Bullheading Well Control Calculations
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ScribdTranslationsBullheading Well Control Calculations
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ScribdTranslationsBullheading is one of the well control methods that involves pumping
formation fluids returning to the same in a sealing well. You can read
basic details about this method in the following link
[Link]
This time, in this article we will focus on a calculation example for the
forcible operations or bullheading.
Components of Pumping Pressure.
For the BullHeading operation, the surface pump pressure must be equal to the
sum of all frictional and formation pressures, minus the hydrostatic pressure
(Figure 1). Which we can see in the following equation:
Pump Pressure = Frictional Pressure in Surface Lines + Pressure
Frictional in the Tubing + Frictional Pressure through the Perforations + Pressure
Training - Hydrostatic Pressure of the Tubing
The concept of pump pressure is what is used for Bull heading calculations.
Figure 1 - Pump Pressure Components
WELL INFORMATION EXAMPLE
Production Casing at 12,000' MD / 12,000' TVD.
Basis of the drillings at 11,500'MD/11,500'TVD.
Top of the Drillings at 11,000' MD / 11,000' TVD.
End of Production Tubing at 11,500’MD / 11,500’TVD.
Production packing at 10,300'MD/ 10,300'TVD.
Fracture Gradient of the Formation: 0.645 psi/ft
Formation Pressure Gradient: 0.445 psi/ft
Closing pressure in the pipe = 2800 psi
Production Liner: 7” OD, 29 ppf, L-80, capacity factor = 0.0371
bbl/ft
Production Tubing: 3.5” OD, 9.2ppf, L-80, capacity factor = 0.0087
bbl/ft
Pump Capacity (bbl/stk) = 0.1 bbl/stk
Figure 2 describes the Well Diagram, based on the provided information.
CALCULATIONS
The reference point for calculating Formation Pressure, Fracture Pressure, weight of
killing is based on the limit of the drillings because it provides the value of
more conservative formation pressure.
Formation Pressure (psi) = Pressure Gradient (psi/ft) x Top
TVD Drilling (ft)
Formation Pressure (psi) = 0.445 x 11,000 = 4.895 psi
Fracture Pressure (psi) = Fracture Gradient (psi/ft) x Top
Drilling TVD (ft)
Fracture Pressure (psi) = 0.645 x 11,000 = 7.095 psi
Initial Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = Formation Pressure (psi) - Pressure of
Closure at the Tubing Head (psi)
Initial Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = 4,895 - 2,800 = 2,095 psi
Average Initial Density of the Fluid (lpg) = Initial Hydrostatic Pressure
(psi) ÷ (0.052 x Drill Bit TVD (ft))
Average Initial Density of the Fluid (lpg) = 2.095 ÷ (0.052 x 11,000) = 3.66 lpg
Mud Weight of Matar (lpg) = Average Initial Density of the Fluid +
(Closing Pressure in Tubing (psi) ÷ 0.052 ÷ Drilling Top TVD (ft))
Weight of Matar Sludge (lpg) = 3.66 + (2800 ÷ 0.052 ÷ 11,000) = 8.6 lpg
Maximum Initial Pressure on Surface (psi) = Formation Fracture Pressure
(psi) –Initial Hydrostatic Pressure (psi)
Maximum Initial Pressure on Surface (psi) = 7,095 – 2,095 = 5000 psi
The calculations below relate to the pressure while performing the
Bullheading.
Maximum Final Pressure in Tubing (psi) = Fracture Pressure (psi) - (Weight
from Mud of Kill (ppg) x 0.052 x End of Tubing TVD (ft)) - Density
Initial Fluid Average (ppg) x 0.052 x (Drilling Depth TVD (ft)
End of Tubing TVD (ft)
Final Maximum Pressure in Tubing (psi) = 7,095 - (8.6 x 0.052 x 10,500) - (3.66 x
0.052 x (11,000 - 10,500) = 2.304 psi
Maximum Pressure when the Weight of Drilling Mud Reaches the Drill
@Top of Drilling (11,000 feet TVD)
Final Maximum Pressure (psi) = Formation Fracture Pressure @ top of
drilling (psi) – (Weight of Kill Mud (ppg) x 0.052 x Top of the Drilling
TVD (ft)
Final Maximum Pressure (psi) = 0.645 x 11,000 – (8.6 x 0.052 x 11,000)
Presion Maxima Final(psi) =2.176 psi
@ Base of the Drilling (11,500 ft TVD)
Maximum Final Pressure (psi) = Formation Fracture Pressure @ Base of
perforation (psi) - (Weight to Kill the Mud (ppg) x 0.052 x Base of the Drilling
TVD (ft)
Maximum Final Pressure (psi) = 0.645 x 11,500 - (8.6 x 0.052 x 11,500)
Presion Final Maxima(psi) =2.275 psi
The maximum final conservative pressure is 2.176 psi.
