Lesson 5 Gas Kick Behavior

6.
Gas Kick Behavior Confidential to DGD JIP Slide 1 of 48

by Hans C. Juvkam-Wold

Lesson 6
Gas Kick Behavior
Dual Gradient Drilling
Basic Technology
6. Gas Kick Behavior Confidential to DGD JIP Slide 2 of 48
Gas Kicks in Shallow Wells
The PV = constant Assumption - Is it valid?
The Perfect Gas Law: PV = nRT
The Real Gas Law: PV = ZnRT. Z-Factor
Gas Kicks in Deepwater Wells
Effect of Temp. and Pressure on Real Gases
Gas Kick Volume and Density forrReal Gases
Pumping Gas with the MLP
Solubility of Gas in Oil or Synthetic Based Mud
Contents
What is the volume of a gas kick as it is
being circulated out of the hole under
the following assumptions:

Initial Kick Size = 10 bbl
Stabilized BHP = 6,000 psia (absolute)
Well Depth = 10,000 ft
Maximum Choke Pressure = 1,000 psia
(when the kick arrives at the surface choke)
Gas Kick Behavior - contd
What is the volume of a gas kick as it is
being circulated out of the hole under
the above assumptions?

SOLUTION METHOD 1:

Assume PV = constant
(i.e., assume perfect gas and ignore
any changes in temperature)
SOLUTION METHOD 1:

PV = constant

At the bottom, P = 6,000 psia,
V = 10 bbl

At the surface, P = 1,000 psia,
V = ?
SOLUTION METHOD 1:

ASSUME PV = constant

i.e.,

so, V
SURFACE
= 60 bbl

Kick expands from 10 bbls to 60 bbls.
( ) ( )
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
PV PV =
( ) ( )
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
10 * 000 , 6 V 000 , 1 =
SOLUTION METHOD 1: PV = constant.

0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
0 20 40 60 80
Kick Volume, bbl
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t
Maximum
Choke
Pressure
= 1,000 psia
Shallow Kick - Ideal Gas
What is the volume of a kick as it is being
circulated out of the hole under the above
assumptions?

SOLUTION METHOD 2:

Assume PV = nRT
(i.e., assume perfect gas. Note that the
temperature must be expressed in
o
R)
SOLUTION METHOD 2:

PV = nRT also,
o
F + 460 =
o
R

Let us assume that the surface temperature is 80
o
F.
80 + 460 = 540
o
R
so, surface temperature = 540
o
R

Let us consider three different temperature gradients:
0.00, 0.01

and 0.02
o
F / ft

0.00
o
F / ft is the same as assuming PV = const.
SOLUTION METHOD 2A: PV = nRT

When temperature gradient = 0.01 deg F/ft

then surface temperature = 540
o
R
and bottomhole temp. = 540 + 0.01 * 10,000 = 640
o
R

At the bottom of the hole,
P = 6,000 psia, T = 640
o
R, and V = 10 bbl

At the surface,
P = 1,000 psia, T = 540
o
R, and V = ?
ALTERNATE SOLUTION METHOD 2A:

PV = nRT
0.01 deg F/ft

V
SURFACE
= 50.63 bbl
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
nRT
PV
nRT
PV
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
.
|
\
|
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
640
10 * 000 , 6
540
V 000 , 1
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
.
|
\
|
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
T
PV
T
PV
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
.
|
\
|
SOLUTION METHOD 2B:

When temperature gradient = 0.02 deg F/ft

Surface temperature = 540
o
R

and bottomhole temp. = 540 + 0.02 * 10,000 = 740
o
R

Bottom: P = 6,000 psia, T = 740
o
R, and V = 10 bbl

Surface: P = 1,000 psia, T = 540
o
R, and V = ?
ALTERNATE SOLUTION METHOD 2B:

PV = nRT
0.02 deg F/ft

V
SURFACE
= 43.78 bbl
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
nRT
PV
nRT
PV
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
.
|
\
|
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
740
10 * 000 , 6
540
V 000 , 1
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
.
|
\
|
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
T
PV
T
PV
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
.
|
\
|
SOLUTION METHOD 2: Summary

Temperature Kick Volume
Gradient at Surface
0.00 deg F/ft 60.00 bbls

Assuming a zero temperature gradient, when the actual
temperature gradient was 0.02 deg F/ft resulted in
overestimating the kick volume at the surface by 37%.
Effect of Temperature Gradient
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Kick Volume, bbls
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t
0.00 deg F/ft
0.02 deg F/ft
0.01 deg F/ft
Shallow Kick - Real Gas
SOLUTION METHOD 3: PV = ZnR

T

When the temperature gradient = 0.02 deg F/ft
Surface conditions: 540
o
R and 1,000 psia
Bottomhole conditions: 740
o
R and 6,000 psia

Under these conditions, assuming a gas of S.G. = 0.65):
the Z-factor at the surface = 0.852 (density = 0.510 ppg)
the Z-factor at the bottom = 1.100 (density = 1.731 ppg)

These Z-factor values may be obtained by calculation,
or, approximately, from the graph on the next page.
Z-Factor - In Shallow Wells
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000
Pressure, psig
G
a
s

