
60
50
40
1.7
1.8
1.9
2.0
2.2
2.1
DENSITY (SG)
2.3
30
90:10 oil mud
1.862 SG
70
80
90
1.8 SG
1.9 SG
2.0 SG
2.1 SG
2.2 SG
REFERENCE TEMPERATURE = 120F
FIG 11.8
11 - 7
To standardise the reporting of mud densities some companies now ask that all
mud densities at the surface be corrected to a standard reference temperature. In
this graph, the reference temperature is 120F ie a 2.0 SG mud has a specific
gravity of 2.0 at 120F. and the graph is interpreted as follows :
Temperature
F
SG
30
80
100
2.055
2.02
2.01
120
2.00
150
200
1.98
1.95
Reference density at 120 F.
This indicates that at temperatures below 120F density is higher, at temperatures

above 120F density is lower.
11.2.1
WORKED EXAMPLE :
A 90:10 OBM has an input SG of 1.9 at 110F. The flowline temperature is

160F and the SG is measured as 1.88.
Calculate the cuttings load, in SG terms, in the flowline mud.
Solution.
The mud inlet SG is 1.90 at 100F.
Draw a line AB from the 1.9/100F point parallel to the 1.90 SG line.
Read the SG of this line AB at the 160F point.
The value of this is 1.862 SG.
Thus at 160F, the cuttings load in the annulus is:
SG = 1.88 -1.862 = 0.018 SG
11 - 8
11.3 TEMPERATURE OF MUD IN THE CHOKE LINE

As mud/gas rise within the annulus, it is cooled from the circulating bottom hole
temperature down to the mud temperature at the subsea BOP. As the mud/gas
then rises up the choke line, it is further cooled to the temperature at the surface
choke. The degree of this cooling depends upon:
(a)
The velocity of the flow in the chokeline and hence the friction
heating effect.
(b)
The time interval during which the mud is moving from the BOP to the
surface. The longer this is, the greater is the cooling effect.
Generally the higher the circulation rate, then the higher will be the choke line
temperature, for the same starting BOP temperature.
For a specific rig/well conditions those are shown in FIGS 11.9(a) and (b), for
12.25 and 8.375 inch open hole sections.
FIG 11.9(a) and (b)
12 1/4" Hole Section
8 3/8" Hole Section
180
140
170
130
160
120
TEMPERATURE (F)
TEMPERATURE (F)
150
140
130
120
110
100
110
90
100
80
90
80
70
0
70
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
MUD FLOW RATE (bpm)
2.5
MUD FLOW RATE (bpm)
110
130
150
170
193
110
120
130
140
147
It should also be noted that those are for conditions when mud is present in the
system. If a situation arises where the annulus becomes filled with gas which is
flowing rapidly, then the BOP and the surface choke temperatures may be
substantially higher than indicated, as shown in FIG 11.10. This applies to a
computer model study for the flow of gas for a 12 hour period at different
flowrates with a bottom hole temperature of 350F.
11 - 9
FIG 11.10
300
250
Temperature at Sub-Sea BOP F
Predicted BOP Temp F

200
150
Predicted Surface
Choke Temp F
100
B.H. Temp = 350F

Water Depth = 300 ft
B.H. Press = 14000 psi
50
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
11.4 TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE EFFECTS ON RHEOLOGY

OF MUDS
Many papers have been produced regarding the downhole effects of temperature
and pressure upon the downhole rheology of drilling fluids.
Reference 3 below gives some interesting data relating to the PV, Yield and
filtration characteristics of a range of oil-based muds at elevated temperature and
pressure.
It is concluded that for such muds there is a relatively simple linear log relationship
between PV and the value of temperature expressed as 1000/TF, although the
relationship for change of viscosity for water-based muds was a direct linear
relationship with temperature.
It should be stressed that swabbing effects under the bit depend largely upon the
PV and that those will not only change with tripping speed per stand but also with
the temperature profile in the well. It is likely that at higher pulling rates there is
little difference in swab pressure predictions between power law and Bingham
plastic models, but at slower tripping rates the power law model is likely to give
more reliable predictions of swab pressure.
Some typical PV-Temperature graphs for oil-based and water based muds are
shown in FIG 11.11.
11 - 10
FIG 11.11
70
VISCOSITIES OF 1.92 SG (16 ppg)

MUDS AT 5,000 psia.
65
60
55
MUD VISCOSITY cP
50
45
A = LT Oil Based 90:10 OWR.
40
B = Lignosulfonate Mud.
35
C = Lime/Polymer Mud.
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
100 F
200 F
300 F
400 F
MUD TEMPERATURE F

(1)
A Model for Predicting the Density of Oil-Based Muds at High Pressures and
Temperatures. By E.K.Peters, M.E.Chenevert and C.Zhang. SPE Drilling
Engineering, June 1990, pp141-148.
(2)
Heres How Compressibility and Temperature Affect Bottom-Hole Mud

Pressure. By L.L.Hoberock, D.C.Thomas and H.V.Nickens. Oil and Gas
Journal, March 22nd 1982, pp159-164.
(3)
Physical Properties of Drilling Fluids at High Temperatures and Pressures.

By J.V.Fisk and D.E.Jamieson. SPE Drilling Engineering, December 1989,
pp341-346.
11 - 11
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
12.0 THE EFFECTS OF BOREHOLE BALLOONING ON DRILLING

RESPONSES
12.1 THE PLASTICITY CONCEPT
12.2 THE INSTABILITY "MECHANISM"
OL S
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12. THE EFFECTS OF BOREHOLE BALLOONING ON DRILLING

RESPONSES
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12.0 THE EFFECTS OF BOREHOLE BALLOONING ON DRILLING RESPONSES
It has been reported, as in the reference below, that on a number of
occasions, with deep HP/HT wells, there have been surface indicators
which have been contradictory to each other, particularly with respect to
the behaviour of drilled and connection gas. It is suggested that, on occasion,
this has led senior personnel to take actions which at the time seemed logical
but which, in hindsight, proved to be erroneous.
It has been established over many years that borehole stability is one of
the essential features of safe and efficient drilling and shale stability or rock
stability is of importance in this respect. When a rock or shale behaves in a
stable way then problems such as sloughing shales do not occur. The
opposite is also the case: when a shale or a rock behaves in an unstable way,
then borehole problems show up.
12.1 THE PLASTICITY CONCEPT
The instability "mechanism" is in some ways similar to the plastic behaviour of
salt beds. Where a formation, such as a salt bed, overlies a potential producing
zone below, then plasticity of the salt bed can lead to substantial over-pressure
in the zone below it, as shown in FIG 12.1, due to the fact that the salt bed
cannot support its correct share of the overburden load.
FIG 12.1
Normal
Press. grad.
1.074 SG
Overburden
= 2.31 SG
2000 m
Plastic Salt Bed

O/B = 2.5 SG
Overpressured
150 m
Pore Pressure
= 2.32 SG
It has been demonstrated that if shales are either over or under-pressurised,

then they also can behave in a plastic manner which leads to bore hole
instability.
Suspicions about this type of formation behaviour may be raised by :
(a) Conflicting surface responses in relation to gas levels and flow
checks.
(b) Small SIDPP values after a small flow.
12 - 2
(c)
Inaccurate pore pressure measurements from logs.
12.2 THE INSTABILITY "MECHANISM"

A shale stability diagram is shown in FIG 12.2, as in the reference given.
Where a shale is under or over-pressurised from the mud, it is then possible
for that shale to behave in a plastic mode. Two possible conditions may arise :
FIG 12.2
Un
de
rb
ala
Pla
nc
et
sti
oc
cB
Un
au
eh
der
se
bal
av
co
anc
lla
e to iou
ps
e
ind r
uce
slou
Stable Sh
ghin
ale
13
12
Fracture
14
r
e
ur
ou
ct
vi
fra
ha
Underbalance, ppg
15
16
us
Shale ballooning
17
B
g
ca
tic oonin
to
ll
as
ce
Pl ce ba
an
al
du
n
oi
et
nc
hale
ala
erb
le S
Ov
Stab
Collapse
18
rb
ve
O
Shale sloughing
Natural pore pressure of shale body, ppg
Pressure Imbalance and Induced Plastic Flow
11
10
Overbalance, ppg
Case (a) When the shale is being drilled underbalanced

From the above diagram, if the shale is being drilled underbalanced, into its
plastic mode, then the shale sloughs into the wellbore. eg a shale with a pore
pressure of 13 ppg (1.56 SG) could be safely drilled underbalanced with mud
as low as 11.5 ppg (1.38 SG), but with a mud of 11 ppg, the shale would
behave plastically and slough into the wellbore.
Case (b) When the shale is being drilled overbalanced
For the same 13 ppg (1.56 SG) pressurised shale, it could be safely drilled by
at least 2.5 ppg overbalance, ie with 15.5 ppg (1.86 SG) without showing
signs of plastic instability. However, with 16.5 ppg mud (1.98 SG), it is likely
that it would deform in an outward or ballooning plastic mode.
When a shale balloons outwards, it exerts extra pressure upwards and
downwards and thus may generate over-pressures in adjacent formations. It is
apparently possible to transmit such over-pressures to gas stringers both
below and above the plastic formation, resulting in gas flows from such zones
which are anomalous to their pore pressure behaviour.
Also, it can be seen that, as the natural pressure of the shale increases, the
margin of tolerance to cause such plastic behaviour diminishes : a 17 ppg
(2.04 SG) shale may require only about 0.8 ppg to cause it to behave in this
way.
12 - 3
When such a shale behaves in a plastic mode it effectively causes the borehole
diameter to expand as a balloon. While circulating, additional over-pressures are
applied by the APL thus expanding the wellbore further. When circulation stops,
the wellbore "balloon" is allowed to relax again as the added over-pressures are
removed. It is suggested by the writer of the reference that this may cause a
number of indicators at the surface :
(a) Drilling rate appears to be insensitive to weight-on-bit. If plasticity is
present, then the over-pressures are transmitted ahead of the bit and the
bit always appears to be drilling as if on balance.
(b) The well appears to take fluid whilst circulating and to flow fluid back
when circulation is stopped due to the ballooning effect. For instance, it is
estimated that a nominal 8 inch hole may balloon to 9 inches. If this
happens over a 2000 ft long section, the hole volume may be 17 bbl
larger whilst circulating than with the pumps off.
(c) Even after mud density may have been increased, there may still be
increasing gas levels. If there is a SIDPP which approximates to or is
slightly less than the APL, it is possible that this may be caused by the
ballooning effect, which is shown in FIG 12.3.
FIG 12.3
Borehole Wall Flexing
2,000 + units reflex gas
expanding at surface
10,000 ft
Zone of induced pressure
17.5 ppg mud
(Extends some 1,000 ft around wellbore)
17.5
17.5
17.5
17.5
Borehole wall "balloons"

or breathes
"Natural" shale
pressure
"Natural" shale
pressure
(16.0 ppg)
(16.0 ppg)
17.5
14,000 ft
Induced pressure precedes
drill bit, increasing drilling rate
12 - 4
Borehole flexing "milks" sand

stringers producing 2,000 + units of
reflex gas or CI
Where such confusing indicators exist, it is suggested that all indicators

should be carefully examined before specific action is taken. If ballooning is
suspected, it may be necessary to maintain mud weight rather than increase
it. Great care needs to be taken in trying to interpret what the hole is telling.
On occasion, when successive increases in gas level have led to mud weight
increases, due to SIDPP values, it may be necessary to consider the effects of
bleeding off some pressure at the choke with the well shut in.
In the case of a "normal" influx situation, the effects of opening the choke to
bleed off and then closing the choke again should lead to (i) an increase in
choke pressure (more influx has been taken) and (ii) the SIDPP should remain
unchanged while (iii) the pit gain rises slightly.
In the case of wellbore ballooning, the effects of opening the choke should
give the following :
(i) The choke pressure should either stay the same or drop when the choke
is closed again.
(ii) The SIDPP should drop by a little, as the ballooning effect is allowed to
relax, when the well has been shut in again.
IT CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASISED THAT THIS PROCEDURE IS ONE
WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN ONLY AFTER FULL CONSULTATION WITH
ALL SENIOR PERSONNEL.
While this material and the indicated reference have been written with respect
to shales, there have been indications that this problem has arisen in HPHT
wells in shales, limestones and sandstones in deep Jurassic sections in
proximity to gas sands when ECD effects were substantial. One way of
reducing the ballooning may be to circulate slowly and to minimise APL effects.
12.3 REFERENCE FOR SECTION 12
" How Borehole Ballooning Alters Drilling Responses."
By J.A. Gill. Oil and Gas Journal, March 13th, 1989, pp43-52.
12 - 5
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
13.1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OIL COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE

13.2 PLANNING OF OPERATIONS
13.3 DRILLING PROGRAMME
13.4 TYPICAL REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
13.5 FIELD AND OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS
13.6 RIG SITE COMMUNICATIONS
13.7 HPHT KICK HANDLING
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
13. MANAGEMENT OF OPERATIONS
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
13.1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OIL COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE

