Questions & answers Drilling Engineering Section 71. (S) During the first circulation of the Driller’s Method, the mud pump develops a leak If the choke operator maintains constant drill pipe pressure, what will happen to bottom hole pressure? a, Itwill increase. b. Itwill stay constant. c. Iwill decrease Ifthe drill pipe is plugged and SIDPP cannot be read, which of the following parameters cannot be calculated? (Choose TWO answers). a, Shoe pressure. b, Formation fluid pressure ©. Hydrostatic pressure, d. Fracture pressure. e. Kill Mud Weight. 3. After a kick the Drill pipe pressure and Casing pressure start to build up, but before stabilising they suddenly drop. Which of the following situations may have occurred? a. A weak formation has broken down. b. Wash out in the drill string. ¢. Problem with the gauges. 4d. Annulus has packed off. €. Salt water influx is migrating up the hole f, Size of influx. “hoke is adjusted to increase Drill Pipe pressure by 150 psi (SPM held constant). What will happen to the following pressures? (Tick appropriate space provided). a. Casing Shoe Pressure: Increase CO Decrease Remain Constant b. Bottom Hole Pressure: WM Increase CO Decrease Remain Constant Choke Pressure: WM Increase O Decrease CO Remain Constant5. (S) When SPM is increased during a kill, what should happen to casing pressure to keep bottom hole pressure steady? a. Casing pressure should be allowed to increase. b. Casing pressure should be allowed to decrease. . Casing pressure should be held steady. 6. How would choke plugging be recognised during a kill operation? Decrease in pump pressure with no change to casing pressure, b, Continually opening the choke to maintain correct circulating pressure. ©. Decrease in casing pressure with no change to pump pressure. d. Continually closing the choke to maintain correct circul ng pressure. 7, (S) The well is shut-in with the following pressure readings: Shut-in casing pressure Opsi ‘Shut-in drill pipe pressure 435 psi The annulus is observed through the choke, and there is no flow. What will be the diagnosis? a. The well was swabbed in. b. The hole is packed off around BHA. ‘The formation at the shoe has been fractured. d. The atrill string has twisted off. fe. The choke gauge failed. 8. (S) During a kill operation, itis recognised that there is a small loss of drilling fluid to the formation. Which of the following actions has to be performed in order to reduce the pressure at the weak zone? the kill fluid circulated. a. Reduce the viscosity b. Reduce the drilling fluid pump speed or change to the cement pump for a reduction in the flow rate and keep the bottom hole pressure as close as possible to pore pressure ¢. Stop circulation and shut-in the hole, Let the influx come to the surface by migration while the bottom hole pressure is controlled by use of the Volumetric Method. 9, How can a washout at the choke be recognised? Drill pipe and casing pressures both falling b. Increase in casing pressure but drill pipe pressure does not change. ¢. Drill pipe and casing pressures both rising , Increase in drill pipe pressure but casing pressure does not change.10, Kill rate is 35. SPM. Pump Pressure = 700 and Casing Pressure = 1000. Pump speed is decreased to 25 SPM holding 1000 psi on Casing. How will this affect bottom hole pressure (ignore any ECD effect) a. Decrease. b. Stay the same. ©. Increase. 11, (S) When circulating out a kick, the Casing pressure approaches MAASP while influx is, still in the open hole. What should be done? 4. Operate choke to prevent pressure exceeding MAASP. b. Minimise any extra pressure in the annulus without going underbalance. ¢. Start pumping extra heavy mud down the drill string 12, (S) What is the effect on bottom hole pressure if the following actions are taken during a well kill? a. _IfSPM is increased from 20 to 30 whilst holding drill pipe pressure constant: O Increase 1M Decrease Stay the same ill Mud is pumped to the bit while holding dril pipe pressure constant: W increase Decrease Ci Stay the same 13, (S) Kick is taken in a horizontal well. SIDPP ~ SICP. Influx is circulated out using Driller’s Method. When influx is circulated out of the horizontal section and into the more vertical section, the Casing pressure increase quite rapidly, why? a, ECD is much greater in the horizontal section. b, This is because kill mud was not pumped from the start of the kill ¢. This is normal for any well when Driller’s Method is used. 4. There is no loss of hydrostatic head until gas arrives at the inclined or vertical section of the well 14, (S) Pump speed is increased during a kill and bottom hole pressure is kept constant. ‘What should happen to pump pressure? a, Pump pressure should rise. b. Pump pressure should stay the same c. Pump pressure should fall15, (S) During