Paper: Well Blowout Control

When a well kicks, most well control methods recommend that the well be shut in to observe surface pressures. Many times this is not feasible. An operator must use judgment to determine when he cannot shut in. Underground blowouts can be created by merely closing in a well. To property control a kick, surface control equipment should be capable of handling large volumes of gas for a relatively long period of time. Bottom-hole circulating pressures can be calculated while circulating out a kick on the chokes. These calculations #en relieve the operator from having to shut a well in for pressures when loss of circulation is expected. Well control methods must be simple to be used infield work. Complicated methods requiring computers for solutions will never be entirely satisfactory for the field. A simple well control method readily usable in the field will be discussed. Calculations allow the operator to estimate the producing potential of a gas well while killing it. Use of proper gas handling equipment and good well control practices allow the operator to safely use underbalanced drilling to cut well costs.