Well intervention
Well control:
Well control
Well control is all about controlling the pressure from the formation or controlling the
formation.
As long as the pressure pushing down is greater than the pressure pushing up, and no
pressure is seen at surface, then we know the formation is being controlled.
There ate barriers to control the formation.
Primary barrier: Our first line of defence is drilling fluid.
Secondary barrier: In case we lost our primary barrier, we have the pressure control
equipment.
Even in the production phase we have control in the form of Christmas tree. As well as in
service operations like coiled tubing the well pressure is controlled by pressure control
equipment.
The equipment must be fit (certified and tested). People operating it must be trained and
competent. Prevention os better and easier, than cure.
Hydrostatic pressure:
The pressure exerted by fluid which is at rest. Primary well control is maintained by drilling
fluid and it will create hydrostatic pressure.
Why we need the hydrostatic pressure?
Because the hydrostatic pressure will control the formation pressure.
Height of fluid is a factor which effect the fluid pressure. As a submarine goes deep into the
sea the pressure gauge will show increase in pressure w.r.t depth.
Another factor is the density/weight of fluid. As density of fluid increases the pressure will
increase.
Numerical
Container=1 gal
Fluid=10ppg (pound per gal)
Weight of 1 gal of fluid:
10*1 =10lbs
Pressure is a force act upon an area.
Let’s suppose area is 10 sq inch.
Pressure at the bottom= Force/Area
P= 10/10= 1 lb/sq in or psi (pound sq in)
If we increase the fluid density to 15ppg, the pressure will be 1.5psi. So with increase in
density the pressure will increase.
Pressure gradient: sometime we consider pressure as pressure gradient which is increase of
pressure per foot. Or pounds sq inch (psi) per foot.
Pressure gradient= psi/ft
We can calculate pressure gradient at any depth. When we have depths we can just multiply
by pressure gradient.
Pressure gradient of some fluids:
1. Diesel oil 0.3-0.4 psi/ft
2. Fresh water 0.433 psi/ft
3. North sea water Approximately 0.45 psi/ft
4. Dead sea water Approximately 0.59 psi/ft
5. Drilling mud Up to 1 psi/ft
6. Gas 0.1 psi/ft
How to calculate PG for fresh water:
We have density= 8.33ppg
8.33ppg* 0.052 (constant) =0.433 psi/ft
*0.052 is a conversion factor to convert ppg to psi/ft
Formation pressure
The fluid pressure found in the pores of the formation. We can control it by using drilling
fluid(hydrostatic pressure).
If we lost our control on formation pressure i.e. if the formation pressure exceeds the hydrostatic
pressure of the drilling fluid, there is the potential for an influx of formation fluids.
Quiz: If we have a container of height 1 foot, filled with water and a pressure gauge is attached on
bottom side. What will be recording of pressure gauge if we fill up the container with fresh water?
Ans: 0.433 psi. Exp: Hydrostatic presaure = height of water*pressure gradient.
Quiz: If we have same container and put some plastic in it and same amount of water, some of the
water will be spilled bcz of plastic. But still we have 0.433 psi pressure. Why?
Ans: Reason is the pressure doesn’t depend upon volume. Only height and density.
Bottom Hole Pressure (BHP)
All the pressure exerted on the bottom of the well. If mud isn’t moving then the BHP will be same as
the hydrostatic pressure. If the mud is being circulated in the well then the pressure exerted to move
the mud up the annulus between the wellbore and the drill string has to be considered.
BHP = HP + APL
APL = Annular pressure losses
Again any restriction/choke at the surface will effect the bottom hole pressure. Because of the
restriction the BHP will be higher.
Pressure While Drilling (PWD)
We can install it downhole and record the equivalent circulating density (ECD) during pumping.
Overbalance
It represents the relationship between hydrostatic pressure and formation pressure.
When the force exerted by drilling fluid column is greater than the force exerted by formation fluid
pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is higher.
Opposite of this is Underbalanced. When we are underbalanced we will get a kick.
And it is undesirable in normal drilling operations.
Exp: whether it is overbalanced or underbalanced?
Mud::10ppg, Depth::10000ft, formation pressure::5000psi
0.052 psi/ft
HP = 0.052*10ppg*10000ft
HP = 52000
It is clear that it is an overbalanced well by 200 psi.
Overbalanced: Hydrostatic pressure greater than formation pressure.
Balanced: Hydrostatic pressure equal to formation pressure.
Underbalanced: Hydrostatic pressure less than formation pressure.
Influx
An unplanned/undesired/uncontrolled entry of water, gas, oil or other formation fluid into the
wellbore during drilling.