a well kill operation, the choke operator notices that both drill pipe casing pressures are slowly decreasing, He reacts by adjusting the choke to mai original pump pressure, ‘What effect does this choke adjustment have on the bottom hole pressure? Bottom hole pressure decreases. b, Bottom hole pressure is returned to correct value, ©. Bottom hole pressure is not affected by choke adjustment, 16, (S) When str jn a constant bottom hole pressure? (Assume there ping into the hole which of the following will mais no influx migration), Bleed off the drill pipe closed end displacement while stripping each stand. b. Pump a volume of mud into the well equal to the drill pipe closed end displacement while stripping each stand €. Bleed off the drill pipe steel displacement while stripping each stand. 4d, Pump a volume of mud into the well equal to the drill pipe steel displacement while stripping each stand 17, S-inch drill pipe is stripped into the hole through the Annular Preventer. Average length of a stand 93 feet Drill pipe inside capacity 0.0177 bbis/ft Closed end displacement 0.0253 bbis/ft Metal displacement 0.0076 bbis/ft For each stand of pipe stripped, how many barrels of mud must be pumped to keep the drillstring full? Oo ——1e _ bbs. 18, (S) Well kicks after 25 stands have been pulled out ofthe hole, Shut In Casing Pressure = 100 psi Shut In Drillpipe Pressure ~ 100 psi Which of the following would be the best action to take to retumn to primary control? a Circulate the kick out using the Wait & Weight Method whilst keeping drill pipe pressure constant at the Shut In Drillpipe Pressure. b. Strip back to bottom using the combined Stripping and Volumetric Method, then circulate the influx out using Driller’s Method. €. Increase mud weight by 100 psi and circulate this heavy mud with the bit 25 stands off bottom,19, 5-inch drill pipe is stripped into the hole through the Annular Preventer. Average length of a stand 93 feet Drill pipe inside capacity 0.0178 bbis/tt Closed end displacement 0.0252 bbis/ft Metal displacement 0.0076 bbis/ft For each stand of pipe stripped, how many barrels of mud must be bled off from the annulus? —— 20. After pulling 40 stands the well starts to flow and is shut in. Well Data: Well depth = 11,000 feet 9-5/8 inch casing shoe = 7,000 feet 8-1/2 inch hole capacity = 0.702 bbls /ft Mud weight = 11 ppg [Drill Collar Tength 450 feet -Capacity = 0.007 bbis/ft -Metal displacement = 0.033 bbls/ft [5° Drill pipe -Capaci = 0.0178 bbis/tt -Metal displacement = 0.0075 bbis/ft [Capacity drill collar/open hole = 0.0292 bbls |Capacity drill pipe/open hole ~ 0.0459 bbls/ft [Capacity drill pipe/casing = 0.0515 bbls ft ‘The bit depth at time of kick = 7,280 feet Shut In Casing Pressure = 150 psi Influx volume = 15 bbls The influx is on bottom and is NOT migrating, a. Calculate the volume to bleed off per 93 feet of drill pipe stripped back into the hole? O——23s tus bb. What will happen to the bottom hole pressure if too much mud is bled off whilst stripping back to bottom? U increase Decrease Ci Stay the same . What is likely to happen to casing pressure as the drill string is stripped into the influx? increase Decrease Stay the same21, (S) When stripping into the hole which of the following will maintain a constant bottom hole pressure? (Assume there is no influx migration). a. Bleed off the drill pipe closed end displacement while stripping each stand. b. Pump a volume of mud into the well equal to the drill pipe closed end displacement while stripping each stand. €. Bleed off the drill pipe steel displacement while stripping each stand. 4 Pump a volume of mud into the well equal to the drill pipe steel displacement while stripping each stand. 22, (S) Well has kicked when 30 Stands off bottom. Shut-in pressures both equal 150 psi Which of the following is the best action to take to restore primary control? a. Strip to bottom and circulate well using Driller’s Method. b. Circulate kick out while 30 stands off bottom using the Driller’s Method. c. Raise mud weight by 150 psi and circulate out ing Wait and Weight Method. 23, (S) What is the correct action to take when stripping in the hole? Assume that there is no influx migration? a. Strip in until Casing Pressure equals MAASP then bleed off each stand to keep Casing Pressure constant. b. Bleed off the Drill Pipe capacity each stand Bleed off the Drill Pipe closed end displacement each stand, d. Bleed off the Drill Pipe steel displacement each stand, 24. During a trip out, the well kicks due to swabbing. ‘The pipe is stripped back to bottom. Will the original mud weight be sufficient to control the well? a. Yes b. No 25. Drill pipe is to be stripped in the hole, There is a float valve in the string. Average Stand length = 93h Drill pipe capacity = 0.0346 bbisift Closed end displacement = 0.0438 bist Metal displacement = 0.0092 bbis/ft For each stand stripped, calculate a, Volume of mud to bleed from Annulus, Answer = ——4.07-—— bbls b, Volume of mud to keep the pipe full. Answer = 32. bbls26, If gas is migrating and you are unable to start the kill operation, which pressure should be held constant to maintain a constant bottom hole pressure? (Choose ONE answer) Shut-In Casing Pressure Casing Shoe Pressure Influx Pressure ‘Shut-In Drill Pipe Pressure 27. When stripping to bottom, which of the following actions should be taken? 