C
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
y

F
a
c
t
o
r
(
Z
-
F
a
c
t
o
r
)
30 F
60 F
100 F
150 F
200 F
300 F
400 F
Shallow Kick - Real Gas
SOLUTION METHOD 3: PV = ZnR

T
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
ZnRT
PV
ZnRT
PV
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
.
|
\
|
BOTTOMHOLE SURFACE
740 * 100 . 1
10 * 000 , 6
540 * 852 . 0
V 000 , 1
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
|
.
|
\
|
bbl 91 . 33 V
SURFACE
=
So, the 60 bbl estimate is within a factor of 2 of the above value
Shallow Gas Kick - Summary
Effect of Temperature and Z-Factor
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Kick Volume, bbls
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t
Real Gas
Ideal Gas
PV = constant
0.02 deg F/ft
Gas Kick Behavior
In the previous slides we have studied the behaviour
of gas kicks in relatively shallow wells.

We saw, in one case, when a temperature gradient of
0.02 deg F/ft was assumed, the predicted kick volume
at the surface dropped from 60 bbs to 44 bbls. The
initial kick volume was 10 bbls at a depth of 10,000 ft.

When a correction for variation in Z-Factor was added,
the more accurate prediction was 34 bbls at the
surface.

The predicted gas volumes varied by a factor of
TWO or less in every case investigated.
Gas Kicks in Deep DGD Wells
The main reason why the
predicted results varied by
no more than a factor of two
in the cases studied is that
the Z-factor was always
close to 1 ( 20% ).
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000
Pressure, psig
G
a
s

C
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
y

F
a
c
t
o
r
(
Z
-
F
a
c
t
o
r
)
30 F
60 F
100 F
150 F
200 F
300 F
400 F
In deep-water, very deep,
high-pressure wells the Z-
factor may vary from 0.7 to
2.5 or even more! This may
yield unexpected results.
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Pressure, psig
C
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
y

(
Z
-
F
a
c
t
o
r
)
30
60
100
150
200
300
400
Temperature,
o
F
Gas Density and Z-Factor
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000
Pressure, psia
G
a
s

D
e
n
s
i
t
y
,

l
b
/
g
a
l
Gas Density, lb/gal
Z-Factor
0.65 S.G. and 400
0
F
Assumed Pressure Profile
in Annulus and Return Line
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Kick Pressure, psig
V
e
r
t
i
c
a
l

D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t

Mud Line
Kick Volume vs. Depth
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Kick Volume, bbl
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t
As expected, most of
the expansion occurs
in the top 3,000 ft or so
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Kick Volume, bbl
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t
PV = constant
PV = ZnRT
Gas Density vs. Depth
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
Gas Density, lb/gal
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t
Mud Line
Z-Factor vs. Depth
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Gas Compressibility Factor (Z-Factor)
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t
Gas Kick Behavior - Z-Factor
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Pressure, psig
C
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
y

(
Z
-
F
a
c
t
o
r
)
30
60
100
150
200
300
400
Temperature,
o
F
In the last few slides we have seen the behavior of gas
kicks in deepwater, deep DGD wells.

We saw that a 10-bbl gas kick at 30,000 ft was
predicted, under the PV = constant assumption, to
expand to 46 bbls by the time it reached the inlet to
the MLP at the seafloor.

When corrections for variations in Z-Factor and
temperature were added, the more accurate prediction
was 13 bbls at the MLP.

The predicted gas expansion decreased from
360% to a mere 30% in the more accurate analysis!
Kicks Migration in Deep DGD Wells
The predicted gas expansion decreased from
360% to a mere 30% in the more accurate analysis.
Why is this significant?

Well, it helps to know what to expect. For example,
suppose this 10-bbl kick were to migrate up the hole
under conditions where circulation was not possible.
We would expect to bleed to allow for kick expansion to avoid
excessive pressures in the wellbore.

In this case we might expect to have to bleed 36 bbls
when only 3 bbls are called for. Excessive bleeding
could invite additional kicks.
Maybe NO bleeding is really necessary in this case(?)
Pumping of Gas with MLP
In DGD gas kicks that are circulated out must pass
through the MLP. Can this pump handle gas?
How severe is the problem?
What can we expect?

Under the PV = const.
assumption the 10-bbl
gas kick would have to be
compressed from 46 bbl
to approximately 24 bbl.
That can be done...
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Kick Volume, bbl
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t
The more accurate analysis says that the gas only needs to be
compressed from 13 to 11 bbl! That is much less challenging!
What happens to pump efficiency as we try to
pump gas? Should we expect gas lockup?
In our example DGD well the pressure
increase across the MLP is from 4,520
to 8,460 psi.

