Basra University For Oil And Gas (BUOG)
Principles of Well Control
17_November ,2021,
Lecturer: Najah Saeed Abdulridha
Previous Lecture-The “U” Tube Model
The “U” Tube Model
A “U” tube system is present when two side by side tubular columns or pipes containing fluids of same or different density and
height. The two columns are communicated at their basis .
Pressures on bottom of both columns are equalized at the communication point. That is:
Pressure at A = Pressure at B
Wellbore in Dynamic Condition
Wellbore in Dynamic Condition
Dynamic “U” Tube – circulating fluid
The wellbore in dynamic condition/drillstring side
BHP=HPD + PP- DSPL-BPL
The wellbore in dynamic condition/Casing side
Similarly, the bottom hole pressure is the sum of the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid column inside the
annulus, any pressure exerted on this column at the surface, and the pressure loss due to friction inside the
annulus.
BHP=HPA + SCP+ APL
Notice that, while calculating the bottom hole pressure through
the annulus, the friction pressure loss in the annulus is added
to the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column.
The “ U ” Tube Model
Using the principles of the U-tube, the bottomhole pressures applied through the drill string and annulus will
same.
The U-tube principle and the above-stated formula are used extensively to understand well control situations and to calculate
the severity of the kick, kill fluid density, pressure schedules during well control operation,
Example_1:Use of the U-Tube Principle in Dynamic Condition
Given:
• Well depth: 10,000 ft
• Mud weight, MW: 10 lb /gal
• Circulating DP Pressure, CDPP = 2,000 psi
• Circulating Casing Pressure, CCP = 500 psi (back pressure imposed with choke)
• Drill Pipe Pressure Losses, ∆PTP= 1,300 psi
• Annular Friction Losses, ∆PA= 200 psi
• Pressure zone, P2 = 5,700 psi
Calculate:
• Bottom Hole Circulating Pressure using DP & annular sides
Example_1: Use of the U-Tube Principle in Dynamic Condition
Example_2
A well is being circulated at a flow rate of 500 gallons per minute, with 2200 psi pump pressure and 100 psi casing
pressure (choke on the return flow line is partially closed, applying 100 psi back pressure on the well). The true
vertical depth of the well is 7000 ft, and the density of fluid inside the drill string and annulus is 10.5 ppg.
We know that:
We know that: Using the U-tube principle, we also know that:
Rearranging the above equation:
Therefore, total pressure loss in the well in dynamic condition is 2100 psi. If the friction pressure loss inside the drill string
and annulus is 1000 psi, then the bit pressure loss is calculated as follows:
Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD)
ECD is a key parameter during drilling through formations where the margin between the pore pressure and the fracture
pressure (FP) is narrow. In these critical formations, the ECD is used to control the formation pressure and prevent kicks.
In dynamic conditions, bottomhole pressure can also be represented in terms of equivalent mud weight, called ‘Equivalent
Circulating Density’ (ECD) ,
• the effective density exerted by a circulating fluid against the formation
Take into account the pressure drop in the annulus above the point considered
The ECD is calculated as :
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩
ECD= 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌 𝐰𝐭. +
𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟐 𝐗 𝐓𝐕𝐃
𝐁𝐇𝐏
ECD =
𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟐 𝐗 𝐓𝐕𝐃
𝐇𝐏𝐃 +𝐏𝐏−𝐃𝐒𝐏𝐋−𝐁𝐏𝐋
=
𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟐 𝐗 𝐓𝐕𝐃
Or:
𝐇𝐏𝐀 +𝐒𝐂𝐏+𝐀𝐏𝐋
=
𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟐 𝐗 𝐓𝐕𝐃
Equivalent circulating density
We have seen that bottom hole pressure increases when circulating by the amount of the
annular pressure losses (APL).
BHCP (psi) = mud hydrostatic (psi) + APL (psi)
So while circulating the bottom hole circulation pressure (BHCP) is higher than the mud hydrostatic.
BHCP can be expressed as a value in pounds per gallon (ppg), this is known as the
Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD).
ECD can be calculated from the bottom hole circulating pressure by converting this to an
equivalent mud density.
Another more common formula used to calculate ECD uses the annular pressure loss and
the original mud weight.
Equivalent circulating density
For More Details check the Link below
• https://www.drillingmanual.com/2021/05/ecd-drilling-equivalent-circulating-
density.html
• Why do we need to control the ECD In Drilling?
• In Which Drilling Wells Is The Control of ECD Most Important?
• What Is ECD In Drilling? (EQUIVALENT CIRCULATING DENSITY)
• Major Components That Affect ECD Value In Drilling
• Parameters Influencing Equivalent Circulating Density ECD In Drilling
