Well Control

Principles & Procedures

Exercise 1
1 What is the correct definition of normal formation pressure?

a. Pressure due to the overburden gradient.

b. Pressure in the pore spaces due to hydrostatic pressure of formation fluid.
c. A combination of the weight of rock and fluid above a formation.
d. Pressure due to the weight of the rock above a formation.

2. While formation pressure gradients vary around the world they are generally assumed to
be:

a. .495 psi/ft.
b. .564 psi/ft.
c. .833 psi/ft.
d. .465 psi/ft.

3. The mud weight required to balance normal formation pressure would have to be:

a. 8.3 ppg.
b. 10.3 ppg.
c. 9.0 ppg.
d. 9.5 ppg.

4. What is meant by Abnormal Formation Pressure?

a. High overbalance with heavy mud.

b. Formation fluid pressure that is greater than normal formation water hydrostatic
c. Pressure required to exceed MAASP.
d. The excess pressure due to annular pressure loss.

5. Convert the following pressure gradients to mud weights:

Gradient Mud Wt.

a. .56 psi/ft = ppg

b. .81 psi/ft = ppg

6. Convert the following mud weights to pressure gradients:

Mud Wt. Pressure Gradient.

a. 10.4 ppg = psi/ft

b. 14 ppg = psi/ft
7. Calculate mud weight required for these wells:

a. BHP = 9,800 psi, Depth = 9,800 feet

Mud Wt. = __________ ppg

b. BHP = 4,580 psi, Depth = 10,000 feet TVD, 11,500 feet M.D.

Mud Wt. = __________ ppg

8. Calculate the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the following mud weights/gradients:

a. 9.5 ppg at 9,000 feet M.D. and 8,000 feet T.V.D.

___________ psi

b. 15.5 ppg at 18,000 feet T.V.D. and 21,000 feet M.D.

___________ psi

c. 0.889 psi/ft at 11,000 feet M.D. and 9,500 feet T.V.D

___________ psi

9. Select the correct definition of porosity.

a. The amount of solid rock in the formation.

b. The void space in the formation.
c. The ability of the formation to allow fluid to flow.
d. The ability to produce as a reservoir.

10. Is it possible to have porosity and permeability, one without the other?

a. Both must exist together.

b. Can have permeability without porosity.
c. Can have porosity without permeability.

11. To add a 280 psi trip margin to a present mud weight of 10.6 ppg at a depth of 8000 ft
your new mud weight would be:

a. 10.91 ppg
b. 11.27 ppg
c. 12.52 ppg
d. 13.15 ppg

12. Which of the following could indicate that the well may be going underbalanced? (Two
answers)

a. An increase in the size and amount of cuttings.

b. An increase in the mud density returning at shakers.
c. Increase in background gas levels.
d. A gradual reduction in the drilling rate.
e. An increase in pump pressure.
13. What should the Driller do at a drilling break?

a. Stop drilling and flow check.

b. Stop drilling and circulate bottoms up.
c. Increase pump speed to keep hole clean.
d. Reduce weight on bit and control drill.

14. ROP remains steady. Cuttings volume at shaker is increasing, causing overloading.
Which of the following would be the safest course of action?

a. By-pass the shakers.

b. Check for flow, if negative, circulate bottoms up at a reduced rate so shakers can
handle cuttings volume. Monitor pit levels closely.
c. Increase pump rate to improve hole cleaning.
d. Reduce pump rate until shakers can handle volume of cuttings.

15. Mud monitoring equipment such as pit volume totalisers and pit alarms, trip tanks, and
trip tank alarms should be used:

a. Any time the well is open.

b. Any time fluid is circulated through the mud pits.
c. Only in production and abnormal pressure formations.
d. Only in deeper formations.

16. Which of the following causes of well kicks is totally avoidable and due to bad practice by
the Driller?

a. Gas cut mud.

b. Not keeping hole full during a trip.
c. Abnormal formation pressure.
d. Reduction in mud hydrostatic due to lost circulation.

17. What are the positive indicators of a kick seen by the Driller?
(Two answers)

a. Increase in flow rate

b. Decrease in pit volume
c. Decrease in flow rate
d. Increase in pit volume

18. Which of the following actions will make it more difficult to detect a pit gain?

a. Setting high/low alarms to +/- 5 barrels.

b. By-passing the shakers.
c. Allowing mud to overflow shakers.
d. Keeping mud transfers to a minimum while drilling ahead.

