Well Control

Learning Topics

  1. Components of a Well Control Contingency Plan

  2. Kill Rate and Kill Rate Pressure

  3. Drillers Method

  4. Pros and Cons of the Driller’s Method of Well Control

  5. Wait and Weight Method

  6. Pros and Cons of the Wait and Weight Method in Well Control

e-Learning Resources

  1. U-Tube Drilling Concept: Explains the concept of U-Tube and provides the basic understanding as it affects the well control principles.

  2. Overburden, Pore Pressure, and Fracture Gradient- Develop a clear understanding of concepts of porosity, overburden, formation, and fracture pressures. Also includes fracture gradient models, mitigating lost returns along with a preliminary discussion on casing seat selection and design factors.

  3. Understanding MAASP: MAASP or Maximum Allowable Annular Surface Pressure is an important parameter while killing the well.

  4. Hard Shut-in: Hard shut-in is a procedure for closing a well in preparation for well killing.

  5. Drillers Method (First Circulation): Drillers method of well control is a two circulation method. Let's learn concepts and pressure variations in the first circulation.

Case Studies

  1. Pore Pressure Uncertainty - IOGP

  2. Abnormal formation pressure due to offset water injection wells - IOGP

  3. Higher than predicted pore pressure during completion operations- IOGP

  4. Improper mud treatment resulted in a Well Control incident - IOGP

  5. Lack of management of change process, associated with late detection - International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP)

  6. Influx during MPD operations - IOGP

  7. Wellbore flow observed during fishing of completion tubing string - IOGP

  8. Severe loss - kick situation in the reservoir section

  9. Kick while drilling underbalanced with poorly isolated tight formation behind casing - IOGP

  10. Macondo Well Incident Transocean Investigation Report

  11. Gas influx due to lost returns during 7” casing running - IOGP

  12. Wrong Operation of MPD Choke Results in Influx - IOGP

  13. Well Control Incidents whilst drilling a sensitive section on MPD mode - IOGP

Data Sheets and Calculation Tools