Kick Control Methods

All kill procedures require data concerning drillstring geometry, hole geometry, mud density, pump
rates, pressure losses, and fracture pressure.

Important data that is required prior to initiating kill procedures include:

1. Circulating pressure at kill rate

2. Surface to bit time at kill rate (in strokes and minutes)

3. Bit to surface time at kill rate (in strokes and minutes)

4. Maximum allowable annular pressure

5. Formula for calculating the kill mud density

6. Formula for calculating the change in circulating pressure due to the effect of the heavier mud

7. The clients policies on safety factors and trip margins

For a well to be killed successfully, the pressure in the formation must be kept under control during
the entire kill operation. The only exception is in cases when the maximum allowable annular
pressure will be exceeded. The simplest method of doing this is to control the drillpipe pressure by
running the kill pump at a constant rate and controlling the pressure by regulating the choke on the
choke line.

The three main kill methods are:

1. The Driller's Method (two circulations)

2. The Wait and Weight (Engineers) method (one circulation)

3. The Concurrent Method

The Driller's Method

When a kick occurs, the normal procedures is as follows:

1. Pick up the kelly and note the position of tool joints in relation to the drilling spools.

2. Stop the pumps.

3. Open the choke line.

4. Close the annular preventer or ram preventers.

5. Close the choke.

6. Record the pit gain.

Once the well is shut-in, it is necessary to calculate the kill mud density, initial and final circulating
pressures, and the kick fluid gradient. If the kick fluid is gas, the bubble may start to percolate up
the annulus. (this will cause a slow rise in the pressures on both drillpipe and casing). If the
pressures begin to rise, a small amount of fluid can be bled from the choke, to release this “trapped
pressure”. This process should be repeated until the drillpipe pressure has stabilized.

The first circulation of the Driller’s Method is performed using the original mud. The choke is opened
slightly, at the same time the pumps are started up to the kill rate. When the pumps have reached
kill rate, the choke is manipulated to maintain the Initial Circulating Pressure (ICP) on the drillpipe.
As the kick fluids approach the surface, the annular pressure will rise drastically if the kick is gas. If
the kick is saltwater the annular pressure will drop slightly.

When the influx has been circulated out, the pumps are stopped and the choke closed. At this time,
the two surface pressures (SIDP & SICP) should be the same.

During the first circulation, the mud density in the pits is raised to the kill mud density. When the kill
mud volume has been achieved, the kill mud is circulated. As with the first circulation, the choke is
opened and the pump speed increased to the kill rate (with the annulus pressure kept constant).
The annular pressure is kept constant by manipulating the choke until the kill mud has reached the
bit. As kill mud begins to fill the system, the drillpipe pressure will decrease from the initial
circulating pressure to the final circulating pressure (see Figure below).
 

 
 
When kill mud reaches the bit, it is good practice to shut-in the well. The drillpipe pressure should
fall to zero; if it doesn't, a few more barrels should be pumped to ensure that the kill mud has
reached the bit. If the drillpipe pressure is still greater than zero when the pump is stopped and the
choke closed, the kick control figures should be rechecked. When satisfied, pumping is restarted,
but now the drillpipe pressure is kept constant as the kill mud displaces the mud in the annulus.
When the kick fluids and original mud have been displaced, the choke should be wide open. The
pump should be shut down and both SIDP & SICP should read zero. If so, the well should then be
observed for flow. The kick is now killed and mud should be circulated to condition the hole, and at
the same time the trip margin (if any) should be added.
 
Illustrate how the pressures behavior as the first and second circulations are performed
 
 
Second circulation during the drillers method

The Engineer's Method

This is usually a more effective method of killing a kick than the driller's method, if time is not a
prime concern (Figure). Kill mud is pumped into the drillpipe as soon as it is ready, which tends to
reduce the high annular pressures associated with gas kicks. The same shut-in procedures are
used as outlined in the previous section.

When all the calculations have been performed, the mud density is raised immediately to the
calculated kill mud density. When the kill mud volume is ready, the pumps are started and the
choke slowly opened, while keeping the annular pressure constant until the pump has reached kill
rate. The choke is then regulated in such a way as to decrease the drillpipe pressure until the kill
mud reaches the bit, at which point the final circulating pressure is reached.
 

Drillpipe and annular pressure curves during the engineer's kill method

Pumping is continued, holding the drillpipe pressure constant by adjusting the choke. When the kick
fluids have been displaced, and further volume has been displaced equal to the pipe volume, the
SIDP should be zero. The kick should be killed and the well checked for flow. Further circulations
can be performed to condition the hole and to add any trip margin. Figure below shows the
variations in drillpipe and casing pressures as the kill procedure is implemented.
 

Shows diagrammatically the displacement of the original mud with kill mud, with example
pressures, using the engineers method.

The Concurrent Method

This is the most complicated and unpredictable method of the three. Its main value lies in the fact
that it combines the driller's and engineer's methods, so that kill operation may be initiated
immediately upon receipt of the shut-in pressures. Instead of waiting until all the surface mud has
been weighted up, pumping begins immediately at the kill rate and the mud is pumped down as the
density is increased. The rate at which the mud density is raised is dependent upon the mixing
facilities available and the capability of the crew. The main complication of this method is that the
drillpipe can be filled with muds of different densities, making calculation of the bottomhole
hydrostatic pressure (and drillpipe pressure) difficult.

Provided there is adequate supervision and communication, and the method is completely
understood, this can be a very effective way of killing a kick. Figure 8-7 illustrates the irregularities
in drillpipe pressure with kill mud volume, caused by the different densities of the mud. The shut-in
procedure is the same as that outlined previously. When all the kick information has been recorded
the pumps are activated slowly until the initial circulating pressure has been reached at the
designated kill rate. The mud should be weighted up as fast as possible, and, as the mud density
changes in the suction pit, the choke operator is informed. The total pump strokes are checked on
the drillpipe pressure chart when the new density is pumped and the choke is adjusted to suit the
new drillpipe conditions.
 
When the final kill mud reaches the bit, the final circulating pressure will be reached and from this
point on the drillpipe pressure should be kept constant until the operation is completed.
 
Kicks
Kick Control
Kick Control Methods
Well Control Equipment
Pressure Control Theory
'Special Kicks Problems & Procedure' - 'Excessive Casing Pressure, Kick while running Casing, Washed-Out Drillstring,
Underground Blowout, Lost Circulation, Bullheading'