19. Which of the following is not a warning sign of increasing formation pressure?

a. Increase in pump pressure.

b. Gas cut mud.
c. Decrease in shale density.
d. Connection gas.
e. Increase in mud temperature.
20. Which of the following are possible indications of a kick?

a. Minor lost circulation.

b. An increase in pump pressure, decrease in pump strokes.
c. An increase in mud flow, mud volume, and a decrease in pump pressure.
d. Reduced drilling rates.

21. Overpull (drag) while tripping is a stuck pipe warning sign. What problem may overpull
increase the risk of?

a. Surging.
b. Swabbing.
c. On-bottom kick.
d. Increase in bottom hole pressure.

22. Select the factors that can cause swabbing.

(Three answers)

a. High viscosity mud.

b. Keeping the hole full.
c. Pumping out of the hole.
d. Balled up bit or stabilisers.
e. Pulling out of hole too fast.

23. Swabbing is due to?

a. An increase in bottom hole pressure while tripping.

b. A reduction in bottom hole pressure while tripping.
c. A kick.
d. Lost circulation.

24. What is the correct action if the hole does not take the proper amount of fluid while
tripping out of the hole?

a. Flow check, and if no flow, pull out of hole.

b. Stop, spot a high viscosity pill, then pump out of the hole.
c. Flow check, if negative, run back to bottom, circulate bottoms up and evaluate
the problem.
d. Continue to the shoe then evacuate.

25. If there are total losses and the mud cannot be seen in the annulus, what action should be
taken?

a. Increase pump rate by 30% and continue drilling.

b. Slow down the pump and start mixing LCM.
c. Try to fill the annulus with water or the lightest fluid available and record volume
pumped.
d. Close the well in.

26. Do kicks always occur following total losses?

a. Yes, losses will always occur in this situation.

b. No, it depends on the mud viscosity.
c. No, it depends on how much the mud level drops in the annulus
27. When tripping in the hole, mud returns to the trip tank are less than calculated. Once back
drilling, the return flow is less than expected. What is the most likely cause of this?

a. Swabbing.
b. A kick.
c. Total losses.
d. Partial losses.

28. Mud losses are 20 bbls/hour.

Annular capacity 0.1252 bbls/ft
Mud density 12 ppg

What would be the effect on bottom hole pressure if the hole was not filled for a period of
2 hours?

a. Decrease by 320 psi

b. Decrease by 200 psi.
c. Decrease by 150 psi.
d. Decrease by 470 psi.

29. How will the drilling of a gas bearing formation affect bottom hole pressure?

a. Bottom hole pressure will fall by a large amount.

b. Drilled gas in the mud, as a result of drilling through a gas bearing formation, will
normally cause a small reduction in the bottom hole pressure.
c. There will be no change in bottom hole pressure.

30. Drilled gas will reduce the bottom hole pressure the most when:

a. It enters the wellbore.

b. At the casing shoe.
c. It is near the surface.
d. None, it will not change bottom hole pressure

31. In the following well:

Vertical depth 8,000 ft

Mud density 11.50 ppg

Mud is gas cut in the annulus and has the following densities:

Surface to 800 feet mud density of 10.20 ppg

800 - 2,000 ft mud density of 11.00 ppg
2,000 ft to bottom mud density of 11.50 ppg

Calculate the reduction in bottom hole pressure due to the gas cut mud.

a. 20 psi
b. 70 psi
c. 85 psi
d. 108 psi
32. If a light mud pill is circulated around the well, when will the bottom hole pressure start to
decrease?

a. Once all the pill is in the annulus.

b. When all the pill has been pumped into the drillstring.
c. When the pill starts to be pumped into the drillstring.
d. When the pill starts to be pumped into the annulus.

33. Measured depth 9,800 ft

Mud weight 9.4 ppg

The mud from 3800 feet to surface is to be displaced with 8.5 ppg water. What will be the
BHP after displacement of the water?

a. 1,680 psi
b. 2,933 psi
c. 4,612 psi
d. 4,815 psi

34. If the fluid level in a well bore fell by 800 ft and it had a density of 10.5 ppg.,
how much would bottom hole pressure be reduced by:

psi

35. Which of the following must be performed before taking a leak-off test?
(Four answers)

a. Circulate and condition the mud to get same weight all the way around.
b. Line up through kill line and pump at the slow circulating rate.
c. Raise the bit up inside the shoe.
d. Shut the well in.
e. Drill 10-15 feet of new formation.