If the pump is 100% efficient then
there is no problem; when pumping
gas the efficiency is still 100%.
Let us consider a more modest pump efficiency of 90%.
By that we mean that the piston sweeps 90% of the
volume inside the pump. 10% remains in the pump.
Let us first consider the PV = constant case.
In this case we ended up
compressing the gas from 46 bbl to
24 bbl. During the first part of the
stroke the gas is being compressed
and nothing comes out. At the end
of the stroke 10% of the pump
volume still contains gas.
At the beginning of the next stroke this 10% expands to 10 * 46/25)
= 18.4% of the pump volume. 100 - 18.4 = 81.6
The resulting pump efficiency is therefore reduced
from 90% to 81.6%. That would seem acceptable!
Let us now consider the Real Gas case. (PV = ZnRT)
In this case we ended up
compressing the gas from 13 bbl
to 11 bbl. As before, at first gas is
being compressed and nothing
comes out. At the end of the
stroke 10% of the pump volume
still contains gas.
At the beginning of the next stroke this 10% expands to 10 * 13/11)
= 11.8% of the pump volume. 100 - 11.8 = 88.2
from 90% to 88.2%. Hardly even noticable!
Two factors may further reduce this potential problem:
1. The actual MLP well be using
will probably have a volumetric
efficiency in excess of 95%.
In this case the remaining 5%
expands to 5 * 13/11) = 5.9% of the
pump volume. 100 - 5.9 = 94.1
from 95% to 94.1%. LESS THAN 1% LOSS!!
2. The above calculations assumed that 100% pure gas would
arrive at the pump. Dilution with mud will usually reduce this
%age by a significant factor, further increasing efficiency...
Note that because of the high
pump efficiency there is no
significant reduction in the fluid
circulation rate in the annulus!
In extreme cases it may be necessary
to speed up the pump very slightly in
order to follow the drill pipe pressure
decline schedule.
There is a slight reduction in volumetric rate in the return
line because of gas compression. There is no reduction in
the average mass circulation rate in the return line! It
remains the same as in the annulus.
So, what ever happened to gas lockup?
In DGD it is unlikely that we shall see
a volumetric compression requirement
much greater than a factor of two.
Usually it will be much less.

However, let us imagine a situation where
the volumetric compression requirement is
a factor of 10, and the pump volumetric
efficiency is 90%:
In this case the 10% that remains in the pump will expand
to 10% * 10 =100%. In other words, the left-over gas will
completely fill the pump at the next stroke. No gas is
pumped. We would have achieved gas lockup!
Gas Gradients
What is the pressure gradient in a gas at very high
pressure? How does it affect wellbore pressures?
At very high pressure the density may very well be as
high as 3 lb/gal. This would correspond to a gradient of:

G
GAS
= 0.052 * 3 = 0.156 psi/ft

Consider a large gas kick that occupies 1,000 ft of the
annulus, when drilling with 15 lb/gal mud. After
pressures have stabilized, what is the increase in
pressure at inlet to the MLP?

AP = 0.052 * (15 - 3) * 1,000 = 624 psi
BOP
Static Pressures - DGD
PRESSURE
Seawater
Hydrostatic
DGD Mud
Hydrostatic
wo/kick
624 psi
Annulus Mud
Hydrostatic
w/kick
Kick
Solubility of Gas Kick in Oil or
Synthetic Based Drilling Fluids
We know from experience that, at relatively low
pressures a gas kick may seem to disappear by
dissolving into the mud?

As the kick gets close to the surface some or
even most of the gas may come out of solution
and present some unpleasant surprises.

If we are drilling in a deep DGD well with an oil or
synthetic based drilling fluid, what should we expect?
Will a gas kick disappear by dissolving into the
mud in a deep DGD well?

If we take a 10-bbl gas kick while drilling with a
water-based drilling fluid we would expect to
see a 10-bbl pit gain

If we take a 10-bbl gas kick while drilling with
an oil or synthetic based drilling fluid, would the
pit gain be close to 10 bbl or closer to 1 bbl?
If the kick takes place at high pressure in a
deep DGD well the pit gain would probably be
closer to 9 bbl!

A 3 lb/gal gas kick behaves more like a liquid
than a gas, and this fluid would mix with the
drilling mud without substantial loss of volume

The final mixture would have a density close to
the weighted average of the two fluids
The PV = constant assumption appears to be
more or less acceptable in evaluating shallow
gas kicks. It could be off by a factor of two

The Perfect Gas Law: PV = nRT improves
on our predictions by including the effect of
temperature

The Real Gas Law: PV = ZnRT is required if
we want to predict accurately the behavior of
real gases in deep DGD wells
Summary
The Z-Factor is a factor that distinguishes
between real gases and ideal gases
The Z-factor has a value near 1.0 under
atmospheric conditions. It can vary from 0.7 to
2.5 or more
Below 7,000 psi an increase in temperature
increases the Z-factor
Above 8,000 psi an increase in temperature
decreases the Z-factor
Summary - contd
Gas expansion in deep DGD wells is only a
small fraction of what we might expect from
shallow-well experience with gas kicks

The density of a gas at 20,000 psi may be as
high as 3 lb/gal or even higher! This gas
behaves more like a liquid than a gas.

At high pressures a Gas kick mixes with Oil or
Synthetic Based Mud with little change in
volume
Summary - contd
by Hans C. Juvkam-Wold
November 2000

The End
6. Gas Kick Behavior
Dual Gradient Drilling
Basic Technology

Lesson 5 Gas Kick Behavior

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6.

Gas Kick Behavior Confidential to DGD JIP Slide 1 of 48

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