It is the sole responsibility of the Oil Company Representative to ensure that
Drilling Operations are conducted with due regard to safety and well control.
It is the Representatives duty to:-
Ensure that Company policies and instructions are properly given, and
that they are properly understood and implemented.
Familiarise him/herself with the environment in which he/she is operating.
Review the Well Plan (Drilling Programme) in detail.
Advise the Office Management of the day to day progress and of any
aspects of the prognosis or well plan which might cause the loss of well
control.
Understand rules and regulations of the Government of which the field

operation is in and ensure compliance.
Ensure contractors emergency procedures manual and operating/safety

procedures conform to the Government regulations and Contractor
complies with all requirements.
All personnel are fully familiar and trained in well control procedures.
Pressure tests and drills are carried out in accordance with procedures
specified.
Mud logging personnel are fully familiar and experienced in over-pressure

prediction, and all other aspects relating to data monitoring for well
control.
Ensure calculated mud weights provide sufficient overbalance to control

the well.
The cement unit is fully operational at all times.
The responsibilities of the Oil Company Representative does in no way reduce

those of the Drilling Contractor, with regard to well control and the safety of
the installation and the personnel onboard. It is the ultimate responsibility of
the Drilling Contractors Senior Person-in-Charge, commonly referred to as
the OIM, to ensure the safety of the installation and its personnel.
Should a conflict occur between the objectives of the well and the Rig
Personnel or well safety, the OIM will have the final decision.
A typical Field Reporting Relationship Schematic is included (see 13.4).
13 - 2
13.2
PLANNING OF OPERATIONS
The procedures will cover the operating practices and minimum equipment
requirements so that safety of personnel and equipment is achieved. A
thorough review of the intended operation will be made to effect proper
planning, training and good oil field practices.
Before operations commence:
-
Close scrutiny of all safety aspects of each step of any proposed

programme.
The capability to deal effectively with non-anticipated situations.
Ensuring responsibilities are clearly defined for all well control

considerations.
When operations are extended to involve work classed as High Pressure

High Bottomhole Temperature specialized drilling and well control procedures
with increased equipment considerations and training will be specified and
implemented.
13.3
DRILLING PROGRAMME
The drilling programme is a written document for the intention of covering all
details in managing and conducting a drilling operation. It is produced by the
drilling department and used as a information source in achieving the
operations objectives. Based on available well data it provides, with as much
accuracy as possible, information on:
-
Well Targets.
Characteristics of formations (i.e. porosity, permeability, fluid types,

gas zones, lost circulation etc).
Abnormal pore pressures and expected formation strength gradients at

the proposed casing setting depths.
The deviation control programme (this is issued for all wells including
intended straight holes).
The sequence of operations.
Any shallow gas predictions and shallow gas procedures.
Hole sizes with recommended drilling assemblies.
13 - 3
Indicates when formation integrity tests (leak-off tests) are required

to confirm formation strength gradients.
Minimum leak-off values required to maintain kick tolerance.
Special instructions including any abnormalities that may be encountered.
Casing, cementing and mud programmes.
Any deviation from the Drilling Programme will need to be confirmed and
approved by the Oil Company Drilling Manager.
13.4
O
N
S
H
O
R
E
O
F
F
S
H
O
R
E
TYPICAL REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
DISTRICT
MANAGER
OIL COMPANY
DRILLING
CONTRACTOR
DRILLING
MANAGER
DRILLING
SUPERINTENDENT
RIG MANAGER
SENIOR DRILLING
ENGINEER
DRILLING
ENGINEER
OIL COMPANY
REPRESENTATIVE
OIM
LINE REPORTING
CONTRACTUAL REPORTING
COMMUNICATION LINE
SERVICE
PERSONNEL
TOOLPUSHERS
DRILLER
DRILL CREW
13 - 4
13.5 FIELD AND OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS

Each operation should have a minimum of two modes of communication
between the office and field operation.
The Oil Company Rig Site Representative should communicate with his/her
Office Drilling Superintendent or the person designated daily. Should field
operations warrant, communication between the two will occur as many times
throughout the day as required.
The Drilling Contractor should establish lines of communication between the
office and field operation in accordance with their operating policy. This policy
should follow along similar lines as practised by the Oil Company.
The Oil Company office and the Drilling Contractors office should
communicate with each other as required. Daily communication while drilling
below the last casing seat above the HPHT section should take place. This
frequency should increase if field operation concerns become apparent.
All Oil Company office personnel as well as the Drilling Contractors personnel
who have a position of responsibility over the field operation should have
provided, modes of communication, (e.g.) pagers, mobile telephones etc.,
thereby being available on a 24 hour basis.
13.6 RIG SITE COMMUNICATIONS

A Daily Operations Meeting should be held on the rig by the Senior Rig Staff.
In attendance will be the Oil Company personnel, Senior Drilling Contractor
personnel and Third Party Personnel directly involved in well operations, such
as the Mud Engineer, Mud Logging Engineer and Cementer. This meeting will
be chaired by the OIM and will discuss current and planned operations.
Recording of this meeting will be documented in the vessel log book.
Briefings, from the Daily Operations Meeting, to the crews will be passed on
by those in attendance. All instructions to the Driller should be in written form
and posted on the drill floor, and a copy kept on file.
All crews should start each working shift with a brief meeting, stressing Safety
Awareness for procedures and practices to be followed. Each crew member
should have a short hand-over with his counterpart. This person should bring
to his Supervisors attention anything out of the normal practice. The
Supervisor should correspondingly discuss any points he/she feels needed
with the person in charge, so all personnel are fully conversant with the
operations and conditions present.
Rig Safety Meetings should occur as normal in field operations. The out of
norm procedures and practices will be highlighted in each meeting where
crews have open discussions increasing their safety and operational awareness.
13 - 5
In the event of an emergency, the installation OIM will be responsible to

initiate his own Emergency Procedure and also report the incident to the Oil
Company Office. For out of office hours the Oil Company on duty person
should be called.
Oil Company & Drilling Contractor personnel will then follow the procedures
laid down in the Emergency Procedures Manual. Oil Company personnel
should also ensure that the installations owners management and duty
personnel are alerted and stand-by for assistance.
13.7
HPHT KICK HANDLING
The OIM will be in charge in any kick situation. Consideration for moving the
installation off location (if a mobile unit) should be made if an emergency well
control situation is deteriorating to the extent where the risk to personnel and/
or the installation is becoming evident. This decision should be made after
consultation with key members of the offshore management team.
Consultation with shore based operational personnel can be made, but due to
the gravity of the situation, it may not be possible or warranted.
13 - 6
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
BOP SCHEMATIC
CHOKE AND STANDPIPE MANIFOLD SCHEMATIC
SPIRO TORQUE CENTRALISERS TO AVOID DIFFERENTIAL
STICKING
MUD GAS SEPARATOR - DESIGN & OPERATING GUIDELINES
WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
General
HPHT Drilling Policies and Procedures
HPHT Tripping Procedures
HPHT Coring Procedure
Suspension of Operations
Casing Wear
WELL CONTROL DECISION TREES

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DURING A WELL CONTROL INCIDENT
CE
N TRE
OL S
ON
14. SAMPLE HPHT WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES (SEMI)
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
Riser Extension
Kill Line
Choke Line
Flex Joint
13 5/8" Annular
Kill Line
Temp. Sensor
Temp. Sensor
Test Valve
Test Valve
Mini Collet
Connector
Mini Collet Connector
Cameron Collet Connector

Upper Outer
Kill Valve
Upper Outer
Choke Valve
Upper Inner
Kill Valve
Upper Inner
Choke Valve
Shear/Blind Rams
5" Pipe Rams
31/2" Pipe Rams
Lower Outer
Choke Valve
Lower Inner
Choke Valve
Lower Outer
Kill Valve
Lower Inner
Kill Valve
5" Pipe Rams
Wellhead
Connector
14 - 1
10" VENT UP DERRICK
HOT MUD
RECIRCULATING
LINE
6" VENT
28' - 8 1/2" ABOVE

MAIN DECK
10" DOWN TO
SHAKER
HEADER BOX
THERMO-COUPLE
AND PRESSURE
TRANSDUCER
FLANGE
FLOW LINE
18"
BY-PASS
PRESSURE (psi)
THROUGHPUT PERFORMANCE
AT 60 DEG F.
50.0
30
47.6
28
45.2
26
42.8
24
40.4
22
37.9
35.5
AD
LO
N
U
18
16
14
12
D
OA
L
UN
10
H
IT
W
N
GI
AR
M
I
PS
33.0
30.4
27.8
22.4
19.5
16.4
13.0
8.9
8
20" PIPE
X - STG
25.1
10" PIPE Sch. 80

INSIDE
6" TO TRIP TANK
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
FLUID DENSITY Lb/gal
MUD GAS SEPARATOR

FLOW CAPACITY CURVE
14 - 2
GAS FLOW
(mm scf/day)
32
20
10" CLEAROUT
27' - 5"
24' - 4"
3', 1"
10" Sch. 80 PIPE
MUD
HEAD
VENT TO TOP OF
DERRICK
10" VENT LINE
MGS
PRESSURE
SENSOR
8
FROM C & K
MANIFOLD, 4" PIPE
36" DIAMETER
MUD - GAS
SEPERATOR
DOWNSTREAM
CHOKE TEMP.
SENSOR
DRILL FLOOR LEVEL
REMOTELY
ACTUATED
VALVES
TO MUD/GAS
SEPARATOR
TO SHALE SHAKER
MANUAL
CHOKE
REMOTE
CHOKE
MANUAL
CHOKE
REMOTE
CHOKE
TO PORT
FLARE LINE
MAIN DECK LEVEL
DIP TUBE
PRESSURE
SENSOR
6 Meters
TO
STARBOARD
FLARE LINE
7
UPSTREAM
KILL LINE TEMP.
SENSOR

STBD
MGS
PORT
DIP TUBE
PRESSURE
OPEN CLOSED
OPEN CLOSED
PRESSURE
TEMP.
GLYCOL
INJECTION
POINT
TO SHALE
SHAKER
BOP
MGS
OPEN CLOSED
DOWNSTREAM
CHOKE TEMP.
SENSOR
TO CEMENT UNIT
MUD PUMPS
1,2
UPSTREAM
CHOKE LINE
KILL LINE
CHOKE LINE
TEMP.
UPSTREAM
CHOKE TEMP.
SENSOR
DECK LEVEL
UPSTREAM
KILL LINE
TEMP.
VALVE STATUS
ALARM
DOWNSTREAM
CHOKE
TEMP.
REMOTE CHOKE AREA
5,6
SEA LEVEL
SUBSEA TEMP.
SENSOR
2
FLEX JOINT
ANNULAR
PREVENTER
DRILLPIPE
PRESSURE
ANNULUS
PRESSURE
SUBSEA TEMP.
SENSOR
CHOKE
POSITION
INDICATOR
H-4
CONNECTOR
KILL LINE
CHOKE LINE
ANNULAR
PREVENTER
CHOKE CONTROL
SHEAR
RAMS
5"
RAMS
B1
A1
VARIABLE
RAMS
SEABED
C1
5"
RAMS
H-4
CONNECTOR
14 - 3
STARBOARD
PORT

VENT LINE
TO
DERRICK
DRILLPIPE
PRESSURE
ANNULUS
PRESSURE
CHOKE
POSITION
INDICATOR
MUD GAS SEPARATOR

CHOKE CONTROL
MGS
OPEN CLOSED
STBD
OPEN CLOSED
PORT
OPEN CLOSED
RETURN TO
MUD
SHAKERS
MGS
BOP
PRESSURE
TEMPERATURE
OVERBOARD
LINE
PRESSURE/TEMP. SENSOR
TO STARBOARD/PORT VALVES
TEMPERATURE
TO MGS VALVE
ALARM
TO BOP TEMP. SENSOR
VALVE STATUS
MUD GAS SEPARATOR

