Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

SECTION E

WE1. Which one of the following describes the two barriers used to prevent well flow? 2pts

a. Positive and negative.

b. Pump open and pump closed.
c. Mechanical and fluid.
d. Overbalanced and under-balanced.
e. Primary and secondary.
f. Upper and lower.

WE2. Which of the following types of mechanical devices can be installed by intervention methods and used
as down hole barriers? 3pts
Two answers

a. Wireline plug.
b. Pump through plug.
c. Circulating valve.
d. Differential valve.
e. Float valve.

WE3. From which direction should a barrier be tested for integrity? 2pts

a. Above.
b. Below.
c. Above and below.
d. Direction of flow.

WE4. When does a column of fluid become an effective barrier? 1pt

a. When the hydrostatic pressure head of the fluid is greater than the formation pressure.
b. When the hydrostatic pressure head of the fluid is less than the formation pressure.
c. When the hydrostatic pressure head of the fluid is equal to the formation pressure.

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 Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

WE05 In the production well schematic in Figure WE1 identify the barrier elements (envelope) that contain
well pressure?

FIVE answers

a. Xmas Tree.
b. Tubing Hanger/Hanger Spool.
c. Tubing spool outlet valves.
d. Production tubing.
e. Downhole safety valve.
f. Completion fluid.
g. Well fluids
h. Production casing.
i. Packer.

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 Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

WE6. Various groups of barriers may be used to control well pressure during well intervention operations.
What is the common terminology for each of these barrier groups? 1pt

a. 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

b. Primary, Secondary and Tertiary.
c. First Line, Second Line and Third Line.

WF1. The following information has been gathered from a gas well: -

Well depth TVD 6120 ft

Well depth MD 12,200 ft
Formation Gradient 0.572 psi/ft
Gas Gradient 0.0707 psi/ft

Determine the correct Rated Working Pressure for the well head equipment: - 1pt

a. 2,000 psi
b. 3,000 psi
c. 5,000 psi

WF2. The following information has been gathered from a gas well: -

Well depth TVD 6120 ft

Well depth MD 12,200 ft
Formation Gradient 0.572 psi/ft
Gas Gradient 0.0707psi/ft

Prior to installation of the production casing and wellhead equipment, determine the
Bottom Hole Pressure. 2pts

BHP _____________

WF4. A gas well has a total depth of 14000-ft. MD (13100-ft. TVD). The packer is set at 11000-ft. MD
(10200-ft. TVD). The annulus is full of 9-ppg completion brine. The Shut in Wellhead Pressure is 2500
psi. Gas gradient is 0.15 psi/ft.
2pts

What is the differential between the tubing and annulus at the underside of the tubing hanger?

a. 745 psi more in the annulus than the tubing.

b. 1000 psi more in the annulus than the tubing.
c. 1665 psi more in the annulus than the tubing.
d. 1950 psi more in the annulus than the tubing.
e. 2500 psi more in the tubing than the annulus.

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 Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

WF5. Given the following section from a set of annular volumes, calculate the total annular volume above
the packer if the well is completed with 9 5/8” 53.5 lbs./ft casing and 3 ½” tubing. Packer depth is 8750
ft. MD (8000 ft. TVD).
2pts

Annular volume between 3 ½”

Tubing and casing or open hole
OD casing lbs. per foot Cu. ft. per Lin. ft. per Bbls. per Lin. ft. per
or open hole Lin. ft. Cu. Ft. Lin. ft. Bbl.
9.5/8 OH .4180 2.3900 .0745 13.4400
9.5/8 29.30 .3607 2.7723 .0642 15.5763
9.5/8 32.30 .3546 2.8200 .0632 15.8228
9.5/8 36.00 .3468 2.8835 .0618 16.1812
9.5/8 40.00 .3385 2.9542 .0603 16.5837
9.5/8 43.50 .3308 3.0229 .0589 16.9779
9.5/8 47.00 .3237 3.0892 .0577 17.3310
9.5/8 53.50 .3100 3.2258 .0552 18.1159
9.5/8 58.40 .3008 3.3246 .0536 18.6660
9.5/8 61.10 .2953 3.3865 .0526 19.0138
9.5/8 71.80 .2728 3.6658 .0486 20.5819

Enter answer here ______ bbls

WF6 A Xmas tree is to be changed out on a production well. A deep-set positive plug has been set in the
tailpipe below the packer. A second plug will be set in the tubing hanger before the tree can be
removed. What is the correct first action to take before setting the second plug?
2pts
A. Inflow test the deep-set plug.
B. Pressure up on the tubing to test the deep-set plug.
C. Pressure up on the annulus to test the deep-set plug from below.
D. If the wellhead pressure is not rising, the second plug can be run immediately.

