Slug mud is typically pumped into the drill string in order to push the mud inside the drill pipe down so the drill pipe will be clean and ready for pulling out of hole. Since slug is heavier, it will push the lighter mud out of the well. Figure 1 demonstrates how slug displaces current mud out of hole.
Figure 1 – Diagram Shows Volume Gain from Slug
Suited towards surface or subsea applications, the Cameron Type ‘U’ preventer is one of well known wellbore pressure assisted ram preventers . It can come with a single ram (Figure 1) or double rams unit (Figure 2). When it comes to see whether the rams is in closed or opened position, this isn’t possible through observation alone and this is due to the operating rod’s tail end being enclosed inside the preventer itself. Since 1979, all Type ‘U’ preventers have required H2S service capabilities. One of key features of this BOP is a capability to pump open the bonnet doors. Once the four bonnet bolts have been removed, top-load ram changing is made easy by applying closing pressure to push the bonnet out.
Figure 1 – Single Rams Unit – Camron U BOP
Figure 2 – Double Rams Unit – Camron U BOP
For back-off operations to be successful on the first try, plans must be devised and then carefully followed; this should also keep the risk of injury low for rig floor personnel. Of course, the Contractor Driller/Tool pusher and the Fishing Tool Supervisor need to oversee the process since it’s considered a non-routine operation.
Steps for Safety
1) Firstly, a safety meeting, coordinated by the Drilling Supervisor, should take place before the procedure itself. With all rig personnel in attendance, the meeting will explain the no-go areas during torque application (and when torque is held on the drill string), the hazards of the operation, and the proper use of equipment in order to prevent injury.
For personnel not essential to the task at hand, they should stay well away from the rig floor until completion.
2) To hold right or left-hand torque in the string, sometimes rotary slips and rig tongs will be used. If this is the case, the slip insert dies need to be sharp (while also fitting into the slots themselves). If any dies have signs of wear during an inspection, they should be replaced. Continue reading
When penetrated from a platform or a jack-up, shallow gas reservoirs have the potential of being more hazardous. Since the conductor almost reaches the floor of the rig, any kick products discharge into the hazardous zone directly.
To direct the flow overboard, the diverter will close automatically when a shallow gas flow occurs. During a period of stress, the diverter system’s reliability is questionable which is why failure should always be considered.
If a restriction forms in the diverter line, a hazardous situation quickly develops on a bottom supported rig. Around the seabed’s casing, gas can actually broach as a result of the pressure build-up. Whenever this occurs, the risk of the seabed becoming fluidized increases and therefore so does the risk of a rapid reduction in spudcan resistance.
Shallow gas encountered on a jack up rig (Ref – officerofthewatch.com)
When in shallow offshore environments, the formation in which the conductor is set is normally weak, which means it struggles to contain the pressure that occurs during a gas kick. To avoid an underground blowout, the well should be diverted when a kick is detected in these circumstances. This should also prevent gas reaching the conductor shoe.
Whenever a situation demands a riser for drilling, when drilling for the surface casing, Company Policy will dictate that subsea dump valves and an annular preventer are installed at the mudline. Additionally, the surface should have a normal diverter system.
Thanks to extensive experience, we know that shallow gas blowouts cannot be controlled with current diverter systems alone. Instead, the annular preventer and subsea dump valves can be used at the mudline to control the shallow gas flows at the seabed. Once these are installed, the next step should be to unlatch the LMRP or pin connector before then winching off location (no downwind, only up current).
Prior to spud, a contingency plan should be considered with the Drilling Contractor so three main procedures have been covered;
All issues and considerations for the contingency plan can be discussed at the pre-spud meeting. If ever the subsea system fails, the surface diverter system will act as a back-up. Furthermore, the surface diverter system can also be a useful feature for diverting gas in the riser (above the stack).
While the surface hole is open, certain precautions should be taken and these are listed below;
What if the well starts to flow?
If this occurs, the following steps may be useful as a guide;
References
Cormack, D. (2007). An introduction to well control calculations for drilling operations. 1st ed. Texas: Springer.
Crumpton, H. (2010). Well Control for Completions and Interventions. 1st ed. Texas: Gulf Publishing.
Grace, R. (2003). Blowout and well control handbook [recurso electrónico]. 1st ed. Paises Bajos: Gulf Professional Pub.
Grace, R. and Cudd, B. (1994). Advanced blowout & well control. 1st ed. Houston: Gulf Publishing Company.
Watson, D., Brittenham, T. and Moore, P. (2003). Advanced well control. 1st ed. Richardson, Tex.: Society of Petroleum Engineers.
