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Assignment 1
Prepared by
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Practice time: Thursday 16-17
Petroleum Workover
September 17, 2025
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Assignment 2 - CAUSES OF KICKS
1. There are a variety of mechanisms that can cause abnormal formation fluid pressures. List 4 of
the principle causes below.
(a) ————————
(b) ————————
(c) ————————
(d) ————————
2. Shown below is a pressure versus volume plot of a leak off test. The leak off was carried out
with a 10.6 ppg mud. The casing shoe is at 4000ft TVD.
a. What is the maximum pressure that the exposed formations below the shoe can support?
ANSWER.................
b. What is the “Fracture Gradient?”
ANSWER.................
c. What is the maximum mud weight?
ANSWER.................
d. If drilling was resumed and the mud weight was increased to 12.6 ppg. Calculate M.A.A.S.P
ANSWER.................
3. M.A.A.S.P. The maximum allowable annular surface pressure should be re-calculated..
a. At the start of each shift
b. As soon as possible after a drilling break
c. When approaching a suspected transition zone
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d. When the mud weight has been increased in the system
e. If a kick has occurred and the well is shut-in
ANSWER.................
4. The calculated M.A.A.S.P. value is relevant.
a. When the influx is in the open-hole section
b. As the influx approaches the surface
ANSWER.................
5. Given the following data:
Depth 10000ft TVD
Bit size 8 1/2"
Shoe depth 8500ft TVD
Mud weight 12.6 ppg
Collars - 600ft. capacity = 0.0077 bbl/ft
Metal displacement = 0.03 bbl/ft
Drill-pipe 5" capacity = 0.0178 bbl/ft
Metal displacement = 0.0075 bbl/ft
Casing/pipe annular capacity = 0.0476 bbl/ft
Casing capacity = 0.0729 bbl/ft
One stand of drill-pipe = 94ft.
Assuming the 12.6 ppg mud gives an over-balance of 200 psi.
a. If 10 stands of pipe are removed “dry” without filling the hole, what would be the
resultant reduction in bottom-hole pressure?
Pressure gradient=
ANSWER...........................
b. If 5 stands of pipe had been pulled “wet” without filling the hole, the resultant reduction
in bottom-hole pressure would be.
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Pressure gradient =
ANSWER...........................
c. If prior to tripping a 20 barrel slug of 14.6 ppg mud was displaced to prevent a wet trip,
what would be the expected volume return due to the U-tubing of the heavy mud?
ANSWER...........................
6. Prior to tripping out of the hole a trip tank and pump are lined up to keep the hole full as the
pipe is removed. The trip tank contains 30 barrels of mud. After pulling 10 stands of pipe the
level in the trip tank is 27 barrels. (Use data given in Question 6). Would the safest option be..
a. To continue tripping but flow-check when bits at shoe.
b. Stop and shut the well in. If no pressures seen open the well up and continue tripping.
c. Flow-check. If no flow, go back to bottom and circulate.
d. Flow-check. If no flow, continue tripping
ANSWER............................
7. A well can be induced to flow by swabbing. Swabbing is the reduction of bottom hole
pressure due to the effects of pulling pipe. List below 3 conditions that can cause swabbing.
(a) ———————
(b) ———————
(c) ———————
8. A fixed rig is set in 300ft of sea water. The marine conductor has been set X ft below the sea-
bed. The flow line is 65ft above the mean sea-level. The strength of the sub-sea formations is
0.68 psi/ft. Sea-water gradient is 0.445 psi/ft. It is proposed to drill with 9.2 ppg mud. What is
the minimum depth that the conductor has to be set below sea-bed to prevent losses?
Min depth=
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ANSWER.............................
9. An over-balance or trip margin is added to the mud. When tripping this will prevent a loss of
B.H.P. due to the swabbing effect of pulling the pipe.
ANSWER. TRUE/FALSE
10. Assume casing is set at 4800ft TVD/MD and that gas sands were encountered at 5000ft and
at 8500ft. If the formation pressure gradient at 5000ft is 0.47 psi/ft and at 8500ft it is 0.476 psi/ft.
What mud weight is required to give an over-balance or trip margin of 200 psi?
ANSWER............................