BUFFER
CHAMBER
REMOTE CHOKE/MONITORING
MANUAL CHOKE
REMOTE CHOKE
REMOTE CHOKE
CHOKE/KILL
MANIFOLD
MUD
MANIFOLD
BYPASS
CMT UNIT
CHOKE LINE
ANNULAR
RAM
HCR VALVE
KILL LINE
RAM
RAM
RAM
15 M BOP STACK
14 - 4
HCR VALVE
GLYCOL
INJECTION
1.1 GENERAL
This document is the HPHT Well Control Supplement for *** and should be
used in conjunction with the contractor Well Control Manual (Well
Operations Manual Part 4 Sections 1 to 4) and the operator Well Control
Manual.
*** is not classified as an HPHT well as defined by the criteria in Petroleum
Operations Notice No.4. The undisturbed bottom hole temperature at total
depth is expected to be 285 deg F, the maximum anticipated pore pressure
is 0.75 psi/ft, and maximum anticipated wellhead pressure is 83338 psi.
However, these procedures will be adopted in the high pressure section of
the well.
It is essential that in the event of an influx entering the wellbore the well is
closed in as soon as possible. For this reason Pit and Trip drills need to be
carried out on a regular basis (daily initially) to ensure the rig crews are
fully trained. Stripping drills will be carried out while tripping in the hole
before drilling out the 13 3/8" and 9 5/8" shoes.
The "HARD" shut in will be the method used in normal drilling
circumstances (choke closed, shut-in with pipe rams), in order to minimise
influx volume. During tripping operations, the "FAST" shut in should be
used (choke closed, shut-in with annular).
The Driller has the authority and responsibility to shut the well in at any
time that he suspects the well is flowing. It is better to shut the well in
quickly and then bleed off any suspected trapped pressure than to flow
check a kick indicator. The shut-in procedures are listed in the Contractor
Well Control Manual.
The mud logging company will provide independent and continuous
monitoring of the well. The Driller should react to their indications of flow
as he would his own and act accordingly.
Once a kick is identified, and the initial well closure performed, a procedure
to kill the well should be discussed and agreed by key personnel. No
changes to this procedure should be made by any individual without
agreement from Drilling Management and the key offshore personnel.
If there is any doubt about the status of the well then it should be shut-in
and the situation analysed. Note that the well design allows for shut-in at
any stage in the operation without casing or other mechanical failure.
14 - 5
1.2 HPHT DRILLING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The following procedures should be adhered to while drilling below the 9-5/
8" shoe.
1) Always determine the choke and kill line slow circulating pressure each
time the BOP is tested.
2) A float valve will not be run in any BHA.
3) Always drill with a drop-in dart sub in the string placed in the BHA
above the HWDP. Check all ID's for restrictions and ensure that the
drillpipe has been drifted to maximum required.
4) A connection gas will be obtained for every single drilled throughout
the HPHT section. A FOSV (full opening safety valve) will be installed
at some point below the top drive which will allow the safe installation
of a kill assembly during a well control situation. The optimum
procedures to accomplish these requirements will be developed by the
Drilling Supervisor in consultation with the Rig Superintendent.
5) Connection gas due to the reduction of ECD can be a good indicator of
increasing pore pressure. Ensure that the trend of gas levels are
recorded by the mud loggers. Do not make more than one connection
in the 8 1/2" hole until gas levels from the previous connection are
checked at surface.
6) Flowcheck all significant drilling breaks for a minimum of 15 minutes,
with a minimum ROP increase of 25% before checking. Continue to
rotate pipe while flowchecking.
7) Ensure that the flowline drain down volume is known at various pump
rates, and not just the drilling pump rate. The mud loggers should
monitor drain down on every connection to check that the well is not
flowing.
8) Record trapped pressures remaining on the standpipe when pumps
are turned off. This pressure can be used during a kick to evaluate the
actual kill weight required. The Bariod XP07 POBM has a low rheology
so this will not be a problem.
9) After drilling out the 9 5/8" shoe and prior to performing the LOT pull
into the shoe. Close in the well for at least one hour and observe for a
pressure build up as the mud heats up. Record this pressure and the
volume of mud bled off. This may eliminate any well control false
alarms later.
14 - 6
10) Minimise any requirement to change the active mud volume by adding,
subtracting, or weighting up while the well is being drilled. This will
mask any small kicks. Stop drilling while any essential mud volume
changes are required. Ensure the Driller has given his permission and
the Mud Loggers are aware of the operation. Be aware that doubling
the active pit volume, halves the ability to detect a pit volume increase.
11) It is proposed to drill with a mud weight which provides a static
overbalance over the estimated maximum pore pressure with the riser
disconnected. Note that the overall hydrostatic head of the mud
column will increase slightly when the well is static due to cooling of
the mud in the shallower sections of hole.
12) It is proposed to maintain a minimum stock level of 200 MT of Barite,
together with the required chemical additives, to retain acceptable mud
properties throughout the 8 1/2" section.
14) A sufficient quantity of LCM material should be maintained as specified
in the Drilling and Mud Programmes.
14 - 7
1.3 HPHT TRIPPING PROCEDURES

1) The Operator Drilling Supervisor and Rig Superintendent should be on
the rig floor at the start of any trip out the hole.
2) The following steps should be followed when POOH:
a) Pull off bottom circulating. Continue to circulate for about 15
minutes (depending on ROP) to move cuttings up the hole.
b) Flowcheck for a minimum of 15 minutes. Rotate pipe throughout.
c)
Circulate the hole clean, and check for gas levels.
d) Do not pull out of the hole if the hole is not stable, i.e. no losses or
flow.
e) Pull out (not pumped) of the hole 10 stands and run back in hole to
bottom no faster than the calculated swab/surge rate.
f)
Circulate bottoms up. Record gas levels. An option to circulate the

last 3000 ft over the choke should be considered depending on
hole conditions.
g) Drop dart. Flowcheck for a minimum of 15 minutes. Rotate pipe

throughout.
h) Pump out of the hole in 8 1/2" hole to the previous shoe.
i)
Pump a slug at the shoe, allow to settle before pulling out.
j)
Stop tripping while filling the trip tank. Allow level to stabilise prior
to resuming trip.
k)
Flow check as a minimum on bottom, at the shoe, and before

pulling the drill collars through the BOP. Monitor the well on the
Trip Tank when out of the hole.
3) The following steps should be followed when running in the hole:

a) Stop tripping while the trip tank is emptied and lined back up.
b) Flow check as a minimum half way to the shoe and at the shoe.
c)
Break circulation slowly at the shoe and when back on bottom.
d) Circulate bottoms up. Record gas levels. An option to circulate the

hole conditions.
14 - 8
1.4 HPHT CORING PROCEDURE

A core of the Volgian Sand will be required on hydrocarbon shows. The
following precautions and procedures should be followed when coring the
HPHT section is required.
1) Drill at least 30 ft of reservoir prior to coring.
2) Use steel core barrels with pressure relief ports/plugs. Maximum
length of barrel is 60 feet.
3) Run a Hydril Drop-in sub above the core barrel.
4) Follow the HPHT tripping procedures.
5) Drop the Hydril Drop-in dart at the shore before pumping the slug. This
will prevent any gas breaking out the core and expanding up the
drillpipe.
6) POOH to 1500 ft. Circulate through the choke and record gas levels.
7) POOH
8) When handling the core on surface breathing apparatus should be
worn until H2S levels are checked.
14 - 9
1.5 SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS

The criteria for suspension or abandonment of the well, or of that section of
the hole giving rise to continuing problems are as follows:
1) Well control and surface equipment have been exposed to
temperatures or pressures outside their recommended operating
envelope.
2)
Mechanical failure of any critical pressure containment equipment

[wellhead, casing (including excessive wear), BOP, choke/kill manifold]
unless redundancy exist.
3) If any vital safety equipment fails (mud or gas monitoring equipment,

mud mixing equipment if reserve mud stock low, lifesaving equipment)
unless redundancy exists.
4) If severe downhole loss of mud does not reduce after repeated
treatments.
5) If the pore pressure while drilling increases to a value requiring a mud
weight to balance which reduces the kick tolerance to an unacceptable
level.
6) If the stock levels of Barite, Cement , Mud or Mud additives falls below
a minimum level.
7) If the weather conditions are predicted to be outwith the operating
envelope of the rig or are considered unsafe by the OIM. The rip back
to the casing shoe may be slow due to additional precaution taken.
Sufficient time must be allowed to complete this operation safely.
Excessive heave during trips may contribute to the swabbing effect.
8) If rig motion prohibits accurate pit monitoring.
9) If TD is reached without encountering any significant hydrocarbons or
after completion of testing any hydrocarbons encountered.
10) If there is a danger to the position keeping or structure of the rig
(mooring equipment failure, collision).
11) If any other condition exists which the operator considers to create a
hazard which is unacceptable.
14 - 10
1.6 CASING WEAR

The 9 5/8" casing has been designed to have sufficient strength to
withstand reservoir pressure less a gas gradient to surface.
During the Jurassic testing phase the 9.5/8" casing will act as the
production casing and water is planned to be utilised as the packer fluid.
It is therefore important that this string of casing, plus the wellhead
components, do not suffer significant wear. Should significant wear take
place then a contingency 7-5/8" tie-back string will be run, but this is not
the preferred option.
The total drilling time to TD, from the 9.5/8" casing point, is prognosed as
11 days. This short period of drilling, at minimal casing inclination, should
contribute significantly to minimal casing wear, as should the use of best
practices including minimising deviation in 36" hole and close control of
mud properties in 8-1/2" hole. Furthermore, the safety factor on the burst
rating of the casing is 1.38 (after allowing for temperature derating) which
is considerably higher than the normally recognised minimum design rating
of 1.1.
For nominally vertical well, casing wear will not be a concern. However,
ditch magnets and wear bushings will be utilised and monitored during the
8.1/2" hole section. Although these methods can identify whether or not
any wear has taken place they cannot define the casing's residual
strength.
Only if excessive dogleg or inclination results from unplanned operations
(eg. sidetrack) in the 12-1/4" hole section, then the following will be
performed in order to accurately determine the status of the string of
casing.
(1) The casing will be calipered during the wait-on-cement time.
(2) Consideration will be given to re-running the caliper if rotating hours
inside 9-5/8" casing are excessive.
(3) A final caliper survey will be performed and the casing's residual burst
capacity determined prior to any testing operations taking place.
14 - 11
SECTION 2.0
Shut-In Diagram - Top Drive (Green Chart)

Off Bottom Kill Chart (Red Chart)
On Bottom (Yellow Chart)
Bullheading (Purple Chart)
14 - 12
SHUT-IN DIAGRAM TOP DRIVE

GREEN CHART
WELL FLOWS
DRILLING
TRIPPING
PICK UP & SPACE

OUT STRING
INSTALL OPEN
STAB-IN FOSV
CLOSE STAB-IN FOSV
STOP PUMPING
OUT OF HOLE
OR
INSTALL
TOP DRIVE
CLOSE UPPER
ANNULAR
CLOSE MIDDLE
PIPE RAMS
CLOSE
SHEAR RAMS
OPEN CHOKE LINE

FAILSAFES
OPEN CHOKE LINE

FAILSAFES
RECORD PRESSURES
AND TIME
OPEN CHOKE LINE
FAILSAFES
RECORD PRESSURES
AND TIME
CLOSE MIDDLE PIPE RAMS

HANG OFF STRING
CLOSE UPPER ANNULAR

HANG OFF STRING
INSTALL TOP DRIVE

OPEN STAB-IN FOSV
RECORD PRESSURES
AND TIME
DRILLER
SUPERVISOR
Pdp > 3000 psi
YES
INSTALL KILL
ASSEMBLY & TEST
YELLOW CHART
DRILLING
NO
OBSERVE
WELL
MUSTER
CREWS
WITHDRAW HOT
WORK PERMITS
PREPARE TO
KILL WELL
INFORM
ONSHORE
OPERATION
WHEN KICK
OCCURRED
OUT OF HOLE
INFORM
STANDBY BOAT
RED CHART
TRIPPING
RED CHART
14 - 13
BULLHEADING
PURPLE CHART
KILL MUD WEIGHT AND INFLUX VOLUME KNOWN.

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SURFACE INJECTION
PRESSURE KNOWN.
ADEQUATE VOLUME OF KILL WEIGHT MUD ON SURFACE.

LINE UP KILL PUMP TO DRILLPIPE AND ANNULUS.
TEST LINES.
ESTABLISH INJECTION RATE/PRESSURE.

IS PRESSURE ABOVE MINIMUM PRESSURE TO
FRACTURE SHOE?
SHUT-IN WELL
DISCUSS OPTIONS
CONTINUE BULLHEADING AT MAXIMUM RATE UNTIL

CALCULATED VOLUME PUMPED.
OBSERVE WELL. BLEED OFF TRAPPED PRESSURE IN

SMALL INCREMENTS. ESTABLISH WELL DEAD.
YES
PIPE ON BOTTOM?
NO
PERFORM CIRCULATION IF POSSIBLE

DISCUSS FUTURE OPERATIONS.
RUN DRILLING LINER?
14 - 14
STRIP IN OR RUN IN HOLE

TO BOTTOM.
OFF BOTTOM KILL CHART

RED CHART
YES
TRIPPING.
ESTIMATE EXPECTED
SURFACE PRESSURE/GAS
VOLUME.
NO
BULLHEAD
NO
NO
PIPE IN
HOLE?
OUT OF HOLE.
YES
MIGRATION RATE
LESS THAN 1000
FT/HR.
BULLHEAD
NO
IS SURFACE EQUIPMENT
CAPABLE OF HANDLING?
YES
ALLOW INFLUX TO
MIGRATE AND
EXPAND TO
SURFACE.
IS STRING WEIGHT GREATER

THAN THE UPWARD FORCE
FROM WELL?
NO
WELL DEAD
BULLHEAD
SNUBBING UNIT?
YES
STUCK
YES
BULLHEAD
YES
RUN IN HOLE TO
BOTTOM. CIRCULATE
BOTTOMS UP.
NO
ABLE TO STRIP?
NO
YES
BULLHEAD
DEVELOP STRIPPING
PROGRAMME.
INSTALL NON RETURN VALVE IN

STRING. OPEN FOSV
REDUCE CLOSING PRESSURE

ON ANNULAR. REMOVE WIPER
RUBBERS.
BIT ON BOTTOM
ON BOTTOM KILL.
YELLOW CHART.
STRIP IN PIPE DOPING

CONNECTIONS UNTIL.
GAS AT SURFACE
CIRCULATE ANNULUS
FREE OF GAS
14 - 15
ON BOTTOM KILL
YELLOW CHART
WELL SHUT IN. SICP, SIDP, GAIN RECORDED.

KILL CALCULATIONS COMPLETE
NO
BULLHEAD
SURFACE EQUIPMENT CAPABLE OF HANDLING

KICK AT SURFACE?
HAVE SIDP AND SICP RISEN DUE TO GAS

MIGRATION AND REQUIRE BLEEDING OFF?
NO
YES
BLEED OFF
CALCULATED
AMOUNT
CAN SHOE WITHSTAND CALCULATED

MAXIMUM PRESSURES DURING KILL?
BULLHEAD
DECIDE ON DRILLER'S METHOD OR WAIT

AND WEIGHT.
HOLD MEETING TO DISCUSS PROCEDURES.

