Overpressure

Prediction, Detection and Consequences

Training course

Module 3
Qualitative methods, Sequence for wellsite analysis, Well Control

Qualitative Methods

Key Terms - Qualitative Methods

Background gas Connection gas Drag and Torque Pump pressure Flowline Temperature Shale Density PWD Cavings

Gas Source
1 Cuttings gas released as the bit breaks the rock to cuttings. 2 Gas enters directly from the borehole, due to cavings, fractures, diffusion or insufficient overbalance. 3 Hydrocarbon based products (or contaminants) in the mud break down under thermal action. 4 Recycled gas due to insufficient degassing at surface.

Sources of Gas Whilst Drilling

Gas Data Analysis

The monitoring and interpretation of gas data are fundamental to the detection of overpressured zones and in many instances may be the only indicator available.

Gas Data Analysis Factors to Consider

Differential pressures, consider ECDs and Swab pressures during connections or trips. Porosity and permeability of formation. ROP and bit size. Pump rate. Gas trap efficiency, including location Potential for hydrocarbons in formation Mud properties viscosity, temperature, type.

Background Gas
Trends in Background Gas:
Maximum Gas
units
200
Connection @ 11441 'MD

Background Gas
Commonly thought of as gas generated while drilling Background gas is a composite of gases. It is a gas that has been re-circulated, It is a gas that has been released while drilling, and It is the gas that permeates the mud as the hydrostatic differences from the pore pressure and mud column approach each other.

11400

11500
Connection @ 11537 'MD

11600
Connection @ 11633 'MD

11700
Connection @ 11728 'MD

11800
Connection @ 11824 'MD

11900

DEPTH - feet DEPTH - feet

MD 0

Maximum Gas
units
200

MD 0

Background Gas - Trends

MD 0

8700

8800

8900
Connection @ 8941 'MD

9000
Connection @ 9038 'MD

9100

MD 0

DEPTH - feet
Connection @ 8749 'MD Connection @ 8845 'MD

Maximum Gas
units
200

Example of Changes in Background gas prior to Kick:

Trend can develop rapidly Trend can be very subtly Trend may not develop depending on formation fluids.

Well Kicked

DEPTH - feet

Maximum Gas
units
200

Normalised Gas
Various formulas exist. Basically they correct the gas figures seen for various factors to give a more quotable figure. Factors include, hole size, ROP and flow rate. INSITE calculates normalised gas.

Connection Gas
Trends in Connection Gas:
Connection Gas Is the gas that is released into well bore when the pumps are switched off and the ECD is reduced.

Factors Affecting Connection Gas

Overbalance Increasing pore pressure Formation fluids Swabbing during connections

Connection Gas Tips from the Field #1

You see a gas peak on a connection, in all but exceptional circumstances just watch the next couple of connections, it may just be a coincidence. The hole may be washed out and connection gas may come in late, remember to allow time for the gas to get from the trap and through the detector.

Connection Gas Tips from the Field #2

Connection gas figures are normally quoted above background gas or ABG. So if you have a C.G. peak of 5.0% and background gas of 1.0%, then quote a figure of 4.0% ABG. In INSITE delete C.G. peaks from the database. Reinsert the values in C.G. gas record. This is then displayed as a line. In theory this line should be drawn between the background gas value and the CG peak e.g. from 1% to 5% in above example, then labelled 4% ABG. INSITE cant do this and the line starts from 0%.

Trip Gas
Similar to Connection Gas, but less useful. Often seen even in normally pressured wells. The long time interval involved can make it inevitable in gas rich formations. Peaks often early, the peak may not be from TD and gas migration gas occur on long trips. Quote actual figure as it is generated in a break in drilling. Remove gas peak from INSITE database and reinsert as a line.