WG1. If an attempt is made to open a closed valve whilst there is pressure on one side only, which of the
following statements are true?
TWO answers 3pts

a. Can cause damage to the valve.

b. Causes less hydraulic shock to the system.
c. Reduces the chances of pressure locking the valve.
d. Can cause damage to equipment downstream of the valve.

WG2 When shutting in the well at the Xmas tree, which of the following statements are true?
THREE answers 4pts

a. The upper master valve will seal around wireline.

b. The lower master valve is not normally used.
c. The Swab valve shuts off all flow from the well.
d. Damage to the valves can occur if they are closed on a tool string.
e. The upper master valve is normally used if there is nothing in the hole.

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 Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

WH2. In a planned well kill operation, which of the following would be the most appropriate kill method to
use? 2pts

a. Concurrent Method.
b. Reverse Circulation Method.
c. Wait and Weight Method.
d. Forward Circulation Method.
e. Volumetric Method.

WH3. In which of the situations below would bullheading most likely be used rather than the “bleed and
lubricate” method - when trying to kill the well?
TWO answers 3pts

a. A well that has stopped flowing naturally because of scale and sand in the wellbore.
b. A well with the packer setting plug stuck in the tailpipe.
c. A well with a sliding sleeve that will not open.
d. A well with a down hole safety valve stuck in the open position.
e. A well with severely collapsed casing above the perforations but below the tailpipe.

WH4 A live production well is to be killed by bullheading before the start of an intervention operation. Which
of the following limit the maximum allowable surface pressure?
THREE answers 4pts

A. The possible fracture of the formation.

B. The downhole safety valve operating pressure.
C. The burst limits of the completion.
D. The working pressure of the surface equipment.
E. The existing SIWHP.
F. The maximum available pump speed.
G. The ID of the completion.

WH5. Which of the following describe the main advantages of the Reverse Circulation well kill method?
TWO answers 3pts

a. Surface pressures are lower throughout the kill operation.

b. Less risk of damage to formation.
c. Slow.
d. Wireline work is normally involved.
e. Downhole pressures are lower throughout the operation.

WH6. Given the following data, calculate the time required to pump bottoms up. 2pts

DATA:
Tubing depth - 9250ft MD, 8600ft TVD.
Tubing capacity - 0.0025 bbl/ft.
Annular capacity - 0.0052 bbl/ft.
Pump rate - 0.75 bpm.

a. 29 min.
b. 31 min.
c. 60 min.
d. 64 min.
e. 88 min.
f. 95 min.

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 Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

WH6- Group 2 Well Control Kill Graph Data

Tubing : Casing :
Size : 3-1/2 inch Size : 7 inch
Weight : 10.3 lbs/ft Weight : 29 lbs/ft
Capacity : 0.0083 bbls/ft Capacity : 0.0371 bbls/ft

Capacity between tubing and casing : 0.0252 bbls/ft

Gradients :
Brine in annulus : 0.49 psi/ft
Oil in tubing/casing : 0.35 psi/ft
Gas in tubing : 0.12 psi/ft
Kill fluid : 0.52 psi/ft

Transition from gas to oil inside tubing at 4000 ft

Sliding sleeve at 7450 ft (in open position)
Permanent packer at 7500 ft
Top perforations at 7700 ft
Formation Pressure : 3740 psi
Closed-in Tubing Head Pressure (THP) : 1965 psi
Closed-in Casing Head Pressure (CHP) : 0 psi (fluid level at surface)

Figure WH2 shows the configuration of the well and Figure WH3 shows a reverse circulation kill
graph that has been generated for a constant ID/OD tubing containing gas and oil with a completion
brine in the annulus.

The kill fluid (effective gradient: 0.52 psi/ft) is being pumped through the annulus via the sliding
sleeve until formation fluids/gases and completion brine are displaced out entirely.

During the entire kill we maintain an overbalance of 200 psi above the formation pressure at top
perforations.

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 Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

Figure WH2

To Choke Manifold (THP = 1965 psi)

To Pump (CHP = 0 psi)

SSCV
Tubing, 3-1/2 inch, 10.3 lb/ft

Gas/Oil Level @ 4000 ft

Casing, 7 inch, 29 lb/ft

Sliding Sleeve @ 7450 ft

Permanent Packer @ 7500 ft
Formation Top Perforations @ 7700 ft
Pressure
3740 psi

Figure WH3 - Reverse Well Control Kill Graph

2500
Surface Pressure [psi]

A CHP
2000
THP
1500
B
1000
C D E
F
500

0
0 33 62 170 188 250
Volume Pumped [bbls]

Volume Pumped [bbls]

