United States Patent: (10) Patent No .: US 9, 995, 097 B2

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THAT ARE NOT COLULUWITH US009995097B2

(12) United States Patent ( 10) Patent No.: US 9,995 ,097 B2


Davis et al. (45 ) Date of Patent: * Jun. 12 , 2018
(54 ) DIVERTING FLOW IN A KILL MUD
CIRCULATION SYSTEM TO REGULATE
(58 ) Field of Classification Search
CPC ...... E21B 21/ 08 ; E21B 21/ 10 ; E21B 41/0092;
KILL MUD PRESSURE E21B 47 /06 ; E21B 47 / 10 ; G05B 15 /02 ;
G05D 16 /20
(71) Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services , Inc., (Continued )
Houston , TX (US)
(56 ) References Cited
( 72 ) Inventors : Nancy Suzan Davis , Irving , TX (US);
Cody Neal Butler, Dallas , TX (US) U .S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
(73 ) Assignee : Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., 3,338 ,319 A 8 / 1967 Griffin , III
3 ,552 , 502 A 1/ 1971 Wilson
Houston , TX (US ) (Continued )
( * ) Notice : Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U .S .C . 154 (b ) by 264 days . CN 101446191 A 6 / 2009
CN 201593387 U 9 /2010
This patent is subject to a terminal dis (Continued )
claimer .
( 21) Appl. No.: 14 /752 ,366 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(22 ) Filed : Jun . 26, 2015 PCT International Preliminary Report on Patentability, PCT/
US2013 /031003 , dated Sep . 24 , 2015 , 8 pages .
(65 ) Prior Publication Data (Continued )
US 2015 /0354299 A1 Dec. 10 , 2015 Primary Examiner — Toan Le
Related U .S . Application Data Assistant Examiner — Xiuquin Sun
(74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - John Wustenberg ; Parker
(63) Continuation of application No. 14 /236 ,061, filed as Justiss, P. C .
application No . PCT/US2013/031003 on Mar. 13 ,
2013 , now Pat. No. 9 , 068 ,419 . (57) ABSTRACT
Killing a well by diverting flow in a drilling fluid circulation
(51) Int. Cl.
GOIV 1/40 ( 2006 .01 )
system to maintain kill mud pressure in a discharge piping
during the well kill operation . It is determined that a target
E21B 21/ 08 ( 2006 . 01) pressure of the kill mud in the discharge piping is not
(Continued ) satisfied by a pressure of the killmud discharged by a pump
( 52 ) U .S . CI. into the discharge piping. In response, a pressure of the kill
??? ... ....... E21B 21/08 (2013 .01 ); E21B 21/ 10 mud is adjusted by at least partially opening a pressure
(2013 .01 ); E21B 41 /0092 (2013.01 ); control device to release kill mud into a bypass piping .
( Continued ) 16 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets

122
106 DISPLAY
COMPUTER SYSTEM
CRM PROCESSOR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
108 110
-

-
28
-
-
101 -

120 - DATABASE
-

T
"

105

100 103
C0002 TT| 115
US 9 ,995 ,097 B2
Page 2

(51) Int. CI. 2008/ 0295589 Al 12 / 2008 Cour


E21B 47 /06 ( 2012 .01) 2009/0194330 A18 / 2009 Gray
E21B 47 / 10 ( 2012 .01) 2009/ 0272580 A1 11/ 2009 Dolman et al.
GO5B 15 / 02 ( 2006 .01)
2011/0139506 A1 * 6 / 2011 Lovorn ................... E21B 21/ 10
175 /25
E21B 41/00 ( 2006 .01 ) 2012/0048620 A1 3/2012 Hopwood et al.
G05D 16 /20 (2006 .01) 2012 /0285744 Al 11/2012 Bernard
E21B 21/ 10 ( 2006 .01)
(52) U .S . CI. FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
CPC ....... ...... E21B 47/06 (2013 . 01 ); E21B 47/ 10 CN 102758619 A 10 / 2012
(2013.01); G05B 15 /02 (2013 .01); G05D
16 / 20 (2013 .01)
GB 2334052 A 11/ 1999
WO 2010071656 A1 6 /2010
(58 ) Field of Classification Search WO 2012158155 Al 11/2012
USPC .... ................. 702/9 WO 2014007797 A1 1 /2014
See application file for complete search history .
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(56 ) References Cited
Patent Examination Report No. 1, Australian Application No.
U .S . PATENT DOCUMENTS 2013382094, dated May 24 , 2016 , 2 pages.
6 ,484 ,816 B1 11/ 2002 Koederitz International Search Report and Written Opinion of the Interna
6 , 755, 261 B2 . 6 /2004 Koederitz tional Searching Authority issued in International Application No.
RE38 ,567 E 8 /2004 Gruenhagen PCT/US2013/031003 dated Nov. 11, 2013 11 pages .
6 , 904, 981 B2 6 / 2005 Van Riet International Search Report and Written Opinion of the Interna
6, 920,085 B2 7 /2005 Finke et al. tional Searching Authority issued in in International Application
8 ,042 ,572 B2 10 / 2011 Winnacker et al . No . PCT/IB2012 /057842 dated Sep . 26 , 2013, 11 pages.
8 ,281,875 B2 10 / 2012 Lovorn et al. Cayeux et al., “ Automation of Mud - Pump Management: Applica
9 ,019 , 118 B2 4 / 2015 Milne et al. tion to Drilling Operations in the North Sea ,” International Research
9 ,068 ,419 B2 * 6 / 2015 Davis ... E21B 41/ 0092 Institute of Stavanger, SPE Drilling & Completion , vol. 26 .1, Mar.
2001/0050186 Al 12 / 2001 Wilson et al.
2005 /0092523 AL 5 / 2005 McCaskill et al. 2011, pp . 41-51.
2007/0151763 A1 7 /2007 Reitsma et al.
2008 /0078586 AL 4 /2008 Tettleton et al. * cited by examiner
U . S . Patent

