2 Types of Shut-In (Hard Shut In and Soft Shut In)

For the drilling industry especially when we talk about well control, there are 2 types of shut in which are Hard Shut-in and Soft Shut-in.  This post will describe both shut in types and I wish I would be helpful for you all 🙂

Hard shut in: It means that while drilling choke line valves (HCR) are in the closed position; it will be opened after the well is shut in. The hard shut-in is the fastest method to shut in the well; therefore, it will minimize volume of kick allowed into wellbore.

Soft Shut In: It means that while drilling, the choke line valves (HCR) are in the opened position. When the well control situation is occurred, you shut in BOP and then close choke valves to shut in the well. The soft shut in procedure allows fluid to flow through the surface choke line before the well will be completely shut in. This is the bad part of the soft shut in procedure because it doesn’t minimize the size of the wellbore influx.

The shut in procedure is the company specific procedure. You need to follow your company policy to shut in the well. Anyway, I personally recommend “HARD SHUT IN PROCEDURE” because it allows me to shut well in as quickly as possible and kick volume entering into a well bore will be minimized. Please also remember that less volume of kick you have in the well bore, the less problem you will see when you attempt to kill the well.

Reference book: Well Control Books

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4 Responses to 2 Types of Shut-In (Hard Shut In and Soft Shut In)

  1. lapereau says:

    I agree with your recommendation. Our company policy adapted the “Fast” shut in method. Quite similar to the hard shut in, but instead of closing on the pipe ram, it closed on the bag preventer first. Then if necessary, spacing out by stripping to close the pipe ram (after HCR opened). I think it slightly better than the hard shut-in since we can close the well even faster (thus minimizing the influx volume), what do you think? Thanks a lot for sharing, I found your posts to be very usefull and informative…

  2. EDWIN says:

    I believe using the HARD SHUT IN : , depending on the history of the well , because we had a situation on a well were we got a kick and partial looses at the same time so I think HARD SHUT IN,will not help much with your looses also I think that in a HARD SHUT IN : situation I would prefer to open first the choke HCR first and in the same seconds I will close the BOP , my thinking for this, is that if the pressure is to much it might effect in opening the choke HCR and you already have the HYDRAULIC CONTROL CHOKE CLOSED so it will still be considered as HARD SHUT IN : your comments will be highly appreciated Thanks a lot .

  3. Uthman Lukman says:

    Hello sir/madams, I am a young engineer currently studying petroleum engineering and geosciences in petroleum training institute, Effurun Delta state Nigeria. I am willing to work and learn, all I need is empowerment. Thank you!!!

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