0 33 62 170 188 250
Tubing Head Pressure [psi] 2165 685 200 200 200 0
Casing Head Pressure [psi] 200 162 125 0 0 0
Point on Graph A B C D E F

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 Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

1. What is the bottom hole pressure at the sliding sleeve during the reverse well kill?
2pts

Answer : ______ psi

2. After 62 bbls of kill fluid have been pumped, the tubing head pressure has stabilised at 200 psi (point
C - Figure WH3). This pressure remains unchanged until we have pumped 188 bbls (point E – Figure
WH3).
What is the reason for the stabilisation of pressure at 200 psi?
2pts

A. The gas coming out of the well is not expanding anymore.

B. The oil is coming out of the well and the choke opening remains unchanged.
C. The tubing remains filled with original completion brine and the hydrostatic head remains unchanged.
D. The fluid level in the tubing has dropped to below surface.

3. What is the total volume of the annulus between wellhead and sliding sleeve?
2pts
Answer : ______ bbl

4. If the tubing head pressure between point C and point D (Figure WH3) is held at 150 psi instead of
200 psi, will the well be under-balanced?
1pt

A. Yes.
B. No.

5. At what point (Figure WH3) does the new kill fluid fill part of the annulus while all the gas has just
been displaced out of the tubing string.
2pts
A. Point A.
B. Point B.
C. Point C.
D. Point D.
E. Point E.
F. Point F.

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 Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

WH7. Which of the following statements about the “bleed and lubricate" well kill method is true?
2pts
A. Is performed by bleeding off the wellhead pressure to zero and circulating the tubing to kill fluid.
B. Is performed by bleeding off the wellhead pressure to zero and topping up the tubing with kill fluid.
C. Is performed by pumping a tubing volume of kill fluid and then bleeding off the wellhead pressure to
zero.
D. Is performed by repeatedly bleeding off a small amount of wellhead pressure, and then pumping a
small amount of kill fluid whilst maintaining BHP constant.

WI1. Which of the following statements regarding losses are true?

TWO answers 3pts

a. Losses always occur in the lowest zone of the formation.

b. Losses always occur in the highest zone of the formation.
c. Losses can occur in any individual zone of the formation.
d. Losses can occur in one zone whilst another is still producing.
e. Pumping a heavier fluid will cure losses.

WI3 A normally flowing production well is being shut in at the Xmas tree. The well head pressure quickly
builds up to 1860 psi and then slowly climbs to 2050 psi during the next three hours. Which of the
following statements are true?
2pts
A. This is normal, it is caused by the gas cap forming in the well bore.
B. This is normal, it is caused by the water settling out in the bottom of the well bore.
C. This indicates that there is a problem with the perforations being plugged off.
D. This indicates that there is a problem with the DHSV being stuck in the closed position.

WI8. Hydrates can damage well bore and intervention equipment. 1pt

a. TRUE.
b. FALSE.

WI9. Hydrates can only form in the presence of free (liquid) water. 1pt

a. TRUE.
b. FALSE.

WI10. Which of the following are most likely to help prevent the formation of hydrates and help remove them
if formed?
THREE answers 4pts

a. Bleeding gas very quickly from surface equipment.

b. Always using a water/glycol mixture for pressure testing if hydrates are expected.
c. Pressure testing to a maximum of shut in pressure.
d. Raising the temperature of the hydrate affected equipment.
e. Being able to inject methanol into the affected equipment.

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 Well Intervention Pressure Control Sample Questions

WJ1. You are a member of a Well Operations Intervention team on a rig hired directly by an Operator.
Which ONE of the following lists accurately describes the type and nature of the expected plan and
mix of personnel required during the onset and eventual control of a well control incident?
3pts

a. Well intervention operator(s), well intervention supervisor and oil company representative(s) have a
meeting during the well control incident to review the safety case and decide which company should
be responsible for bringing the well back under control.
b. A document exists clearly stating which categories of personnel are responsible for well intervention
emergency duties within each of the identified companies, and their role(s) - demonstrated by flow
charts and supported by regular on-rig exercises and toolbox meetings.
c. Well intervention operator(s), well intervention supervisor, oil company representative, rig crew and rig
crew supervisors have a toolbox meeting to discuss which company should control the well.
d. The chief mechanic and chief electrician get together with the mud engineer and advise the well
intervention specialists on how best to proceed and which well control methods to use.
e. The base office management team sends a plan of action to all concerned when a well intervention
emergency occurs.

WJ2. Who would shut in the well and make it safe if a pressure control problem occurred during an
intervention operation. 3pts

a. The Operator Rep. (Company Man).

b. The Well Services Supervisor.
c. The Production Supervisor.
d. The Crew Supervisor.
e. The Intervention Equipment Operator.

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