36. Which of the following could influence the leak-off test result?
(Two answers)

a. Volume of mud in the well.

b. The slow circulating rate (SCR).
c. Having mud of different densities around the well.
d. Maximum pressure mud pump can handle.
e. Mud hydrostatic in the annulus.

37. Which of the following conditions help to obtain accurate formation strength at the shoe?
(Three answers)

a. Good pressure test of surface equipment.

b. Working spm gauge.
c. Calibrated pressure gauges.
d. Clean mud in well.
e. Accurate measured depth of casing shoe.
f. Accurate calculation of annular volume.
38. Given the following information:

Well Depth 10,000 ft TVD

9 5/8" Shoe 9,000 ft TVD
Current mud weight 10.3 ppg

A LOT is carried out and the following graph is obtained:

1800
1600
1400
1200
Pressure

1000
800
600
400
200
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
bbls

a. What is the LOT pressure?

psi

b. What is the maximum mud weight that could be used?

ppg

c. What is the fracture pressure at the shoe?

Psi
39. The following vertical well is being drilled from a land rig.

Depth 4500 ft
13 3/8" casing shoe 4000 ft
Fracture gradient 0.606 psi/ft
Mud gradient 0.495 psi/ft

a. What is the MAASP?

psi

b. What is the maximum mud weight which could be used?

ppg

c. What is the fracture pressure at the casing shoe?

psi

40. Select the correct definition of MAASP:

a. Maximum pressure permissible in the mud gas separator.

b. The maximum pressure which can be held at the surface before the formation
breaks down.
c. The highest pressure anticipated at surface.
d. Maximum pressure to which the surface equipment is rated.

41. What happens to MAASP if the mud weight is increased?

a. MAASP will increase.

b. MAASP will decrease.
c. MAASP will stay the same.

42. Which of the following increase the risk of exceeding MAASP during a well kill? (Three
answers)

a. Short section of open hole.

b. Large influx.
c. Small influx.
d. Large overbalance.
e. Small overbalance.
f. Long section of open hole.

43. Which of the following can affect MAASP?

(Three answers)

a. Annular volume.
b. pH of the mud.
c. Vertical depth of the shoe.
d. Mud weight.
e. The maximum pressure the pump can handle.
f. The fracture pressure of the formation at the casing shoe.
 5
44. 9 /8 inch casing set at 8,900 feet TVD. Formation strength at the shoe is 6,350 psi. Mud
weight is 11 ppg.

Calculate MAASP.

a. 5,091 psi.
b. 1,260 psi.
c. 3,832 psi.
d. 685 psi.

45. When should MAASP be recalculated?

a. At top of the reservoir.

b. After changing mud weight.
c. Every 12 hours.
d. At casing setting point.

46. Using the following data from Leak Off test results. Calculate Maximum Allowable Mud
Weights:

L.O.T Mud Wt. Shoe Depth. T.V.D. Max Mud

Pressure Wt

a. 1800 psi 11.4 ppg 9000 ft = ppg

b. 1560 psi 10.6 ppg 7400 ft = ppg

c. 1420 psi 9.8 ppg 6350 ft = ppg

47. Calculate new MAASP from the following data:

Max Allow Mud Wt. Shoe Depth

Mud Wt. in use T.V.D. MAASP

a. 19 ppg 12 ppg 8000 ft = _______ psi

b. 16.7 ppg 11.5 ppg 6800 ft = _______ psi

c. 15 ppg 9.2 ppg 5500 ft = _______ psi

48. Which is the only one of the circulating system pressure losses acting on BHP?

a. Pressure loss in the surface equipment.

b. Pressure loss in the annulus.
c. Pressure loss in the drill string.
d. Pressure loss in the drill collars.
e. Pressure loss across the nozzles.
49. Given the following, calculate the expected pump pressure:

Surface equipment pressure loss 150

Drill string pressure loss 950
Bit pressure loss 1000
Annular pressure loss 200

Pump pressure psi

50. If, in Question 49, the vertical depth of the well was 8,000 ft and the mud weight 10.5
ppg, calculate the following:

Static BHP psi

BHCP psi

51. If pump strokes are decreased, what happens to the friction losses in the annulus?

a. Increase.
b. Decrease.
c. Stay the same.

