Derivation of Kick Tolerance Equations
Dwp = Depth of the open hole weak point (ft).
D = Total depth of well (ft).
Plo = Leak off pressure at the open hole weak point (ppg).
Pf = Formation pressure (ppg).
Dwp, Plo H = Height of influx (ft).
H
MW = Mud Weight (ppg).
GW = Gas Weight (ppg).
K* = Kick intensity (ppg).
D, Pf
*The kick intensity is added to the formation pressure. For exploratory wells the value is 1.00 ppg and
for development wells the value is 0.5 ppg.
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1. Calculate the maximum allowable height of influx in open hole.
P max(weak-point) = P formation– P gas bubble – P mud below the gas
Pmax(weak-point) = 0.052 * Plo * Dwp
P formation = 0.052 * (Pf+k) * D
P gas bubble = 0.052 * GW * H
P mud below the gas = 0.052 * MW * (D – Dwp – H)
(Plo * Dwp) = [(Pf+k) * D] – (GW * H) – (MW * D) + (MW * Dwp) + (MW * H)
Dwp * (Plo – MW) = (Pf + k – MW) * D + H*(MW – GW)
H = [Dwp * (Plo – MW)] – [D * (Pf+ kick intensity – MW)]
(MW– GW)
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2. Calculate the volume at shut-in. At initial shut-in conditions this can be converted to an influx
volume as follows:
V = H * Ci (bbls)
Where:
V = volume (bbl).
Ci = annular capacity at initial shut-in conditions (bbl/ft).
Ci must be determined bearing in mind the hole dimensions in relation to the height of the influx, H.
For example, if H is greater than the height of the BHA, both the capacity of the drill pipe / open hole
annulus and the drill collar / open hole annulus must be used to calculate the volume V.
3. Calculate the volume when top influx is at weak point. This height corresponds to a volume
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at the open hole weak point given by:
Vwp = H x Cwp (bbls)
Where:
Cwp = annular capacity below the open hole weak point (bbl/ft)
Cwp must be determined bearing in mind the hole dimensions immediately below the open hole
weak point in relation to the height of the of the influx, H.
4. Calculate the volume in step 3 at initial shut-in conditions. Using Boyle’s law to convert this
volume to its original volume at initial shut-in conditions:
P1 x V1 = P2 x V2.
Or in this case: 0.052 x D x (Pf + kick intensity*) x V = 0.052 x Plo x Dwp x Vwp.
Therefore:
V= Plo * Dwp * Vwp .
D * (Pf+ kick intensity)
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Where:
V = volume (bbl)
Vwp = volume of influx below the open hole weak point (bbl)
5. Actual kick tolerance. The actual kick tolerance is represented by the lower of 2) or 4).
V = H * Ci (bbls) (2)
V = Plo * Dwp * Vwp . (4)
D * (Pf+ kick intensity)
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