Gas Cut Mud

Gas Cut Mud:
Is the reduction of mud weight coming out of the hole. Sources of Gas Cut Mud Gas expansion at the surface Formations Fluids other than gas Trapped Air in pipe / pumps CO2 And H2S Changing Mud properties

May Decrease Differential Pressure

Drag and Torque

Drag (overpull) is the excess hookload over the free handling load.
General causes not all pressure related
Bit Balling Dog legs Deviated holes Differential Sticking Poor hole cleaning Cavings Well collapse Swelling Clays Junk in hole

Drag
Noticed on connections or when tripping Also caused by key seating and BHA design

Pump Pressure, Pits and Flow

Less dense fluid enters the well bore: Pump pressure decreases. Active pit will rise. Flow will increase

Tripping
Keep hole full to keep hydrostatic pressure. Swabbing during the trip works against this. If insufficient mud is required to top up annulus then well may be flowing On tripping to bottom hole fill may indicate a close to balance situation Tight spots on trip also can indicate hole coming in.

Mud Temperature Analysis

Undercompacted shales have a lower thermal conductivity (higher fluid content) and show an abnormally high geothermal gradient. The insulating effect of the undercompacted zone is reflected in a lower than normal geothermal gradient directly above in the normally compacted formation

Temperature Response Drilling into Overpressured Shale

Mud Temperature Analysis in the Field

In theory this is a good technique, in practice problems arise. Our Mud Temperature Out Sensor is often covered by cuttings which insulate it. Additions (of cooler mud) to the active system distort trends. Using Delta Temperature i.e. MTO MTI may reduce this affect somewhat. Changes in flow rates coupled with cooling effect of the riser hide changes. Bit trips cause trends to be lost, as mud cools during trips End to end temperature analysis is used to try and overcome this Use of MWD or wireline temperature data might be of more use.

End to End Temperature Plot

Downhole Temperature from MWD

EWR Temperature vs. Depth
Temperature (deg F)
95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

5500

Plot shows a normal temperate gradient (red line) established. This is diverged from as a possible overpressured zone is entered.

6000

6500

7000

7500

Depth (TVD)

Mud Conductivity Analysis

When using a fresh water based mud, salt water entry from the formation will cause an increase in chloride content of the mud filtrate. This amount depends on the contrast between chlorides in the mud and chlorides in the formation. Generally an increase in mud conductivity (assuming a constant chloride content of the mud due to surface additions) will indicate increased pore fluid within the drilled formation, and hence increased formation pore pressure.

Cuttings Analysis
Includes: Shale Density Bulk Density Shale Factor Cuttings Shape

Shale Density #1
Overpressured clay zones will show a reduction in Shale density. Accurately measuring shale density is a problem. A density column is constructed, this is filled with Zinc Bromide. The bottom of the column is saturated, the top almost pure water, in between the density grades from high to low.

Shale Density Column and Calibration Graph

Shale Density #2
Problems Is the tested sample a fresh cutting, a cutting that was slow to clear from the well or a fragment from an unstable bore hole? Is the shale reactive i.e. absorbed water from mud. Sample composition, accessory minerals, siltiness, escaping gas. User inconsistency

Shale Factor
As diagenesis proceeds montmorillonite clays are converted to illite clays plus water. Hence montmorillonite content should decrease with depth. However, overpressured zones are assumed to be sections in which normal diagenesis (for that depth) has not taken place. This is because in zones of abnormal pressure the pore fluid bears a greater part of the overburden stress and the rock matrix a lesser part. Hence, because clay diagenesis is, in part, a pressure dependant process the montmorillonite/illite ratio in the formation will increase.

Cuttings Shape
Changes in Size
Cutting becoming larger/smaller

Changes in Shape
Cutting become splintery/rounded /concave or curled not actually cuttings but cavings from side of borehole

Changes in Texture
Shales becoming Clays

Changes in Volume Changes in Mineralogy

Cavings Wellsite Evaluation

1 2 3 4 If seen at well site samples should be taken. Parameters to record include: Size Shape % shaker cover Point of origin in well bore, shaved off by BHA, fresh or worked. Sometimes buckets may be filled as the cavings drop off the shakers. The time a bucket fills may give some indication of cavings trends.