52. Calculate the approximate pump pressure you would see at the new pump rate:

Old Stk's Old Pressure New Stk's New Pressure

a. 30 spm 600 psi 40 spm = ____________ psi

b. 80 spm 2500 psi 60 spm = ____________ psi

c. 70 spm 1800 psi 20 spm = ____________ psi

53. Calculate the Pump Pressure you would expect after the following mud weight changes:

Old Mud Wt. Old Pressure New Mud Wt. New Pressure.

a. 10 ppg 2200 psi 10.5 ppg = _____________ psi

b. 9.5 ppg 1800 psi 9.8 ppg = _____________ psi

c. 11.8 ppg 600 psi 12.4 ppg = _____________ psi

54. Why would the Stand pipe pressure gauge on the rig floor read a lower pressure than the
gauge on the pump?

a. The pressure loss from the pump to the rig floor affects the readings.
b. The pump pressure gauge on the rig floor is lower than the gauge on the pump.
c. The mud is less dense at the pump.
55. Calculate the Bottom Hole Circulating Pressure in each well:

A.P.L. Depth Mud Wt. B.H.C.P.

a. 400 psi 12500 ft 10 ppg = ________ psi

b. 250 psi 9160 ft 10.5 ppg = ________ psi

56. Calculate the Equivalent Circulating Density in each well:

A.P.L. Hydrostatic Depth T.V.D. E.C.D.

Pressure.

a. 350 psi 5050 psi 9800 ft = ______ ppg

b. 40 psi 6800 psi 12000 ft = ______ ppg

57. What is the problem if the Pit Level increases with pumps off, but stays constant when
pumps running?

a. Pumps pressure is greater than mud hydrostatic

b. APL are creating an overbalance to prevent influx
c. Mud hydrostatic is greater than formation pressure
d. The pit is leaking mud

58. Which of the following drilling practices should be considered when connection gas is
noticed?
(Two answers)

a. Increase mud viscosity.

b. Minimise time spent with pumps off.
c. Reduce mud weight by a small amount.
d. Control ROP so only one slug of connection gas is in the hole at any one time.
e. Change the bit.

59. Which of the following affect the choice of slow circulation rate?
(Four answers)

a. Casing burst pressure.

b. Annular friction losses.
c. Ability to mix kill mud.
d. Volume of trip tank.
e. Capacity of Mud Gas Separator.
f. Viscosity of Mud

60. Which of the following statements about slow circulating rates (SCR) are correct? (Three
answers).

a. SCR's should be taken through the choke manifold.

b. SCR's are needed to calculate formation pressure.
c. SCR's should be taken when mud properties are changed.
d. SCR's should be read on the drill pipe pressure gauge at the remote choke
panel.
e. SCR's should be taken with the bit near the bottom.
61. SCR`s should be taken with minimum two pumps at two different rates.

True / False

62 Select 5 situations, from the list, under which you would consider taking a new SCR.

a. Every shift.
b. Before and after a leak-off test.
c. Mud property changes.
d. Mud weight changes.
e. After each connection when drilling with top drives.
f. After recharging mud pump pulsation dampener.
g. When long sections of hole are drilled rapidly.
h. When returning to drilling after a kick.

63. An influx is to be displaced from the hole at a pump rate slower than used when drilling.
Why?
(Four answers)

a. Allow Choke Operator time to make the necessary choke adjustments.

b. To reduce damage to the pump.
c. Minimise pressures in the wellbore.
d. To allow kick fluids to be handled at surface.
e. To reduce gas migration.
f. To reduce the chance of overloading the mud gas separator.

64. Which of the following would result in a higher pump pressure for a constant pump rate?
(Two answers)

a. Using larger nozzles.

b. Drilling deeper.
c. When the mud weight is reduced.
d. Increasing the length of the BHA

65. Listed below are two procedures to shut in the well:

a. With choke open, pick up off bottom, shut down pumps, open side outlet valve on BOP,
close BOP, close the choke, record pressures.

b. With choke closed, pick up off bottom, shut down pumps, close BOP, open side outlet
valve on BOP,record pressures.

Which procedure above is: -

Hard shut in

Soft shut in
66. How should the choke manifold be lined up, when drilling, for a soft shut in procedure?
(Tick the appropriate box below).

a. Side outlet valve on BOP closed.

Choke line open through remote adjustable choke.
Remote adjustable choke closed.

b. Side outlet valve on BOP open.

Choke line open through manual choke.
Remote choke open.

c. Side outlet valve on BOP open.

Choke line open through remote adjustable choke.
Manual choke closed.

d. Side outlet valve on BOP closed.

Choke line open through remote adjustable choke.
Remote adjustable choke open.