BEGIN KILL.
NO
YES
ARE LOSSES TO
FORMATION?
SHUT DOWN AND

EVALUATE OPTIONS?
LOSE RETURNS?
NO
CONTINUE KILL AS PER

SCHEDULE
REDUCE PUMP STROKES

PRIOR TO GAS AT SURFACE
IF REQUIRED. INJECT
GLYCOL AT CHOKE.
YES
OPTIONS:
SLOW DOWN PUMPS UNTIL
CIRCULATION REGAINED.
BULLHEAD KILL WEIGHT FLUID.
SPOT LCM, BARITE OR CEMENT
PLUG ACROSS LOSS ZONE.
BULLHEAD MUD DOWN
ANNULUS WHILE SPOTTING
HEAVY MUD DOWN DRILLPIPE
BELOW THIEF ZONE.
RUN TEMPERATURE LOG INSIDE
DRILLPIPE TO EVALUATE
UNDERGROUND BLOWOUT.
SHUT IN WELL.
CLEAR BLOCKAGE.
ALLOW TEMPERATURE
TO INCREASE.
YES
HYDRATES?
CHOKE MANIFOLD
TEMPERATURE
APPROACH. -20 DEG F?
NO
SLOW DOWN PUMPS
AND BY-PASS M.G.S.
YES
IS MUD GAS SEPERATOR

APPROACHING CRITICAL
LEVEL?
NO
SHUT IN WELL UNTIL
MUD TEMPERATURE
DECREASES.
YES
IS MUD TEMPERATURE
APPROACHING FLASH
POINT (212 DEG F)?
NO
CIRCULATE OUT INFLUX
CONFIRM WELL DEAD. PERFORM SECOND

CIRCULATION (THIRD IF DRILLER'S METHOD
USED). INCLUDE TRIP MARGIN IF REQUIRED.
14 - 16
SECTION 3.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DURING A WELL

CONTROL INCIDENT
1) Operator Supervision
Operator Drilling Manager
The Drilling Manager is responsible for the management of the technical,
financial, EHS and contractual aspects of the Company's drilling activities.
During any Well Control Incident the Drilling Manager will liaise with the
Offshore Drilling Supervisor and the Manager and agree a plan to kill the
well with them.
Operator Drilling Superintendent
The Drilling Superintendent is responsible for the day to day operation on
the rig. He will ensure the drilling programme is completed using safe and
efficient drilling practises by daily consultation with the Offshore Drilling
Supervisor.
During any Well Control Incident he will provide operational assistance to
the Drilling Manager.
Head of Well Engineering
The Head of Well Engineering is responsible for technical supervision of
well design, engineering and operations.
During any Well Control Incident he will be the company focal point for
external contact with the Health and Safety Executive etc. he will provide
assistance to the Drilling Manager to ensure that all operations activities
are executed in accordance with company and legislative EHS
requirements. He will manage and supervise the activity of the Senior
Drilling Engineer.
Senior Drilling Engineer
The Senior Drilling Engineer is responsible for providing technical
assistance to support the operation. He will liaise with the Offshore Drilling
Supervisor and Drilling Superintendent on a daily basis.
During any Well Control Incident he will assist the Drilling Manager with
any technical problems.
Drilling Supervisor
The Drilling Supervisor is operator senior representative on the rig. He is
responsible for issuing detailed written daily drilling instructions to the
Superintendent and supervising any service personnel contracted to
Operator.
14 - 17
He should hold daily planning meetings, pit drills and attend pre-job safety
meetings to keep the rig crew informed of potential drilling hazards that
may arise.
During any Well Control Incident the Drilling Supervisor must ensure the
well is secure and confirm pressures and gains recorded. He must then
develop a well kill procedure in consultation with the Superintendent / OIM
and the Operator Drilling Manager. Once the procedure is approved he
must ensure it is followed and any changes are agreed between all parties.
If there is any doubt he should shut the well in.
Night Drilling Supervisor
The night Supervisor provides cover for the Drilling Supervisor and
ensures his instructions are followed. He should inform the Drilling
Supervisor of any unplanned events.
During any Well Control Incident he should provide support for the Drilling
Supervisor and follow his instructions.
2) Supervision
Rig Manager
The Rig Manager provides onshore support for the OIM and Rig
Superintendent. He communicates daily with the Operator Drilling
Superintendent to discuss operations, safety and logistics.
During any Well Control Incident the Rig Manger will liaise with the OIM
and Operator Drilling Manager to develop and approve the programme to
kill the well.
Offshore Installation Manager (O.I.M.)
The OIM is legally responsible to the Secretary of State for the safety of
the installation and the safety, health and welfare of all persons on or
about the installations.
During any Well Control Incident the OIM must be kept informed of and
agree to all operations. The OIM has the authority to stop any operation he
believes to be unsafe.
Rig Superintendent
The Rig Superintendent must ensure the crews are trained in, and the rig
equipment is capable of, the early detection of over pressure. This shall
include pit drills in consultation with the Operator Drilling Supervisor.
14 - 18
During any Well Control Incident the Rig Superintendent shall ensure the
well has been properly secured by the Driller. He will take an active role in
the development of the plan to kill the well and will supervise the crew and
operation of the well control equipment throughout the well killing
operation. He may delegate responsibility to the Day/Night Toolpusher.
Day / Night Toolpusher
The Day and Night Toolpushers work opposite shifts. Each report to the
Rig Superintendent.
The Day Toolpusher must supervise the Drilling crews to ensure the
procedures detailed by the Operator Drilling Supervisor and outlined in the
Drilling Programme are carried out in a safe and efficient manner.
The Night toolpusher has similar responsibilities as the Day Toolpusher
during the nightshift. He works in consultation with the Operator Night
Drilling Supervisor.
The Day/Night Toolpusher shall report any Well Control Incident to the Rig
Superintendent once the well has been secured.
Driller
The Driller is responsible for supervising the Drilling crew and
implementing the instructions issued by the Operator Drilling Supervisor in
a safe and efficient manner.
The Driller is responsible for monitoring the well using the rigs
instrumentation for signs of a kick or Well Control Incident and reacting to
those signs to secure the well.
14 - 19
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
General
HPHT Drilling Policies and Procedures
HPHT Tripping Procedures
HPHT Coring Procedure
Suspension of Operations
Casing Wear
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DURING A WELL CONTROL INCIDENT
CE
N TRE
OL S
ON
15. SAMPLE HPHT WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES (JACK-UP)
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
SECTION 1.0
1.1 GENERAL
This document is the HPHT Well Control Supplement for well *** and
should be used in conjunction with the contractor. Well Control Manual. It
should be referred to during the HPHT section of the well which will be
below 13,500 ft TVD RKB. As this document has been developed
specifically for the drilling of well *** it will form part of the well *** it will
form part of the well-specific training which has been planned.
It is essential that in the event of an influx entering the wellbore the well is
closed in as soon as possible. For this reason Pit and Trip drills need to be
carried out on a regular basis (daily initially) to ensure the rig crews are
fully trained. Stripping drills will be carried out while tripping in the hole
before drilling out the 13 5/8" and 95/8" shoes.
The "FAST" shut in will be the method used in normal circumstances
(choke closed, shut-in with annular). In special circumstances where the
Kick Tolerance is deemed to be too low, about 40 bbls, then the "HARD"
shut in should be used (choke closed, shut-in with pipe rams). The actual
method to be used will be determined by the Drilling Supervisor in
consultation with the Rig Superintendent.
The Driller has the authority and responsibility to shut the well in at any
time that he suspects the well is flowing. It is better to shut the well in
quickly and then bleed of any suspected trapped pressure that to flow
check a kick indicator. The shut-in procedures are listed in the Contractor
Well Control Manual.
The mud logging company will provide independent and continuous
monitoring of the well. The Driller should react to their indications of flow
as he would his own and act accordingly.
Once a kick is identified, and the initial well closure performed, a procedure
to kill the well should be discussed and agreed by key personnel. No
changes to this procedure should be made by any individual without
agreement from operator Drilling Management and the key offshore
personnel.
If there is any doubt about the status of the well then it should be shut-in
and the situation analysed. Note that the well design allows for shut-in at
any stage in the operation without casing of other mechanical failure.
15 - 3
1.2 HPHT DRILLING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The following procedures should be adhered to while drilling below 13,500
ft TVD RKB in the HPHT section where the bottom hole pressure is
estimated to be at least 10,000 psi.
1) Always drill with a ported float in the string. This will allow the well to
be shut-in in the event of a flow yet enables SIDPP to be read with
some accuracy in heavy POBM. Due to the inaccuracy in monitoring
the well while RIH regular flow checks should be carried out as well as
a trip record kept.
2) Always drill with a drop-in dart sub in the string placed in the BHA
above the HWDP. Check all ID's for restrictions and ensure that the
drillpipe has been drifted to maximum required.
3) Drill in singles throughout the HPHT section. Use a range 3 joint of
pipe as a kelly equivalent with two kelly cocks and a saver sub at the
end.
4) Connection gas due to the reduction of ECD can be a good indicator of
increasing pore pressure. Ensure that the trend of gas levels are
recorded by the mud loggers. Do not make more than one connection
in the 8 1/2" hole until gas levels from the previous connection are
checked at surface.
5) Flowcheck all significant drilling breaks for a minimum of 15 minutes,
with a minimum ROP increase of 25% before checking. Continue to
rotate pipe while flowchecking.
6) Ensure that the flowline drain down volume is known. The mud loggers
should monitor drain down on every connection to check the well is not
flowing.
7) Record trapped pressures remaining on the standpipe when pumps
are turned off. This pressure can be used during a kick to evaluate the
actual kill weight required. The Bariod XP07 POBM has a low rheology
so this will not be a problem.
8) After drilling out the 9 5/8" shoe and prior to performing the LOT pull
into the shoe. Close in the well for at least one hour and observe for a
pressure build up as the mud heats up. Record this pressure and the
volume of mud bled off. This may eliminate any well control false
alarms later.
15 - 4
9) Do not change the active mud volume by adding, subtracting , or

weighting up while the well is being drilled. This will mask any small
kicks. Stop drilling while any essential mud volume changes are
required. Ensure the Driller has given his permission and the Mud
Loggers are aware of the operation.
10) It is proposed to maintain a minimum stock level of 200 MT of Barite,
together with the required chemical additives, to retain acceptable mud
properties throughout the 8 1/2" section.
11) It is proposed to maintain a minimum stock level of 60 MT of cement
and associated chemicals throughout the 8 1/2" section.
12) A sufficient quantity of LCM materials should be maintained as outlined
in the Drilling and Mud Programmes.
15 - 5
1.3 HPHT TRIPPING PROCEDURES

1) The Drilling Supervisor and Rig Superintendent should be on the rig
floor at the start of any tip out the hole.
2) The following steps should be followed when POOH:
a) Circulated the hole clean.
b) Flowcheck for a minimum of 15 minutes. Rotate pipe throughout.
c)
Do not pull out of the hole if the hole is not stable, i.e. no losses or
flow.
d) Pull out (not pumped) of the hole 10 stands and run back in hole to
bottom no faster than the calculated swab/surge rate.
e) Circulate bottoms up. Record gas levels. An option to circulate the
hole conditions.
f)
Flowcheck for a minimum of 15 minutes. Rotate pipe throughout.
g) Pump out of the hole in 8 1/2" hole to the previous shoe.

h) Pump a slug at the shoe, allow to settle before pulling out.
i)
Flow check as a minimum on bottom, at the shoe, and before

pulling the drill collars through the BOP. Monitor the well on the
Trip Tank when out of the hole.
3) The following steps should be followed when running in the hole:

a) Flow check as a minimum half way to the shoe and at the shoe.
b) Break circulation slowly at the shoe and when back on bottom.
c)
15 - 6
Circulate bottoms up. Record gas levels. An option to circulate the

hole conditions.
1.4 HPHT CORING PROCEDURE

A core of the Fulmar Sand will be required on hydrocarbon shows. The
following precautions and procedures should be followed when coring the
HPHT section is required.
1) Drill at least 30 ft of reservoir prior to coring.
2) Use steel core barrels with pressure relief ports / plugs. Maximum
length of barrel is 60 feet.
3) Run a Hydril Drop-in sub above the core barrel.
4) Follow the HPHT tripping procedures.
5) Drop the Hydril Drop-in dart at the shoe before pumping the slug. This
will prevent any gas breaking out the core and expanding up the
drillpipe.
6) POOH to 1000 ft. Circulate through the choke and record gas levels.
7) POOH
8) When handling the core on surface breathing apparatus should be
worn until H2S levels are checked.
15 - 7
1.5 SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS

The criteria for suspension or abandonment of the well, or of that section of
the hole giving rise to continuing problems are as follows:
1) Well control and surface equipment have been exposed to
temperatures or pressures outside their recommended operating
envelope.
2) Mechanical failure of any critical pressure containment equipment
[wellhead, casing (including excessive wear), BOP, choke/kill
manifold] unless redundancy exists.
3) If any vital safety equipment fails (mud or gas monitoring
equipment, mud mixing equipment if reserve mud stock low, lifesaving equipment) unless redundancy exists.
4) If severe downhole loss of mud does not reduce after repeated
treatments.
5) If the pore pressure while drilling increases to a value requiring a
mud weight to balance which reduces the kick tolerance to an
unacceptable level.
6) If the stock levels of Barite, Cement, Mud or Mud additives falls
below a minimum level.
7) If the weather conditions are outwith the operating envelope of the
rig or are considered unsafe by the OIM.
8) If TD is reached without encountering any significant hydrocarbons
or after completion of testing any hydrocarbons encountered.
9) If there is a danger to the structure of the rig (seabed condition,
collision).
10) If any other condition exists which the operator considers to create
a hazard which is unacceptable.
15 - 8
1.6 CASING WEAR