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Jun. 12 , 2018 Sheet 1 of 3

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US 9,995,097 B2

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122 | DISPLAY SCOYMPTUEMR PROCES R DAT BASE


DISPLAY
110
110
100
CRM 108
106 120
U . S . Patent Jun. 12 , 2018 Sheet 2 of 3 US 9,995,097 B2

202
100
RECEIVER

PROCESSOR
204 102

TRANSMITTER

208
FIG . 2

106

408 404

420 PROCESSOR INPUT DEVICE (S )

|NETWORKINTERFACE() OUTPUT DEVICE


NETWORK INTERFACE(S )
402
OUTPUT DEVICE (S )
406
COM
CRM
410
FIG . 4
U . S . Patent Jun. 12 , 2018 Sheet 3 of 3 US 9,995,097 B2

300

RECEIVE PRESSURE MEASUREMENT


302 SIGNALS REPRESENTATIVE OF A PRESSURE
OF A DRILLING FLUID IN DISCHARGE PIPING

304 DETERMINE THAT A TARGET PRESSURE


PARAMETER OF THE DRILLING FLUID IN THE
DISCHARGE PIPING IS NOT SATISFIED

ADJUST A PRESSURE CONTROL DEVICE TO


MODIFY THE PRESSURE OF THE DRILLING FLUID
IN THE DISCHARGE PIPING BY AT LEAST
306 PARTIALLY OPENING THE PRESSURE CONTROL
DEVICE AND RELEASING DRILLING FLUID INTO A
BYPASS PIPING AT A SELECTED FLOW RATE

MODIFY THE DRILLING FLUID FLOW RATE IN THE


DISCHARGE PIPING BASED ON THE PRESSURE
REPRESENTED BY THE PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
308 SIGNALS AND THE SELECTED FLOW RATE IN
THE BYPASS PIPING SUCH THAT THE TARGET
PRESSURE PARAMETER IS SATISFIED

