Introduction to Shallow Gas Well Control

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This is the introduction to shallow gas well control which will briefly describe the overview of shallow gas and some related information. We have few articles regarding this topics and we will separate into small parts for better understanding. Let’s get started.

Whenever offshore shallow gas accumulations are seen, they’re normally linked with down sand lenses enveloped by mudstones. Typically, lenses will be permeable, unconsolidated, and highly-porous when found in shallow depths. Although normally flat, thin, and normally pressured, many have previously encountered over-pressured lenses. When at this depth, one cause of over pressure is inclination of the lens; this can therefore increase both the lens height and pore pressure gradient (top of the lens).

Although rare, shallow gas can also be linked with vuggy limestone or buried reefs; these have the risk of being infinitely permeable and incredibly porous.

Shallow gas kick

Shallow gas kick

When drilling in the top-hole section, resulting kicks from shallow sands can be dangerous with short casing strings; there are many case histories to show this. Charged formations can also cause kicks from shallow sands and this itself can be a result of improper abandonments, previous underground blowouts, casing leaks, injection operations, and poor cement jobs.

The example of the shallow gas blow out is below.

Sedco 700 Shallow Gas Blow Out 6 June 2009

 When it comes to shallow gas kicks, the most common cause is a loss of hydrostatic head and this can be a result of two common problems;

  • Expanding drilled gas unloading the annulus
  • Poor hole fill while tripping
  • Losses through the overloading of the annulus with cuttings

In order to minimize the risk of inducing a shallow gas flow, we recommend some general precautions including restricting the rate of penetration, drilling a pilot hole, drilling riserless, and always monitoring the hole.

High flow rates of gas are often produced by shallow gas flows; high quantities of rocks from the formation are also possible. This is particularly true after long sections of sand have been exposed. When a shallow gas flow occurs, the representative responsible should contact a senior contract representative; all non-essential individuals should be evacuated from the rig. This eventuality should always be addressed, and there should be an implementation of the contractor’s emergency evacuation. Continue reading →

Oilfield Resume Writing Tips

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There are few good resume writing tips that we would like to share.

Language used in your resume should be: 

  • Easy to read and understand quickly
  • Specific and to the point rather than general
  • Active sentences rather than passive ones
  • Written to express not impress
  • Express yourself clearly and easily
  • Fact-based and not put the fake information

DO’s and DON’Ts for Resumes

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Possible Wellbore Problems during Well Kill Operation

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In the previous article, Common Problems and Complications During Well Kill Operation, it is about commons complications that can be possibly seen while performing well control operation. For this article, it will discuss other wellbore problems which are stuck pipe, surface pressure reaching to MAASP, lost of control and hydrate.

Stuck Pipe

During a well control operation, a stuck pipe can occur and this has the potential to lead to serious issues. Whenever the pipe is off bottom, the chances of the pipe getting stuck increases. Therefore, rotating the pipe should reduce the risk of this problem occurring. However, with the well shut it, it is impossible to rotate to minimize stuck pipe so the stuck pipe should be dealt after the well is properly secured.

Throughout well control operation, wellbore pressures will be high and this means the most common cause of a stuck pipe comes from differential sticking. However, this isn’t to say mechanical sticking can’t occur if the hole sloughs and packs-off after coming into contact with the influx fluids.

Operation can normally continue when the pipe is differentially stuck (with the bit on bottom) because the well can still be killed with circulation. Once the well is killed, then the pipe can be free safely later.

When the bit is off bottom and the pipe becomes differentially stuck, this is a more complicated scenario since it’s more difficult to reduce wellbore pressure; at that depth, it’s normally impossible to achieve a reduction by circulation. Although there may be opportunities to spot a freeing agent and free the pipe, volumetric control is the chosen method if the influx was swabbed in.

When the pipe is mechanically stuck, the pipe can be freed by spotting a freeing agent and working the pipe (by combining the two, the desired result is achievable!).

Stuck Pipe due to Differential Sticking

Figure 1 – Stuck Pipe due to Differential Sticking

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General Resume Formatting Guidelines for Oilfield People

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Now that we have covered the most basic elements of an impressive resume from previous articles, let’s take a look at some finer resume formatting points. This section will describe about general guidelines for oilfield resume formatting and designing a compelling resume that suits for yourself.

Your resume should be written to look appealing to the eye. This is best accomplished by keeping in mind the following:

  • Structure looks clean and flows well
  • Very easy to read/not at all complicated
  • Easily understood with simple wording and phrases
  • Contains good overall balance
  • Not crowded/contains plenty of white space
  • Sections are concise and shorter when possible

All formatting should be consistent. And not too heavy on the bolding, italics and underlining. These features should only be used for best effect and not in uniformity. Continue reading →

What’s a Poor Boy Degasser (Mud Gas Separator)?

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Poor Boy Degasser or Mud Gas Seperator, located downstream of the choke manifold, is a vertical vessel used to separate any gas from drilling fluid during well control situation. Once the gas has been separated, it can pass through the vent line in the derrick. Alternatively, as long as it’s a safe distance from the rig, it could even be vented.

Figure 1 - Poor Boy Degasser (Courtesy of H-Screening)

Figure 1 – Poor Boy Degasser (Courtesy of H-Screening)

With mud’s separators, there are two main types. Also known as a ‘poor-boy’ and a ‘gas buster’, the more common of the two is called an atmospheric mud/gas separator. However, some mud/gas separators are designed to operate at moderate back pressure. Although these will mostly operate under 100 psig, it’s possible to come across those that work at the atmospheric gas vent line pressure plus the vent line friction drop. The simple diagram of poor boy degasser is show in figure 2.

mud-gas-seperator-1

Figure 2 – Poor Boy Degasser (Mud Gas Separator) Diagram Continue reading →