WELL CONTROL for the Rig-Site Drilling Team

SECTION 3 : KICK INDICATORS

KICK INDICATORS
3.0 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this section are to review the indication of a kick. Early warning
signs will be covered as well as positive kick signs.

3.1 EARLY WARNING SIGNS

The alertness in determining early warning signs in well control is of the upmost
importance to wellbore safety. Careful observance and positive reaction to these
signs will keep the well under control and prevent the occurrence of a well flow
situation. The various signs that have been recorded as early warning indicators
are not consistent in all situations. The signs however may have to be used
collectively as one indicator may not accurately provide the warning of getting
into an unbalanced situation. Even though the series of signs may change between
wells, early warning indications can be found from the following list.

• Increase in drilling rate of penetration.

• Increase torque and drag.
• Decrease in shale density.
• Mud property changes.
• Increase in cutting size and shape.
• Increase in trip, connection and/or background gas.
• Increase in the temperature of the return drilling mud.
• Decrease in D-exponent.

3.2 INCREASE IN DRILLING RATE OF PENETRATION - DRILLING BREAK

When drilling ahead and using consistent drilling parameters, as the bit wears, a
normal trend of decrease penetration rate should occur. If the differential pressure
between the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid and formation pore pressure
decreases, an increase in the drilling rate occurs as the chip hold down effect is
reduced.

A general and consistent increase in penetration rate is often a fairly good

indicator that a transition zone may have been penetrated. A rapid increase in
penetration rate may indicate that an abnormal pressure formation has been
entered and an underbalance situation has occurred.

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3.3 INCREASED TORQUE AND DRAG

Increased drag and rotary torque are often noted Figure 3.1
when drilling into overpressured shale formations
due to the inability of the underbalanced mud
density to hold back physical encroachment of the
formation into the wellbore. ∆W
––––
drag
Drag and rotating torque are both indirect and (up)
qualitative indicators of overpressure. They are also
indicators of hole instability and other mechanical
problems.

Torque and drag trend increases often indicate to the

driller that a transition zone is being drilled. Up drag
and down drag as well as average torque figures
should be recorded on each connection. These trends
are valuable when comparing other trend changes.

∆W
––––
drag
(down)

3.4 DECREASE IN SHALE DENSITY

The density of shale normally increases with depth, but decreases as abnormal
pressure zones are drilled. The density of the cuttings can be determined at surface
and plotted against depth. A normal trend line will be established and deviations
can indicate changes in pore pressure.

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3.5 INCREASE IN CUTTING SIZE AND SHAPE

In transition zones or in abnormally pressured shales (sandy shales and bedding

sand streaks) the shales break off and fall into hole because of under balanced
condition (pore pressure greater than mud hydrostatic pressure). Water wetting
may further aggravate this problem.

Changes in the Shape of Shale Cuttings can occur as an underbalanced situation is

developing. The particles are often larger and may be sharp and angular in the
transition zone. Extra fill on bottom may coincide with the trend change. Severe
sloughing will often cause changes in pressure and stroke relationship.

Normally pressured shales produce small cuttings with rounded edges and are
generally flat, while cuttings from an over pressured shale are often long and
splintery with angular edges. As reduction of hydrostatic differential between the
pore pressure and bottomhole pressure occurs, the hole cuttings will have a
greater tendency to come off bottom. This can also lead to shale expansion causing
cracking, and sloughing of the shales into the wellbore. Changes in cuttings shape
and cuttings load over the shakers needs to be monitored at surface.

3.6 MUD PROPERTY CHANGES

Water cut mud or a chloride (and sometimes calcium) increase that has been
circulated from bottom always indicates that formation fluid has entered the
wellbore. It could be created by swabbing or it could indicate a well flow is
underway. Small chloride or calcium increases could be indicative of tight (non-
permeable) zones that have high pressure.

In certain type muds, the viscosity will increase when salt water enters the
wellbore and mixed with the mud. This is called flocculation because the little
molecules of mud solids, which are normally dispersed, form little “groups” called
flocs. These flocs cause viscosity and gel increases.

In other type muds you might see a viscosity decrease caused by water cutting
(weight decrease). This is true when operating with low pH salt saturated water
base muds.

