re: no sign either way yet??? oilers all down Hi people,
There is too little information to draw a definite conclusion.
A "kick" is the term used for an influx of formation fluid into the well caused by a higher pressure in the formation than can be controlled by the pressure exerted by the mud column in the borehole (called over-pressure). It can occur when the well drills into a permeable zone of limited extent that is encased in over-pressured shales.
Over-pressures can result from a variety of situations, so I will not go into the details here. At the depths that are being drilled in Tevet, the section is generally over-pressured because of incomplete compaction of the shales and/or because hydrocarbons are being generated. Generally over-pressured shales can be detected by seismic and while drilling through them.
I am very surprised that the JV does not know whether the influx was water or hydrocarbons or a mixture of the two. When a well kicks, the standard procedure is firstly to close the BOPs, measure “stand pipe” pressures, then circulate out the kick fluid through the BOPs to control and stabilise the well (and monitor the mud to look for influx of water or hydrocarbons). Water associated with over-pressured zones is fairly fresh, so a reduction in the salinity of the mud (which is fairly saline for offshore wells) is a good indicator. The water also often contains traces of oil and gas. If there are hydrocarbons, blind Freddie should see them.
However, in cases, lost circulation prevents the fluid being circulated to surface with a resultant potential underground blowout. In such a situation, the only alternative is to try to stop the lost circulation then set cement plugs in the hole and control the situation downhole
If they have analysed all the available information and have decided to sidetrack, there must be good reasons for wanting to redrill the section.
Cheers,
Oli
HDR
hardman resources limited