28, Bleed offa volume of mud equal to 100 psi of hydrostatic head. Bleed off a volume of mud equal to the closed end displacement of the pipe stripped. into the well Bleed off a volume of mud equal to the metal displacement of the pipe stripped into the well Shoe at = 6,000 TVDat = 9,000 ft Mud Weight = 114 ppg Collar Capacity 0.0077 bbis/ft Collar Displacement ~ 0.033 bbis/ft Collar Length - 1000 Pipe Capacity = 0.0178 bbis/tt Pipe Displacement 0.0082 bbis/ft Pipe to Casing Annulu 0.052 bbis/ft Pipe to Open Hole 0.046 bbis/ft Collars to Open Hole = 0.029 bbis/ft ‘Well starts to flow after 50 stands pulled. Shut-in Data is:- Bit Depth 4350 ft Influx = 38 bbis SICPP = 400 psi Influx Gradient 0.12 psi/ft Answer the following question (assume no gas migration) a. Caleulate the volume to bleed off to strip back to bottom ? Answer — bbls b. What will happen to bottom hole pressure if too much mud is bleed off? (Tick appropriate space provided). O increase M Decrease Cistay the same © What will happen to bottom hole pressure iftoo little mud is bled off? (Tick appropriate space provided). W increase Ci Decrease Cstay the same 4. What should happen to Casing Pressure as string is stripped into influx? (Tick appropriate space provided). W increase Ci Decrease Cistay the same29, A well is being killed at 30 spm using the Driller’s Method. Halfway through this first circulation the choke operator observes a sudden increase in drill pipe pressure. The choke pressure and pump speed have not changed. ‘What could have happened? (TWO ANSWERS) a. There isa blockage in the standpipe manifold. b. The bit nozzles have partly plugged. ©. ‘The kick is about to enter the choke. d. The choke has partly plugged. ©. ‘The mud/gas separator is plugged with cuttings. 30. (S) Using the Drillers Method to circulate out the influx the circulating pressure psi The circulating pressure increases rapidly to 1,400 psi (pump speed remains constant). It is decided that a bit nozzle has plugged. ,000 Which of the following will maintain constant bottom hole pressure? 4. Maintain the circulating pressure at 1,400 psi and the pump speed constant. b. Adjust the circulating pressure to 1,000 psi by changing the pump speed. ¢. Stop the pump and shut the well in. Re-calculate Initial Circulating Pressure and Final Circulating Pressure adding 400 psi to the original SIDPP. 4, Adjust the circulating pressure to 1,000 psi by adjusting the choke and maintaining ‘constant spm. 31. (S) Which of the following could be affected by a string washout during a kill operation? (TWO ANSWERS) a. MAASP. b. Bottom hole pressure. ©. Slow circulating rate pressure. d. Kick Tolerance and Fracture Pressure 32. (S) The choke is gradually closed to compensate for a string washout. What effect does the gradual closing of the choke have on the bottom hole pressure? a. Increase. b. Stay the same. ©. Decrease,33, M4 35, (S) Ifthe drill string washes out during a kill operation which of the following pressures would remain constant? a. Slow circulating rate pressure. b. Casing pressure. ©. Drill pipe pressure. Initial Circulating Pressure A well is shut in with the following readings: Shut In Casing Pressure Opsi ‘Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure 200 psi There is no flow from the annulus when the choke is opened. What is the most likely cause of zero Shut In Casing Pressure? a. Swabbing b. The choke gauge has failed. €. The formation at the shoe has been fractured. d. The drill string is plugged. ©. The hole is packed off around the BHA How is lost circulation usually detected during a well control operation? a. By a decrease in the mud volume in the pits. b. By a decrease in the weight indicator. ©. By monitoring the return flow with the flow-show d. By an increase in pump speed. ‘The choke line parted while killing a well, what is the first action to take? a. Stop pump and close the choke b. Stop pump and close the BOP side outlet hydraulic valve (HCR). ¢. Stop pump and close the IBOP at the Top Drive or Kelly . Stop pump and close the shear rams Whilst circulating out a kick, the mud pump fails, What is the FIRST action to take? a. Change over to No.2 pump, b. Shut the well in Divert the well 4. Fix pumps as soon as possible.38, Whilst