CHAPTER 3

Detection of Kicks

Minimizing the amount of influx

significantly increases the chance of a
successful well control operation.

In order to detect a kick in its earliest

stages, we must be aware of the
indicators that can warn us that the
well is flowing. If one or more of
these warning signs is observed, it
should be assumed that the well could
be flowing.
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WARNING SIGNS

In order to detect a
kick in its earliest
stages, we must be
aware of the
indicators that can
warn us that the
well is flowing.
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Kick Indicators

Penetration Rate
Flow Rate Change
Pit Gain or Loss
Flow with the pump of
Pump Speed or Pressure Change
Oil Show or Increase in Background
Gas
Improper Fill Amounts
String Wont Pull Dry
String Weight Change

Penetration Rate Change:

An abrupt change in the rate
of penetration usually
indicates a formation change,
often encountered while
drilling.
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Flow Rate Increase:

When the pump is
running at a constant
rate, it displaces a
fixed amount of fluid
into the well. The rate
of flow at surface is
measured. Formation
fluid may be feeding in
if an increase in fluid
volume is seen (more
flow out then we pump
in) while the pump rate
has not changed.
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Flow Rate Decrease

When there is a decrease in flow rate,
assume there is lost circulation.
- Lost circulation lowers the fluid in the
well Which lowers hydrostatic pressure
in the well Which makes a kick more
likely
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Volume Gain: Formation

fluid entering the well will
displace fluid out of the hole,
resulting in a gain in pit
volume.

Volume Gain: Not always a

true indication that a kick is
in the well.
1. May be transferring fluid from
one pit to another.
2. Adding barite
3. Adding water or oil
4. Turning solids control
equipment off.
5. Wash water
6. Rain water
7. Water leaks in equipment
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Pit Loss: Not always a true

indication that a kick is in the
well.
1. Turning solids control
equipment on
2. Dumping a pit or trap

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Flow Pump Off: If a

drilling break or a reverse
break is encountered, it is
recommended to perform a
flow check. If flow ceases,
then drilling will probably be
resumed. If the flow persists it
may be assumed the formation
is kicking and the well must be
shut in.
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There can be cases of flow

from the annulus not due
to the formation kicking:
A. Charging pump that did
not shut down when the
rig pumps were turned of.
B. U-Tubing of heavier fluid in
the string to the annulus.
C. Flow back of mud due to
ballooning
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Speed/Pressure Change: An
influx of formation fluid will
usually decrease the density of
the fluid column. As this occurs,
the hydrostatic pressure exerted
by the fluid decreases. The fluid
in the string tends to U-tub into
the annulus. As this occurs, the
pump pressure will decrease and
an increase in pump speed may
be noted.
This could also indicate a
washout in the drill string.
During a washout, the casing
pressure would remain fairly
stable.

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Flow Pump Off: If a drilling break or

a reverse break is encountered, it is
recommended to perform a flow check.
If flow ceases, then drilling will probably
be resumed. If the flow persists it may
be assumed the formation is kicking and
the well must be shut in.
There can be cases of flow from the
annulus not due to the formation kicking.
These include:
1. Charging pump that did not shut down
when rig pumps were turned off.
2. U-tubing of heavier fluid in the string to
the annulus.
3. Flowback of mud due to ballooning.

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Gas/Oil Shows Circulating: In many areas

and activities, a gas detector is required to
monitor the fluid returning from the well, and to
help detect abnormal pressure trends. When an
increase in gas is detected, oil or gas may be
feeding in because of insufficient pressure
imposed on the well.

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Improper Fill Amounts: Tripping out of the hole

(or stripping out) may be the most hazardous time
on a rig and one of the most common causes of
kicks. Contributing factors include: Loss of
circulating pressures, swabbing, and improper fillup that reduces hydrostatic pressure.

String Wont Pull Dry: When tripping out, it is

possible for the formation fluid to enter the well at a
rate great enough to prevent the fluid inside the pipe
from falling.

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Kicks Out of The Hole: Well kicks occurring

when out of the hole often began during the trip out
but were not noticed. The kick may have started
during the early part of the trip out. More likely, the
kick started when the hole was not filled frequently
enough towards the end of the trip or while handling
the collars.

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If well is not taking the

proper amount of fluid to
fill:
The trip should be suspended
Stab Full Open Safety Valve
Close Valve
Check for Flow

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Displacement Trip In: As pipe is run into the well, it should displace
fluid out equal to pipes displacement if no floats are in use. If pipe is
lowered too fast, fluid may be forced into the formation ahead of the pipe
due to surge pressures. This can result in lowering the fluid column and
reduction of hydrostatic pressure.
String Weight Change: If a string weight increase is noticed, the
increase could be due to an influx of formation fluid decreasing the
density of the fluid surrounding the pipe. As the fluid density decreases
buoyancy is reduced, resulting in an increase of weight that will be
noticed at surface.
Kicks While Logging or Wirelining: Well kicks that occur while
logging and during wireline activities are the resule of:
The swabbing action of the tools being pulled through a tight section of
the hole
The swabbing effect of tools being pulled to fast
Failing to keep the hole full during such activities

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Kicks While Running Casing: Kicks that occur while running casing
are similar to kicks while tripping. An important point to remember
about kicks while running casing is that rig operations are oriented to
running casing, not to detecting a kick or shutting in a well.

Kicks While Cementing: Kicks that occur while cementing are the
result of reducing the mud column pressure during the operation. This
reduction of mud column pressure can result from light cement slurries,
lost circulation, improperly weighted spacer or the mechanics of the
cement setting up.

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Reasons to Quickly Respond

to a Kick
Minimize kick size
Minimize well pressures (Casing

Pressures)
Reduce time needed to kill the kick

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Positive Indicators of a
Kick
1. Increase in Pit Volume
2. Increase in Flow Rate

Recommended Action:
Immediate action should be taken to
shut-in the well whenever these
indicators are experienced. It is not
recommended to check for flow after a
positive indicator or has been identified.

Secondary Indicators of a
Kick
1. Decrease in Circulating Pressure
2.
3.
4.
5.

Gradual Increase in Drilling Rate

Drilling Breaks
Increase in Gas Cutting
Increase in Water Cutting or Chlorides

Recommended Action:
The occurrence of any of these indicators should
alert the Driller that the well may be kicking, or is
about to kick. These indicators should never be
ignored. Instead, once realized, steps should be
taken to determine the reason for the indication

Indicators of Abnormal
1.
Decrease in Shale Density
Pressure
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Change in Cuttings Size and Shape

Increasing Fill on Bottom After a Trip
Increase in Flow Line Temperature
Increase in Rotary Torque
Increasing Tight Hole on Connections

Recommended Action:
Observance of any of these indicators often
means that the well is penetrating an
abnormally pressured formation. Remedial
action may range from increasing the mud
weight to setting casing.

Summary
Kick detection is everybodys
responsibility. Rigs have been
lost because of a failure to alert
the supervisors that the well
may be flowing. It is important
to recognize warning signs of
kick.
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THE END

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Detection of Kicks
Minimizing the amount of influx significantly increases the
chance of a successful well control operation.
In order to detect a kick in its earliest stages, we must be
aware of the indicators that can warn us that the well is
flowing. If one or more of these warning signs is observed, it
should be assumed that the well could be flowing. The correct
action at this point is to check for flow. If the well is flowing
and the mud pumps or off, then thats a sure sign that a kick is
in progress. Never try to explain warning signs as being
another type of problem until it is proven that the well is not
kicking.
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Penetration Rate Change:

An abrupt change in the rate
of penetration usually
indicates a formation
change, often encountered
while drilling.

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