Kick detection and well control in a closed wellbore
Steve NasWeatherford Solutions
The APPEA Journal 51(1) 109-118 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ10006
Published: 2011
Abstract
Closing the wellbore at the top with a rotating control device (RCD) for some kinds of managed pressure drilling (MPD) operations raises a number of issues with regards to well control and kick detection. The wellbore is closed and the standard flow check of looking into the well is no longer possible. The use of a RCD provides drillers with an additional level of comfort because it is a pressure management device, but it doesn’t eliminate the need to have well control as a primary objective. In recent MPD operations, it has already been observed that well control procedures are relaxed as a result of managed pressure drilling. Is managed pressure drilling the same as primary well control, and how do we deal with kicks in managed pressure drilling operations? At what point in a well control process do we hand over from MPD to drillers’ well control, and who is responsible?
This paper will present some of the issues that need to be considered when planning and conducting MPD operations. Early kick detection and annular pressure control are promoted as an essential part of MPD operations, but there can be confusion as to where the responsibility for well control lies. Does the responsibility remain with the drilling contractor and operator or with the provider of the MPD services. The paper provides some case studies where MPD and well control conflicted, causing a number of issues that in some cases led to the loss of wells.
Steve Nas holds an MSc in drilling engineering from The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. He has over 33 years of oilfield experience, of which he spent 28 years as a drilling engineer. Steve is presently vice president for Global Well Engineering with the SPT Group. Prior to that, he was the engineering manager for Weatherford’s Controlled Pressure Drilling Services in the Asia-Pacific, based in Kuala Lumpur. Steve started his oilfield career in 1977 as a mudlogger, progressing into wellsite drilling engineering in 1980 and working throughout the Middle East, Africa and Europe as a wellsite drilling engineer, including six years with Shell in the Southern North Sea as an operations engineer. He was first involved in underbalanced drilling operations in 1995 with Northland and Smedvig and was actively involved with the first underbalanced operations in the North Sea. In 1999 he joined Leading Edge Advantage in Aberdeen as engineering manager and was actively involved in coiled tubing drilling as well as underbalanced operations around the world. In 2004 Steve joined Weatherford as the engineering manager for controlled pressure drilling in the Asia-Pacific, where he provided well engineering resources and engineering support for all of Weatherford’s controlled pressured drilling operations throughout the Asia-Pacific. Steve was an SPE distinguished lecturer on underbalanced drilling technology from 1999 to 2000. He was also a lecturer on advanced drilling technology at The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. He has authored and presented numerous papers on underbalanced drilling, coiled tubing drilling and managed pressure drilling. |
