Dynamic well killing method based on Y-tube principle when the drill bit is off-bottom

Abstract

The design of dynamic well killing parameters lacks theoretical support because the U-tube principle is not applicable while drilling bit is not at the well bottom. We present the Y-tube principle and establish a gas and liquid two-phase flow model with the killing fluid backflow and zero net liquid flow theory in wellbore below the drill bit. A dynamic well killing theory is proposed, and the variations of the well killing parameters are revealed. The results were as follows. (1) The Y-tube was composed of an annular part above the bit, a drillstring part, and a wellbore part below the bit. Gas–liquid flow models in those three parts were established to accurately simulate the dynamic well killing process when the drill bit was off-bottom. (2) Based on these models, the dynamic inflow and outflow curves during the killing period were obtained. The variations of the dynamic well killing parameters were analyzed by comparing the two curves. (3) With the increase of pressure, the critical gas velocity of blowout decreases, while the temperature, density and viscosity of the killing fluid do the opposite. With the increase of temperature, density and viscosity, and the decrease of the wellbore diameter, the bottom hole pressure increases. And it decreases with the decrease of the distance between the bit and wellhead. (4) Considering the actual well killing conditions, it is recommended to increase the critical blowout velocity by increasing the killing fluid surface tension and density, and to change the killing fluid density and viscosity so that the dynamic outflow curve is always above the dynamic inflow curve or the dynamic outflow curve is always above the formation pressure. As a result, the dynamic well killing will be successful when the bit is not at the well bottom.