Well control procedures developed for multilateral wells
- BP Exploration, Sunbury-on-Thames (United Kingdom)
- BP Exploration, Aberdeen (United Kingdom)
- BP Exploration, Houston, TX (United States)
For multilateral wells, conventional well control methods require some additional precautions and measures compared to well control methods used in single-bore wells. Multilateral well technology is increasingly used to improve well productivity and reserves, as well as to reduce drilling and facility cost in field developments. Kick tolerance is one of the important criteria in designing casing setting depth during well planning, and it is also an important parameter that must be monitored during drilling operations. Several methods exist for calculating kick tolerance. A method that is used within BP Exploration is described in the accompanying box. The method calculates the maximum volume of formation influx that can be shut in and circulated out of the well without breaking down the formation at the open hole weak point. Based on the principles and the method described in the accompanying box, a new method can be derived for determining kick tolerance in multilateral wells. The procedure of the new method for a dual-lateral well is described.
- OSTI ID:
- 392627
- Journal Information:
- Oil and Gas Journal, Vol. 94, Issue 45; Other Information: PBD: 4 Nov 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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