The 10 3/4" * 9 5/8" casing has been designed to have sufficient strength,
including a safety factor, to withstand reservoir pressure less a gas
gradient to surface.
During the Jurassic testing phase the 10.3/4" * 9.5/8" casing will act as the
production casing and water is planned to be utilised as the packer fluid.
It is therefore imperative that this string of casing, plus the wellhead
components, are as close to original specification as possible. Should
significant wear take place then a contingency liner will be run but this is
not the preferred option.
The total drilling time to TD, from the 10.3/4" * 9.5/8" casing point, is
prognosed as 6 days. This short period of drilling should contribute
significantly to minimal casing wear, as should the use of best practices
including close control of mud properties, minimal wellbore inclination and
non-rotating sleeves.
Ditch magnets and wear bushings must be utilised and monitored during
the 8.1/2" hole section. Although these methods can identify whether or not
any wear has taken place they cannot define the casing's residual
strength.
In order to accurately determine the status of the string of casing the
following will be performed during the drilling of the 8.1/2" hole section.
(1) The casing will be calipered during the wait-on-cement time.
(2) Ditch magnets and a wearbushing will be utilised and monitored during
drilling operations.
(3) Should drilling operations continue beyond 15 days, and there are
definite indications from the ditch magnets that some casing wear has
taken place, then the caliper will be re-run. The casing burst should be
reviewed at this time and compared to the requirements of further drilling
operations in terms of well control.
(4) Should, for any reason, drilling continue beyond 30 days, and where a
caliper was not re-run at 15 days, then a caliper should be run and the
casing re-evaluated.
(5) Irrespective of (3) or (4) above a final caliper survey will be performed
and the casing's residual burst capacity determined prior to any testing
operations taking place.
15 - 9
SECTION 2.0 WELL CONTROL DECISION TREES
Shut-In Diagram - Top Drive (Green Chart)

Off Bottom Kill Chart (Red Chart)
On Bottom (Yellow Chart)
Bullheading (Purple Chart)
15 - 10
SHUT-IN DIAGRAM TOP DRIVE

GREEN CHART
WELL FLOWS
DRILLING
OUT OF HOLE
TRIPPING
INSTALL OPEN
STAB-IN FOSV
PICK UP & SPACE

OUT STRING
CLOSE STAB-IN FOSV
STOP PUMPING
CLOSE ANNULAR
OR
INSTALL
TOP DRIVE
CLOSE
SHEAR RAMS
OPEN HCR VALVE
OPEN HCR VALVE

CLOSE ANNULAR
INSTALL TOP DRIVE
OPEN STAB-IN FOSV
OPEN HCR VALVE
RECORD PRESSURES
AND TIME
DRILLER
SUPERVISOR
Pdp > 3000 psi
YES
INSTALL KILL
ASSEMBLY & TEST
YELLOW CHART
DRILLING
NO
OBSERVE
WELL
MUSTER
CREWS
WITHDRAW HOT
WORK PERMITS
PREPARE TO
KILL WELL
INFORM
ONSHORE
OPERATION
WHEN KICK
OCCURRED
OUT OF HOLE
TRIPPING
RED CHART
INFORM
STANDBY BOAT
RED CHART
OFF BOTTOM KILL CHART

RED CHART
YES
TRIPPING.
ESTIMATE EXPECTED
SURFACE PRESSURE/GAS
VOLUME.
NO
BULLHEAD
NO
NO
PIPE IN
HOLE?
OUT OF HOLE.
YES
MIGRATION RATE
LESS THAN 1000
FT/HR.
BULLHEAD
NO
IS SURFACE EQUIPMENT
CAPABLE OF HANDLING?
YES
ALLOW INFLUX TO
MIGRATE AND
EXPAND TO
SURFACE.
IS STRING WEIGHT GREATER

THAN THE UPWARD FORCE
FROM WELL?
NO
WELL DEAD
BULLHEAD
SNUBBING UNIT?
YES
STUCK
YES
BULLHEAD
YES
RUN IN HOLE TO
BOTTOM. CIRCULATE
BOTTOMS UP.
NO
ABLE TO STRIP?
NO
YES
BULLHEAD
DEVELOP STRIPPING
PROGRAMME.
INSTALL NON RETURN VALVE IN

STRING. OPEN FOSV
REDUCE CLOSING PRESSURE

ON ANNULAR. REMOVE WIPER
RUBBERS.
BIT ON BOTTOM
ON BOTTOM KILL.
YELLOW CHART.
STRIP IN PIPE DOPING

CONNECTIONS UNTIL.
GAS AT SURFACE
CIRCULATE ANNULUS
FREE OF GAS
ON BOTTOM KILL
YELLOW CHART
WELL SHUT IN. SICP, SIDP, GAIN RECORDED.

KILL CALCULATIONS COMPLETE
NO
BULLHEAD
SURFACE EQUIPMENT CAPABLE OF HANDLING

KICK AT SURFACE?
HAVE SIDP AND SICP RISEN DUE TO GAS

MIGRATION AND REQUIRE BLEEDING OFF?
NO
YES
BLEED OFF
CALCULATED
AMOUNT
CAN SHOE WITHSTAND CALCULATED

MAXIMUM PRESSURES DURING KILL?
BULLHEAD
DECIDE ON DRILLER'S METHOD OR WAIT

AND WEIGHT.
HOLD MEETING TO DISCUSS PROCEDURES.

BEGIN KILL.
NO
YES
ARE LOSSES TO
FORMATION?
SHUT DOWN AND

EVALUATE OPTIONS?
LOSE RETURNS?
NO
CONTINUE KILL AS PER

SCHEDULE
REDUCE PUMP STROKES

PRIOR TO GAS AT SURFACE
IF REQUIRED. INJECT
GLYCOL AT CHOKE.
YES
OPTIONS:
SLOW DOWN PUMPS UNTIL
CIRCULATION REGAINED.
BULLHEAD KILL WEIGHT FLUID.
SPOT LCM, BARITE OR CEMENT
PLUG ACROSS LOSS ZONE.
BULLHEAD MUD DOWN
ANNULUS WHILE SPOTTING
HEAVY MUD DOWN DRILLPIPE
BELOW THIEF ZONE.
RUN TEMPERATURE LOG INSIDE
DRILLPIPE TO EVALUATE
UNDERGROUND BLOWOUT.
SHUT IN WELL.
CLEAR BLOCKAGE.
ALLOW TEMPERATURE
TO INCREASE.
YES
HYDRATES?
CHOKE MANIFOLD
TEMPERATURE
APPROACH. -20 DEG F?
NO
SLOW DOWN PUMPS
AND BY-PASS M.G.S.
YES
IS MUD GAS SEPERATOR

APPROACHING CRITICAL
LEVEL?
NO
SHUT IN WELL UNTIL
MUD TEMPERATURE
DECREASES.
YES
IS MUD TEMPERATURE
APPROACHING FLASH
POINT (212 DEG F)?
NO
CIRCULATE OUT INFLUX
CONFIRM WELL DEAD. PERFORM SECOND

CIRCULATION (THIRD IF DRILLER'S METHOD
USED). INCLUDE TRIP MARGIN IF REQUIRED.
BULLHEADING
PURPLE CHART
KILL MUD WEIGHT AND INFLUX VOLUME KNOWN.

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SURFACE INJECTION
PRESSURE KNOWN.
ADEQUATE VOLUME OF KILL WEIGHT MUD ON SURFACE.

LINE UP KILL PUMP TO DRILLPIPE AND ANNULUS.
TEST LINES.
ESTABLISH INJECTION RATE/PRESSURE.

IS PRESSURE ABOVE MINIMUM PRESSURE TO
FRACTURE SHOE?
SHUT-IN WELL
DISCUSS OPTIONS
CONTINUE BULLHEADING AT MAXIMUM RATE UNTIL

CALCULATED VOLUME PUMPED.
OBSERVE WELL. BLEED OFF TRAPPED PRESSURE IN

SMALL INCREMENTS. ESTABLISH WELL DEAD.
YES
PIPE ON BOTTOM?
NO
PERFORM CIRCULATION IF POSSIBLE

DISCUSS FUTURE OPERATIONS.
RUN DRILLING LINER?
STRIP IN OR RUN IN HOLE

TO BOTTOM.
SECTION 3.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DURING A WELL

CONTROL INCIDENT
1) Operator Supervision
Operator Drilling Superintendent
The Drilling Superintendent is responsible for the day-to-day operations on
the rig. He will ensure the drilling programme is completed using safe and
efficient drilling practises through daily consultation with the Offshore
Drilling Supervisor.
During any Well Control Incident the Drilling Superintendent will liaise with
the Offshore Drilling Supervisor and the Contractor Rig Manager and agree
a plan to kill the well with them.
Operator Senior Drilling Engineer
The Senior Drilling Engineer is responsible for providing technical
assistance to support the operation. He will liaise with the Offshore Drilling
Supervisor and Drilling Manager on a daily basis.
During any Well Control Incident he will assist the Drilling Manager with
any technical problems.
Operator Drilling Supervisor
The Drilling Supervisor is the Operators senior representative on the rig.
He is responsible for issuing detailed written daily drilling instruction so the
contractor to the operator.
He should hold daily planning meetings, pit drills and attend pre-job safety
meetings to keep the rig crew informed of potential drilling hazards that
may arise.
During any Well Control Incident the Drilling Supervisor must ensure the
well is secure and confirm pressures and gains recorded. He must then
develop a well kill procedure in consultation with the contractor Rig
Superintendent / OIM and the Operator Drilling Manager. Once the
procedure is approved he must ensure it is followed and any changes are
agreed between all parties. If there is any doubt he should shut the well in.
Operator Night Drilling Supervisor
The Night Supervisor provides cover for the Drilling Supervisor and
ensures his instructions are followed. He should inform the Drilling
Supervisor of any unplanned events.
During any Well control Incident he should provide support for the Drilling
Supervisor and follow his instructions.
15 - 11
2) Contractor Supervision
Contractor Rig Manager
The Rig Manager provides onshore support for the OIM and Rig
Superintendent. He should communicates daily with the operator Drilling
Manager to discuss operations, safety and logistics.
During any Well Control Incident the Rig Manager will liaise with the OIM
and Operator Drilling Manager to develop and approve the programme to
kill the well.
Offshore Installation Manager (O.I.M.)
The OIM is legally responsible to the Secretary of State for the safety of
the installation and the safety, health and welfare of all persons on or
about the installation.
During any Well Control Incident the OIM must be kept informed of and
agree to all operations. The OIM has the authority to stop any operation he
believes to be unsafe.
Rig Superintendent
The Rig superintendent must supervise the Contractor Drilling crews to
ensure the procedures detailed by the Operator Drilling Supervisor and
outlined in the Drilling Programme are carried out in a safe and efficient
manner.
He must ensure the crews are trained in, and the rig equipment is capable
of, the early detection of over pressure. This shall include pit drills in
consultation with the Operator Drilling Supervisor.
During any Well Control Incident the Rig Superintendent shall ensure the
well has been properly secured by the Driller. He will take an active role in
the development of the plan to kill the well and will supervise the crew and
operation of the well control equipment throughout the well killing
operation. He may delegate responsibility to the Night Toolpusher.
Night Toolpusher
The Night Toolpusher has similar responsibilities as the Rig
Superintendent during the nightshift. He works in consultation with the
Operator Night Drilling Supervisor.
The Night Toolpusher shall report any Well Control Incident to the Rig
Superintendent once the well has been secured.
15 - 12
Driller
The Driller is responsible for supervising the Contractor Drilling crew and
implementing the instructions issued by the Operator Drilling Supervisor in
a safe and efficient manner.
The Driller is responsible for monitoring the well using the rigs
instrumentation for signs of a kick or Well Control Incident and reacting to
those signs to secure the well.
15 - 13
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
APP 1.1 INTRODUCTION

