CH 15
CH 15
CH 15
Conventionally, well control practices can be conveniently subdivided into three main
categories:
This is the name given to the process which maintains a hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore
greater than the pressure of the fluids in the formation being drilled, but less than formation
fracture pressure. If hydrostatic pressure decreases and becomes less than formation pressure
(primary well control is lost) then fluids may enter the wellbore from an exposed formation.
If the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in the wellbore exceeds the fracture pressure of the
formation then the height of the fluid column in the well could be reduced. Such a reduction
in fluid column height may, in an extreme case, lead to loss of primary well control over
another exposed formation’s pressure.
Early recognition of the failure of primary well control and the rapid use of BOPs for shut-in
of the well is the key to effective secondary well control. By taking action quickly, the