circulating outa kick the Rotary (Kelly) hose in the Derrick bursts, what is the first action to take? 4. Hang tool joint on pipe ram and close the shear rams. (Shear ram above the pipe ram being used) b. Stop the pump, close the full opening safety valve on the drill string then close the choke. ©. Drop the dill string and close the blind/Shear rams. d. Stop the pump, close the choke and record pressures, 39. When killing a well what is the correct action to take if a sudden loss in drill pipe pressure is observed? a. Increase the pump rate to return drillpipe to correct value. b. Continue at the same pump rate holding the new drillpipe pressure ¢. Shut the well in and investigate pressure loss, 4. Close the choke to compensate for the pressure loss 40. Whilst drilling, a 20 bbl gas kick is taken and the well shut in. The pressures at surface stabilise after a 15 minutes. Due to a delay in mixing kill mud the kill operation cannot start, The pressures at surface begin to increase due to gas migration, What action should be taken to keep bottom hole pressure constant (assume there is no float in the string)? a. Start bleeding off mud and let the casing pressure decrease according to volumetric calcula b. Bleed mud from the choke, keeping the drill pipe pressure constant. c. Bleed off mud keeping the casing pressure constant. d. Leave it as it is. Gas migration will not affect the bottom hole pressure 41, WELL DATA: Slow rate circulation pressure 300 psi at 30 spm ‘The well has been shut in after a kick: Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure 600 psi Shut In Casing Pressure 750 psi Before stating to kill the well, there is a complete power failure at the pumps. Which pressure should be kept constant in order to maintain the correct bottom hole pressure if the influx migrates? 4. 600 psi drill pipe pressure b. 750 psi casing pressure €. 1050 psi casing pressure. d. 900 psi drill pipe pressure42, (S) A well is shut in on a 15 bbl kick. ‘The influx is known to be a gas condensate (with both gas and liquid present) Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure 400 psi Shut In Casing Pressure 500 psi There is a power failure on the rig and the influx starts to migrate. Drill pipe and casing pressures are increasing, Ifthe choke was used to keep casing pressure constant at 500 psi, what would happen to bottom hole pressure? a. Increase. b. Decrease Remain constant, 43, (S) Whilst killing a well a sudden loss in standpipe pressure is observed. Ifthe choke was closed to compensate for the reduction in pressure, what would happen to the bottom hole pressure? a. Itwould increase. b. It would decrease. cc. Itwould remain constant. 44, Why is pressure build up in the mud/gas separator (poor boy degasser) dangerous whilst circulating out a kick? Pressure build up will increase the risk of lost circulation. a b. Pressure build up may allow gas to be blown up the derrick vent line Pressure build up may allow gas to enter the shale shaker area 4. Pressure build up will make choke adjustment difficult, 45, (S) When killi by 200 psi 1g a well using the Driller’s Method the choke pressure suddenly increases Shortly after, the choke operator sees the same pressure increase on the drill pipe pressure gauge ‘What is the most likely cause of this pressure increase? a. A restriction in the Rotary (Kelly) hose. b. A plugged nozzle in the bit ‘The choke is partly plugged. 4d. A wash out in the drill string, e. A second influx has entered the well.46. 47. 48. 49. 50. (S) When killing a well using the Driller's Method the choke pressure suddenly increases by 200 psi Shortly after, the choke operator observes the same pressure increase on the drill pipe pressure gauge What would be the correct response to this problem? a, Reduce the pump rate to reduce both pressures by 200 psi. No action required ¢. Shut the well in and change to another pump. 4. Shut the well in and change to another choke. During a kill operation which of the following problems require the pump to be shut down quickly to prevent over-pressuring the formation. a. A washout in the choke b. A plugged choke. €. A washout in the drill pipe 4. A plugged standpipe. A washed out bit nozzle. fA plugged bit nozzle. How would a choke washout be recognised? a. Drill pipe and casing pressures both falling despite closing the choke b. Increase in casing pressure with no change in drillpipe pressure cc. Rapid rise in drillpipe pressure with no change in casing pressure. d. Drill pipe and easing pressures both rising despite closing the choke. How would a choke washout be recognised? a. Rapid rise in casing pressure and no change in drill pipe pressure. b. Continually closing the choke to maintain correct circulating pressure Increase in drill pipe pressure and no change to casing pressure. 