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Ballooning in the

Gulf of Thailand

What is Ballooning and


How We Handle It

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What is Ballooning
is a
that
occurs
when
Ballooning
Ballooning
is phenomenon
a phenomenon
that
occurs
the formation
takes takes
mud when
the pumps
when
the formation
mud when
the are
pumps
aregives
on - then
gives
it back
when the
on - then
it back
when
the pumps
are
pumps
are off (a
of the Equivalent
off (a function
of function
the Equivalent
Circulating
Circulating Density - ECD)
Density - ECD)
Rock mechanics shows that ballooning
occurs as a result of small fractures in sands
and shales (usually thin bedded), opening
and closing as the pumps are turned on and
off (micro fracture phenomenon)

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How We operate
Hole size in production zone

6 OH

Annular velocities for hole cleaning during fast


drilling equates to high ECDs
ECDs =1.0 to 1.5+ PPG

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How To Identify Ballooning


First time or any time you are not sure it is
Ballooning treat back flow as a kick
You must Identify normal operations
- Volume increase when stopping pumps
- Volume decrease when starting pumps
You must identify mud losses (must lose mud
before ballooning can occur)
- Losses occur with pumps on
Flow back when the pumps are turned off
- Decreasing over time

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How To Identify Ballooning


If the well is shut-in quickly SICP = SIDPP
(Cuttings loading and gel strengths may cause
pressures to differ SICP < SIDPP)
When circulating bottoms up, you may have a
gas peak or water contamination from the
depth of ballooning (possible dispersion).
Measure volume pumped for peak to reach the
surface and back calculate depth of ballooning
or kick

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Ballooning Rules

UNTIL YOURE ABSOLUTLY SURE


TREAT EVERY FLOWBACK AS A KICK
Shut-in the well
Circulate it out using the Drillers Method

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Ballooning Procedures

What To Do IF The Well May Be Ballooning

Always Treat Initial Flow back as a KICK!!!!


If ballooning was established previously

- Record SIDPP and SICP (SIDPP may be


impractical due to DP float & gels)
- Contact Superintendent and discuss what
has happened
- Accurately Gauge Flow Back (Should have
been done on every connection prior)
- Determine total BBLS lost to formation
- Do not POOH when well is Ballooning

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Ballooning Procedures

What To Do IF The Well May Be Ballooning

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1.

With well shut-in, record SICP and SIDPP


(may be impractical due to DP float & gels)

2.

Record pit volume used for kick tolerance


calculation

3.

Through choke line, bleed off a predetermined volume of mud or designated


pressure - but less volume that used to
calculate kick tolerance

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Ballooning Procedures

What To Do IF The Well May Be Ballooning

4.

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Allow pressure to stabilize and record SICP,


SIDPP and volume bleed

If pressure is greater than the first reading


proceed with the first step of the Driller
Method

If pressure is less than the first reading,


proceed to
step #5

If the pressure is equal to the first reading, it


may or may not be ballooning (volumes bled
and pressure will influence next decision

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Ballooning Procedures

What To Do IF The Well May Be Ballooning

5.

Bleed off an additional pre-determined


volume of mud or pressure increment

6.

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If total volume to be bled is greater than kick


tolerance volume and /or pressures have not
dropped, you need to treat as a kick)

Allow pressure to stabilize and record SICP


and SIDPP

If pressure is greater than the first reading


proceed with the first step of the Driller
Method

If pressure is less than the first reading,


proceed to step #7

If the pressure is equal to the first reading, it


may or may not be ballooning (volumes bled
and pressure will influence next decision)
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Ballooning Procedures

What To Do IF The Well May Be Ballooning

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7.

Repeat steps 4 and 5 increasing bleed


volumes or pressures, confidence increases
that Ballooning is occurring when pressures
and return bleed rate decreases

8.

Open Annular and observe well, continue


operations.

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