APP 1.2 WELL PLANNING
APP 1.3 GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES
APP 1.4 KICK HANDLING
APP 1.5 MINIMUM EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
APP 1.6 INSPECTION AND TESTING OF WELL CONTROL
EQUIPMENT
REFERENCE I
REFERENCE II
REFERENCE III
OL S
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APPENDIX 1.UKOOA GUIDELINES FOR HPHT WELLS
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
HPHT Course - Appendix 1
APP 1.1
INTRODUCTION
These Procedures, covering operating practices and minimum equipment,

were developed with the primary aim of ensuring the safety of personnel.
The first step in achieving this goal is to minimise the impact of well control
incidents through proper planning, comprehensive training, and good
operating practice. The second step is to ensure that kicks can be safely
handled with rig equipment without jeopardising the installation or the
personnel on board.
APP 1.2
WELL PLANNING
Pressure Design
A prediction of static bottom hole pressure must be made based on nearest
offset well data. A prediction of maximum surface pressure must be made
based on a fully evacuated of mud and formation fluid from TD to the surface.
A fluid gradient of .15 psi/ft will be used unless offset data can support the
use of an alternative gradient.
Temperature Design
A prediction of static bottom hole temperature must be made based on
nearest offset well data.
Continuous Temperature Requirement: A prediction of the maximum
anticipated surface and mudline circulating temperatures during drilling
operations must be made. The curves in Appendix No. I can be used unless
the Operator has an alternative method. The purpose of the continuous
temperature requirement is to define temperatures that will not be exceeded
during normal drilling and well control operations.
Peak Temperature Requirement: A prediction of the peak surface
temperature must be made. The curves in Appendix No. II should be used
unless the Operator has an alternative method. The purpose of the peak
temperature requirement is to ensure integrity of the BOP system during rig
evacuation. In a situation where it is impossible to shut in the well, the peak
temperature is defined as the highest temperature that may be achieved if the
well is flowing uncontrolled up the annulus through the choke manifold for one
hour.
Casing Design
The deep intermediate casing string (i.e. the last string set prior to drilling into
the deep high pressure objective) must be designed for the lesser of the
maximum anticipated surface pressure determined in 2.1, or the pressure
determined by the deep intermediate casing shoe strength minus the
formation fluid gradient to the surface. If the operator determines that sour
service tubular design is applicable, then appropriate actions will be taken to
incorporate those considerations into the design.
APP 1 - 3
Elastomer Design
All elastomers in the well control system must be certified by a certifying
authority for a continuous temperature rating and a peak temperature rating
(for one hour). API Specification 16A stipulates the relevant ASTM
mechanical properties testing requirement for the elastomers. These
standards ASTM tests should be conducted on the sample after exposure to
the rated temperatures (continuous and peak).
Well Control Programme
Procedures such as shut-in method, flow checks, circulating rates, kill
method to be utilised, and alternatives to use if primary kill method does not
work, must be established prior to drilling the well. A specific decision tree
should be made for the well to cover the alternative well control methods and
at what point the well is shut-in to re-evaluate the situation. Specific
procedures must be planned to safely handle swabbing during a trip. Criteria
for the decision to abandon the well will be established as part of the well
control programme.
Specialised Training
Crew training specific to the well being drilled, should be conducted on each
HP well to ensure correct reactions to well control situations and to
understand the specific decision tree to be followed for that well.
Pre-Spud Meeting: A pre-spud meeting should be held on the rig to brief all
crews on the well and its hazards.
Crew Safety Meeting: A crew safety meeting should be held prior to drilling
out the deep intermediate casing to discuss and clarify well control
procedures. Pre-tour meetings should update all crews as to current
situations.
Well Control Courses: Well control training should be expanded to include
specific training drilling HP wells.
Operator Supervision
The Operator should have 24 hour supervision on the rig, from prior to
drilling out below the deep intermediate casing until the HP zone is
abandoned.
Well Consent
It will be necessary to submit additional information outlined in Appendix III
with the well consent application in addition to CSON 11 to ensure that
sufficient planning has been performed for the HP well.
APP 1 - 4
APP 1.3
GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES
Temperature Monitoring
Temperatures upstream of the choke, at the flowline, and on the test system
flowline, must be monitored to ensure that the continuous temperature rating
of the elastomer system is not exceeded during drilling, well control operations
and testing. If the continuous temperature is approached, corrective
measures must be taken to reduce the temperature such as slowing down the
pumps, reducing the choke size or closing in the well.
Drilling Data Analysis
The pressure and temperature of the well should be monitored as drilling
progresses and compared with the original prediction, to ensure that
equipment ratings are not exceeded.
Circulation Of Trip Gas
Bottoms up should be circulated after making a trip when the HP zone is
exposed to the wellbore. A flow check should be considered when bottom
hole returns get to a point in the annulus where gas break out can occur
(+/- 2000 ft BRT is recommended). Considerations should be given to taking
returns thereafter through the choke manifold and mud gas separator,
particularly when gas break out is indicated.
Short Trips
A short trip (5-10 stands) should be made prior to tripping out of the hole
while the high pressure hydrocarbon-bearing zone is exposed to the wellbore
and bottoms up should be circulated to ensure adequate hydrostatic
overbalance over the formation pressure.
Coring Precautions
Procedural and equipment precautions should be taken while coring HP
reservoirs to avoid inducing swab kicks and provide necessary options to
handle a kick. Coring of the HP reservoir while drilling on the first well on a
structure should be discouraged.
Mud Mixing And Transferring
Mixing and/or transferring of mud should be avoided or carefully controlled
while drilling through and below the HP reservoir.
BOP Drills
BOP drills should be performed at frequencies to ensure crew proficiency.
Simulated kick drill should be conducted prior to drilling out previous casing
shoe track.
APP 1 - 5
Barite Supplies
Prior to drilling below deep intermediate casing, there must be sufficient
barite on the rig to weight up the active mud system; and there must be
sufficient capacity for weighting up the mud quickly to enable the mud weight
to be raised to a level above the maximum predicted pore pressure for the
well.
Flow Checks
Flow checks should be longer with OBM (15-20 mins) and more frequent
when approaching HP objective. If in doubt, circulate bottoms up with
intermediate flow check(s) as per 3.4 above.
Autochoke Control
The maximum allowable annulus surface pressure control should be disabled
for 12-1/4" and smaller hole sections.
Communications And Responsibilities
There should be clearly defined communication channels and responsibilities
for all emergency situations on the rig, particularly during protracted or
complicated well control situations.
Move Off Procedures
Procedures and systems for floaters should be in place to allow rapid
disconnection of riser and to winch the drilling unit off location 400-500 ft in
any direction in the event of an out of control well. Automatic release anchor
lines can be considered as an alternative to winching off location.
Drilling Limitation
Drilling should not be continued into and/or through the high pressure
hydrocarbon section unless a mud can be used in the well which is heavy
enough to hydrostatically balance the predicted formation pressure and still
maintain returns at the surface.
Shoe Test
After drilling 10-20 ft of new formation below the deep intermediate casing
string, a formation leak-off or integrity test must be performed to determine if
shoe strength is adequate to drill into the high pressure objective.
APP 1 - 6
APP 1.4
KICK HANDLING
Fast Shut-In And Kill System

If a kick is taken, a fast shut-in method should be used to minimise the influx
volume. The 15,000 psi kill system should be used to circulate the kick out.
Kick Volume And Kill Rate
If a kick is taken, the volume of gas which will be seen at the surface should
be determined. (For OBM, only an estimate is possible due to gas solubility.)
Kill rate(s) should be determined to ensure that gas handling capability of the
mud gas separator is not exceeded. Plans should be made to by-pass the
mud gas separator or slow the kill rate if the mud gas separator capacity is
approached. If the kick volume is large, bullheading should be considered as
an option to reduce surface gas volume and wear on surface well control
equipment, particularly when H2S is expected.
Swabbing
If the well is swabbed and not flowing, the drillstring should be un back to TD
and bottoms up circulated through the choke. If the well is swabbed and
flowing, bullheading or weighting up off bottom are alternate options to
enable running back to bottom to circulate out of the influx. Long stripping
jobs back to bottom should be discouraged to avoid undue wear and tear on
the BOPs.
Preferred Chokeline Outlet
When handling kicks in HP wells the upper choke line should be used initially
for circulating out a kick. If there is an outlet below the lowermost set of rams,
the outlet should not be used to take returns to the choke manifold. If the
upper outlet(s) or line(s) wash out, then the outlet below the lowermost set of
rams should not be used for conventional circulation and should only be used
for either bullheading or lubricating mud into the well.
Choke Operations
The person controlling the well kill operations must have available a schedule
for predicted drill pipe pressure during the kill operation. If abnormal
response is indicated from the schedule then the well should be shut in. If
the well is losing or behaving incorrectly, then the decision to circulate out
the kick should be re-evaluated and bullheading should be considered.
Mud Gas Separator Monitoring
The mud gas separator must be monitored during well kill operations to
enable the choke operator to know when the degasser will be overloaded and
to take the corrective measures to avoid blowing out the mud seal.
Temperature Monitoring
The temperature must be monitored at the flowline and upstream of the
choke with readout on the rig floor, so that the rig crew knows when the
continuous temperature rating is approached during drilling, or well control
operations and corrective measures can be taken.
APP 1 - 7
Mustering Of Crews
At the discretion of the OIM or other designated personnel, muster stations
should be sounded when a kick is taken and people given explicit instructions
as to their courses of action. The situation should be reviewed as well
control progresses, and the option of abandonment or evacuation reevaluated in light of well conditions.
APP 1.5
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Surface Gas Handling System

Mud Gas Separator (MGS): The mud gas separator must be designed and
certified for a given capacity of gas and mud. Design will include vessel
working pressure, sizing of vent lines, length of mud seal, retention time, and
control system. The degasser should be designed, constructed, inspected,
tested and stamped in accordance with ASTM VIII Division 2 - Boiler and
pressure vessel code or similar pressure vessel code.
MGS Instrumentation: The MGS should be instrumented and controlled so
that the working pressure is not exceeded.
MGS Bypass: An alternative method to dispose of produced fluids must be
provided in the event the capacity of the MGS is exceeded.
Glycol Injection System: A system for injection of glycol upstream of the
choke to prevent hydrate formation should be available.
Temperature Monitoring Equipment
A temperature monitoring system must be in place to ensure that the
continuous temperature rating of the elastomer system is not exceeded
during drilling, well control operations and well testing. Temperatures should
be monitored at the mud return flowline, at the chokeline upstream of the
choke, and at the well test flowline upstream of all chokes.
APP 1 - 8
High Pressure Well Control System

Failsafe Valves: Sequenced ( manual or automatic) closing of the fail safe
valves on a subsea stack, with the outer valve closing first, should be used to
limit the effects of cutting out of the gates. Also consideration should be given
to the closure mechanism and whether additional hydraulic assist should be
incorporated in order to increase closing force.
Flexible Hoses: Strict attention must be given to the flexible hoses to ensure
that they are designed for appropriate temperatures, pressures and well
fluids. The hose should be checked to ensure that it is the correct length for
the given stack.
BOP Stack Outlets: There should be a minimum of two outlets to the choke
manifold below the upper set of pipe rams on a subsea stack.
Hang Off Rams: The upper pipe rams should be positioned in the stack so
that they can be used to hang off the drillstring with the blind/shear rams
closing above.
Chokes: The choke manifold should be equipped with two remote hydraulic
chokes and at least one manually operated choke.
Kill System
Kill Pump: A 15,000 psi kill pump capable of slow circulation rates +/- 0.5
bbls/mins should be available. There should be a good communications link
between the kill pump and rig floor. Consideration should be given to
equipping the kill pump for remote operations from the rig floor. There should
also be a choke on the bleed down line to reduce erosion of plug type valves
when bleeding off pressure.
High Pressure Line: High pressure line from the kill pump to the rig floor with
a circulating head and flexible hose or chicksans ready for quick make up
should be available.
Drillstring Back Pressure Valve
A means of avoiding back flow up the drill pipe should be incorporated by
either using a sub for a drop in back pressure or by using a float valve in the
BHA before drilling through the transition zone from normal to abnormally
high pressure, commonly reached below the 13-3/8" casing point.
Drillstring Circulating Capability
A high pressure lubricator and drill pipe perforation system or drillstring
circulating sub should be available while drilling below deep intermediate
casing.
Pit Level Indicator
Minimum pit level indicator requirements are 2 pit level indicators per active
tank for semi submersibles. All tanks should be monitored and include a pit
volume totaliser.
APP 1 - 9
APP 1.6
INSPECTION AND TESTING WELL CONTROL EQUIPMENT
The BOP stack including flexible hoses should be pressure tested to their
full working pressure on the test stump prior to running.
Hoses should be visually inspected externally and in accordance with
manufacturers recommendations every time the stack is retrieved to
surface and prior to running.
Kill and choke lines, including moonpool hoses, should be pressure tested
to their full working pressure prior to drilling out deep intermediate casing
or more frequently if recommended by manufacturer.
Consideration should be given to the effects of wear on the strength of
casings. Regular inspection of wear bushing, calliper logs, ditch magnets,
and casing pressure tests are methods of checking casing wear.
Regular visual inspection of key well control components should be
undertaken as below:
Autochokes, target flange
-
Prior to drilling out the deep intermediate casing on HP wells

