Blowouts--a computer simulation study

Conference · Tue Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5499546

Thoman, D C; Lea, J F

A computer simulation study of blowouts was made using a program written earlier. This study shows the predicted effects of various sized kicks on a given wellbore configuration and studies the major variables affecting kick severity in both water- and oil-based muds. The variables include reservoir variations (pressure, permeability, porosity, temperature) and pumping rate at the surface. Results are shown for the effects of each of these variables on an uncontrolled kick. The present program does not include control procedures but does include some examples of flow through a choke. It was intended to show what might happen if no control procedures were initiated and to study the lower limits of kick detectability. Practices are suggested that should make earlier detection of a kick possible so that conventional kill procedures will be more effective. Blowout simulations suggest that pit gain is the most reliable indicator of a kick. It is recommended that pit level measurement systems, capable of detecting a pit gain of less than 5.0 barrels in the entire active mud system, be developed and be used where high pressure kicks are common.

• Research Organization: Amoco Production Co.
• OSTI ID: 5499546
• Report Number(s): CONF-830203-
• Journal Information: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Vol. IADC/SPE 11375; Conference: IADC/SPE drilling conference, New Orleans, LA, USA, 20 Feb 1983
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
BLOWOUTS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DETECTION
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
COMPUTER CODES
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DRILLING FLUIDS
IMPACT SHOCK
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
ACCIDENTS
FLUIDS
SIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing