CH 3 - Formation P Well Control Lecture Note
CH 3 - Formation P Well Control Lecture Note
WELL COMPLETION
Contents
Pressure concepts, prediction & detection
of abnormal pressures
Formation fracture gradient
Causes & warning signs of kicks
Methods of killing kicks
BOP equipment & well control procedures
Definition:
Overbalanced pressure
Underbalanced pressure
Balanced pressure
Pressure Concepts
The different formation pressures encountered in
an area play a vital role both during exploration
and exploitation of potential hydrocarbon reservoir
Reservoir pressures:
a. Hydrostatic pressure, Phyd
b. Overburden pressure, Po
c. Formation pressure, Pf
P = gh
where: P =
=
g =
h =
hydrostatic pressure
average density
gravity value
height of the column
0.052(8.33)
=
( SG ) h 0.433( SG ) h
P
hyd. P gradient,
=
0.433( SG )
h
Example:
Solution:
Phyd = 0.052 h
= 0.052
=
(10.5) (5, 000) 2, 730 psi
Example:
=
Po h fl + (1 ) ma
Schematic diagram of the porosity/depth relationship
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
10
Pressure Relations
If Pf > Phyd abnormally high formation P (surpressures/over
pressures)
If Pf < Phyd subnormal (subpressures)
Surpressures occuring more frequently than subpressures
Pressure
Normal mud P
High density mud (for an
abnormally high P well)
Abnormally low P
(subpressures)
Abnormally high P
(surpressures)
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
11
12
13
14
15
Abnormal Pressure
Abnormal pressure are a worldwide
phenomenon
High P is called abnormal P,
surpressure, trapped P, geopressure
or overpressure
Low P is also called abnormal P,
subpressure or subnormal pressure
16
17
6.
7.
8.
9.
Reservoir structure
Repressuring of reservoir rock
Piezometric fluid level (artesian water system)
Rate of sedimentation and depositional environment
Tectonic activities
a. Faults
b. Shale diapirism (mud volcanoes)
c. Salt diapirism
d. Sandstone dikes
e. Earthquake
Osmotic phenomena
Massive areal rock salt deposition
Thermodynamic and biochemical causes
Etc.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
18
Source of data
Techniques
available to
predict, detect
and evaluate
overpressures
Pressure indicators
Time of recording
Geophysical methods
Drilling parameters
Drilling rate
d-exponent and Modified d-exponent
Drilling rate equations
Drilling porosity and formation pressure logs
Logging while drilling
Torque, Drag
Mud-gas cutting
Flow-line mud weight
Pressure kicks
Flow-line temperature
Resistivity, chloride ions & other novel concepts
Pit level and total pit volume
Hole fill-up
Mud flow rate
Shale cuttings
parameters
Bulk density
Shale factor
Volume, shape and size
Novel, miscellaneous methods
Well logging
After drilling
Direct pressure
measuring device
Pressure bombs
Drill-stem test
Wireline formation test
Predict
Detect
(will
focuss
item)
Confirm/
Evaluate
19
B. Drilling mud
This category refers to the affect that an abnormal P zone may have on the drilling fluid,
e.g. increase in T, influx of hydrocarbon, etc.
C. Drill cuttings
This section comprises methods used to investigate the nature of the detecting the
cuttings from the sealing zone cuttings, generally with specific reference to detecting the
cuttings from the sealing zone
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
20
A.
DRILLING PARAMETERS
21
22
23
log ( R / 60 N )
d=
log (12W / 106 D)
R
N
W
D
=
=
=
=
24
25
3. Modified d-exponent
d c = d ( n / e )
where:
dc = modified (corrected) d-exponent
n = mud equal to a normal formation pore p gradient
e = Equilibrium mud at the bit while circulating
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
26
Example:
The following table is obtained from a well drilled at Alpha field.
