Volumetric Well Control – When It Will Be Used

Volumetric well control method is a special well control method which will be used when the normal circulation cannot be done. It is not a kill method but it the method to control bottom hole pressure and allow influx to migrate without causing any damage to the well.

volumetric

There are several situations where you cannot circulate the well as follows:

• Pumps broken down

• Plugged drill string/bit

• Drill string above the kick

• Drill string is out of the hole completely

With the volumetric method, the volume of gas influx will allow migrating and casing pressure will increase till a certain figure then a specific amount of mud will bleed off to compensate the increase in casing pressure. The volumetric method will allow the kick to surface while the bottom hole pressure is almost constant. Successful use of volumetric method requires personnel understand three basic concepts – Continue reading