Lecture# 07

Well Control
Basics
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Well Control Basics

Good Understanding of Basic Mathematics is Required

for Every Well Control Operation
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Circulating
Constant BHP Methods

o After wells are shut-in and formation fluid flow

stopped, BHP soon equals formation pressure

o Additional pressure must be held to prevent more

formation fluid flow while circulating out kick

o At same time, excessive BHP must be avoided to

prevent loss of circulation
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Constant Bottomhole Pressure

Methods

If influx is to be circulated kick out of well, need to

maintain bottomhole pressure

1. Driller’s Method: circulate kick out of the well and

then weight up pits and wellbore

2. Wait & Weight Method: weight up pits and then

circulate kick, maintaining weight

3. Concurrent Method: circulate kick & build weight at

same time
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WCS Exercise
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Well Data
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Volume
Calculations

o Most well control activities require circulating or

pumping certain volume

o Time or strokes to pump volume may be calculated

from pump rate
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Pipe Capacity

o Capacity(bbls/ft) = ID² ÷ 1,029.4

o Capacity(m³/m) = (ID(mm) ÷ 1000)² × 0.785

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Example 01

o What is capacity per foot (m) of 4.5" (114.3 mm) OD,

3.826" (97.18 mm) ID drillpipe?

Solution:

o Capacity(bbls/ft) = ID² ÷ 1,029.4 = (3.826)² ÷ 1029.4 =

14.6383 ÷ 1029.4 = 0.01422 bbls/ft

o Capacity(m³/m) = (ID(mm) ÷ 1000)² × 0.7854

o = (97.18 ÷ 1000)² × 0.7854 = (0.0972)² × 0.7854 = 0.00945

× 0.7854 = 0.00742 m³/m
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Problem 1

What is capacity per foot (m) of 2 7/8" (73 mm) OD,

2.441" (62 mm) ID production tubing?

o Volume = Capacity × Length

o Volume(bbls) = Capacity(bbls/ft) × Length(ft)

o Volume(m³) = Capacity(m³/m) × Length(m)

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Example 2

o How much volume is in 9,000' (2743.2 m) of pipe? (use

pipe from Example 1)

Solution:

o Volume(bbls) = Capacity(bbls/ft) × Length(ft)

= 0.01422 × 9,000 = 128 bbls

o Volume(m³) = Capacity(m³/m) × Length(m)

= 0.00742 × 2,743.2 = 20.35 m³
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Problem 2

o How much volume is in 6,000’ (1,828.8 m) of pipe?

(2.441" (62 mm) ID )
o For strings with different size inner diameters, the above
calculations to determine capacity and volume would
be performed for each size and totaled.
o If a different fluid density will be pumped, the surface line
capacity (usually known or given) should be included in
the total string volume.
String Volume = Volume in Drillpipe/Tubing + Volume in
Collars + Surface Line Volume
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Stroke to
Bit/End of Tubing

Strokes to Bit/EOT = String Volume ÷ Pump Output

o String Volume(bbls) ÷ Pump Output(bbls/stk)

o String Volume(m³) ÷ Pump Output(m³/stk)

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Drillstring Volume & Stroke

Calculations
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Example 3
How many strokes will it take from pump to bit using
following information?
o Drillpipe Capacity = 0.01422 bbl/ft (0.00742 m³/m)
o Drillpipe Length = 9,000 ft (2,743.2 m)
o Drill Collar Capacity = 0.00768 bbls/ft (0.004 m³/m)
o Drill Collar Length = 1,000 ft (304.8 m)
o Surface Line Volume = 3.5 bbls (0.557 m³)
o Pump output = 0.157 bbls/stk (0.02496 m³/stk)
o Pump rate = 30 stks/min
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Solution 3

o Strokes to Bit/EOT = String Volume(bbls) ÷ Pump

Output(bbls/stk)

o Stks = [Drillpipe Vol(bbls) + Drill Collars Vol(bbls) +

Surface Line Vol(bbls)] ÷ Pump Output(bbls/stk)

o = ([0.01422 × 9,000] + [0.00768 × 1,000] + 3.5) ÷ 0.157

o = (128 + 7.7 + 3.5) ÷ 0.157 = 139.2 ÷ 0.157 = 886 stks

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Solution 3

o Strokes to Bit/EOT = String Volume(m³) ÷ Pump

Output(m³/stk)
o Stks = [Drillpipe Vol(m³) + Drill Collars Vol(m³) + Surface
Line Volume(m³)] ÷ Pump Output(m³/stk)
o Stks = ([0.00742 × 2743.2] + [0.004 × 304.8] + 0.557) ÷
0.02496
o Stks = (20.353 + 1.219 + 0.557) ÷ 0.02496
o Stks = 22.13 ÷ 0.02496
o Stks = 886 stks
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Solution 3