67. How should the choke manifold be lined up, when drilling, for a hard shut in procedure?
(Tick the appropriate box below).

a. Side outlet valve on BOP closed.

Choke line open through remote adjustable choke.
Remote adjustable choke closed.

b. Side outlet valve on BOP open.

Choke line open through manual choke.
Remote choke open.

c. Side outlet valve on BOP open.

Choke line open through remote adjustable choke.
Manual choke closed.

d. Side outlet valve on BOP closed.

Choke line open through remote adjustable choke.
Remote adjustable choke open.
68. From the list of practices shown below, select those which lead to an increase in the size
of the influx?
(Three answers)

a. Running regular pit drills for Drill Crew.

b. Switching off the flow meter alarms.
c. Regular briefing for the Derrickman on his duties regarding the monitoring of pit
level.
d. Drilling a further 15 feet after a drilling break before flow checking.
e. Calling Toolpusher to floor prior to shutting in the well.
f. Testing stab in valves during BOP tests.

69. Which Type of formation will result to bigger size of influx for the same period of time?

a. High pressure, low permeability

b. Low pressure, high permeability
c. Low pressure, low permeability
d. High pressure, high permeability

70. The well starts to flow when tripping out of the hole. Which of the following actions should
be taken to close the well in using the soft shut in?

a. Close the BOP

stab full opening safety valve
open choke
close the safety valve.

b. Stab full opening safety valve

open BOP side outlet hydraulic valve
close BOP
close choke.

c. Open BOP side outlet hydraulic valve

close BOP
stab full opening safety valve
close choke.
close safety valve.

d. Stab a full opening safety valve

close the safety valve
open BOP side outlet hydraulic valve
close BOP
close choke.
71. Put the following five steps in the correct sequence to shut in a well with soft shut in on a
surface BOP installation

a.____ Open the BOP side outlet valve on choke line

b.____ With choke open, position the drill string correctly
c.____ Stop the pumps
d.____ Close the remote choke
e.____ Close the BOP

72. What determines the rate of the first build up to the stabilised pressures in a shut in well?

a. Permeability of the formation.

b. Speed at which the shut in was carried out.
c. The shut in method used.
d. Gas migration.
e. Porosity of the formation

73. When shutting in on a kick, which of the following are affected by formation permeability?
(Three answers)

a. Time for pressure to stabilise.

b. The bottom hole pressure.
c. SICP.
d. SIDPP.
e. Size of influx.

74. If gas is migrating and you are unable to start the kill operation, which pressure should
be held constant to maintain a constant bottom hole pressure?

a. Shut In Casing Pressure.

b. Casing Shoe Pressure.
c. Influx Pressure.
d. Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure.

75. What would be the best course of action with regard to the second increase in pressure?
Pressures have increased by 300 psi and you are waiting to circulate out the kick.

a. Monitor it, but do nothing, the increase is a good safety margin.

b. Bleed 300 psi off the casing gauge to keep BHP constant until ready to kill.
c. Bleed 100 psi off the casing gauge to leave 200 psi safety margin and keep BHP
constant until ready to kill.
d. Bleed 100 psi off the drillpipe gauge, leaving a 100 psi safety margin. Repeat
after the next increase until ready to kill.

76. Why is it important to shut the well in quickly if a kick is detected?

a. Keep kick volume as small as possible.

b. Prevent gas migration.
c. Keep SIDPP as small as possible.
77. Which two of the following determine the SIDPP?

a. Influx density.
b. Influx size.
c. Mud density inside the drillstring.
d. Formation fluid pressure.
e. Cuttings volume in the annulus.

78. Which pressure gauge readings could be used to calculate formation pressure?
(Two answers)

a. Accumulator gauge.
b. Casing pressure gauge on choke panel.
c. Drill pipe pressure gauge at Driller's console.
d. Drill pipe pressure gauge on choke panel.

79. What action should be taken if a well is shut in and a float is in the string?

a. Calculate kill mud density using Shut In Casing Pressure.

b. Raise the mud density by 0.5 ppg increments until the well is dead.
c. Pump very slowly into the drill string with the well shut in. When the SICP
increases, the float valve should have opened. The drill pipe pressure is the Shut
In Drill Pipe Pressure.
d. Remove top drive or kelly and install a float opening tool

80. Why is casing pressure usually higher than the Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure?

a. Choke line is larger in diameter than kill line.

b. The influx fluid is usually lighter than the mud and it is in the annulus .
c. The choke line is longer than the kill line.
d. Cuttings in the annulus help reduce the hydrostatic pressure.

