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Title: Kill operation requires thorough analysis

Abstract

Full control of a blowout well requires a properly designed post-capping kill operation because failures in regaining well control usually occur during the kill operation, not during capping. Capping (the installation of pressure control or diverter equipment on the wellhead) is generally very reliable in gaining control of a blowout well. The following techniques are some of the viable means of killing blowout wells once the capping assemblies are in place: direct shut in of the flow; bullheading; momentum kill; volumetric control for migration of fluids or lubrication after migration ceases; and dynamic kills (friction-based dynamic kills or mass flow rate kills) The objective of most post-capping operations is to stop the flow and put the well under hydrostatic control. The means of killing a blowout once capping assemblies are in place should be chosen with care to avoid problems such as cratering, equipment failure, and underground blowouts. The particular circumstances and well integrity will dictate which kill method will be the most viable. Each of these five methods are explained.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Wild Well Control Inc., Spring, TX (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
46090
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Oil and Gas Journal
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 93; Journal Issue: 20; Other Information: PBD: 15 May 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; OIL WELLS; BLOWOUTS; REPAIR; WELL SERVICING; BLOWOUT PREVENTERS; INSTALLATION; PROCESS CONTROL; FLOW BLOCKAGE; RECOMMENDATIONS; DATA

Citation Formats

Abel, L W. Kill operation requires thorough analysis. United States: N. p., 1995. Web.
Abel, L W. Kill operation requires thorough analysis. United States.
Abel, L W. 1995. "Kill operation requires thorough analysis". United States.
@article{osti_46090,
title = {Kill operation requires thorough analysis},
author = {Abel, L W},
abstractNote = {Full control of a blowout well requires a properly designed post-capping kill operation because failures in regaining well control usually occur during the kill operation, not during capping. Capping (the installation of pressure control or diverter equipment on the wellhead) is generally very reliable in gaining control of a blowout well. The following techniques are some of the viable means of killing blowout wells once the capping assemblies are in place: direct shut in of the flow; bullheading; momentum kill; volumetric control for migration of fluids or lubrication after migration ceases; and dynamic kills (friction-based dynamic kills or mass flow rate kills) The objective of most post-capping operations is to stop the flow and put the well under hydrostatic control. The means of killing a blowout once capping assemblies are in place should be chosen with care to avoid problems such as cratering, equipment failure, and underground blowouts. The particular circumstances and well integrity will dictate which kill method will be the most viable. Each of these five methods are explained.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/46090}, journal = {Oil and Gas Journal},
number = 20,
volume = 93,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon May 15 00:00:00 EDT 1995},
month = {Mon May 15 00:00:00 EDT 1995}
}