After each kick
After 48 hours cumulative routine circulating through the chokes
After 24 hours cumulative circulating through the chokes in a well kill
situation if possible.
Failsafes, choke valves, target flanges wall thickness on long sweep bends
should be checked between wells or if poor condition is discovered while
checking the autochokes and target flanges in the above inspections.
Detectors
The gas detectors should be cleaned and inspected weekly. They should
be tested every two weeks and prior to drilling into the high pressure
objective of the well in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.
Sensors And Monitors
Trip tanks, flow meters and critical sensors/monitors should always be
accurately calibrated. A special check/calibration should be carried out
prior to drilling into the high pressure objective.
APP 1 - 10
REFERENCE I
GRAPH FOR PREDICTING MAXIMUM ANTICIPATED TEMPERATURE
WHILE DRILLING
The following curves have been developed to show the relationship
between static bottom hole temperature and temperatures at the mud line
(390 feet) and rig floor (0 feet), when drilling is in progress in either 8-1/2"
or 12-1/4" inch hole. The assumed static temperature at different depths
are indicated on the graphs.
Prediction of Wellhead Temperature while drilling 8 1/2" hole
160
ANNULAR FLOW TEMPERATURE (deg F)
155
150
390 ft
0 ft
X
X
X
145
140
135
+
130
125
15000
16000
17000
18000
19000
BHT TAKEN TO BE CONSTANT AT 420
Prediction of Wellhead Temperature while drilling 12 1/4" hole
210
390 ft
0 ft
200
190
180
X
170
160
Depth 12000
Static BHT
340
13000
14000
15000
16000
346
350
354
358
APP 1 - 11
REFERENCE II
GRAPH PREDICTING PEAK SURFACE TEMPERATURE
DURING ANNUAL FLOW
This set of curves represents the worst case scenario for the sea floor
flowing temperature conditions for wells with a static bottom hole
temperature of 420 F. flowing at 50 MMCFD rate for one hour up the
annulus.
Any lower condensate content in the gas would result in a lower sea floor
flowing temperature than that on the curves.
Wellhead Transient Temperature
Following One Hour Flow Period
400
380
E
AT
WR
)
F/D
C
P
MS
DE
M
L
)
L
(50
F/D
WE
FT
SC
00
MM
150
0
5
(
FT
00
190
LO
F
TH
360
340
320
GAS / CONDENSATE INFLUX FLOWS
THROUGH ANNULUS BETWEEN CASING
AND DRILLSTRING PRODUCING
GOR : 5000 SCF/BBL
o
CONDENSATE GRAVITY : 46 API
300
280
260
300
320
340
360
380
400
O
BOTTOM HOLE TEMPERATURE ( F)
APP 1 - 12
420
440
REFERENCE III
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED
WITH WELL CONSENT APPLICATION
BHP and BHT estimate for proposed well with offset well data
including location, depth, pressure and temperatures, and method
of estimating BHP and BHT.
Estimate of continuous and peak surface temperatures and method

used.
The certified temperature ratings of well control system.
The surface gas handling system details including operating limitations

and bypass capabilities.
BOP stack details including ram and outlet configuration.
Well control programme for the well.
Specialised crew training.
APP 1 - 13
ABE
RD
CONTENTS
PREFACE
APP 2.2 PLANNING AND PREPARATION
APP 2.3 REQUIREMENTS TO SEISMIC AND GEOLOGICAL
DOCUMENTATION, PROGNOSTICATION, MONITORING
AND INTERPRETATION
APP 2.4 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DRILLING OF
DEEP HIGH PRESSURE WELLS
APP 2.5 OPERATOR AND CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS
APP 2.6 REQUIREMENTS TO EQUIPMENT
APP 2.7 SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ASPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH
HIGH PRESSURE DRILLING
OL S
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APPENDIX 2. NPD GUIDELINES FOR HPHT WELLS
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
PREFACE
The purpose of the present guidelines is to show how the provisions
concerning drilling of deep high pressure wells in the Regulations concerning
drilling and well activities and geological data collection in the petroleum
activities can be met.
Functional requirements in the regulations signify that there are various
ways in which to comply with the regulations. The Norwegian Petroleum
Directorates guidelines indicate one way to meet the requirements.
The guidelines are not legally binding. The user may consequently select
other technical and operational solutions than those indicated in the
guidelines, provided it can be documented that the selected solutions meet
the requirements of the regulations.
The guidelines are intended to be considered as a whole. The user should
consequently exercise caution in using only parts of it.

If the operator when commencing drilling for the first time in an area does
not have necessary information from previous drilling operations in the area,
the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate will be able to assist in obtaining basic
documentation.
Scope
The guidelines deal with issues that should be taken into consideration
during drilling of deep high pressure wells.
The term deep high pressure wells shall be understood as wells deeper than
4000 m (TVD) and/or has an expected shut-in wellhead pressure greater
than or equal to 690 bar (10,000 psi).
If the well is deeper than 4000 m (TVD), but has an expected shut-in
wellhead pressure lower than 690 bar, the particular part of the guidelines
dealing with 1035 bar equipment (15 000 psi) is not applicable.
Even if a number of the recommendations made below are evaluations
which will naturally have to be made for every drilling operation, the
consequences of not giving sufficient consideration to these factors will be
far more extensive in the case of deep high pressure wells than for more
routine drilling operations.
APP 2 - 1
APP 2.2 PLANNING AND PREPARATION

All wells should be planned on the basis of the most comprehensive
regional survey of the pressure conditions available. If the regional picture
indicates the probability of ending up with a high pressure well, the
requirements relating to planning and preparation will increase.
Important factors to be given particular consideration are:
Casing string wear
In connection with design of casing strings the operator should estimate
expected casing string wear and should include necessary safety margins.
During the drilling phase, the operator should give particular attention to
signs indicating abnormal wear such as steel chips in the return flow from
the well or abnormal wear of the wear bushing. When signs of abnormal
wear are detected, logs should be run to verify the degree of wear.
Important factors that should further be subject to consideration are
suitability of steel quality (e.g. use of V-150 casings) and design
assumptions (e.g. pressure and temperature) for casings with regard to
production test.
The need to run additional casings (e.g. 7" tie-back during production start)
should be given special consideration.
Drilling mud
The choice of drilling mud should be considered in detail on the basis of
well stability and well control, and should be tested prior to and during
drilling at expected pressure and temperature conditions.
The following should in particular be considered for the choice and use of
drilling mud:
Drilling mud (with the necessary admixtures) should be tested to the highest
predicted temperature for the well during static and dynamic conditions in
order to determine rheology and control of filter loss. These are critical
parameters for the drilling, as a reduction of viscosity may impede well
control, and an uncontrolled filter loss may result in sticking pipe. Another
high temperature effect is dehydration of the drilling mud (high temperature
gelation) resulting in a risk of swabbing.
In connection with DST it is also important to have the drilling mud stability
verified, as the drilling mud will remain static for considerable periods of
time.
The rheological behaviour of the mud is particularly important in the deeper
layers of the well where the circulation pressure may contribute significantly
to the hydrostatic pressure of the mud, entailing a risk of exceeding the
fracturing pressure.
Due to increased pressure and temperature in the well, the average specific
density of the drilling mud will differ from the values measured on the surface.
APP 2 - 2
Cementing
Testing of cement mixtures should be carried out in accordance with the
recommendations given for drilling mud. It is however important to carry out
additional modelling in order to determine an exact circulation temperature.
Exact testing of cement and admixtures is important to ensure good cement
behind the casing string.
The following factors should be given special consideration during cementing
of high pressure wells:
a) Cementing of liner in deep high pressure wells should be carried out so
as to achieve a good mixture of the admixtures and uniform rheological
properties. This can be done by using separate mixing tanks or by
corresponding methods.
b) Consider using two cement systems with different setting times.
c)
Optimising cement properties with regard to, inter alia:

-
filter loss
hydration
rheology
setting times
temperature
short term strength
long term strength (strength retrogression)
gas density
free water
In particular, the risk of gas migration should be given considerable

attention.
d) Displacement of cement with drilling mud requires consideration to be
given to the following:
-
optimum ratio between the well diameter and casing

improved procedures for pumping of drilling mud prior to cementing
use of compatible drilling fluids, spacers and cement mixtures
optimising displacement velocity
optimum use of centralisers
rotation/reciprocation of casing/liners
e) Emphasise preparation of procedures/technologies for squeeze

cementing of loss zones.
APP 2 - 3
An alternative to stage cementing may be to run a casing string first as liner

and then carry out a tie-back to the wellhead. During such operation, with the
primary cementing job in an open hole, there are good possibilities for a
successful cementing operation. This solution may entail disadvantages
which also have to be considered.
It is the opinion of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate that primary
cementing of casing strings today in general is not carried out in a
technologically satisfactory way. Improved mixing systems and process
control should be developed in order that an adequate quality control of the
mixing process can be carried out.
APP 2.3
REQUIREMENTS TO SEISMIC AND GEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION,

PROGNOSTICATION, MONITORING AND INTERPRETATION
Geological and geophysical knowledge of the drilling locations is very

important in order to obtain adequate prognoses. This means that
experience from drilling of neighbouring wells is particularly important in
assessing new prospects. Determining correct setting depth for casing will
be essential in order to avoid problems, and knowledge of possible sand
strings in transition zones may be required in order to avoid getting into
critical situations.
During drilling of such wells, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate will
consider very carefully the need for the operator to carry out an exact
determination of formation tops by means of VSP logs (cf. Section 46 of the
Drilling Regulations). Accuracy of geological prognoses is consequently of
great importance.
Furthermore it is necessary that prognoses and interpretations indicate what
uncertainties can be expected, and indicate alternatives to the planned
drilling programme. There should be a considerable flexibility with regard to
alteration of for instance planned setting depth for casings if geology and
pressure conditions differ from expected values.
High pressure wells will always entail special and strict requirements to
prognostication of pressure and temperature. Experience has shown that in
the majority of cases where well control problems have occurred, there have
been previous problems in connection with lost circulation. Consequently it
will be of vital importance to a safe and efficient drilling operation to be able
to predict the maximum expected pressure, as well as margins between
fracturing pressure and pore pressure.
During pressure prognostication it is therefore important that indicators such
as D-exponent, gas content, cuttings and drilling mud temperature change
are given adequate attention. During drilling, geological personnel will
continuously and closely follow up prognostication and will immediately carry
out the necessary deviation procedures. It is therefore important that
communication between involved personnel on the rig and ashore is the best
possible (e.g. operations geologist, drilling administration, well geologist and
drilling supervisor).
APP 2 - 4
APP 2.4
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DRILLING OF DEEP

HIGH PRESSURE WELLS
Organisation
For planning and implementation of operations of this kind, it is necessary
that the operator at all times has specially qualified personnel available for
consultation, and that they take an active part in the planning of the work
ashore as well as on board.
On board the rig there should in addition to drilling supervisors and
geologists also be stationed personnel with particular pore pressure
expertise and with experience from the area during relevant drilling phases.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate considers it to be of particular
importance to carry out safety drills at regular intervals. Any deviation
affecting safety that may come to light during such drills should be subject
to critical deviation procedure.
In addition to traditional drills such as fire and lifeboat drills, trip and flow
drills, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate will strongly recommend choke
drills to be carried out.
These drills should be carried out prior to drilling out of surface casing and
intermediate casing. The well is circulated through choke lines to define
pressure curves and response times during circulation through kill/choke
lines at various rates. This drill will increase the familiarity of the personnel
with such operations, and improve co-ordination between the driller and the
choke operator.
It is vital during high pressure drilling that the drilling crew is in no doubt as
to what procedures to follow when well control equipment is activated. It is
important that shut-in and circulation procedures are well drilled and
understood.
Good communication between all involved parties is important. Daily
management and safety meetings will be necessary to ensure sufficient
information between the parties involved.
APP 2 - 5
Operational requirements
The following operational limitations should be considered:
Weather conditions
a) Requirements relating to acceptable weather prospects during drilling
and testing of high pressure zones. In particular the necessity of having
a meteorologist on board should be considered.
b) Requirements relating to halting of operations if weather conditions
cause helicopter and supply vessel accessibility to become impaired.
c)
Requirements relating to halting of operations in the event of defined

movements of the installation.
Drilling
It is important that personnel on board the installation carry out thorough
follow-up and interpretation of drilling and geological parameters, and carry
out a continuous comparison with other wells in the area. If necessary the
drilling rate will have to be reduced in order to maintain an acceptable control
with relevant parameters.
Tripping etc.
During tripping in/out of the drillstring in the well the following should be
taken into consideration:
a) the need for a float-valve and circulation sub to be installed in the BHA
before running the string
b) that special procedures are drawn up for tripping in high pressure zones,
e.g.:
c)
APP 2 - 6
rotating the drillstring prior to circulation in order to reduce the gel

strength
seeing that circulation and flow-checks are carried out regularly
that the well during pulling of the drillstring is kept full with mud. When
drilling a well with a small diameter, it is important to be able to circulate
during pulling of the drillstring in order to prevent piston effect and
resulting reduction of the bottom hole pressure.
Well killing
In order to be prepared for handling a kill situation quickly, kill lines should
be permanently connected to the cementing unit, alternatively have a
permanent connection to a separate well killing system.
Relief well
It is important that plans for relief wells are drawn up together with the
drilling programme. The plans should be regularly updated as drilling
progresses. Based on directional measurements made in the well, there
should be a regular assessment of suitable location(s) from where possible
relief well(s) should be drilled. This will as a rule require the original well to
be drilled with MWD from sea bed to TD.
Furthermore, information on availability of installations and special
equipment should be part of the emergency preparedness plans.
Operators should enter into mutual agreements concerning use of
installations, or agreements with drilling contractors concerning available
drilling installations and special equipment (cf. also Section 42 of the
Drilling Regulations).
Well control
A considerable part of the planning process in connection with deep high
pressure wells should be related to ensuring that the drilling installation
has suitable well control equipment to handle formation fluids under the
expected volume, pressure and temperature conditions on the surface
during circulation of a kick. The operator should in this connection
consider the possibility of bullheading of kicks as an alternative to more
traditional circulation procedures.
Routines for bull-heading of kicks during drilling of deep high pressure
wells should be considered. The reason for this is connected with the
problems relating to safe handling of large volumes of hydrocarbons/gas
on the surface.
In connecting with planning of the well, volumes of reservoir fluid that may
be produced on the surface for a given influx should be estimated.
Furthermore, maximum circulation rates for surface equipment should be
estimated.
Also maximum flow rates for mud/gas separation equipment should be
estimated during the planning stage. Furthermore, procedures for
measures to be taken in the event that the capacity of the mud/gas
separation system is exceeded, should be drawn up.
APP 2 - 7
Finally the risk of hydrate formation during a well control operation (e.g.
during circulation) should be considered. Information from neighbouring wells
(oil type, composition, bubble point, temperature) will be of particular
importance in this type of evaluations.
Other factors that should be considered are:
a) the possibility of conducting gas/formation fluid direct to the burner boom
without going via the choke manifold
b) permanent installation of high pressure overboard dump lines from choke
manifold
c)
necessary additional instrumentation to the well control equipment to

ensure that existing design criteria are not exceeded:
-
temperature/pressure gauges on gas separator