Time to displace volume can be calculated by:

o Time = Strokes ÷ Pump rate(stks/min)

o = 886 ÷ 30 = 29.5 minutes

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Solution 3
Pump Rate

o If pump speed is 30 stk/min

o It has an output of 0.157 bbls/stk (0.0249 m³/stk)

o Then rate per minute would be:

o Pump Rate = Pump Speed × Pump Output

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Solution 3
Pump Rate

Pump Rate(bbls/min)
= Pump Speeds(stk/min) × Pump Output(bbls/stk)
= 30 × 0.157 = 4.71 bbls/minute

Pump Rate(m³/min)
= Pump Speed(stks/min) × Pump Output(m³/stk)
= 30 × 0.0249 = 0.7485 m³/minute
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Time
Volume to pump divided by rate per minute give time:
Time = Volume to Pump ÷ Rate per Minute
o Time(min) = Volume to Pump(bbls) ÷ Rate per
Minute(bbls/min)

o = 139.2 ÷ 4.71= 29.5 minutes

o Time(min) = Volume to Pump(m³) ÷ Rate per

Minute(m³/min)

o = 22.13 ÷ 0.7485 = 29.5 minutes

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Problem 3
How many strokes & how much time will it take from
pump to EOT using following information?

o Production Tubing Capacity

= 0.00579 bbl/ft (0.00302 m³/m)

o Production Tubing Length = 6,000 ft (1828.8 m)

o Surface Line Capacity = 1.5 bbls (0.24 m³)

o Pump output = 0.049 bbls/stk (0.00779 m³/stk)

o Pump rate = 40 stks/min

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Annular Capacities
Volumes & Strokes
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Annular Capacities,
Volumes & Strokes
Annular Capacities, Volumes
& Strokes
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Bottoms Up

Time or pump strokes required to move fluid from well

bottom to surface
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Example 4

Calculate annular volume & required strokes to circulate

bottoms up
o Casing ID = 8.835” (224.4 mm), length = 5,000’ (1,523.93 m)
o Drillpipe OD = 4.5” (144.3 mm), length = 9,000’ (2743.2 m)
o Drill collar OD = 6.5” (165.1 mm), length = 1,000’ (304.8 m)
o Hole size = 8.5” (215.9 mm)
o MD = 10,000’ (3,048 m)
o Pump = 0.157 bbls/stk (0.02496 m³/stk)
o Pump rate = 30 stks/min
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Solution 4

In this example there are 3 different geometries:

A. Drillpipe in Casing,

B. Drillpipe in Open Hole

C. Drill Collars in Open Hole

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Solution 4
Lengths

A. Drillpipe in Casing = MD Length of Casing

o Drillpipe in Casing = 5,000’ (1,523.93 m)

B. Drillpipe in Open Hole = MD of Hole – MD of Casing –

Length of Drill Collars
o Drillpipe in Open Hole = 10,000 – 5,000 – 1,000 = 4,000’
(1,219.13 m)

