WELL CONTROL

EXERCISE 5
ANSWERS
1. Problems that occur during a killing operation may affect various pressure
parameters. They are:

a. Drill pipe pressure

b. Casing pressure
c. Bottom hole pressure

For each of the following problems indicate how you would recognise these
problems.

For an increase draw: +

For a decrease draw: -
For no change draw: =

PROBLEM DRILL PIPE CASING BOTTOM HOLE

PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE
Choke Washout - - -
String washout - = =
Nozzle Blown Out - = =
Choke Plugging + + +
Nozzle Plugging + = =

2. During a kill operation the choke operator notices a sharp increase in drill pipe
pressure, but no change in casing pressure.

i. What is the likely cause of the problem?

a. Choke plugging
b. Choke washout
c. Pipe washout
d. Nozzle plugging

The choke operator reacts by opening the choke to keep drill pipe pressure
constant.

ii. What effect has the gradual opening of the choke had on the bottom
hole pressure:

a. Increased
b. Decreased
c. Stayed the Same
3. During a kill operation the choke operator notices a gradual decrease in drill
pipe pressure, but no change in casing pressure.

i. What is the likely cause of the problem?

a. Choke plugging.
b. Choke washout.
c. Pipe washout.
d. Nozzle plugging.

He reacts by pinching in on the choke to maintain correct pumping pressure.

ii. What effect has the gradual closing of the choke had on the bottom
hole pressure?

a. Increased.
b. Decreased.
c. Stayed the same.

4. During a kill operation the choke operator notices both the drill pipe and
casing pressures slowly increasing.

i. What is the likely cause of the problem?

a. Choke plugging.
b. Choke washout.
c. Annulus plugging.
d. Pipe washout.

He reacts by opening up on the choke to maintain the correct pumping

pressure.

ii. What has happened to BHP from the start of the problem to after the
choke has been opened?

a. Increased.
b. Decreased.
c. Increased then decreased.

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5. During a kill operation the choke operator notices both the drill pipe and
casing pressures slowly decreasing.

i. What is the likely cause of the change?

a. Choke plugging.
b. Choke washing.
c. Annulus plugging.
d. Pipe washout.

He reacts by pinching in on the choke to maintain correct pumping pressure.

ii. What has happened to BHP from the start of the problem to after the
choke has been closed?

a. Increased.
b. Decreased.
c. Decreased then increased.

6. While circulating kill mud down the string drillpipe pressure suddenly
increases by 100 psi, casing pressure remains static.

i. What might be the cause of the problem? (Two answers).

a. Choke plugging.
b. Nozzle plugging.
c. Nozzle washout.
d. Choke washout.
e. Blockage in mud manifold.

ii. What would be the safest course of action?

Shut down and re-start.

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7. While circulating out a kick at a constant 40 spm and an ICP of 1050 psi, drill
pipe pressure suddenly increases to 1250 psi. No change in casing pressure has
been observed. What is the correct course of action?

a. Open the choke to reduce the drill pipe pressure to calculated ICP of
1050 psi.
b. Continue with using a new ICP of 1250 psi.
c. Shut down and restart back to 40 spm and ICP 1050 psi.
d. Reduce the spm until the drill pipe pressure reads 1050 psi.

8. While circulating a kick out (First circulation, Driller's method), the drill pipe
pressure is being held at the calculated ICP of 900 psi at 30 spm.

A leaking swab on the mud pump goes unobserved. The choke operator
manipulates the choke to maintain drill pipe pressure at 900 psi. The Driller
maintains 30 spm.

What has happened to BHP?

a. Increased.
b. Decreased.
c. Remained constant throughout.

9. Which of the following would be the first action you would take if while
circulating out a kick the chicksans or hose going to your drill string parted?

a. Stop pump and close the full opening safety valve on the drill
string. Close the choke.
b. Close the shear rams. (Shear ram position above pipe rams being
used).
c. Drop the drill string and close blind/shear rams.

10. What action would you take if while circulating out a kick the choke line
parted between the HCR valve and the remote choke?

a. Stop pumps and shut in the choke.

b. Stop pumps and close HCR.
c. Continue to kill the well as the influx is past the shoe.
d. Stop the pumps and close the shear rams.

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11. Which of the following would be the first action you would take, if while
circulating out the kick and mud pump pop-off valve opened?

a. Close the shear rams, close the choke.

b. Drop the drill string, close blind/shear rams, close the choke.
c. Stop the pump, close the choke.
d. Stop the pump, isolate the pump, close choke.

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