temperature/pressure gauges on the high pressure/low pressure
side of the choke manifold
flow indicator on all lines in the pressure system
possibility of injection of antifreeze agents (e.g. methanol), upstream
choke manifold
instrumentation improvement (pressure and flow measurements)
on the cementing unit.
Pressure control
Careful evaluation of pressure conditions and formation integrity is important
when drilling in transitional zones. The following parameters should be given
special consideration:
a) It is important that LOT/FIT is carried out in every new open hole interval,
and where weaker zones are anticipated
b) the need to run RFT at regular intervals, and where the pore pressure
can be expected to change, should be considered
c)
mud weights should be monitored closely to maintain full control of pore

pressure and formation integrity
d) quality of available mud logging equipment and qualified personnel for

follow-up of :
-
APP 2 - 8
drilling parameters
pore pressure
stratigraphy
early detection of kicks
Well testing
During production testing of deep high pressure wells the following governing
principles should be observed:
a) a thorough check of all 1035 bar (15 000 psi) equipment
b) use of permanent packers
c)
use of additional mechanical circulation tools
d) limited cable operations during test phase

e) consider alternative media when choosing completion fluid with a view to
physical and chemical stability during high pressures and temperatures
Due to the corrosive nature of the zinc bromide, alternative media should
be considered during testing.
APP 2.5
OPERATOR AND CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS
It is of vital importance to a successful drilling operation that the companys

personnel who are responsible for planning and implementation of deep high
pressure wells have experience from corresponding drilling operations, and
have a thorough knowledge of the area in question.
With regard to the manning situation, the following key persons should be
taking part in the operations during drilling of high pressure wells:
Contractor personnel
Through his internal control system, the operator will ensure that the drilling
contractor and service contractors comply with the qualification requirements
of the company, cf. Section 19 of the Drilling Regulations. In particular the
operator should focus attention on ensuring thorough professional
qualifications for personnel engaged in cementing, drilling and mud
operations.
It is of the utmost importance that the crew of the drilling installation function
as a well coordinated team, and that procedures and routines are well
established between the drilling contractor and the operator. This will as a rule
exclude the use of a new installation/new crew for drilling of high pressure
wells.
APP 2 - 9
Furthermore it will be of great importance to a successful operation that key

personnel has previous experience from corresponding drilling operations, so
that the necessary feeling of safety can be achieved on board.
For example, it is not uncommon that this type of wells are drilled with much
higher background gas level than in the case of more traditional drilling.
Inexperienced drilling personnel may react inappropriately if they are not
used to such situations. Regular safety meetings will be necessary, inter alia
to ensure that involved personnel acquire adequate understanding of the
physical/reservoir related principles that may cause a high background gas
level during drilling under such conditions.
It is also of importance that replacement of personnel does not lead to
reduced continuity and reduced safety in the operation.
APP 2.6
REQUIREMENTS TO EQUIPMENT
It is important that evaluation and choice of drilling installation and drilling

equipment is based on expected maximum pressure and temperature
conditions, and requirements to maximum loads, hoisting capacity, mixing
capacity and storage capacity.
Trip tank, flow meter, mud logging instruments and other critical sensors
should be subjected to a thorough maintenance and calibration programme.
When there is a probability of encountering H2S or CO2, the drillstring,
casing, wellhead, well control and kill systems shall be designed to be able
to handle such gases, cf. Section 16 of the Drilling Regulations.
Installation
Requirements to the following equipment packages should be important
when evaluating drilling installations for drilling of deep high pressure wells:
a) Use of top-drive may contribute to reducing the risk of a stuck pipe,
as well as reduce the probability of swabbing. Top-drive should be used
when drilling such wells;
b) the top kelly valve should be able to close during full flow conditions;
c)
the installation should have sufficient loading and hoisting capacity for
handling heavy casing;
d) drillstring and collars should be subjected to a thorough inspection

programme;
APP 2 - 10
e) the mud system should have:

-
sufficient capacity (pumping effect and pipe dimensions) for quick

weigh-up of mud in the active system, as well as mixing of new
drilling mud in the event of lost circulation;
mud agitator with sufficient power reserve for reduced scaling of
weight substances (baryte) in mud tanks;
high quality particle control system with sufficient number and quality
of shale shakers, mud cleaners and centrifuges;
acceptable ventilation, in particular if oil- based mud is used;
seals designed for high temperatures.
The mud/gas separator system (poor boy degasser) should be designed to

handle the maximum anticipated flow rate that may occur in a well.
If the mud/gas separator system is not designed to handle the maximum
anticipated flow rates, it is important that acceptable bleed-off facilities are
installed.
An alternative routing of the fluid/gas flow may be directly from the choke
manifold to high pressure overboard dump-lines. If the return is dry gas, it
should be possible to conduct it directly to the burner boom for burning.
It is important that well established procedures exist for the rig personnel, if
dumping overboard is the alternative when the mud/gas separator capacity is
exceeded.
The instrumentation should include pressure sensors to measure the
differential pressure over the return line for the mud/gas separator. The
choke operator should be able to read pressure differences directly from a
suitably located panel.
The cementing unit should be:
a) designed for at least 1035 bar (15,000 psi) working pressure;
b) equipped with a fluid additive system and circulation mixer when mixing
of heavy cement mixtures are required (specific weight 2.3 - 2.4 g/cm3);
c)
the mixing system should have sufficient capacity with regard to rate,
pressure etc. and should be fitted with batch-tank or similar method
or cementing liners.
APP 2 - 11
The BOP system should be:

a) designed for at least 1035 bar (15,000 psi) working pressure;
b) fitted with ram-packers and annular packers designed for high
temperatures;
c)
fitted with O rings designed for high temperatures;
d) fitted with fail-safe kill/choke valves designed to be able to close during

dynamic conditions at 1035 bar (15 000 psi) working pressure;
e) equipped with kill/choke line designed for the expected pressure and
temperature (including flexible parts and elastomers).
It is important that also the production and testing equipment is designed to
be able to meet the expected flow rates, pressure and temperatures.
Finally there should be sufficient instrumentation of well control equipment to
ensure that the equipment is not subjected to higher pressure or
temperatures than it is designed for.
To ascertain that all equipment has correct pressure rating, it is important to
make a thorough check of the smaller components of a pressure system, in
particular components with a high replacement frequency. Examples may be:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
valves
valve parts
hoses
adaptors
connection arrangement
In connection with high pressure testing it is important that there is a stock of

spare parts of high pressure components on the installation. What spare
parts that should be kept in stock will depend on previous experience. As a
minimum the spare part supply should cover components that are particularly
exposed to wear at high pressures:
a) choke valves
b) valve parts
c) gaskets etc.
It is important that equipment as described above is subject to an efficient
maintenance system.
APP 2 - 12
Equipment limitations
In addition to high pressures, also high temperatures will be a problem during
drilling of this type of wells. Downhole equipment such as LUB, electronic
instruments etc. have proved to represent considerable weaknesses in
electronic components.
Temperatures in excess of 180C (130C - 140C for LUB), pressures in
excess of 1000 bar and accelerations during drilling up to 1000G have proved
to be too demanding for existing equipment.
Other limitations may be:
a) corrosion
b) pipe wear (casing, drillstring, BHA etc.)
c)
mechanical pipe limitations
d) operational limitations
well ageing
reduced drilling progress
Special equipment
Particularly in the case of rigs with large built-in compensation for riser
tension, flexible high pressure hoses will be exposed to considerable stress
effects from wind as well as from waves in the moon-pool area. The transition
zones of the hoses between the rigid and the flexible parts will be particularly
exposed.
In the course of time the most affected areas may develop micro-cracks in the
protective layers with increasing corrosion of the load-bearing part of the
hoses. With more extensive cracking the hose may also be liable to frost burst.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has consequently focused on the life
span and the integrity of flexible choke and kill hoses for drilling of deep high
pressure wells. The scope of application of the hoses should be logged and
they should be subject to a systematic programme of inspection and
maintenance.
As a rule there will also be high temperatures in deep high pressure reservoirs.
The above mentioned hoses will however not be exposed to reservoir
temperatures, even during circulation of deep kicks. The time required for
transportation of gas and mud up to the surface will be sufficient to cause a
considerable temperature
reduction.
APP 2 - 13
In the case of sea bed and surface equipment, temperature limits will have
to be considered in relation to expected values during testing. A critical
area in this connection are BOP valves with flexible (elastomers)
components which during the test phase may become subjected to
temperatures close up to bottom hole temperature.
For relevant high pressure wells, the operator should therefore attach
particular importance to verifying the above mentioned well control
equipment according to the expected pressure and temperature conditions.
APP 2.7
SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ASPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH

HIGH PRESSURE DRILLING
Planning and drilling of deep high pressure wells is essentially not very
different from the usual practice in ordinary drilling operations.
In the text above the focus has been on matters requiring more attention
and greater accuracy in order for drilling of deep high pressure wells to be
successful.
Key areas requiring a great deal of attention are:
a) geological and seismic prognostication of neighbouring wells and
mapping of the area
b) continuous updating of geological and seismic prognoses. All available
methods should be considered used, e.g. look ahead VSP
c)
exact prognostication of pore pressure, rock burst pressure,

temperatures and flow potential
d) careful follow-up of pressures and temperatures to enable prognoses

to be updated and, if applicable, revised
e) thorough understanding of physical and chemical processes that occur
in a well control situation during drilling of deep high pressure wells
f)
adequate well planning and preparation, follow-up and control
g) exact determination of setting depth for casing to separate possible

loss zones from high pressure zones
h) exact determination of setting depth for casing above the pressure
build-up zone
APP 2 - 14
i)
evaluation of drilling related and geological deviations during the

drilling operation to ensure continuous updating of prognoses, in order
that necessary adjustments can be carried out (setting depth for
casing, introduction of additional intermediate casing, mud weight etc.)
j)
early detection of kicks and requirements to accurate recording of volume

changes
k)
cementing of deep casings and liners

gas migration during setting;
no isolation of problem zones due to lost return;
mixing problems during use of heavy cement mixtures;
well cleaning (displacement of drilling fluid);
mixing of high specific weight mixtures;
l)
ensure that equipment and material (including chemicals) can withstand

expected pressures and temperatures
m) qualifications and experience of company and contractor personnel

n) organisation and operational requirements
o) suitability of the drilling installation with regard to equipment specifications,
operation and maintenance of equipment
p) production testing requirements
q) drilling mud
verification of the physical and chemical properties of the drilling mud
at high pressures and temperatures during static and dynamic
conditions
r)
programme for control, maintenance and calibration of logging instruments

and critical sensors
s)
thoroughly prepared contingency plans, including planned relief well
t)
upgrading of the drilling fluid/gas separating system
APP 2 - 15
RD
ABE
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
APPENDIX 3. HPHT MUD PRESENTATION
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN
RD
ABE
OL S
CE
N TRE
ON
APPENDIX 4. HPHT CEMENT PRESENTATION
D RI L LI N G S
HO
L
& WEL
HPHT Course
EE N
TR O L T R AI NIN

Aberdeen Drilling School - HPHT

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10" VENT

DRILL FLOOR LEVEL

MAIN DECK LEVEL

DATA MONITORING SYSTEM

REMOTE CHOKE AREA

Aberdeen Drilling Schools

GAS BEHAVIOUR, KICKS AND CONTROL

GAS SOLUBILITY IN OBM'S - EFFECTS ON KICK

RIG EQUIPMENT SUMMARY

SURFACE GAS HANDLING CAPACITIES AND

DRILLING AND WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES FOR

SHUT-IN PROCEDURES AND DECISION TREES

VOLUMETRIC METHOD OF WELL CONTROL

THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURES AND

THE EFFECTS OF BOREHOLE BALLOONING ON

SAMPLE HPHT WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES (SEMI)

SAMPLE HPHT WELL CONTROL PROCEDURES (JACK-UP)

UKOOA GUIDELINES FOR HPHT WELLS

NPD GUIDELINES FOR HPHT WELLS

HPHT MUD PRESENTATION

HPHT CEMENT PRESENTATION

LEARNING FROM THE PAST

HPHT Course - Section 1

1.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW

HSE Definition for HPHT Wells:

1.2 LEARNING FROM THE PAST

Primary Well Control

Secondary Well Control

Tertiary Well Control

HPHT Course - Section 1

1220 psi / 84 bar

800 psi / 55 bar

8613 psi / 594 bar

9100 psi / 628 bar

9900 psi / 683 bar

9900 psi / 683 bar

9900 psi / 683 bar

9900 psi / 683 bar

HPHT Course - Section 1

HPHT Course - Section 1

* Worldwide statistics based on case histories.

HPHT Course - Section 1

WELL CONTROL INCIDENT RATE

WELL CONTROL INCIDENT RATE

1 to 2 Incidents per Well

HPHT Course - Section 1

HUMAN FACTORS REVIEW

INADEQUATE SUPERVISION/WORK PERFORMANCE

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT

IMPROPER METHOD PROCEDURE

NO DIRECT HUMAN ERROR INVOLVED

* Worldwide statistics based on case histories.

HPHT Course - Section 1

RIG AND SYSTEM PRESSURE CAPABILITIES

LACK OF PORE PRESSURE KNOWLEDGE

WILDCAT TYPE GEO PROGNOSIS

TOO SHALLOW SETTING OF INTERMEDIATE

LACK OF CASING PROGRAMME FLEXIBILITIES

HPHT Course - Section 1

PROBLEMS GETTING THE WELL KILLED

HPHT Course - Section 1

WELL CONTROL AND HOLE CONSIDERATIONS

4 to 7 PPG / .48 to .87 SG

SAFE TRIP MARGIN