Stripping well control becomes more complex when encountering an influx, simply called influx penetration.. This article explores how influx penetration, the drill string entering the influx zone, affects well control procedures.
As the drill string enters the influx, the height of the influx increases. This larger influx volume translates to a decrease in hydrostatic pressure within the wellbore. To maintain well control and prevent additional influx due to underbalance condition, the casing pressure at the surface needs to compensate for this pressure reduction. Figure 1 demonstrates influx height change when BHA penetrates into influx. This penetration will elongate the influx casing reduction in hydrostatic pressure.
Figure 1: Influx Penetration
The impact of influx penetration is particularly significant for gas kicks. Due to the lower density of gas compared to wellbore fluids, a gas influx causes a much larger decrease in hydrostatic pressure, requiring a more substantial increase in casing pressure. Continue reading
