Note on Kick Tolerance Calculations

Kick Tolerance

Once the initial casing setting depths have been selected, the kick tolerance associated with those
depths should be calculated. Starting from TD up to surface the kick tolerance and preferred
setting depth for each casing string should be calculated.

Kick tolerance is the maximum kick size that can be taken into the wellbore and circulated to the
shoe without breaking down the formation. It is dependent on the mud weight in use, the open hole
weak point (normally assumed to be the previous casing shoe), the formation pressure, the size
and density of the influx and the hole geometry.

There are two methods for calculating kick tolerance. The first calculates a kick intensity and the
second a kick volume.

Note that both methods neglect any temperature effects and assume an ideal gas.

Kick Intensity

Kick intensity is a measure of how much the mud weight can be raised for a given kick volume. In
other words if you drill into an over pressured zone by how much can you raise the mud and still
circulate out the kick.

For casing design purposes a kick volume has to be assumed. Here, we will assume 25 bbls influx
and minimum acceptable kick intensity of 0.5 ppg. If the kick intensity is below this value, then
further approval should be sought.

Kick intensity is calculated using the following equation :-

KI = MAASP - (MW x 0.052 x Hi) ppg

0.052 x TVD

Where :-

KI = Kick intensity (ppg)

MAASP = Maximum allowable annular surface pressure (psi)
MW = Mud weight in the hole (ppg)
Hi = Height of influx (ft)
TVD = True vertical depth of well (ft)

Example :-
12-1/4” hole TD: 13,123 ft
BHA: 697 ft x 8” DC
DP: 5”
Mud weight: 13.2 ppg
Previous casing shoe: 8,842 ft
LOT at shoe: 14.3 ppg EMW

MAASP = 8,842 ft x (14.3 ppg - 13.2 ppg) x 0.052

= 506 psi

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 Note on Kick Tolerance Calculations

Hi = 25 bbls / [(12.252 - 82) x 0.0009714]

= 300 ft

Note :-

This is the height of the influx around the drill collars, as this volume passes up around the drill
pipe the height will reduce due to a larger annular capacity between DP and open hole.

KI = [506 psi - (13.2 ppg x 0.052 x 300 ft)] / (0.052 x 13,123 ft)
= 0.44 ppg (Just under the minimum acceptable tolerance of 0.5 ppg)

Kick Volume

The kick volume determines the maximum kick size that can be taken into the wellbore and
circulated to the shoe.

The following process can be used to calculate kick volume :-

1. Estimate the safety margin to be applied to the leak off pressure at the open hole
weak point.
When the influx is displaced from the hole, there will be additional pressures acting in the
wellbore. The following are possible causes of such additional pressure during circulation
:-

• Annulus friction
• Choke operator error
• Choke line losses (if not compensated for)

The total safety margin to be applied to the leak off pressure will be the sum of these
additional pressures. The maximum allowable static weak point pressure can therefore be
determined. (This is the maximum allowable weak point pressure before circulation is
initiated.)
The Drilling Engineer must use his/her judgement to determine the most appropriate
safety factor to be applied to the leak off pressure at the open hole weak point. This safety
factor should be based on operating area experience.

2. Calculate the maximum allowable static weak point pressure (Pmax).

The maximum allowable pressure is given by :-

Pmax = Plo - (safety margin) psi

Where :-

Pmax = Maximum allowable weak point pressure (psi)

Plo = Leak off pressure at the open hole weak point (psi)

3. Calculate the maximum allowable height of influx in the open hole section.

The maximum height of influx that can be taken in the open hole without exceeding Pmax at
Dwp is given by :-

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 Note on Kick Tolerance Calculations

H = Pmax - Pf + (TD - Dwp) MW 0.052 ft

0.052MW - gg

Where :-

H = Height of influx (ft)

Pmax = Maximum allowable pressure at the open hole weak point (psi)
MW = Mud weight in the hole (ppg)
gg = Gas gradient psi / ft
TD = Bit depth (ft)
Pf = Formation pressure at TD psi
Dwp = Depth of shoe or weak point

4. Calculate the volume that this height corresponds to at initial shut-in conditions.

At initial shut-in conditions, this can be converted to an influx volume as follows :-

V1 = H x C1 (bbl)

Where :-

V1 = Kick tolerance for initial influx (bbl)

C1 = Annular capacity at the BHA (bbl / ft)
(C1 must be determined bearing in mind the hole dimensions in relation to the height of
the influx, H. For example, if H is greater than the height of the BHA, both the capacity of
the drillpipe /open hole annulus and the drill collar / open hole annulus must be used to
calculate the kick tolerance, V.)

5. Calculate the volume that this height corresponds to when the top of the influx
has been circulated to the open hole weak point.

This height corresponds to a volume at the open hole weak point given by:

Vwp = H x C2 (bbl)

Where :-

C2 = Annular capacity below the open hole weak point (bbl / ft)
(C2 must be determined bearing in mind the hole dimensions immediately below the open
hole weak point in relation to the height of the influx, H.)

6. Calculate what Vwp (as calculated in (5)) would be at initial shut-in conditions.

Using Boyleʼs Law to convert this volume to its original volume at initial shut-in conditions

(V2) :-

P1 x V1 = P2 x V2
or in this case :-
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 Note on Kick Tolerance Calculations

Pf x V2 = Pmax x Vwp
V2 = Pmax x Vwp
Pf

7. The kick tolerance is the lower of V1 and V2.

As a general rule, a kick tolerance of less than the Company minimum should be justified
by a review of type of well, rig equipment for kick detection and operator/driller's
experience, area experience, geology and probability of encountering hydrocarbons.

Sensitivity studies should be considered to identify the contingency provisions required to

accommodate pore or fracture pressures during drilling which differ from those assumed
during design.

Example :-

12-1/4” hole: TD 13,123 ft

BHA: 697 ft x 8” DC
DP: 5”
Mud weight: 13.2 ppg
Previous casing shoe: 8,842 ft
LOT at shoe: 14.3 ppg EMW

1. Assume a 150 psi safety margin

2. Pmax = (14.3 ppg x 8,842 ft x 0.052) - 150 psi
= 6,424 psi
3. Pf = 13,123 ft x 13.2 ppg x 0.052
= 9,008 psi
Note that this assumes the well is on balance
H = 6,424 psi - 9,008 psi + [(13,123 ft - 8,842 ft) x 13.2 ppg x 0.052]
(0.052 x 13.2) - 0.1
= 604 ft
4. V1 = 604 ft x [(12.252 - 82) x 0.0009714]
= 50.5 bbls
5. Vwp = 604 ft x [(12.252 - 52) x 0.0009714]
= 73.4 bbls
6. V2 = 6,424 psi x 73.4 bbls / 9,008 psi
= 52.3 bbls
7. Kick volume, in this case, is V1 = 50.5 bbl