C. Drill Collars in Open Hole = Length of Drill Collars

o Drill Collars in Open Hole = 1,000’(304.79 m)
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Solution 4
Volumes

o Annular Capacity(bbls/ft)
= (ID² – OD²) ÷ 1029.4

o Annular Capacity(m³/m)
= ([ID ÷ 1,000]² – [OD ÷ 1,000]²) × 0.785

o Annular Volume(bbls)
= Annular Capacity(bbls/ft) × Length(ft)

o Annular Volume(m³)
= Annular Capacity(m³/m) × Length(m)
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Solution 4
Volumes
A. Annular Capacity(bbls/ft) Between Drillpipe & Casing
= (ID² – OD²) ÷ 1029.4
o = (8.835² – 4.5²) ÷ 1029.4 = (78.057 – 20.25) ÷ 1029.4
= 57.807 ÷ 1029.4 = 0.05616 bbls/ft
0.05616 × 5,000 = 280.8 bbls
o Annular Capacity(m³/m) Between Drillpipe & Casing =
([ID ÷ 1000]² – [OD ÷ 1000]²) × 0.785 = ([224.4 ÷ 1000]² –
[114.3 ÷ 1000]²) × 0.785 = (0.05036 – 0.01306) × 0.785=
0.0373 × 0.785 = 0.02928 m³/m
0.02928 × 1,523.93 = 44.6 m³
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Solution 4
Volumes
B. Annular Capacity(bbls/ft) Between Drillpipe & Open Hole
= (ID² – OD²) ÷ 1029.4
o = (8.5² – 4.5²) ÷ 1029.4 = (72.25 – 20.25) ÷ 1029.4
= 52 ÷ 1029.4 = 0.05051 bbls/ft
0.05051 × 4,000 = 202 bbls

Ann. Cap.(m³/m) Between Drillpipe & Open Hole

= ([ID ÷ 1000]² – [OD ÷ 1000]²) × 0.785
o = ([215.9 ÷ 1000]² – [114.3 ÷ 1000]²) × 0.785 = (0.04661 –
0.01306) × 0.785 = 0.03355 × 0.785 = 0.02634 m³/m
0.02634 × 1291.13 = 32.1 m³
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C. Annular Capacity(bbls/ft) Between Drill Collars & Open

Hole = (ID² – OD²) ÷ 1029.4
o = (8.5² – 6.5²) ÷ 1029.4 = (72.25 – 42.25) ÷ 1029.4
= 30 ÷ 1029.4 = 0.02914 bbls/ft
0.02914 × 1,000 = 29.1 bbls

Ann. Cap.(m³/m) Between Drill Collars & Open Hole

= ([ID ÷ 1000]² – [OD ÷ 1000]²) × 0.785
= ([215.9 ÷ 1000]2 – [165.1 ÷ 1000]²) × 0.785
= (0.04661 – 0.02726) × 0.785
= 0.01935 × 0.785 = 0.01519 m³/m (.01519 m³ for each meter)
0.01519 × 304.89 = 4.6 m³
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Total Annular Volume

o Total Annular Volume(bbls) = A(bbls) + B(bbls) + C(bbls)

280.8 + 202 + 29.1= 511.9 bbls

o Total Annular Volume(m³) = A(m³) + B(m³) + C(m³)

44.6 + 32.1 + 4.6 = 81.3 m³

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Stroke Bit to Surface

o Strokes Bit to Surface(stks)

= Annular Volume(bbls) ÷ Pump Output(bbls/stk)
= 511.9 bbls ÷ 0.157 bbls/stk = 3,260 stks

o Strokes Bit to Surface(stks)

= Annular Volume(m³) ÷ Pump Output(m³/stk)
= 81.3 m³ ÷ 0.02496 m³/stk = 3,260 stks
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Time

Time required to displace annulus would be:

Time = Annular Volume ÷ Rate per Minute

o Time = Annular Volume(bbls) ÷ Rate per Minute(bbls/min)

= 511.9 ÷ 4.71= 108.6 minutes

o Time = Annular Volume(m³) ÷ Rate per Minute(m³/min)

= 81.3 ÷ 0.7485 = 108.6 minutes
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Kill Rate &

Kill Rate Pressures

o Pressure required to overcome friction in circulating

system at a given (slow) pump rate which also called:

❖ Slow circulating rates (SCR)

❖ Slow pump rates (SPR)

❖ Reduced circulating rate

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Kill Rate Pressures (KRP)

Kill rate pressures should be taken:

o If fluid density or flow properties change;

o When changes are made to bit (e.g., jet nozzle sizes)

and BHA, and also drilling assembly weight changes

o When 500+ ft (152 m) of new hole drilled

o Each tour

o After pump repair

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KRP Measurements

I. Take approximately one-sixth to one-half normal

drilling or circulating rate

II. Simply use 20, 30 and 40 stks/min

III. Use circulating rate at specific pressure (e.g., 200,

300, 400 psi, etc. )

o Usually kill rate pressure is recorded from gauge on

remote choke panel
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Kill Rates (slow pump rate) &