Pressure Detection None Logging

Wireline data FDC, sonic, resistivity, gamma, temperature, caliper, RFT, neutron porosity. FDC, sonic, resistivity, gamma, temperature, caliper, PWD.

FEMWD

Pressure Whilst Drilling

Gives realtime accurate ECD values. Gives recorded mud weight and ECD values. Supersedes hydraulics or swab surge programs. Knowledge of mud weight and ECD is very important, too high and the formation is fractured, too low and a kick may be taken.

Example PWD Log

Bit Depth
15000 feet 15500 16000

Time
200

Pit Vol Total

barrels 300 400

Running Speed
-400 feet per min 0 400 0

Gas Hydrcbn Avg

percent 50 100 15.5 16

Dens Mud In Avg

lbs per gal 16.5 17

RPM Surface Avg

0 rev per min 250 500 0

SPP Avg
lbs per sq inch 2500 5000 15.5

Real-time PWD Eqv Mud wt

16 lbs per gal 16.5 17

ROP Inst
0 feet per hr 200 400 0

Flow In Pum Avg

gallon per min 500 1000 15.5 16

PWD Eqv Mud wt

lbs per gal 16.5 17

ECD drilling 16 .2 6 pp g S wab & sur ge d ue to rea m ing Co nnection @ 15 85 6 ft M ud re tur ns 35 b bls Swab & su rge d ue to p ip e m o ve m e nt

S qua re pum ps off p ressure pro file

18:30

Recommended Sequence of Overpressure Detection

1 Prior to Drilling 2 Whilst Drilling 3 At Casing Point / TD

Prior to Drilling
Obtain from nearby wells: Wireline/FEMWD Logs, Mud Logs, Pressure Logs.
1
2 3 4 5

Use density (sonic) data to calculate Overburden Gradient, use air gap and water depth. Use Excel spreadsheet, import into INSITE. Plot up sonic, resistivity and FDC data into INSITE. Use any RFT, kick or Well test data to calculate normal trends and recalculate b exponent. Obtain prognosis, should list pressure estimates, nearby LOT data, formation tops etc. Using all the above data estimate and plot OBG, pore pressure (range) and fracture gradients. Write on comments about hole problems, gas levels etc. Display on unit wall

Whilst Drilling
Maintain Pressure Log upto date, including pore pressure estimate, OBG and fracture pressure. Start a separate DxC plot in INSITE with values shifted and NCT inserted. Watch shakers for cavings. Monitor drag and torque record values. Lag connections. Use any FEMWD available: PWD, temp, gamma etc. Look for any trends, communicate even if your evidence contradicts what was expected.

At Casing Point / TD
Collect any wireline data that may become available, update your estimates accordingly.

Key Terms Well Control

Ballooning U-tubing Connection Flow Monitoring Fingerprinting Well Control Kicks Well kill Kick tolerance MASP BOPs Stripping Annular Preventer Rams Fingerprinting

Borehole Ballooning (Breathing) Shales

Rock at great depth is under tremendous stress loads for geologic periods of time. The wellbore replaces neighboring rock with drilling mud which creates stress release fractures around the wellbore. These fractures open when induced pressures exceed the fracture value and remain open until the induced pressure falls below the minimum horizontal stress.
Cohesive Strength Bonded Grains (Cement)

Pre-existing Fractures

Opened by ECD

Overburden Stress (Sy )

Pore Pressure

Horizontal Stress (Sh )

Increased Pore Pressure Reduces the Effective Stress

Horizontal Stress (SH )

The induced pressure only needs to exceed the bonding strength between the rock grains to propagate the fractures. The propagation pressure is influenced by: Pore Pressure Mud Type (SOBM for example)

Ballooning #1
Causes Ballooning Shale is a term used to identify a type of FALSE indication of a kick ( ie, fluid returning from formation when the pumps are stopped) Occurrence Plastic shale is loaded to a pressure greater than the fracture gradient (ie tensile strength)

Problematic
Can have worse effects if we try to kill it conventionally

Ballooning #2
Identifiers These may also be seen for a kick Mud must have been LOST during the current drilling sequence. Pit gain normally occurs with pumps off. Shut-in and Casing pressures approach the same . Cure Recommended procedure is to reduce mud weight until all losses stop. If no losses then no flow back can occur. If this cant be done, then need to set casing.

