Diverter Procedure While Drilling Fixed

Last Updated on Tue, 24 Jun 2014 | Well Control

(1) Where shallow casing strings or conductor pipe are set, fracture gradients will be low. It may be
impossible to close the BOP on a shallow gas kick without breaking down the formation at the shoe. If
a shallow gas kick is taken while drilling top hole then the kick should be diverted.
Drilling shallow sand too fast can result in large volumes of gas cut mud in the annulus and cause the
well to flow, also fast drilling can load up the annulus increasing the mud density leading to lost
circulation and the level in annulus drops far enough then well may flow.
When drilling top hole a diverter should be installed and it is good practice to leave the diverter
installed until 133/8'' casing has run. An automatic diverter system should first:
a.

Open an alternative flow path to overboard lines.

b.

Close shaker valve and trip tank valve.

c.

Close diverter annular around drill pipe.

d.

If there are two overboard lines then the upwind valve should be manually closed.

2) If any indication of flow is observed while drilling top hole, close diverter immediately as
the gas will reach surface in a very short time and it is inadvisable to attempt a flow check.

3) Suggested diverting procedure in the event of shallow gas kick.

a.

Maintain maximum pump rate and commence pumping kill mud if available.

b.

Space out so that the lower safety valve is above the drill floor.

c.

With diverter line open close shaker valve and diverter packer.

d.

Shut down all non-essential equipment; if there is an indication of gas on rig floor or cellar
area then activate deluge systems.

e.

On jack-up and platform rigs monitor sea for evidence of gas breaking out around
conductor.

f.

If mud reserves run out then continue pumping with seawater.

g.

While drilling top hole a float should be run. This will prevent gas entering drill string if a
kick is taken while making a connection. It will also stop backflow through the drill string
on connection.

Figure 2 - Floating Rig Example of Line Up (Shut-In)

This can be used as a reference template to line up the following procedures.

Lost Circulation
Last Updated on Mon, 27 Apr 2015 | Well Control
Kicks can occur when total lost circulation occurs.

If the loss of whole mud to natural or artificially induced fractures is sufficiently great, then all returns
from the well will cease and the level of mud in the well annulus will drop.
Loss of circulation can occur to cavernous or vugular formations; naturally fractured, pressure
depleted or sub-normally pressured zones; fractures induced by excessive pipe running speeds;
annulus plugging due to BHA balling or sloughing shales; excessively high annular friction losses; or
excessive circulation breaking pressures when mud gel strength is high. In the North Sea lost
circulation due to induced pressure surges is more commonly a cause of partial loss of returns.
When this type of kick occurs, it may rapidly become very severe since a large influx can occur before
a rising annulus mud level is seen, for this reason, it is recommended that the annulus should be filled
with water to maintain the best possible hydrostatic head in the well.
In many cases the mud level only drops a few hundred feet, and the addition of water reduces the
underbalance in the well to a minimum. If flow still occurs, it does so at a reduced rate, allowing more
time for emergency measures, or well healing procedures, to be carried out.
A note should be kept of the volume of water pumped, to enable an estimate of the maximum
pressure the well can take.
CONTROLLED SITUATION
POTENTIAL KICK SITUATION
Drop in Mud Level Reduces
Hydrostatic Pressure On Gas Zone
Hydrostatic Pressure On Gas Zone

Lost Circulation Formation

Mud Losses
Lost Circulation Formation
Mud Losses

Figure 5 - Typical Situations

Figure 6 - Lost Circulation