Pump Pressures
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Pump Rate
To calculate pump rate in bbls/min (m³/min):

Bbls/min = stks/min × Pump Output

o Pump #1, 0.157 bbls/stk (0.02496 m³/stk),

30 stk/min = 1,000 psi (68.95 bar)

o Pump #2, 0.126 bbls/stk (0.02003 m³/stk),

30 stk/min = 550 psi (37.9 bar)

o Use Pump #1 to kill well

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Shut-in Pressures

o SIDPP (or SITP)

= Formation Pressure – Hydrostatic Pressure of Mud in
Drillstring

o SICP (or SIWHP)

= Formation Pressure – Hydrostatic Pressure of Mud in
Annulus – Hydrostatic Pressure of Influx
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Kill Fluids

o Mud weight that is needed to balance well’s

hydrostatic pressure with formation pressure

o Kill fluid must circulate throughout hole before drilling

operations can be resumed

o Killing Method will determine when kill fluid is pumped

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Kill Fluids
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Problem 5
Calculate kill fluid density

o SIDPP = 300 psi (20.69 bar)

o TVD = 10,000’ (3,048 m)

o Present Mud Weight = 12.5 ppg (1,498 kg/m³)

o Kill Weight Mud = ______ ppg ( ______kg/m³)

o If kill weight mud calculate to 13.07 ppg (1566

kg/m³),kill weight mud should be 13.1 ppg (1570 kg/m³)
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Circulation to Kill Well

Bottomhole pressure (BHP) must be kept at or slightly

higher than formation pressure:

o Prevent additional influx while killing well

o More efficient to circulate influx out

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Initial Circulation Pressure

(ICP)

o Combination of shut-in drillpipe pressure plus pressure

necessary to circulate fluid at a given rate

ICP =
Shut in drillpipe pressure (hold back kicking formation)
+
kill rate pump pressure (move fluid through well)
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Initial Circulation Pressure

(ICP)
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Problem 6:
Initial Circulation Pressure (ICP)

Calculate initial circulating pressure

o ICP = SIDPP + KRP

o Kill Rate Pressure = 1,000 psi (68.95 bar)

o SIDPP = 300 psi (20.69 bar)

o ICP = _______ psi ( _______ bar)

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Final Circulation Pressure

(FCP)

o Circulating or kill rate pressure mathematically

corrected for heavier fluid

o This pressure should be held from time kill fluid is at bit

until annulus is filled with kill fluid

o If pump rate is constant we can expect circulating

pressure to decrease as kill fluid is pumped to bit
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Final Circulation Pressure

(FCP)
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Problem 7

Calculate final circulating pressure

o Kill Rate Pressure = 1,000 psi (68.95 bar)

o TVD = 10,000’ (3048 m)

o SIDPP = 300 psi (20.69 bar)

o Present Mud Wt. = 12.5 ppg (1498 kg/m³)

o FCP = _______ psi ( _______ bar)

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Intermediate Pressures

Slugging effect due to gain of hydrostatic pressure from

kill fluid

decrease in circulating pressures is generally seen once

kill fluid start down string
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Circulating Pressure
Graph

o Show what happen to tubing or drillpipe pressure for

interval of time when new heavier mud weight is
being pumped down string

o Shows that Initial Circulating Pressure gradually

change to Final Circulating Pressure over period of
time and/or strokes required to displace string
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Graphing
Pressure Drop

ICP
FCP
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Graphing
Pressure Drop

1. Plot Initial Circulating Pressure at point on left of graph

2. On X-axis, fill in number of pump strokes below each
five minute interval of time, until you reach time or
pump strokes required to displace string
3. Plot Final Circulating Pressure
4. Connect points representing ICP & FCP
Pressure Chart
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Pressure Chart

o Top of stroke section is 0, with bottom of

stroke section being strokes to bit

o Divide strokes to bit by 10 (checkpoint while

kill weight mud is being pumped to bit)

o Box under 0 will be 1/10 of strokes to bit,

next one equals 2/10 of strokes to bit, etc.