Borehole Ballooning #1
Bit Depth
15 00 0 fee t 1 5 50 0 1 60 00

Time
2 0 0

Pit Vol Total

barrels 30 0 4 00

Running Speed
-4 0 0 fee t per m in 0 4 0 0 0

Gas Hydrcbn Avg

percent 5 0 1 00 15 .5 16

Dens Mud In Avg

lbs per gal 1 6.5 1 7

RPM Surface Avg

0 rev per min 2 50 5 0 0 0

SPP Avg
lbs per s q inc h 2 5 00 5 0 00 15 .5

Real-time PWD Eqv Mud wt

16 lbs pe r ga l 1 6.5 1 7

ROP Inst
0 fee t per hr 2 00 4 0 0 0

Flow In Pum Avg

gallon per min 50 0 1 0 00 15 .5 16

PWD Eqv Mud wt

lbs pe r ga l 1 6.5 1 7

EC D drilling 16 .2 6 pp g S w ab & sur ge d ue to rea m ing C o nnection @ 15 85 6 ft M ud re tur ns 35 b bls Sw ab & su rge d ue to p ip e m o ve m e nt

S qua re pum ps off p ressure pro file

18:30

PWD data No ballooning present.

Borehole Ballooning #2
Bit Depth
17 00 0 fee t 1 7 50 0

Pit Vol Total Time

1 80 00 2 0 0 barrels 30 0 4 00

Running Speed
-4 0 0 fee t per m in 0 4 0 0 0

Gas Hydrcbn Avg

percent 5 0 1 00 15 .5 16

Dens Mud In Avg

lbs per gal 1 6.5 1 7

RPM Surface Avg

0 rev per min 2 50 5 0 0 0

SPP Avg
lbs per s q inc h 2 5 00 5 0 00 15 .5

Real-time PWD Eqv Mud wt

16 lbs per gal 1 6.5 1 7

ROP Inst
0 fee t per hr 2 00 4 0 0 0

Flow In Pum Avg

gallon per min 50 0 1 0 00 15 .5 16

PWD Eqv Mud wt

lbs pe r ga l 1 6.5 1 7

Fracture clo sure pre ssure 1 6.33 p pg

E C D 16 .4 5 pp g

15:00
C onne ctio n @ 1 76 96 ft Mu d return s 6 0 bbls and still g aining

R ep orted m ud we ight 15.8 p pg

Sta tic m ud w e ig ht e quilibriu m not rea ched

15:15

S low b uild up to drilling E C D

15:30

PWD data Ballooning present.

U-Tube Effect
0
Drill Pipe 16 ppg 2826 psi

Annulus 11.5 ppg

Differential Pressure reflected on the gauge that has the lighter fluid beneath it. 10,046 psi

12075 ft

7220 psi

Connection Flow Monitor

TM) (CFM

To establish if the flowback at a connection is normal, and to differentiate between wellbore breathing and influxes. In normal circumstances the backflow should stabilise shortly after the pumps are switched off. The amount of backflow will depend on the pump rate being used. The higher the pump rate the more backflow will be seen Trends can be identified as normal, ballooning or a kick. Ideal for combining with PWD data.