FIG . 3
US 9 , 995 ,097 B2
DIVERTING FLOW IN A KILL MUD nomenon known as kick can result. If the well is not shut in ,
CIRCULATION SYSTEM TO REGULATE a kick can escalate into a blowout when the formation fluids
KILL MUD PRESSURE reach the surface.
This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit 5 DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
of priority to U . S . application Ser. No. 14 / 236 , 061, filed Jan .
29 , 2014 , which is a U . S . National Stage Application of FIG . 1 is a schematic diagram of an example drilling fluid
International Application No. PCT/US/ 2013 /031003, filed circulation system that includes a pressure control device .
Mar. 13 , 2013. FIG . 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of the
10 computer system to regulate drilling fluid pressure in the
TECHNICAL FIELD drilling fluid circulation system .
FIG . 3 is a flowchart of an example process of regulating
This disclosure relates to circulating drilling fluid through art fluid pressure in the drilling fluid circulation system .
drilling fluid through drilling
surface pumps and piping and in well bores . FIG . 4 is a block diagram of an example architecture of
15 the computer system of FIG . 1 .
BACKGROUND Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements.
In well bore drilling situations that use a drilling rig , a DETAILED DESCRIPTION
drilling fluid circulation system circulates (or pumps) drill- 202
ing fluid (for example, drilling mud ) with one ormore mud
pumps. For example, the drilling fluid circulation system can ingThis disclosure describes a system and method for divert
flow in a drilling fluid circulation system to regulate
move drilling mud down into the well bore through special drilling fluid pressure . The system and the method described
pipe (referred to in the art as drill pipe), and drill collars in this disclosure can be implemented as part of killing a
which are connected to the drill sting. The fluid exits through 25 well, i.e ., to prevent an impending blowout on a well being
ports (jets ) in the drill bit, picking up cuttings and carrying drilled , for example , with constant bottom hole pressure .
the cuttings up the annulus of the well bore . The mud pump The Driller ' s method is an example method to kill the well
can take suction from mud tanks and can pump mud out in which the drilling fluid is circulated in the well twice . In
discharge piping , up the stand pipe , through rotary hoses , the first circulation , the influx is circulated out with the
through Kelly or top drive unit, and into a centralbore of the 30 original mud weight. Constant bottom hole pressure is
drill pipe, drill collars , and bit. Mud and cuttings return to maintained by holding circulating drill pipe pressure con
the surface up annulus. At the surface , the mud and cuttings stant through the first circulation . If the original mud weight
leave the well bore through an outlet, and can be sent to a is insufficient to balance the formation pressure , the well is
cuttings removal system via mud return line. At the end of killed by circulating a heavier mud (kill mud) in a second
the return lines, mud and cutting can be flowed onto a 35 circulation .
vibrating screen known in the art as a Shale Shaker. Finer To hold constant bottom hole pressure during the second
solids can be removed by a sand trap . The mud may be circulation , one of two methods can be implemented . In one
treated with chemicals stored in a chemical tank and can method , the casing pressure is held constant while pumping
then be provided into the mud tank , where the process can kill mud from surface to bit, and drill pipe pressure is held
be repeated. 40 constant thereafter until kill mud is observed returning to the
The drilling fluid circulation system delivers large vol - surface . Alternatively, during second circulation , a drill pipe
umes of mud flow under pressure for drilling rig operations. pressure schedule can be calculated and followed while
For example , the circulation system can deliver the mud to pumping kill mud from surface to bit, and drill pipe pressure
the drill stem to flow down the string of drill pipe and out can thereafter be held constant.
through the drill bit appended to the lower end of the drill 45 The Wait and Weightmethod is another example method
stem . In addition to cooling the drill bit, the mud hydrauli- to kill the well in which the drilling fluid is circulated once .
cally washes away the face of the well bore through a set of The influx is circulated out, and the kill mud is pumped in
openings in the drill bit . The mud additionally washes away one circulation . While pumping kill mud from surface to bit,
debris , rock chips , and cuttings , which are generated as the a drill pipe pressure schedule is calculated and followed . The
drill bit advances . The circulation system can flow the mud 50 drill pipe pressure is held constant thereafter until kill mud
in an annular space on the outside of the drill stem and on is observed returning to the surface .
the interior of the open hole formed by the drilling process. The techniques described in this disclosure can be imple
In this manner , the circulation system can flow the mud mented to maintain the drilling fluid pressure in the piping
through the drill bit and out of the well bore . through which the drilling fluid flows according to the drill
The mud flows through the drill stem and the annular 55 pipe pressure schedule . For example , in the first and second
space at a sufficient velocity to move debris , chips and circulations of the Driller ' s method , a computer- imple
cuttings, which are heavier than the mud, to the surface . The mented method can be implemented to maintain drilling
velocity of the mud should also be sufficient to cool the drill fluid pressure in discharge piping connected to an inlet of the
bit. The wellhead pressures at the pump are sufficiently high well bore according to the drilling pipe pressure schedule by
to flow the mud at the desired velocity and also to overcome 60 operating a pressure control device to automatically divert
substantial flow pressure resistance along the flow path . In drilling fluid from the discharge piping, for example , to the
some situations, the circulation system can flow the mud mud pits , through bypass piping. Also , for example , in the