In oil muds, any water contamination would act as a “solid” and cause viscosity
increases.

Gas cut mud would be fluffy and would have higher viscosities (and lower mud
weight).

IT IS ESSENTIAL TO KNOW THAT TREND CHANGES ARE MORE

IMPORTANT THAN ACTUAL VALUE OF THE CHANGE.

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3.7 INCREASE IN TRIP, CONNECTION AND A BACKGROUND GAS

Return mud must be monitored for contamination with formation fluids. This is
done by constantly recording the flowline mud density and accurately monitoring
gas levels in the returned mud.

Gas cut mud does not in itself indicate that the well is flowing (gas may be
entrained in the cuttings). However, it must be treated as early warning of a
possible kick. Therefore pit levels should be closely monitored if significant levels
of gas are detected in the mud.

An essential part of interpreting the level of gas in the mud is the understanding
of the conditions in which the gas entered the mud in the first place.

Gas can enter the mud for one or more of the following reasons:

• Drilling a formation that contains gas even with a suitable overbalance.

• Temporary reduction in hydrostatic pressure caused by swabbing as pipe is

moved in the hole.

• Pore pressure in a formation being greater than the hydrostatic pressure of

the mud column.

Gas due to one or a combination of the above, can be classified as one of the
following groups:

Drilled Gas

When porous formations containing gas are drilled, a certain quantity of the gas
contained in the cuttings will enter the mud.

Gas that enters the mud, unless in solution with oil base mud and kept at a
pressure higher than its bubble point, will expand as it is circulated up the hole,
causing gas cutting at the flowline. Gas cutting due to this mechanism will occur
even if the formation is overbalanced. Raising the mud weight will not prevent it.

It should be noted that drilled gas will only be evident during the time taken to
circulate out the cuttings from the porous formation.

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Connection Gas

Connection gases are measured at surface as a distinct increase above background

gas as bottoms up occurs after a connection.

Connection gases are caused by the temporary reduction in effective total pressure
of the mud column during a connection. This is due to pump shut down and the
swabbing action of the pipe.

In all cases, connection gases indicate a condition of near balance. When an

increase trend of connection gases are identified, consideration should be given to
weighting up the mud before drilling, operations continue and particularly prior
to any tripping operations.

Trip Gas

Trip gas is any gas that enters the mud while tripping the pipe with the hole
appearing static. Trip gas will be detected in the mud when circulating bottoms up
occurs after a round trip.

If the static mud column is sufficient to balance the formation pressure, the trip gas
will be caused by swabbing and gas diffusion.

Significant trip gas may indicate that a close to balance situation exists in the hole.

Gas Due to Inadequate Mud Density

Surface indication of an underbalanced formation depend on the degree of

underbalance, as well as the formation permeability. Drilling of a permeable
formation that is significantly overbalanced will cause an immediate flow increase
followed by a pit gain.

3.8 CHANGE IN THE TEMPERATURE OF THE RETURN DRILLING MUD

The temperature will normally take a sharp increase in transition zones. The
circulating rate, elapsed time since tripping and mud volume will influence
flowline temperature trends.

The temperature gradient in abnormally pressured formations is generally higher

than normal. The temperature gradient decreases before penetrating the interface
and, therefore marked differences can give and early indication of abnormal
pressures. This is usually a surface measurement which has a tendency to be
influenced by operating factors. Figure 3.2 shows plots of temperature increase
while penetrating an abnormal pressure formation.

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Figure 3.2 Flowline Temperature Data

5 8
DEPTH 1000 ft

DEPTH 1000 ft
6 ∆T = 0.53 °F 100' 9

∆T = 0.23 °F 100'
7 10

∆T = 4.33 °F 100'
8 11
TOP OF ABNORMAL TOP OF ∆T = 2.08 °F 100'
PRESSURE ZONE ABNORMAL
PRESSURE ZONE
9 12
90 100 110 120 130 110 120 130 140 150 160
FLOWLINE TEMPERATURE = °F FLOWLINE TEMPERATURE = °F
Temperature data from Gulf Coast well Temperature data from South Texas well