CFM - Ballooning
After drilling out of shoe, flow back totaled 80 bbl (1) (typical of stable well without breathing). After pack-off, breathing induced and seapage losses noted. Flowback increased to 140 bbl (2). Added CaCO3 to reduce seepage losses. Flowback cut to 110 bbl (3).
(2), 21:50, 14/02

(3), 03:05, 15/02

(1), 10:35, 14/02

CFM - Kick
From changes in flowback trends an 60.00 influx can be identified at an early stage. This triggers alarms in the 50.00 program Volume (bbl)
40.00 11659.75 ft 11721.66 ft 30.00 11800.65 ft 11842.09 ft 20.00 11874.1 ft 11893.14 ft 10.00 11932.21 ft 11989.05 ft 0.00 0:00:00 0:01:26 0:02:53 0:04:19 0:05:46 0:07:12

Time

Fingerprinting #1
Rig and well specific

Measurement and recording of real time changes in surface mud volumes and/or downhole pressures when specific operations take place
Baseline events in known good conditions The purpose is to differentiate: The expected (ie, what COULD happen) From the actual (what DID happen) under a given set of circumstances

Fingerprinting #2
Typical Fingerprinting exercises
Test Objective Monitor trip volume in cased in Obtain real opposed to hole calculated pipe displacements Pressure test casing Find mud compressibility factor Swab test Stripping Drill Choke drill Record PWD data Record volume and pressures Perform SCRs, record pressures and times

Well Control
The Control of formation fluid into the wellbore. The three phases of Well Control are:
Phase
Primary
First Line of Defence

Definition
Control kicks with hydrostatic pressure only. (Normal drilling) Control kicks with hydrostatic pressure assisted by BOPs

Objective
Drill to TD without a well control event Safely kill the kick without the loss of circulation

Secondary
Second Line of Defence

Tertiary
Third Line of Defence

An underground blowout Avoid a surface blowout. Regain primary well control

Kick
When formation fluid enters the wellbore. It is a critical state of well imbalance.

Causes of a kick
Improper hole fill on trips Swabbing Insufficient mud density Loss of circulation Abnormally pressured formations Overpressured shallow gas sands High ROPs in gas bearing formations Loss of hydrostatic during or after cementing operations Incomplete removal of formation fluids from the wellbore during testing or workover operations

Warning Signs of a kick

Drilling Break Increase in flow returns Pit gain Incorrect trip volumes Decrease in SPP or rise in SPM Increasing gas values. Well flows with the pump off Change in mud properties. Cavings Cutback in DxC or shale density PWD

Kick Types
Two types of Kick exist: 1 Underbalance Kick The formation pressure increases to higher than the hydrostatic 2 Induced Kick Hydrostatic decreases to below formation pressure.

Well Kill
The act of removing the formation fluid from the well bore and reasserting the hydrostatic overbalance. Two (basic) methods for Well Kill exist: 1 Wait and weight. 2 Drillers Method.

Kick Tolerance
The maximum volume / EMW (of kick) that can be circulated from the well without fracturing the casing shoe. Kick tolerance is highest on drilling out the casing shoe. It drops with increasing TVD and increasing mud weight. Kick tolerance is affected by: Shoe depth, LOT/ FIT, mud weight, influx of gradient, kick depth, height of influx. Use a worst case scenario of a gas kick (0.1 psi/ft) and so calculate a kick volume.

MAASP
Maximum Allowable Annular Surface Pressure Also referred to as MASP The Maximum pressure allowed on CSIP gauge during a kick.
MAASP = (LOT EMW MW) x 0.052 x TVD @Shoe (For ppg calculations)

Blowout Preventers
Shut in the well
Pipe in or out of the hole

Provide a means of pumping fluids into the well under pressure Allow the controlled release of fluids from the well Allow movement of the pipe under pressure Provide redundancy in case of failure

Subsea BOP Stack

Stripping
Tripping the string through closed (Annular preventer) BOP into pressurized wellbore under its own weight. Can be used to return to bottom at constant BHP when shut-in off bottom. Once on bottom, influx can be safely circulated out. Places high stress on equipment Requires training and requires coordination between crew members Short term annular stripping and long term ram combination stripping.

Annular Preventers
Capable of closing on various shapes and sizes of pipe including kelly, spiral drill collars and HWDP. Enables pipe to be rotated or stripped while under pressure. Closure is wellbore pressure assisted Hydraulic operating pressure is regulated to enable stripping operations.