4. Continually opening the choke to maintain correct circulating pressure Select the products commonly used to prevent the formation of hydrates: (TWO ANSWERS) a. Fresh Water. b. Methanol: ¢. Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC). d. Glycol. . Diesel oilS1. (S) The choke has to be gradually closed due to a string washout. What effect does this have on the bottom hole pressure? a. Increase b, Decrease c. Stay the same. 52. (S) The drill string is slowly washing out and choke is closed to maintain correct drill pipe pressure. What is happening to the bottom hole pressure? a. Itwill decrease. b. twill remain constant. © Itwill increase. 53. (S) A vertical well is shut in following a gas kick. The kill operation is delayed and the influx has started to migrate with both drill pipe pressure and casing pressure increasing by 100 psi WELL DATA Well depth 9,000 feet Casing shoe depth 5,000 feet Mud weight 11 ppg (572 psi Open hole/deill pipe capacity 0.060 bbis/ft Casing/drill pipe capacity 0.065 bbis/ft NOTE: Assume only drill pipe to be present in the well Kick Data: Shut in stabilised drill pipe pressure 600 psi Shut in stabilised casing pressure 800 psi Kick volume 25 bbls How may barrels of mud should be bled from the well in order to maintain original bottom hole pressure (before gas started migrating)? oO ——4++—— bbls Fat 54, (8) Which of the following statements best describes the Volumetric Method? a. Maintain constant casing shoe pressure as the influx migrates to surface. b. Maintain Shut In Casing Pressure at its initial value as the influx migrates to surface . Maintain constant bottom hole pressure as the influx is migrates to surface d. Maintain constant pressure is je the influx as itis allowed to migrate to surface.55, (S) A well is shut in on a kick. Circulation cannot start due to mechanical problems. Gas is migrating and bottom hole pressure has to be kept constant. In which of the following situations can the volumetric method of well control be used? (THREE ANSWERS) 4. With the bit on bottom, and a non-return valve in the string. b. When the bit is a long way off the bottom, and no non-return valve in the string. €. With bit on bottom, no non-return valve in the string, . With the bit on bottom, and the drill string fully plugged off. 56, (S) A gas kick has been taken in a well with a long open hole section. The drill pipe is plugged (Drill pipe pressure cannot be read, and pumping down the drill pipe is not possible). ‘There is evidence of gas migration taking place Which one of the following well control procedures can be applied? a. Volumetric Method, b. Wait and Weight Method. ©. Drillers Method, d. Concurrent Method 57, (S) When can maximum Casing Shoe pressure occur when using the Volumetric Method.? (Choose TWO answers), a. When the influx reaches the BOP stack. b, When the influx reaches the Casing Shoe. When the well is first Shut-in. 58, (S) During a kill, a washout in the string develops. ‘What happens to the drill pipe pressure? a, Itshould inerease b. Itshould decrease. ¢.Ishould remain constant. 59, (S) During a kill a washout develops in the dril string above the influx. What is the safest way to handle this situation? a. Stop pumping. Use the volumetric method until the influx is above the washout. ‘Then resume pumping. b. Stop pumping. Strip out of the hole to locate the washout in the drill string, then replace washed out joint and strip back to bottom, ¢. Keep pumping until the influx is above the washout, then use the Volumetric technique to remove the influx.60. (S) Why is it important to monitor the pit volume during a well control operation? (TWO ANSWERS) a. To check for mud losses. b. Tells you when to adjust drill pipe pressure. c. Tomon cor the gas expansion, d. To maintain bottom hole pressure constant. €. Tells you when to adjust pump speed. 61, (S) During a kill operation the pump starts to leak. The choke operator knows no about the leak and is maintaining correct drill pi pressure. ‘What will happen to the bottom hole pressure? a. Itwill increase b. Iwill decrease, cc. Itwill remain constant, 62. Which of the following will be affected by a string washout? (Choose TWO answers) a MAASP. b. Pump Pressure for kill. €. Formation fracture pressure d. Bottom Hole pressure 63. (S) Which of the following parameters will NOT be affected by a string wash-out during well kill operation, when using the Driller’s Method? (Choose ONE answers) a, Bottom hole pressure b. Formation fracture pressure ¢. Slow circulating rate pressure. 64. Killing the well at 40 SPM with 750 psi pump pressure. If SPM was increased to 50 and pump pressure held constant at 750 psi, what would happen to bottom hole pressure? (Choose ONE answer) a. Itwill increase b, Iewill stay constant. c. twill decrease.