7 3

∆T = 0.39 °F 100'
DEPTH 1000 ft

DEPTH 1000 ft

8 4

∆T = 0.70 °F 100'
9 TOP OF ABNORMAL 5
PRESSURE ZONE
∆T = 10.0 °F 100'
10 6
∆T = 3.38 °F 100' TOP OF
ABNORMAL
PRESSURE ZONE
11 7
120 130 140 150 160 100 110 120 130 140 150
FLOWLINE TEMPERATURE = °F FLOWLINE TEMPERATURE = °F
Temperature data from Pacific Coast well Temperature data from South China Sea well

∆T = 0.43 °F 100'
2
DEPTH 1000 ft

∆T = 5.20 °F 100'
3

TOP OF
4 ABNORMAL
PRESSURE ZONE

5
70 80 90 100 110 120
FLOWLINE TEMPERATURE = °F
Temperature data from North Sea well

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3.9 DECREASE IN D-EXPONENT

The D-Exponent will be plotted by the well loggers and maintained current at all
times. This value was introduced in the mid sixties to calculate a normalised
penetration rate in relation to certain drilling parameters.

log (R/60N)
d = ––––––––––––––
log (12W/10°D)

Where:

R = rate of penetration, ft/hr

N = rotary speed, rpm
W = weight on bit, lbs
D = bit size, ins
d = D-exponent

The D-exponent may be corrected and normalised for mud weight changes and/
or ECD (equivalent circulating density) by the following:

d x normal pressure (ppg)

dc = –––––––––––––––––––––––
mud weight or ECD (ppg)

Figure 3.3
SAMPLE PLOT OF Dc EXPONENT vs. DEPTH
A plot of Dc-Exponent versus depth
in shale sections, has been used with 1.0 1.5 2.0
moderate success in predicting
abnormal pressure. Trends of
Dc-exponent normally increase with 10 -
depth, but in transition zones, its value
decreases to lower than expected values.
Mud logging companies have further
Depth (1000 ft)

11 - Normal
variations/models which try to
Trend
normalise for other parameters (such as Line
bit wear and rock strength) to varying
degrees of success. An illustration of a
12 -
Dc plot is attached as figure 3.3.

13 -
17
16
15
14
13
12

10
11

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SECTION 3 : KICK INDICATORS

3.10 POSITIVE KICK SIGNS

A kick occurs when the hydrostatic pressure of the mud column in the well is less
than the formation pressure provided that the formation has the ability to
produce. A kick is a positive indicator that formation fluid is entering the wellbore
and Secondary Well Control must be initiated.

Recognising a Kick While Drilling

Flow into the wellbore causes two changes to occur in the mud circulating system:

• Increase of active mud system volume.

• The mud return flow rate exceeds the mud flow rate into the well.

Since a rig’s fluid system is a closed system, and increase in returns detected by a
flow monitoring system will also be indicated by a gain in pit level. Detecting a
change in pit level may be done by visual observation. This means placing some
type of pit level marker in the tank, then posting someone to keep a constant
watch. From your own experience, you know that to keep a constant watch on the
pit level is next to impossible. This is especially true during trips, when most kicks
occur. A more accurate and reliable method is to use any of the several pit level
measuring instruments with the recorder mounted at the driller’s console and
supported by the mud logger’s monitoring system. This allows a constant watch
on the pit level by the driller, both while tripping and drilling. Good
communication between crew members is essential on the rig. Drillers should
make sure crew hands notify them if they do anything to change the level in the
pits. If crew hands are adding volume to the pits, they should also notify the
driller when they stop adding volume.

When drilling a formation containing gas, a minor pit level rise will be noted
because of the core volume of gas being drilled. However, this will occur only as
the gas nears the surface, and is due to the drilled gas expanding and is not
necessarily an indication that the well is underbalanced. The timing of the increase
in pit volume is important in distinguishing between a true kick and gas
expansion only. The hole will also take the same volume of fluid that it gave up,
after the gas bubble has reached the surface. However, if there is any question as to
the cause of the pit gain, stop the pump and check the well for flow.