Assuming the normal formation pressure of 9.0 ppg:
a. Make a plot of d-exponent vs. depth using Cartesian
coordinates
b. Make a plot of d-exponent vs. depth using semi-log
c. Make a plot of modified d-exponent vs. depth using Cartesian
coordinates
d. Make a plot of modified d-exponent vs. depth using semi-log
e. Determine the depth of upper zone of abnormal pressure
f. Can the d-exponent be used to determine the abnormal pressure
in this case? Give your reasons
27
Depth
Bit size
Drlling time
WOB
Mud density
(ft)
(in.)
(hrs)
(lb)
(rpm)
(ppg)
6,000
8.500
4.72
35,000
120
9.0
6,500
8.500
4.85
35,000
120
9.0
7,000
8.500
6.50
35,000
110
9.0
7,500
8.500
7.58
35,000
110
9.0
8,000
8.500
11.21
30,000
110
9.4
8,500
7.875
10.87
30,000
110
9.4
9,000
7.875
12.69
30,000
110
9.4
9,500
7.875
14.28
30,000
110
9.8
10,000
7.875
6.49
30,000
110
10.1
10,200
7.875
7.61
30,000
100
10.1
10,400
7.875
8.10
30,000
100
10.1
10,600
7.875
8.62
30,000
100
10.5
10,800
7.875
9.17
30,000
90
11.1
11,000
7.875
10.47
30,000
90
11.1
11,200
7.875
11.17
30,000
90
11.3
11,400
7.875
11.91
30,000
90
11.6
11,600
7.875
9.13
35,000
90
11.6
11,800
7.875
9.71
35,000
90
11.8
12,000
7.875
9.71
35,000
90
13.1
12,200
7.875
10.00
35,000
90
13.4
12,400
7.875
11.11
35,000
90
13.6
12,600
7.875
11.11
35,000
90
14.2
12,800
7.875
11.77
35,000
90
14.5
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
28
h
(ft)
6,000
6,500
7,000
7,500
8,000
8,500
9,000
9,500
10,000
10,200
10,400
10,600
10,800
11,000
11,200
11,400
11,600
11,800
12,000
12,200
12,400
12,600
12,800
h
(ft)
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
R = h/t
t
(hr)
(ft/hr)
4.72
4.85 103.1
6.50
76.9
7.58
66.0
11.21 44.6
10.87 46.0
12.69 39.4
14.28 35.0
6.49
77.0
7.61
26.3
8.10
24.7
8.62
23.2
9.17
21.8
10.47 19.1
11.17 17.9
11.91 16.8
9.13
21.9
9.71
20.6
9.71
20.6
10.00 20.0
11.11 18.0
11.11 18.0
11.77 17.0
Dh
(in.)
8.500
8.500
8.500
8.500
8.500
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
7.875
W
N
e
log (R / 60 N )
d=
log (12W / 106 D )
(lb) (rpm) (ppg)
35,000 120 9.0
35,000 120 9.0
1.4118
35,000 110 9.0
1.4803
35,000 110 9.0
1.5314
30,000 110 9.4
1.5805
30,000 110 9.4
1.6096
30,000 110 9.4
1.6598
30,000 110 9.8
1.6981
30,000 110 10.1
1.4425
30,000 100 10.1
1.7601
30,000 100 10.1
1.7804
30,000 100 10.5
1.8005
30,000 90 11.1
1.7864
30,000 90 11.1
1.8294
30,000 90 11.3
1.8504
30,000 90 11.6
1.8712
35,000 90 11.6
1.8789
35,000 90 11.8
1.8999
35,000 90 13.1
1.8999
35,000 90 13.4
1.9099
35,000 90 13.6
1.9459
35,000 90 14.2
1.9459
35,000 90 14.5
1.9655
dc = d ( n / e )
1.4118
1.4803
1.5314
1.5132
1.5411
1.5892
1.5594
1.2854
1.5684
1.5865
1.5433
1.4485
1.4833
1.4738
1.4518
1.4578
1.4491
1.3053
1.2828
1.2877
1.2333
1.2200
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
29
d exponent
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
d exponent
1.8
1.9
2.0
1.0
6,000
6,000
7,000
7,000
8,000
8,000
9,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
12,000
13,000
14,000
Depth (ft)
Depth (ft)
1.2
10.0
10,000
11,000
12,000
13,000
14,000
30
dc exponent
dc exponent
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.0
2.0
7,000
8,000
8,000
9,000
9,000
11,000
Depth (ft)
Depth (ft)
7,000
10,000
10.0
6,000
6,000
10,000
11,000
12,000
12,000
13,000
13,000
14,000
14,000
31
Sonic
1000
1000
1500
1500
1500
2000
2000
2000
2500
TVD (m)
1000
TVD (m)
TVD (m)
dc exponent
2500
response
in casing
Cycle
Skipping
Top of
Overpressure
2500
Top
Overpressure
Top
Overpressure
3000
3000
3000
NCT
NCT
NCT
3500
3500
3500
0.1
0.1
10
RILD (ohm.m)
10
100
Sonic (usec/m)
1000
Dc Exponent
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
Formation pressure can be derived from the dc, using Eatons equation
1.2
P
S S P dc
=
D D D D n d cn
P
=
D
S
=
D
P
=
D n
dc
d cn
Example
Whilst drilling the 8.5 hole section, the mudloggers recorded the data as shown below.
