TM6004

TEKNIK PEMBORAN LANJUT

Exercise 4 Well Killing Technique
Well control

Oleh

PRADINI RAHALINTAR
NIM: 22214003
(Program Studi Magister Teknik Perminyakan)

INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI BANDUNG

2015

Exercise 4 Well Killing Technique

1. Briefly explain the essential differences between the "one circulation method" and the
"drillers method" for killing a well.
Basically one circulation method or wait and weight (WW) method and Driller`s method
(DM) have the same principle, the way the kick is circulated out of the well are performed in
the same way, the choke is used to control and maintain a constant bottom hole pressure and
the goal is to re-establish the primary well barrier. But the main difference between the two,
that is when kill mud is introduced to the circulation process. For DM a whole annulus
circulation is performed before kill mud goes into the circulation flow. In this method the influx
is first of all removed with the original mud. Then the well is displaced to heavier mud during
a second circulation. In this driller`s method there are always a constant fluid column either in
drill string or in annulus. Whereas one circulation method or WW method weighted kill mud
is added simultaneously as the kill circulation process starts. The kill mud is introduced at once
in the circulation process with the intention to re-establish the well barrier. This will, compared
to DM, reduce the process time. The one circulation method is generally considered better than
the Drillers method since it is safer, simpler and quicker.

2. Briefly explain how and why the wellbore pressure is monitored and controlled
throughout the well killing operation (assuming that the "one circulation method" is
being used to kill the well).
Why wellbore pressure is monitored and controlled throughout the well killing operation is
because we have to make sure that the well is in equilibrium and there is no increase in the
surface pressures the wellbore pressure must be equal to the formation pore pressure so there
will be no additional kick fluid entering the wellbore. If it becomes lower than formation
pressure then there will be additional kick fluid and if it is higher up until formation fracture
pressure then the well will be fractured.
The main principle of the one circulation method is that bottom hole pressure, Pbh is
maintained at a level greater than the formation pressure throughout the operation, so that no
further influx occurs. This is achieved by adjusting the choke, to keep the standpipe pressure
on a planned profile, whilst circulating the required mud-weight into the well. A worksheet
may be used to carry out the calculations in an orderly fashion, and provide the required

standpipe pressure profile. While the choke is being adjusted the operator must be able to see
the standpipe pressure gauge, and the annulus pressure gauge.
The drill-pipe and annulus pressures will be different since, when the influx occurs and the
well is shut-in, the drill-pipe will contain drilling fluid, but the annulus will now contain both
drilling fluid and the fluid (oil, gas or water) which has flowed into the well. Hence the
hydrostatic pressure of the fluids in the drillstring and the annulus will be different. The
increase of hydrostatic pressure should be balanced by decreasing the surface pressure. By the
time the heavy mud reaches the bit the initial shut-in pressure,Pdp should be reduced to zero
psi. The standpipe pressure should then be equal to the pressure drop due to circulating the
heavier mud.