On trips, the drill crew should be able to recognise a 5-barrel kick or less. During
drilling, the crews are generally able to recognise a 10 barrel kick or less.

The size or severity of a kick depends on the volume of foreign fluid allowed to
enter the wellbore, which depends on the degree of underbalance, the formation
permeability, and the length of time it takes the drilling crew to detect that the well
is kicking.

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Recognising a Kick While Tripping

Flow into the wellbore will cause improper hole fill up, if this is seen a flow check
should be performed.

• If the flow check is positive then the well should be shut in.

• If the flow check is negative the drill string should be run back to bottom to
circulate bottoms up (stripping may have to be used here).

Trip tanks are recognised to be the safest and most reliable method of monitoring
mud volumes on trips. It is recommended that a continuous hole fill up be used
when tripping out of the hole. When tripping in the hole the, trip tank should be
used to ensure the correct mud displacement is taking place.

Rig movement with a floating drilling rig makes it more difficult to recognise kick
indicators while drilling or tripping. For this reason additional fluid volume
detection equipment is installed in the mud pits to compensation for rig motion. It
is recommended for floating drilling units that flow checks be performed on the
trip tank with the hole fill pump circulating across the bell nipple to eliminate rig
motion as much as possible.

Situations that can mask a kick:-

• Mud weight adjustments while drilling.

• Mud transfers while drilling.

• Partial lost circulation.

• Solids control equipment and degassing mud.

• Spills and leaks in surface equipment.

• Drain back.

• Pump start up and shut down.

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3.11 KICK BEHAVIOUR

A Comparison Between Oil and Water Base Muds

Due to high temperatures and pressure a small gas kick can turn into a serious
well control problem with oil base muds. Solution gas can become dissolved and
miscible. The reason for this is that the gas remains in solution until it reaches its
bubble point. In the same way that gas in a disposable lighter remains in its liquid
phase until the pressure is relieved.

In fig 3.4a three barrels of mud have entered the wellbore at 10,000 ft, but we
would see no pit gain while drilling until the gas has been circulated up to 2600 ft.
The gas then expands rapidly and there is a real danger of blowing out sufficient
mud to put the entire well underbalance. This problem is easier to detect in water
based muds because the original volume of the gas will expand much earlier as
the pressure above the gas is reduced (see fig. 3.4b). The problem in OBM's is that
if a kick has entered the wellbore undetected it is impossible to know where the
top of the gas is. For example if the drilling rate is say 80 SPM and the pump
output is .117bbls per stroke then in an 8.5" hole section with 5" drillpipe the influx
would travel 203 ft. for each minute that the kick is undetected. In extreme cases
the gas could be 6000 - 7000ft. away from the surface without the driller realising
anything is wrong.

Under these conditions it may be prudent to count all drilling breaks as primary
indicators. Stop drilling, shut off the pumps and close the well in. The gas can then
be circulated through the choke in a safe manner utilising the first circulation of
the drillers method. Some procedures advise that the gas should be circulated to
2500 ft. below the BOP before the well is shut in and the gas circulated through the
choke. It may be the case that the bubble point is lower and unless this
information is known, even though the first procedure may take a little longer,
remember safety is always our main concern.

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Figure 3.4a - Oil Base Mud Figure 3.4b - Water Base Mud
ASSUME: Three bbls of gas is swabbed into the hole during a connection (undetectable)

0 Surface Conditions 0 Surface Conditions

15 psi 70°F 15 psi 70°F

Bubble Point 100% of Total Expansion

1000' - 2000'

12 bbls
Gas
2,500' 2,500' Volume

Depth
Depth

Detectable Pit Gain

6 bbls
5,000' 5,000' Gas
Volume

Bottom Hole Conditions Bottom Hole Conditions

7000 psi 250°F 7000 psi 250°F
10,000' 10,000'
0 3 bbls Bbls 1,400 0 3 bbls Bbls 1,400

Solution gas will not migrate or expand until Gas in WBM will migrate and expand as
bubble point pressure is reached. pressure is reduced.

NOTE:The dissolving of gas into oil base mud does not hinder the detection of large volume kicks (5 bbls +),
normal kick detection applies. After the well is shut in. Normal kick killing procedures apply.

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