Plot the d and dc exponents and determine whether there are any indications of an
overpressured zone. If an overpressured zone exists, what is the depth of the top of the
transition zone. Use the Eaton equation to estimate the formation pressure at 10,160 ft.
Assume a normal water gradient of 0.465 psi/ft, an overburden gradient of 1.0 psi/ft,
and a normal mud weight for this area of 10 ppg.
Depth (ft)
ROP (ft/hr)
N (rpm)
WOB (lbs)
MW (ppg)
10,000
10,020
10,040
10,060
10,080
10,100
10,120
10,140
10,160
10,180
35
25
12
28
25
6
3
8
10
8
60
60
40
85
90
60
60
60
90
90
40000
40000
30000
55000
60000
50000
20000
20000
20000
20000
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.10
10.10
10.30
10.30
10.40
11.00
11.25
34
Solution
(1)
( 2)
Depth (ft)
ROP (ft/hr)
N (rpm)
WOB (lbs)
MW (ppg)
d-exponent
dc-exponent
10,000
10,020
10,040
10,060
10,080
10,100
10,120
10,140
10,160
10,180
35
25
12
28
25
6
3
8
10
8
60
60
40
85
90
60
60
60
90
90
40000
40000
30000
55000
60000
50000
20000
20000
20000
20000
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.10
10.10
10.30
10.30
10.40
11.00
11.25
1.61
1.73
1.68
2.04
2.18
2.41
1.99
1.71
1.76
1.83
1.61
1.73
1.68
2.02
2.16
2.34
1.93
1.65
1.60
1.62
R
log
60N
(1) d =
12W
log 6
10 B
MWn
(2) d c = d
MW
a
35
d-exponent / dc-exponent
1.50
9980
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
10000
1.2
P S S P dc
=
D D D D n d cn
10020
10040
10060
Depth (ft)
10080
dc
10100
10120
10140
dc
10160
10180
10200
dc
dcn
P
1.60
=
1
1
0.465
(
)
D
2.75
= 0.721 psi/ft
P = 0.721 10,160 = 7,325 psi
7, 325
EMW =
0.052 10,160
= 13.86 ppg
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
36
Mud-gas cuttings
Flowline mud weight
Flowline temperature
Pit level & total pit volume
Mud flowrate
37
1. Mud-gas cuttings
Gas can be evolved in 2 ways:
a. From shale cuttings
Gas is commonly associated with
shale & especially overpressured
shales which have a high . Drilled
shale cuttings can
release gas
as it expands as they move up the
annulus in the drilling fluid
b. Direct influx
The influx of gas can occur as the
result of directly removing the
overbalance p or during the making
of connections when pulling
Numerous mechanism for the production of gas
back the drill string, produces a
can make the determination of abnormal pressures
tendency to swab
quite difficult
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
38
39
3. Flowline temperature
Heat rising through the
earth toward the surface
will normally establish an
even T gradient
However, when the water
content is higher as in
under compacted shale, the
T tend to be higher &
decrease rapidly through
the transition zone before
establishing a steady
gradient through the
normal P interval (see
figure)
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
40
41
42
2w
=
2w
where : sh =
shale density
w =
water density
g =grain density
=mixture density
=shale porosity
43
If under-compaction occurs
as is normally associated
with overpressures, the plot
will show shift
It is possible to relate this
shift in bulk directly to a
required increase in mud
weight (see figures)
44
Example:
Whilst drilling the 12 hole section
of the well ABC1, the mudloggers
measured the densities of the shale
cuttings. At each depth, 5 samples have
been taken and the results averaged.
