Realistic Simulation of Multiphase Kick Tolerance Model Promotes Safer Well Control Operations: Case Study

Abstract

Nowadays, deep-water drilling is of great importance for the development of oil and gas production. It is necessary to determine the maximum pressure that the formation can withstand during well control operation. This value can be calculated using several variables, including kick tolerance. The purpose of this study is to analyze a real well control event using dynamic well control modeling software that calculates the kick tolerance based on the single-phase and multiphase dispersed kick (gas) model. The initial results show that the type of drilling fluid plays an important role in the calculation of the kick tolerance. The calculated kick tolerance using a single-phase model indicates an allowable kick volume of 56 barrels (bbls), but in reality, we had a dispersed gas kick in a synthetic oil-based mud (SOBM) drilling fluid, which requires special kick tolerance calculations based on a multiphase dynamic model. After reviewing the results of the multiphase kick tolerance simulation, it was found that the maximum gas kick volume is more than twice that of using a single-phase model in an oil-based mud drilling fluid, allowing safe well control operations and reducing the possibility of accidents.