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I N T H E W O R L D O F W E L L C O N T R O L , W E C O V E R T H E W O R L D .
WELL CONTROL CASE HISTORY
WEST TEXAS
The subject well was undergoing some diagnostic activities to attempt to locate a suspected hole in the production
casing string. There was a workover rig on the hole, with a tapered tubing string and packer assembly. The rig crew was
in the process of tripping out of the hole when the well began flowing. The pipe rams were closed and did not stop the
flow. The rig was evacuated and Cudd Well Control was contacted to assist in regaining control of the well.
• The higher the gas flow rates, the less likely the and blowout fluids, combined with the friction pressure
chance of a successful momentum kill. of the mixture is greater than the flowing bottom hole
• The deeper in the well the fluids collide, the higher the pressure of the formation that is flowing.
chance of success for a momentum kill. This requires The calculations required to determine these
that a kill string be as close as possible to the bottom pressures include:
of the well. • Blowout flow rate determination of the gas and fluids
Momentum kills have traditionally been called “out running • Blowout gas density
the well.” These kills have been tried on numerous • Flowing bottom hole pressure of the blowout formation
blowouts without success. The reason for this is that the
• Mixture density of kill and blowout fluids at the
momentum force of gas blowing at the surface is very
dynamic kill rate
high, and the required pump rate for the kill fluid is
not achievable with conventional kill equipment spreads. • Friction pressure of the kill fluid/blowout fluid mixture
These calculations can be tedious and complicated, and
Dynamic Kills
underground blowouts where the controlling pressure is are usually done with computer programs of varying
Dynamic kills are most often associated with relief well sophistication. These include steady state and transient
dependent on the fracture pressure of the formation that
intervention projects but are routinely employed on direct models. Steady state models are usually sufficient for
is taking the flow.
intervention projects as well. A dynamic kill is usually most kill scenarios, but transient models are usually
done on wells where the surface back pressure cannot be The requirement for a dynamic kill to be successful is, that recommended for high flow rate blowouts.
controlled. However, dynamic kills are also used on the hydrostatic pressure of the mixture density of the kill
GAS BUSTER (MUD/GAS SEPARATOR)
A Mud Gas Separator (MGS) or gas buster is baffles separates There are several calculations
common on most drilling rigs throughout the easily removed gas that are needed to properly
world. The MGS is used to separate wellbore from the fluid. The size the MGS system:
gas from the drilling fluid while circulating gas exits through a • Kick size
out a kick or circulating any gas present in vent line at the top
• Maximum casing pressure
drilling fluids during drilling or workover of the MGS and is
operations. The MGS is a very important safely vented away • Gas flow rate through
component in underbalanced drilling. A from the rig floor. the MGS
typical MGS is constructed of a cylindrical The mud exits the • Vent line friction pressure
vessel with a series of baffles in it. The MGS through a line near the bottom of “up Improperly sized MGS system can lead to the
drilling fluid from the wellbore enters the hill” to return to the pit system. following safety hazards:
MGS and the action of the fluid hitting the
Typically, the maximum allowable pressure of • If the fluid leg is compromised, gas will be
the MGS when in use is determined by the returned to the shale shaker and/or mud pits.
fluid leg or (fluid seal) height. The density • Oftentimes, in order to prevent excessive
fluid in the fluid leg is dependent on the fluid gas flow through the system, the choke is
in use at the time and therefore operating closed when the gas reaches the surface.
pressure of the system is variable. This This can lead to increasing back pressure
pressure is usually below 15 psig. However, on the well and will increase the chances
there are MGS applications in which the of formation or shoe breakdown.
vessel can operate at pressures up to 100 psi.
• The separator itself can rupture or split if
The friction pressure of the gas flowing the vent line becomes plugged.
through the vent line must be less than the
The API has a brief explanation of the MGS in
hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in the fluid
API RP 53. The document refers to a Society
leg. If this friction pressure is greater than
of Petroleum Engineers document Number
the hydrostatic pressure in the fluid leg, gas
20430 for sizing calculations.
will exit the fluid line and flow to the pit system.