The results are shown in the table.
From the information provided,
determine the top of any overpressured
zones. Assume w = 8.3 ppg.
Depth (ft)
7500
7600
7700
7800
7900
8000
8100
8200
8300
8400
8500
8600
8700
(ppg)
12.85
12.87
12.90
12.92
12.93
12.94
12.91
12.92
12.92
12.93
12.94
12.95
12.96
45
Solution
sh
2w
=
2w
Where
=
w water
=
density 8.3 ppg (given)
=density of mixture
7500
7600
7700
7800
7900
8000
8100
8200
8300
8400
8500
8600
8700
12.85
12.87
12.90
12.92
12.93
12.94
12.91
12.92
12.92
12.93
12.94
12.95
12.96
18.37
18.47
18.62
18.72
18.77
18.82
18.67
18.72
18.72
18.77
18.82
18.87
18.93
18.40
18.60
18.80
19.00
7600
7800
Depth (ft)
Depth (ft)
mean density,
(ppg)
8000
8200
8400
8600
8800
46
2. Shale factor
The shale factor is the determination of the reactive clay content using the
methylene blue dye test (MBT) which measures the cation exchange capacity
(CEC) of the system
The test is a direct measurement of the quantity of montmorillonite content,
and thus, the water-holding capacity of cuttings (see figure below):
47
1. Tri-axial Test
Fracture pressure can be tested in the
laboratory:
Use Tri-axial machine
Use core sample taken at pre-determined
depth
2. Leak-off Test
Example
A leak-off test was
carried out just below
the 13 3/8 casing shoe
at 7000 ft TVD using
9.0 ppg mud. The results
are shown in the table.
What is the maximum
allowable mud weight
for the 12 hole
section?
Bbls Pumped
Surface Pressure
(psi)
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
400
670
880
1100
1350
1600
1800
1900
1920
1880
1860
53
Solution
Maximum allowable MW =
Leak-off Test : Bbls Pumped vs Surface Pressure
MW TVD ) + SP
0.052 TVD
( 0.052 9 7000 ) + 1800
0.052 7000
= 13.95 ppg
2500
2000
Surface Pressure (psi)
( 0.052
1500
1000
500
0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
1
2P
F=
min
1 +
3
D
1
P
F=
max
1 +
2
D
K i
P
+
D
D
c. Ben Eaton
The most widely used in petroleum industries
He did assumed a variable overburden gradient to
determine matrix stress, and instead of utilizing a matrix
stress coefficient, he uses a variable Poissons ratio
S - P P
+
D 1 D
Variation of Poisson's ratio with depth. Above = 0.5 the rocks become plastic.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
Example of how pore pressure and fracture gradients can be used to select casing seats
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
Example:
A Texas Gulf Coast well has a pore pressure gradient
of 0.735 psi/ft. Well depth = 11,000 ft.
a. Calculate the fracture gradient in units of lb/gal
using each of the above three methods.
b. Summarize the results in tabular form, showing
answers, in units of lb/gal and also in psi/ft.