81. In a well kick situation SICP is normally greater than SIDPP. If the annulus was loaded
with cuttings at the time of shut in, how would this affect SICP compared to a clean
annulus?

a. SICP would be higher.

b. SICP would be lower.
c. SICP would be the same.

82. After SIDPP and SICP have stabilised, it is noticed that they both start slowly rising due to
gas migration. If casing pressure is kept constant what will happen to BHP?

a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay constant
83. A well is shut in.

SIDPP = 400 psi

SICP = 600 psi

Both pressures start to rise due to gas migration. Which of the following represents the
best procedure to maintain BHP?

a. Allow the SIDPP to increase by 200 psi. Bleed the 200 psi off through the choke
using the SICP.
b. Allow the SIDPP to increase by 200 psi. Bleed off 100 psi, through the choke
(leaving 100 psi overbalance), using the SIDPP.
c. Bleed the drill pipe pressure down in 100 psi increments at the standpipe
manifold.
d. Bleed off 1 bbl at a time through the choke until the well is balanced.

84. SIDPP 700 psi

SICP 900 psi
Mud weight 13.5 ppg
Influx gradient 0.15 psi/ft

After 30 minutes, both SIDPP and SICP have risen by 150 psi. Calculate speed in ft/hour that
influx is migrating.

a. 214 ft/h
b. 427 ft/h
c. 14 ft/h
d. 28 ft/h

85. Well has been shut in on a kick.

Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure 400 psi

Shut In Casing Pressure 600 psi

Both pressures start rising due to gas migration. If casing pressure is held constant at 600
psi, what will happen to the bottom hole pressure?

a. Increase.
b. Decrease.
c. Stay constant.

86. TVD 8,000 ft

Mud density 10 ppg
SlDPP 600 psi
Height of influx 700 ft
Influx density 0.1 psi/ft

Calculate Shut In Casing Pressure (SICP).

a. 700 psi
b. 600 psi
c. 294 psi
d. 894 psi
87. Given the following data:

Depth (MD/TVD) : 16435 ft

Mud weight : 15.9 ppg
Length of drill collars : 1000 ft
DC/OH capacity : 0.0292 bbl/ft
SIDPP : 800 psi
SICP : 1050 psi
Kick size : 12 bbls

Calculate:

a. The height of the influx.

feet

b. The influx gradient.

psi

88. For each of the following statements, note if it relates to either the Wait and Weight
method or the Driller's Method. Tick the appropriate space.
a. Drill pipe pressure maintained at ICP for the first circulation.

Driller's Wait and Weight

b. Usually results in lower annulus pressures.

Driller's Wait and Weight

c. Kill mud pumped as influx circulated out.

Driller's Wait and Weight

d. Influx circulated out prior to pumping kill mud.

Driller's Wait and Weight

89. Using the following data calculate the required kill mud weight:

SICP SIDPP Mud Wt. Depth T.V.D. Depth M.D. Kill Mud

a. 600 psi 450 psi 10 ppg 9500 ft 10000 ft = ________ ppg

b. 850 psi 690 psi 11 ppg 12000 ft 12300 ft = ________ ppg

c. 780 psi 570 psi 10.5 ppg 11200 ft 11800 ft = ________ ppg

d. 700 psi 300 psi 14 ppg 13000 ft 13400 ft = ________ ppg

90. Which of the following statements are true when starting up to kill a well?
(Two answers)

a. Maintain the drill pipe pressure constant when bringing the pump up to kill speed.
b. The surface line volume (pump to rig floor) will affect the time at which kill mud
starts to increase mud hydrostatic.
c. Bring pump up to speed holding casing pressure constant.
d. The surface line volume (pump to rig floor) will not need to be considered during
start up.

91. When circulating up a gas influx, what will happen to the pit volume while the gas is
circulated up the hole?

a. It will stay the same.

b. It will decrease.
c. It will increase.

92. Ready to kill well using Wait and Weight method. It takes 100 strokes to pump kill mud to
the rig floor. What action has to be taken?

a. Re-zero stroke counter after 100 strokes are pumped.

b. Add the 100 strokes to the bit to surface strokes.
c. Ignore the 100 strokes. It will not affect the drill pipe pressure graph.

93. Which of the following kill techniques will minimise risk of losses?

a. Bullheading Method.
b. Driller's Method.
c. Wait and Weight Method.
d. Volumetric Method.

