Shut-in Procedures

ExxonMobil Development Company

Norman Archibald
International Drilling Schools

Shut-in Procedures
Drilling

Tripping

If a Warning Sign is Observed

Drillers Response
pickup the drill string until a tool joint
clears the rotary table
shut down the mud pump(s)
conduct a flow check (to confirm flow)

If the Well is Flowing shut the well in (hard shut-in)

Driller is empowered to act immediately!

Steps to Shut-In the Well

(Hard Shut-In)
1. Close Annular BOP
2. Open HCV Valve on Choke Line
3. Call ExxonMobil Rig Supervisor

BOP
HCV

4. Observe standpipe and casing

annulus pressure buildups
5. Record readings once per minute
6. Record the pit gain

Kick

Kick Circulating System

20

21 (Bypass Line)
18

19

15 - Kick
16 - Closed BOP
17 - Opened HCV
18 - Choke
19 - Gas Buster
20 - Gas Vent ( away from rig )

16
17

15

Shut-In Pressures
What do the readings tell us?

Standpipe (drill pipe surface

pressure) gives us a link to
the bottom hole pressure

It is a direct indication of the

difference between the pore
pressure and the mud
hydrostatic

Casing (surface annulus

pressure) reading is higher
due to the influx

WELL SHUT-IN GAS MIGRATION

3,100 psi

400 psi

5,800 psi

Gas
5,800 psi

Gas
5,800 psi

Gas
5,800 psi

BHP
5,800 psi

BHP
8,500 psi

Formation Pressure 5,800 psi

BHP
11,200 psi

U-TUBE PRINCIPLE
Drillpipe

Casing

Clean mud
in drill pipe

Kick in annulus

Balance
Total pressure on
drillpipe side

Total pressure
on casing side

Formation Pressure

Conditions After Shut-in

SIDPP
Drillpipe
Mud Hydrostatic Pressure
= depth x mud weight x 0.052
= 15,000 x 15.0 x 0.052
= 11,700 psi

780 psi

SICP

BHP = HP + SIDPP
= 11,700 + 780 psi
= 12,480 psi

1044 psi

Casing (Annulus) Side

15 ppg mud

400 ft. kick

12,480 psi

Mud Hydrostatic Pressure

= 14,600 x 15.0 x 0.052
= 11,388 psi

15,000 ft.

Gas Hydrostatic Pressure

= 400 x 2.3 ppg (assumed) x 0.052
= 48 psi
BHP = HP (Mud + Gas) + SICP
= 11,388 + 48 + 1044 psi
= 12,480

Well is shut-in...kick is on bottom

SIDPP
SICP

The influx must be pumped out of the well

through the choke...
While keeping the bottom hole pressure
constant and greater than formation pressure
BHP = SIDPP + mud hydrostatic in drill string

Kick While Tripping Pipe

SIDPP

SICP

Flow observed while tripping

Now annulus and drill string are open
Must secure the well at both open ends
Drill pipe is secured first, then annulus
install and close a full opening safety valve
close annular BOP and open HCV valve
install Inside BOP (drill string BOP)

Strip pipe to bottom to circulate kick

Installing Safety Valve & the

Inside BOP

Tools for Securing Drill String

Considerations for Top Drive

Equipment
1. What is the OD and ID of the lower top drive
valve?
2. Will the valve pass through the current
casing size?
3. How is the valve removed?
4. What is the connection on the top side of
the valve?
5. Is the correct cross-over for the top
connection back to the drill pipe available?
6. Is spare equipment available to re-install on
the top drive after stripping in the hole.

Equipment Configuration

Spare Valve