Solution:
a. Hubbert & Willis
1
2P
F=
min
1 +
3
D
1
P
F=
max
1 +
2
D
P
psi
= 0.735
The formation P gradient,
D
ft
1
Fmin =
0.823 psi/ft
[1 + 2 (0.735)] =
3
0.823 psi / ft
= 15.83 lb / gal
=
psi / ft
0.052
lb
/
gal
1
Fmax =[1 + 0.735] =
0.8675 psi/ft
2
0.8675 psi / ft
=
= 16.68 lb / gal
psi / ft
0.052
lb
/
gal
F
=
K i
P
+
D
D
P +
=
S
2, 915 psi
=
Sn
Pn + n
n = "normal"
F
=
K i
P
+
D
D
0.685 2, 915
F
+ 0.735
11, 000
= 0.9165 psi / ft
0.9165
= 17.63 ppg
0.052
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
64
Depth, Di
5,449
Fracture Gradients
0.685
Ki
1.11- 64
S - P P
=
F
+
D 1 D
b. Ben Eaton
S
= ?=
?
D
From the graph,
at 11,000 ft
S/D = 0.96 psi/ft
1,000
0.96
66
S - P P
+
D 1 D
0.46
F=
(0.96 0.735)
+ 0.735
1 0.46
= 0.9267 psi/ft
= 17.82 ppg
1,000
0.46
67
Summary of results
Fracture gradient
psi/ft
ppg
0.823
15.83
0.868
16.68
0.917
17.63
Ben Eaton
0.927
17.82
68
The driller/operator must be in the full control over the well and at all
time be able to prevent the formation fluids from flowing up the well
At best, the loss of well control results in both rig time and additional
chemicals required to kill the well
At worst, the loss of control can
result in the loss of both crew lives
and the well and additionally can
require vast amounts of expenditure
to control the well and to
compensate for the undesirable
effects the blow out may have had
on the environmental around the
well
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
69
70
Kick vs Blowout
Kick - An unscheduled entry of
formation fluid(s) into the
wellbore
Blow out - Any uncontrolled
pressure or formation fluids that
enter into the well during
drilling operation and starts to
explode
If the flow is successfully
controlled the kick has been
killed, if not BLOWOUT !!!
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
71
72
73
Relief wells are special directional wells planned to drill to hit the blow out well. When
the blowout well is drilled into, a special well control procedure will be conducted to
control the blowout well. There are several examples as in Macondo well (blow out
incident on 20 April 2010).
74
75
76
77
78
79
Stop drilling
Raise the bit off the bottom of the well (to shut in the well)
Stop the pumps and check to see if there is a flow from the well
If the well does flow, close the BOP and shut in the well
80
Overbalance
Safety but has its limitation
If overbalance pressure is too high may break the formation and cause lost
circulation lead to a blowout
81
82
Depth
Pressure
Gas 0.075 0.150 psi/ft
Oil
0.3 0.4 psi/ft
Water 0.433 0.520 psi/ft
83
Example:
A well was cased at 4,500 ft. using 9 in. casing and then cemented. The drilling
was continued using 8 in. bit. Drill collars are 6 in. O.D., 2 in. I.D. and 500 ft.
long and the drillpipe is 4 in. OD, 3 in. ID, 16.6 lb/ft. The mud density used in
drilling this well is 9.5 ppg. When the drilling approaches 5,500 ft., a gas kick
occured and the influx is 6 bbl of gas having a pressure gradient of 0.075 psi/ft. were
recorded. The well is shut-in and the surface shut-in drill pipe pressure (SIDPP)
builds up to 250 psi.