94. A well is being killed using the Driller's Method.

Original SIDPP 750 psi
Original SICP 1,000 psi,

After the first circulation the well is shut in and pressure allowed to stabilise. They read:
SIDPP 750 psi
SICP 850 psi

It is decided not to spend anymore time circulating. Which one of the following actions should
be taken?

a. Continue with the second circulation, using a step down as per the Wait and
Weight Method.
b. Bullhead to reduce SICP to 0 psi.
c. Continue with second circulation of Driller's Method, holding casing pressure
constant until kill mud reaches the bit.
d. Reverse circulate to reduce pressures to 0 psi.
95. When using the Driller's Method what should happen to the casing pressure as kill mud is
pumped to the bit?

a. Stay the same.

b. Decrease.
c. Increase.

96. The Shut In Casing Pressure (SICP) is used to:

a. Establish the true Initial Circulating Pressure at start up.

b. Calculate kill mud weight.
c. Calculate Initial Circulating Pressure.

97. Final Circulating Pressure (FCP) is maintained constant:

a. Once influx is out of the well.

b. Once kill mud has passed the bit.
c. Once kill mud reaches the casing shoe.
d. When pumping kill mud down to the bit.

98. Well has kicked when 30 stands off bottom. Shut in pressures both equal 150 psi.

Which of the following is the best action to take to restore primary control?

a. Strip to bottom and circulate well using Driller's Method.

b. Circulate kick out while 30 stands off bottom using the Driller's Method.
c. Raise mud weight by 150 psi and circulate out using Wait and Weight Method.

99. What is the correct action to take when stripping in the hole? Assume that there is no
influx migration.

a. Strip in until casing pressure equals MAASP then bleed off each stand to keep
casing pressure constant.
b. Bleed off the drill pipe capacity each stand.
c. Bleed off the drill pipe closed end displacement each stand.
d. Bleed off the drill pipe steel displacement each stand.

100. During a trip out, the well kicks due to swabbing. The pipe is stripped back to bottom. The
original mud weight is sufficient to control the well.

True / False

101. SIDPP recorded with the bit on bottom is used to calculate:

(Two answers)

a. Increase in mud weight to balance formation pressure.

b. Height of influx.
c. Initial circulating pressure.
d. Final circulating pressure.
e. MAASP.

102. Initial Circulating Pressure should be held constant if no extra mud weight is used to
circulate out a kick as in the first circulation of the Drillers method.

True / False.
103. After circulating out the influx in the first circulation of the Drillers method, SICP and
SIDPP should be the same.

True / False.

104. Final circulating pressure is reached when:

a. Kill weight mud reaches the bit.

b. The influx is circulated out.
c. Kill weight mud has made a complete circulation
d. The pit level has been kept constant for one circulation

105. To find Initial Circulating Pressure when the slow pump pressure is not known and a kick
has been taken, you would:

a. Bring the pump up to the desired stroke rate while keeping the casing pressure
constant by working the hydraulic choke. Drillpipe pressure is ICP.
b. Add 200 psi to the casing pressure and bring pump up to desired pump rate
while using the choke to keep casing pressure constant.
c. Add 100 psi to SIDPP and circulate out the kick.
d. Circulate at desired strokes to circulate out kick, but hold 200 psi back pressure
on the drill pipe.

106. The greatest applied pressure to the casing shoe is when the highest pressure is at the
surface.

True / False.

107. When a salt water kick is being circulated up a well, the surface pit volume will:

a. Increase.
b. Decrease.
c. Stay the same.

108. In which of the following situations will the Wait and Weight method give lower casing
shoe pressure compared to Driller's Method?

a. If drill string capacity is less than open hole capacity (minus influx size).
b. If drill string capacity is greater than open hole capacity (minus influx size).
c. Wait and Weight always results in lower casing shoe pressure.
109. A gas kick is being circulated out. What will happen to the bottom hole pressure in the
three situations below? (Assume no pressure loss in the annulus).

1. If drill pipe pressure is held constant when kill mud is being pumped to the bit?

a. Stay the same.

b. Increase.
c. Decrease.

2. If the gas influx is not allowed to expand on first circulation of Driller`s method?

a. Stay the same.

b. Increase.
c. Decrease.

3. If spm is increased holding casing pressure constant?

a. Stay the same.

b. Increase.
c. Decrease.