o Result of stroke column should be 10 evenly

spaced stroke checkpoints
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Pressure Chart

o 1st block under pressure is ICP & final

block, FCP

o Subtract FCP from ICP and divide by 10,

represent pressure drop per checkpoint

o Strokes to Bit = 886 stks

o ICP = 1,300 psi (89.63 bar)

o FCP = 1,048 psi (72.26 bar)

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Problem 8

Fill in pressure chart.

o ICP = 1,300 psi (89.7 bar)

o Time to Bit = 29.5 min

o FCP =1,048 psi (72.3 bar)

o Strokes to Bit = 886 stks

o Kill Rate = 30 stks/min

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Drilling Annular Pressure

Considerations

Factors that affect :

o Casing Burst Pressure

o BOP Stack Limits

o Casing depth, formation integrity, present & kill fluid

density, kick position and imposed surface pressures
Pressure
Considerations
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Problem 9
Fill in pressure considerations.

o Depth of Test = 5,030’ (1,533 m)

o Present Mud Weight = 12.5 ppg (1,497 kg/m³)

o Leak Off Test Mud = 9.1 ppg (1092 kg/m³)

o Leak Off Test Pressure = 1,570 psi (108.25 bar)

o Casing Internal Yield (100%) = 5,750 psi (396.46 bar)

o BOP Stack Test = 10,000 psi (689.5 bar)

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Tubular Pressure
Considerations

o Many operations performed within existing tubulars must

consider burst & collapse limitations

o Safety factor is decided upon based on age, wear,

corrosion and other damage

o Derate or adjust the tubing from its original

specifications
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Tubular Pressure
Considerations

Adjusted Casing Internal Yield = Casing Internal Yield × SF

Adjusted Tubing Internal Yield = Tubing Yield × SF

Adjusted Tubing Collapse = Tubing Collapse × SF

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Tubing Pressure
Considerations

Internal yield: Pressure value

which, if applied inside
tubular, cause pipe to burst
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Formation Pressure
Considerations

o If an existing well is to be killed prior to subsequent

operations

o Pressure imposed against formation may increase

time & costs to bring it back to production

o Need field calculations to determine allowed static

pressures to minimize risk of over-pressuring well while
attempting kill
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Average Hydrostatic Pressure

in Tubing

o Approximate average hydrostatic of produced fluids

in the production string can be determined by:

Formation Pressure – Initial Shut in Pressure

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Initial Estimated Maximum Pressure on Tubing

o Maximum pressure that may be applied (based on

existing data) is:

Estimated Formation Integrity Pressure (Fracture Pressure)

– Average Hydrostatic Pressure in Tubing
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Final Estimated Max Pressure on Tubing

o As kill fluid is pumped down production string, amount of

static surface pressure that may be imposed prior to
incurring damage will decrease

o Once kill fluid is to formation, final static pressure may be

calculated:

Estimated Formation Integrity Pressure (Fracture Pressure)

– Kill Fluid Hydrostatic
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Formation Pressure
Considerations
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Circulating Friction Pressure

o Circulating friction increases as kill fluid is pumped

down string

o This increases surface pressure & pressure within tubing

o Sudden pressure increase may burst tubing, or be an

indication of complications developing

o Keep good notes

o Be prepared to shut down if a problem occurs

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Barite
Requirements

o If kill fluid is used

o Consider total barite required

o Amount on location

o Required mixing rate

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o Bbls in Active Pits = 600 bbls (95.4 m³)

Problem 10 o Bbls in Annulus = 509 bbls (80.9 m³)
o Bbls in Drillstring = 139 bbls (22.1 m³)
o Present Mud Weight = 12.5 ppg (1498 kg/m³)
o Kill Weight Mud = 13.1 ppg (1569 kg/m³)
o Mud Weight, Reserve Pit =14.7 ppg (1761 kg/m³)
o Reserve Pit Volume = 150 bbls (23.8 m³)
o Kill Rate = 4.71 bbls/min (0.748 m³/min)
o Strokes to Bit = 886 stks
o Kill Rate = 30 stks/min
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