As can be noted, having the top of the formation as a reference gives us a value.
from the maximum final pressure more conservative, that is why this is the reason that is selected
that point for the calculations.
Pumped Volume in the Pipe (bbl) = Tubing Capacity Factor
(bbl/ft) x Length of Tubing (ft)
Pumped Volume in the Pipe (bbl) = 0.0087 x 10,500 = 91.4 bbl
Emboladas Bombed in Tubing (stk) = Pumped Volume in the
Pipeline (bbl) ÷ Pump Displacement Capacity (bbl/strk)
Pumped Emboladas in Tubing (stk) = 91.4 ÷ 0.1 = 914 emboladas
Pumped Volume from the End of the Tubing to the Top of the Drilling
(bbl) = Casing Capacity Factor (bbl/ft) x (Drilling Top
TVD (ft) – End of Tubing TVD (ft)) = 0.0317 x (11,000 – 10,500) = 18.6 bbl
Pumped Emboladas from the End of the Tubing to the Top of the
Drilling (stk) = Pumped Volume in Casing (bbl) ÷ Capacity
Pump Displacement (bbl/strk) = 18.6 ÷ 0.1 = 186 strokes
Pumped Volume from the Top to the Base of the Drilling (bbl) =
Coating capacity (bbl/ft) x (Drilling Base TVD (ft) - Top
From the Drilling TVD (ft)) = 0.0317 x (11,500 – 11,000) = 18.6 bbl
Pumped Volume from the Top to the Base of the Drilling (stk) =
Pumped Volume in Casing (bbl) ÷ Pump Capacity (bbl/strk)
18.6 ÷ 0.1 = 186 strokes
Total Summary of Pumped Volume
In order to push back all the formation fluids, it is required that the
the pumped volume must be at least from the surface to the end of the drilling
cannonade.
Pressure Program While Performing Bull Heading
It has the same concept as the well control method of Wait and Weigh.
Reduction of Pressure in Tubing (psi/stks required) = (Maximum Initial Pressure
Surface (psi) - Maximum Pressure at the End of the Tubing (psi) X Strokes
Required (stks) ÷Volume in Tubing (stk)
For these calculations, 100 emboladas are selected.
Reduction of Pressure in Tubing (psi/required stks) = (5,000 - 2,304) x 100 ÷ 914 =
295 psi / 100 pcs
Reduction of Pressure in the Liner (psi/stks required) = (Maximum Pressure
Initial to End of Tubing (psi) – Maximum Final Pressure (psi) X Strokes
Required (stks) ÷ Volume from the End of the Tubing to the Top of the
Drilling (stk) = (2,304 – 2,176) X 100 ÷ 186 = 96psi / 100 stks
Draw the Bullheading Chart based on the Provided Data.
The red line is the maximum pressure. If the pressure exceeds the red line, the formation will
break (fracture zone). The blue line represents the closing condition. The
pressures below the blue line indicate that the well is in Low balance (Zone of
Influence). The area between the red line and the blue line is the safety zone for the operation of
Bullheading (Figure 3).
Figure 3BullHeading Chart
For safe operations, the pumping pressure must be within the zone of
bullheading. (Figure 4).
Figure 4Bullheading Insurance
The formations can fracture if the pumping pressure exceeds the fracture line.
(Figure 5).
Figure 5Bullheading operations exceeding the fracture pressure.
Note: This graph was created without taking into account friction pressure. It is the most
conservative pressure to prevent formation fracturing.