Based on the above information, calculate:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
84
Solution:
(a)
Pf = Phyd + SIDPP
= 0.052 (9.5) (5,500) + 250
= 2,967 psi
(b)
4 12
4 12
= (A d/c open hole ) (h gas kick )
2
Vgas kick
h gas kick =
Vgas kick
A d/c open hole
ft 3
6 bbl 5.615
bbl
=
0.2045 ft 2
= 165 ft.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
85
(c)
psi
= 2,967 - 0.075
165 ft - 0.052 (9.5) (5,500 -165)
ft
= 319 psi
before adding a new mud
(d)
(e)
P = 0.052 h
Pf
2, 967
=
=
0.052 h
0.052 (5,500)
= 10.4 ppg
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(f)
Pob = Pf + P
= 2,967 + 400 = 3,367 psi
P = 0.052 h
P
3, 367
=
0.052 h
0.052 (5,500)
= 11.8 ppg
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After the kick is shut in, weight the mud to kill density, then pump out the
kick fluid in one circulation using the kill mud
Other names: wait and weight method, engineers method, graphical
method, constant drill pipe pressure method
After the kick is shut in, the kick fluid is pump out of the hole before the
mud density is increased
Other names: drillers method
3. Concurrent method
Pumping begins immediately after the kick is shut in and the pressures are
recorded
The mud density is increased as rapidly as possible while pumping the kick
fluid out of the well
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Drill pipe pressure graph of the one circulation method of well control
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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Drill pipe pressure graph of the two circulation method of well control
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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3. Concurrent method
As soon as the kick is shut-in, pumping begins immediately after
reading the pressures and the mud density is pumped as rapidly as
possible
However, it is difficult to determine mud density being circulated
and its relative position in the drill pipe
Since this position determines the DPP, it will give irregular
pressure drops
As a new density arrives at the bit or some predetermined depth, the
DPP is decreased by an amount equal to the hydrostatic pressure of
the new mud density increment
When the drill pipe is completely displaced with kill mud, the
pumping pressure is maintained constant until kill mud reaches the
flow line
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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Example: Whilst drilling the 10 hole section of a vertical well the mud pit level
indicators indicate that the well is flowing. When the well is made safe, the following
information were gathered:
Surface readings: SIDPP = 200 psi, SICP = 400 psi, Mud wt. = 10 ppg
Pit gain = 20 bbls, Tsurface = 75oF, T gradient = 1.2 oF/100 ft
Pre-recorded data: Kill rate/circulation P = 14 spm @ 350 psi
Pump output = 0.1428 bbls/stroke
Hole/drill string: Hole size = 10 , Depth of kick = 10,500, Previous casing
shoe = 4,500, 13 3/8, 68 lb/ft, d/c = 500 of 3.5, d/p = 4.5
Capacities:
Drillpipe = 0.01422 bbl/ft, drillcollar = 0.01190 bbl/ft,
Collar/Hole = 0.04493 bbl/ft, Drillpipe/Hole = 0.08743 bbl/ft,
Drillpipe/Casing = 0.13006 bbl/ft
Fracture gradient at 4,500 = 0.7 psi/ft
By using Wait and Weight method to circulate the influx out of the hole,
a. Determine what type of formation fluid has entered the wellbore.
b. What is the pressure at casing seat when the influx is still at the bottom?
c. What is the pressure at the surface when the influx is still at the bottom?
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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(a)
Vol. of influx
20
Height of kick, h i
445.1 ft.
V3
0.04493
(CSIP DPSIP)
Fluid influx gradient, G i G OM
hi
(400 200)
(10)(0.052)
445.1
0.071 psi/ft
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PK_10,500'
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Types of BOP
BOPs come in a variety of styles, size and pressure ratings
Some BOPs can effectively close over an open wellbore,
some are designed to sealed around tubular components in
the well (drill pipe, casing and tubing) and others are fitted
with hardened steel shearing surface that can actually cut
through drill pipe
Two basic types
1. Annular type or
2. Ram type
A combination of both types are commonly used to make
up a 'BOP stack' alias X-mas Tree
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BOP
Surface BOP
Downhole BOP
Pipe Ram
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1. Annular preventers
A large valve used to control wellbore fluids
Design to shut off around any size of equipment run through the hole
Most blowout preventer (BOP) stack contains at least one annular BOP at the top of
the BOP stack, and one more ram-type preventers below
It can close around drill pipe, drill collars and casing, and also pack off an open
hole
Is a wells master valve and normally closed first in the event of a well kick, owing
to flexibility of the closing rubbers
It can only be closed hydraulically by directing fluid under pressure to the
operating cylinder through the closing chamber
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2. Ram-type preventer
Three types:
a. Pipe rams - which seal off
around a pipe and annulus
b. Blind rams - which completely
close off the wellbore when
there is no pipe in the hole
c. Shear rams - which are the same
as blind rams except that they
can cut through drillpipe for
emergency release as a last
resort
A set of pipe rams may be installed below the shear rams to suspend the severed drillstring
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM
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