Taking a Kick-Lost Circulation

Horizontal wells –Taking a Kick

•Most horizontal wells are development wells, this means that the reservoir should have already be well understood. –The chances of taking a kick in a horizontal well are reduced –Surge and swab pressures are still a factor •Well control procedures –Well control procedures are identical to vertical wells –Remember only the vertical component of the well will give you hydrostatic pressure –Drill bit should be on bottom when killing the well

Horizontal wells –Lost Circulation

•Lost circulation is treated similar in horizontal well as in vertical wells issues include: –Sensitivity of the formation to LCM material –Difficulty in spotting pills –Chances for differential sticking while dealing with losses are much higher •Curing lost circulation in horizontals –Always pull out to the first available casing string, mix enough LCM to fill the HZ section –Mix LCM as reservoir and hole conditions dictate •Particle size distribution •Fibers •Gunk squeeze