PDO – TWH/1 Well control procedures

CLOSING-IN PROCEDURE FOR WELLS

The following methods are as defined in API RP-59 (See DLP 2/3/68)

“HARD SHUT-IN” (Ram preventer)

For a hard shut-in the choke remains closed at all time’s other then during a well control operation.
The choke line valves (HCR) are aligned such that a flow path is open to the choking system with
the exception of the choke itself and one choke line (HCR) valve next to the blow out preventer
stack. When the hard shut-in procedure is selected for closing in the well the RAM preventer is
closed.

“SOFT SHUT-IN”
For a soft shut in a choke is left open at all times other then during a well control operation. When
the soft close-in procedure is selected for closing the well,
* The coke line (HCR) is opened.
* The blow out preventer is closed.
* The choke is closed.

“FAST SHUT-IN” (Annular preventer)

Fast close in is a sub-set of the hard shut in and is sometimes used to differentiate between the use
of the annular preventer (fast) and a pipe ram (hard) to initially close the well. This is by no means
a universal definition and both “hard” and “fast” can be used to describe the use of either!

API position
API takes a noncommittal position in the API RP59. It advises that the hard shut-in procedure
allows the well to be closed-in in the shortest possible time thereby minimizing the amount of
additional influx of kicking fluid to enter the well bore. It advises that the use of the hard close in
to be limited to well conditions in which the maximum allowable casing pressure is greater then the
anticipated initial closed in pressure. API states that the soft close-in procedure allows the choke
to be closed in such a manner to permit sensitive control and monitoring of casing pressure build-
up. This is important for low shoe strength wells.

Shell position (See DLP 2/3/69 & WENB F-10)

In almost all Shell Operating Companies the hard shut-in has been adopted as the preferred
method of closing a well. The reason is,
 Influx volume and height is smaller than when a soft shut-in. (i.e. closing the well on the
choke after the BOP is closed)
 The pressure at the casing shoe due to the “water hammer” effect during the hard shut-in is
less than due to circulating out the larger kick, which would be taken, were a soft shut-in
to be used.

Note: This is a committal position, which has been changed over the past few years. In the older
WENB versions, it states that the HCR needs to be opened first. Now, in the new WENB, page F-
10, its states that the annular is closed first then open the HCR. This is in line with API.

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