WELL CONTROL

Principles & Procedures

Subsea BOP

REV. May 2010 Nariman S.Mustafayev

1. A semisubmersible rig is drilling tophole with a riser and diverter in place,
connected to 30" casing.

Air gap 70 ft
Water depth 1523 ft
Water gradient 0.45 psi/ft
Well TVD 2250 ft BRT
Mud weight 9.7 ppg

a. What would be the reduction in Bottom Hole Pressure if the riser was
lost or removed?

psi

b. What increase in mud weight would be required to offset this?

ppg

c. What would be the minimum mud weight you would require to drill
ahead with a riser margin?

ppg

2. A semisubmersible rig is drilling 17 1/2" hole. Returns are via a marine riser.

Air gap 80 ft
Water depth 220 ft
30" casing shoe 600 ft BRT
Sea water gradient 0.45 psi/ft
Formation fracture gradient 0.65 psi/ft
( Below mud line)

a. What is the maximum mud weight that could be used (static

conditions)?

ppg

b. If annular pressure losses while circulating are 10 psi what is the

maximum mud weight that could be used in practice?

ppg

REV. May 2010 Nariman S.Mustafayev

3. A floating rig is drilling in the following location.

Water depth 1600 ft

Air gap 80 ft
Sea water gradient 0.45 psi/ft
Riser collapse pressure 500 psi

If total mud losses took place,

a. How far would the mud level drop before the riser collapsed?

ft BRT

b. What action would you take to prevent collapse?

c. As an alternative to b., what piece of equipment might be installed as

part of the riser?

4. A semisubmersible rig is drilling the following well.

Well Depth 10657 ft TVD

9 5/8" casing 9500 ft TVD
Air gap 60 ft
Water depth 2150 ft
Sea water gradient 0.45 psi/ft
Current mud weight 13.3 ppg
MAASP with 13.3 ppg 1000 psi
Maximum mud weight 15.32 ppg

a. If the riser was disconnected in bad weather, what would be the

reduction in BHP?

psi

b. What increase in mud weight would be required to balance the well?

ppg

c. What would be the MAASP including the riser margin?

psi

d. A BOP drill is conducted with 13.3 ppg mud. The choke and kill lines
are filled with seawater. What will the casing gauge read if the choke
line failsafes are open?

Psi

REV. May 2010 Nariman S.Mustafayev

5. On a semisubmersible rig, why do we measure CLF?
(Two answers).

a. To allow SICP to decrease by the correct amount as pumps are

brought to speed.
b. To allow SICP to increase.
c. To calculate correct kill mud weight.
d. To recalculate ICP if CLF > SICP

6. Select THREE ways to measure CLF.

a. Circulate seawater down choke line and up kill line.

b. Carry out SCRS up riser then up choke line - difference is CLF.
c. Circulate mud down kill line up choke line - pump pressure is twice
CLF.
d. Circulate down riser up kill line - pump pressure is CLF.
e. Circulate down kill up riser - pump pressure is CLF.

7. A well has been killed from a semisubmersible. From the size of the BOP
cavity, it is suspected that 5 bbls of gas are trapped in the stack.

What would be the gas volume at surface if the gas was allowed to surface
unchecked?

BOP to rig floor 1800 ft

Kill mud weight 14.3 ppg
Mud weight 12.1 ppg
Atmospheric pressure 14.7 psi

bbls

REV. May 2010 Nariman S.Mustafayev

8. A procedure is in place to remove the gas in question 7. Put the following
statements in the correct order.

a. Displace kill mud down choke, up riser.

b. Circulate seawater down kill line up choke line, holding a back
pressure.
c. Close LPR.
d. Open kill line failsafes.
e. Fill riser from the top, with diverter closed, open the annular, allowing
mud to 'U'tube down riser up choke.
f. When returns up choke are clean seawater, close kill line failsafes and
bleed pressure off choke line.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

9. Which of the criteria listed below would effect the accuracy of PVT and flow
rate readings when drilling. (Three answers)

a. Riser tension
b. Heave
c. Pitch and roll
d. Crane operations
e. Water depth
f. Surface lines volume

10. A well is being killed from a floating rig in deep water. The gas influx is
entering the choke line now. How should the choke be operated for keeping BHP
constant?

a. Close slightly
b. Open slightly
c. The choke position remain the same

REV. May 2010 Nariman S.Mustafayev