Annular Preventers
Annular Preventer Closed on Pipe

Ram Type Blowout Preventers

Pipe Rams
Designed to close and seal around the pipe body

Blind Rams
Designed to close and seal on open hole

Shearing Blind Rams

Designed to shear the pipe body then close and seal the wellbore

Variable Bore Rams

Designed to close and seal on multiple pipe sizes

Basic Well Kill

Identify Kick Type

Kick Type Under Balance Kick Required Condition Occurs only whilst drilling Caused by overpressure SIDPP is greater than standpipe hydrostatic Can occur during any open hole situation All formation pressure regimes can produce an induced kick SIDPP is equal to standpipe hydrostatic

Induced Kick

Best Kill Procedure for Kick Type

Under Balance Kick
Wait and Weight Method A constant bottom hole pressure method to avoid additional kicks. Minimises pressures imposed to wellbore and equipment. Kills kick in one complete circulation.

Induced Kick
Drillers Method A constant bottom hole pressure method to avoid additional kicks. Allows kill process to be started immediately. Removes influx in one bottoms up.

Wait & Weight Method

Whilst preparing for kill monitor for gas migration, bleed off to keep constant pressure. Calculate kill mud weight Hold casing/kill line pressure at shut-in value whilst increasing pump to kill rate. Hold pump speed at kill rate, adjusting pressure with choke. When kill mud reaches bit, hold pump rate and adjust choke to hold final drill pipe pressure until kill mud returns. Flow check, condition mud system.

Drillers Method
Whilst preparing for kill monitor for gas migration, bleed off to keep constant pressure. Hold casing/kill line pressure at shut-in value while increasing pump to kill rate. With pump at kill rate, record observed circulating drill pipe pressure. Hold pump speed at kill rate and adjust choke to maintain drill pipe pressure until bottoms up strokes pumped. Flow check condition mud system.

Basic Well Kill Formula

FP = (MW x 0.052 x TVD) + SIDPP KMW = SIDPP / (0.052 x TVD) + OMW Inf. Grad. = (MW x 0.052) ((CSIP SIDPP) / HT) HT = Gain / Ann. Vol. Where: FP = Formation Pressure SIDPP = Shut in Drill Pipe Pressure KMW = Kill Mud Weight, OMW = Original Mud Weight CSIP = Casing Shut in Pressure HT = Height of influx Inf. Grad. = Influx gradient Using ppg, ft and psi

Gradients / Weights
Gradient Psi/ft 0.1 ppg EMW 2.0 2.0 8.6 8.6 SG 0.23 0.23 8.6 1.03

Gas

Oil/Gas/Water 0.1 0.45 Mixture Water 0.45

Approximate gradients of oil, water and gas.

Well Kill Question

A 8 bbl kick is taken whilst drilling ahead at 10500 ft TVD. The well is now shut in. The Mud weight is 11.3 ppg and SIDPP 325 psi, the CSIP 440 psi. The hole is 8 and the BHA 300ft of 6 collars, then 5 drill pipe. What type of kick has been taken? What kill method do you propose? What is your kill mud weight? What type of kick (gas, oil, water etc) is it?

1 2 3 4

Well Kill Answer

1 2 3
4

Kick type is presumably underbalanced. Use the Wait & Weight method. KMW = SIDPP / (0.052 x TVD) + OMW So: KMW = 325 / (0.052 x 10500) + 11.3 = 11.9 ppg HT = Gain / Ann. Vol. so HT = 8 / 0.035 = 229 ft Inf. Grad. = (MW x 0.052) ((CSIP SIDPP) / HT) So: Inf Grad = (11.3 x 0.052) ((440 325) / 229) = 0.09 psi/ft This would indicate a gas kick.

End of Module Summary Key Terms

Background gas Connection gas Drag and Torque Pump pressure Flowline Temperature Shale Density PWD Cavings Kick tolerance MASP Fingerprinting Ballooning U-tubing CFM Fingerprinting Well Control Kicks Well kill BOPs Stripping Annular Preventer Rams