Simulation study of emerging well control methods for influxes caused by bottomhole pressure fluctuations during managed pressure drilling

Guner, Hakan

doi:10.31390/gradschool_theses.327

DOI: 10.31390/gradschool_theses.327

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Simulation study of emerging well control methods for influxes caused by bottomhole pressure fluctuations during managed pressure drilling

Hakan Guner¹

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Cited by 5 publications

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Alternative Shut-In and Pump Start-Up Procedures for Kicks Taken During MPD Operations

2011

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A university-industry consortium has been studying alternative well control procedures for kicks taken during managed pressure drilling (MPD) operations using the constant bottom hole pressure (CBHP) method. This paper explains and evaluates the specific shut in and pump start up procedures resulting from that study.Shutting in the blowout preventer (BOP) is the standard reaction to a kick taken during conventional drilling. Shut in has been concluded to be the appropriate response for kicks during MPD in some circumstances. Two different shut in procedures are applicable: a simple shut in and a MPD pump shut down with a "choked flow check." Both require a pump start up schedule to begin circulating out a kick.A simple procedure for defining a pump start up schedule and its basis are described. Shut in and application of the pump start up schedule for circulating out a kick were simulated for a wide range of well and kick conditions. This method stopped formation flow and kept bottom hole pressure relatively constant during pump start up and kick circulation for the full range of scenarios studied. The realism of simulation results was confirmed by comparison to a full scale gas kick experiment.A manual MPD pump shut down with a "choked flow check" was also performed in both the simulator and the experimental well. The procedure, which allows a flow check without letting bottomhole pressure drop significantly below the intended pressure, is explained. It was shown to be effective for detecting or confirming low rate kicks that cannot be detected conclusively during circulation.

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Alternative Shut-In and Pump Start-Up Procedures for Kicks Taken During MPD Operations

2011

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A Proposed Method for Planning the Best Response to Kicks Taken During Managed Pressure Drilling Operations

Smith

Patel²

2011

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An industry-supported research project has investigated well control methods for managed pressure drilling (MPD) using the constant bottom hole pressure (CBHP) method. This paper proposes a method for pre-selecting the best initial response to be taken when a kick occurs during CBHP MPD based on conclusions from the research. That research (Davoudi et al 2010) concluded that the three most widely applicable initial responses to kicks during MPD were increasing casing pressure until flow out equals flow in, shutting the well in, and using an adaptation of a MPD pump shut down schedule to detect and shut in a low rate kick. Increasing pump rate until flow out equals flow in was concluded to have limited, but potentially still important applications. The proposed method uses a decision tree to pre-select the best response to be used if an influx of formation fluid is detected. This selection is based on the desired tolerance to kicks, equipment being used, well geometry and conclusiveness of the kick warning signs. The equations necessary to calculate decision parameters, example calculations for an application of the decision tree and comparison of simulation results to application of the decision tree are included. The decision tree indicates the response that maximizes kick tolerance within the well design, gives a basis for revising equipment or well design to maximize kick tolerance, and supports calculation of the expected kick tolerance advantage of the increasing casing pressure response versus a shut in response.

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The MPD Well Control Matrix: What is Actually Happening

2014

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When drilling conventionally, upon indication of an influx, the drill string is lifted off bottom, circulation is stopped, a flow check is performed, and if the well is flowing, the well is shut in. The influx is then circulated out through rig choke using a reduced circulating rate. With Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD), when kicks occur, they are typically smaller, contained more quickly, and, in some cases, they may be circulated out through MPD equipment without drilling or circulation interruption. The IADC MPD sub-committee has drafted a Well Control Matrix (WCM) in an effort to offer guidelines on when it is acceptable to kill the well dynamically when practicing CBHP MPD. Rotating Control Devices (RCD) are commonly used on conventional overbalanced mud programs. To many in the industry, no specific distinction is made or special name is given to this type of operation. Confidence acquired over time has encouraged the common practice of drilling ahead while kicks are being circulated out, in appropriate circumstances. An influx, with only a very basic equipment configuration and whether it's called MPD or not, has often been handled in the industry as a routine operation without any special preparation or a formal WCM. If a WCM is to be required to be in place, it should be engineered properly. A methodology for developing a WCM will be discussed in this paper. Procedures to control influxes as well as how to determine when to revert to secondary well control equipment under these operating conditions and examples of practical applications will be discussed.

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Simulation study of emerging well control methods for influxes caused by bottomhole pressure fluctuations during managed pressure drilling

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Alternative Shut-In and Pump Start-Up Procedures for Kicks Taken During MPD Operations

Alternative Shut-In and Pump Start-Up Procedures for Kicks Taken During MPD Operations

A Proposed Method for Planning the Best Response to Kicks Taken During Managed Pressure Drilling Operations

The MPD Well Control Matrix: What is Actually Happening

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