110. A kick is taken while drilling a horizontal well. Using the data below, calculate the kill mud
weight.

Well Data:
True vertical depth at start of horizontal 4,050 ft
True vertical depth at time of kick 3,970 ft
Drilling fluid density 11.2 ppg

Kick Data:
Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure 150 psi
Shut In Casing Pressure 150 psi

ppg

111. If a kick occurs while drilling a horizontal well, why is there little or no difference between
SIDPP and SICP?

a. In horizontal wells, the influx is not able to migrate.

b. Mud density and formation fluid density are the same when drilling horizontal
wells.
c. Volume inside the string is the same as volume in the annulus.
d. The vertical height of the influx has little effect on the hydrostatic head in the
annulus.
112. Drill pipe is to be stripped in the hole. There is a float valve in the string.

Average stand length 93 ft

Drill pipe capacity 0.0346 bbls/ft
Closed end displacement 0.0438 bbls/ft
Metal displacement 0.0092 bbls/ft

For each stand stripped, calculate:

a. Volume of mud to bleed from annulus.

bbls

b. Volume of mud to keep the pipe full.

bbls

113. When can maximum casing shoe pressure occur when using the Drillers Method?

a. When the influx reaches the BOP stack.

b. When the influx reaches the casing shoe.
c. When the well is first shut in.

114. TVD 9,000 ft

Mud Weight 11.4 ppg

Collar capacity 0.0077 bbls/ft

Collar displacement 0.033 bbls/ft
Drill Pipe closed end displacement 0.0257 bbls/ft
Pipe to casing annulus 0.052 bbls/ft
Pipe to open hole 0.046 bbls/ft
Collars to open hole 0.029 bbls/ft

Well starts to flow after 50 stands pulled.

Bit depth 4,350 ft
Influx 38 bbls
SICPP 400 psi
Influx gradient 0.12 psi/ft

a. Calculate the volume to bleed off to strip back to bottom.

bbls

b. What will happen to bottom hole pressure if too much mud is bled off?
(Tick appropriate space provided).

Increase Decrease Stay the same

c. What will happen to bottom hole pressure if too little mud is bled off?
(Tick appropriate space provided).

Increase Decrease Stay the same

d. What should happen to casing pressure as string stripped into influx?

(Tick appropriate space provided)

Increase Decrease Stay the same

115. Using the following data:

Drill pipe capacity 0.0178 bbls/ft

Drill pipe metal displacement 0.008 bbls/ft
Stand length 92 feet

Calculate:
a. Mud required to fill the hole per stand when pulled 'dry'.

bbls

b. Mud required to fill the hole per stand when pulled 'wet'.

bbls

116. When tripping:

Slug volume = 20 bbls

Slug weight = 12 ppg
Mud weight = 10 ppg

If slug causes mud level in the pipe to drop by 200 feet, what will happen to bottom hole
pressure?

a. Decreases by 21 psi.
b. Increases by 1,000 psi.
c. No change in bottom hole pressure.
d. Increases by 125 psi.

117. Calculate the height of the following influx sizes.

Well data: Drill Collar Length = 700 ft

D.C. - OH Capacity = .0292 bb/s/ft
D.P. - OH Capacity = .0459 bb/s/ft

Influx volume. = Height ft.

10 bbls = ft

20 bbls = ft

30 bbls = ft

118. Using the following data calculate Influx Gradients:

SICP SIDPP Mud WT Ht of Influx Influx gradient

a. 800 psi 720 psi 11.5 ppg 400 ft = ________ psi/ft

b. 950 psi 600 psi 10.6 ppg 840 ft = ________ psi/ft

c. 680 psi 550 psi 10.2 ppg 350 ft = ________ psi/ft

119. Five stands of drill collar are pulled from the well (dry).

Drill collar capacity 0.0073 bbls/ft

Drill collar metal displacement 0.0370 bbls/ft

How much fluid is required to keep the hole full? (One stand = 90 feet).

a. 24 bbls
b. 8.20 bbls
c. 16.65 bbls
d. 12.23 bbls

120. If the entire BHA is pulled (dry) without filling the hole, calculate the reduction in BHP.

BHA length 580 ft

BHA capacity 0.0061 bbls/ft
BHA steel displacement 0.032 bbls/ft
Casing capacity 0.0719 bbls/ft
Mud density 11 ppg

a. 148 psi
b. 188 psi
c. 258 psi
d. 100 psi

121. How does the Artesian Effect cause abnormal pressure?

a. Hydrostatic pressure of water in the rock is high due to water density.

b Pressure is high due to hydrostatic head of water source in nearby hills or
mountains.
c. Water in deeper formations has been faulted up to a shallower depth.