Section 3: Kick Detection

PVD Training
October 24, 2012
Authored by: Pham Van Thien
 PVD Training
Section 3: Kick Detection

Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................................................... 1
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 2
3.2 Warning Signs......................................................................................................................................................... 2
3.2.1 Change in Rate of Penetration ......................................................................................................................... 2
3.2.2 Increased Torque And Drag ............................................................................................................................. 2
3.2.3 Decrease In Shale Density .............................................................................................................................. 3
3.2.4 Increase In Cutting Size And Shape ................................................................................................................ 3
3.2.5 Mud Property Changes .................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2.6 Increase In Trip, Connection And A Background Gas...................................................................................... 4
Drilled Gas ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Connection Gas .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Trip Gas ................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Gas Due to Inadequate Mud Density .................................................................................................................... 5
3.2.7 Change In The Temperature Of The Return Drilling Mud ................................................................................ 5
3.2.8 Decrease In D-Exponent .................................................................................................................................. 6
3.3 Positive Kick Signs.................................................................................................................................................. 6
Recognising A Kick While Drilling ............................................................................................................................. 7
Recognising A Kick While Tripping ........................................................................................................................... 7
Situations That Can Mask A Kick:-............................................................................................................................ 7
3.4 Kick Behaviour ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
3.4.1 Types of Kick ................................................................................................................................................... 8
A Comparison Between Oil And Water Base Muds .............................................................................................. 8
3.4.2 Gas Migration................................................................................................................................................... 8
A) Gas Expansion Uncontrolled (Well Open) ........................................................................................................ 8
B) Gas Migration when Gas in Solution (Oil Based Mud) ..................................................................................... 8
C) Gas Migration (Well Shut-In) ............................................................................................................................ 9
3.4.3 Behaviour of OBM versus WBM ...................................................................................................................... 9

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The alertness in determining early warning signs in well control is of the utmost 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 underbalanced 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.

3.2.1 Change in Rate of Penetration

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.

3.2.2 Increased Torque And Drag

Increased drag and rotary torque are often noted when drilling into over pressured shale formations due to the
inability of the underbalanced mud density to hold back physical encroachment of the formation into the wellbore.
Drag and rotating torque are both indirect and 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.

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3.2.3 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.

3.2.4 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 bottom hole 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.

3.2.5 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.

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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.

3.2.6 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.

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.

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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.

3.2.7 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 flow line 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 below shows plots of temperature increase while penetrating an abnormal pressure
formation.

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3.2.8 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 normalized penetration rate in relation to certain drilling parameters.

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:

A plot of Dc-Exponent versus depth in shale sections, has

been used with moderate success in predicting abnormal
pressure. Trends of Dc-exponent normally increase with
depth, but in transition zones, its value decreases to
lower than expected values.
Mud logging companies have further variations/models
which try to normalise for other parameters (such as bit
wear and rock strength) to varying degrees of success.
An illustration of a Dc plot is attached as figure

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.
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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 rigs 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 drillers console and supported by the
mud loggers 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.

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.

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Pump start up and shut down.

3.4.1 Types of Kick

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 Oil Base Mud 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. Water Base Mud). 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" drill pipe 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 realizing 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 driller 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.

3.4.2 Gas Migration

When a well is shut in on a gas kick, gas tends to migrate uphole. As a gas bubble migrates, if no fluid is bled off
to allow expansion of the bubble, the gas kick will trap pressure on the well.

A) Gas Expansion Uncontrolled (Well Open)

If a gas bubble is allowed to expand without control, it will eventually unload the well. With the well unloaded, kick
sizes will increase, causing more unloading.
This cycle of influx and unloading has caused the loss of many wells.
Statement: If the Volume of gas doubles, the Pressure is reduced by half in the bubble.
* Reference Boyles Law for Gas expansion.

B) Gas Migration when Gas in Solution (Oil Based Mud)

Well Control problems can result in blowouts because of the solubility of certain gases in specific types of mud
e.g. Methane dissolves in oil base mud, and H2S dissolves in water base mud. This fact makes it more difficult to
detect a kick.
A large gas influx entering the wellbore may change the pit level very little if the gas dissolves in the mud. The
influx is then circulated up the wellbore in the mud column, until the hydrostatic pressure on top of the gas
decreases to a certain point then the gas flashes or bubble point reached and gas comes out of solution.
Detecting the kick by observing flow-line or mud pits can be very difficult until the kick is very close to surface and
expands rapidly. Moreover, gas dispersed in well bore fluids does not migrate up the hole therefore the gas may
not show during a flo-check.

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C) Gas Migration (Well Shut-In)

When a well is shut in on a kick that contains gas, the gas will percolate or migrate up the hole even if the well is
allowed to remain static.
Gas migration can cause confusion during a well control operation, because it can be overlooked.
Note: Gas or Gas bubbles float or migrate up the hole because they are lighter than mud.
When gas bubbles rise they expand or if they are not allowed to expand they cause an increase on all wellbore
pressures and surface pressures. If a well is shut in for a long time, all wellbore and surface pressures will
increase causing lost circulation if not relieved by allowing gas to expand.
The increasing gas pressure can be observed and controlled by lowering and keeping the SIDPP to its original
value through the choke, if there is no DP float in use.
All pressures will increase during migration of gas except pressure in the actual bubble, which is usually at
formation pressure.

3.4.3 Behaviour of OBM versus WBM

Oil Base Mud Water Base Mud

NOTE: The dissolving of gas into oil base mud does not hunder 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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