through the drill bit and the well bore at high volumetric circulation of the Wait and Weight method , the computer
flow rates ( for example , 500 to 1 , 000 gallons per minute ) implemented method can be implemented to automatically
and at pressures as high as 5 ,000 PSI. If drilling fluid flows 65 divert drilling fluid away from the discharge piping to
into the well bore and up the annulus or inside the drill pipe maintain the drilling fluid pressure according to the drill pipe
due to an imbalance in drilling mud pressure, then a phe pressure schedule. In addition , the rates at which the drilling
US 9, 995,097 B2
fluid is diverted can be measured and provided as input to a such that the target pressure parameter of the drilling fluid in
curve fit function (described below ) to calculated flow rates the discharge piping 24 is satisfied .
at which the drilling fluid is diverted away from the dis- As used in this disclosure , the drilling rig standpipe 26 is
charge piping . The diverted flow rates can be used to intended to encompass any of the discharge piping 24 from
calibrate the flow , for example , as an alternative to or in 5 the discharge of the mud pump 30 to the Kelly or top drive
addition to using turbine flow meters . In this manner , the system 33 attached to the drill string 115 , and can include
techniques described here can be implemented for well any portion of the piping between the discharge and Kelly or
control for kicks/influx in which slow pump rates are top drive system 33 . Therefore , it will be understood that the
obtained and recorded , and then used to calculate a diverted terms standpipe pressure and standpipe flow rate could be
flow rate . The techniques can also be used to automate either 10 measured anywhere along the discharge piping 24 between
the Driller 's Method or the Wait and Weight Method (or the discharge of the mud pump 30 and the Kelly / top drive
both ). 33. The flow rate in the discharge piping 24 may alterna
According to implementations of the techniques tively or additionally be determined based on known flow
described herein , the drilling fluid can be automatically rate methods for calculation of the output flow ofmud pump
diverted to the mud pits instead of having the driller do so 15 30 based on speed and cylinder displacement for a positive
by modifying the injection flow rate . The Driller 's method of displacement mud pump.
well control can also be automated . Similarly, the Wait and The target pressure parameter in the discharge piping 24
Weight method of well control can also be automated . The can correspond to a drill pipe pressure schedule according to
method to achieve and record slow pump rates can be which the drilling fluid pump 30 discharges the drilling fluid
automated . The calculation of diverted flow rate can be 20 through the discharge piping 30 . For example , the drill pipe
improved . pressure schedule can be the schedule determined for the
FIG . 1 is a schematic diagram of an example drilling fluid Driller ' s method or Wait and Weight method to kill the well .
circulation system 100 that includes a pressure control The computer system 106 can modify the drilling fluid flow
device 104. A well bore 102 can be drilled in the ground rate in the discharge piping 24 based on the pressure
using a drill bit 114 attached to a downhole end of a drill 25 represented by the pressure measurement signals and the
string 115 . The drill string 115 can be connected to discharge selected flow rate to satisfy the drill pipe pressure schedule .
piping 24 from the discharge of at least one surface drilling In some implementations , the computer system 106 can
fluid pump 30 to the Kelly or top drive system 33 . The determine the selected flow rate at which the pressure
discharge piping 24 , which connects the drilling fluid pump control device 104 at least partially opens to release the
30 and an inlet of the wellbore 102 , can be , for example, a 30 drilling fluid . To do so , the computer system 106 can identify
metal conduit that is part of a piping system mud pump one or more of multiple data pairs stored on a computer
discharge pressure pathway for drilling fluid (for example , readable storage medium (for example, the database 120 ).
drilling mud ) to travel to the drill bit 114 attached to the Each data pair includes a flow rate of drilling fluid through
downhole end of the drill string 115 . The discharge piping 24 the bypass piping 105 and a pressure in the bypass piping
can include a drilling rig standpipe 26 . In some implemen - 35 105 at the flow rate . The computer system 106 can obtain the
tations , the pressure control device 104 (for example , a rig multiple data pairs stored on the database 120 by measuring
pump diverter (RPD ) manifold valve ) can have an inlet multiple flow rates of drilling fluid flowing through the
connected to discharge piping 24 and have an outlet con - bypass piping 105 and measuring multiple respective pres
nected to a mud return line 60 , for example, via bypass sures in the bypass piping 105 , each pressure measured for
piping 105 . The pump 30 is operable to discharge drilling 40 a corresponding flow rate . The computer system 106 can
fluid through the discharge piping 24 at a drilling fluid flow then store themeasured multiple flow rates and pressures on
rate . the database 120 as the multiple data pairs .
The drilling fluid circulation system 100 and the pressure The computer system 106 can provide the flow rate of
control device 104 can be connected to a computer system drilling fluid through the bypass piping and the pressure in
106 disposed at the surface to regulate drilling fluid pressure 45 the bypass piping included in each identified data pair as an
in the drilling fluid circulation system 100 . The computer input to a curve fit function . The computer system 106 can
system 106 ( for example, a desktop computer, a laptop execute the curve fit function to determine the selected flow
computer, a tablet computer, a computer server system , and rate at which the pressure control device 104 is to be at least
the like) can include a computer- readable medium 108 partially opened to release the drilling fluid .
storing computer instructions executable by a processor 110 50 An example of the curve fit function that can be imple
to divert flow in the drilling fluid circulation system 100 to mented to calculate the diverted flow rate from the discharge
regulate drilling fluid pressure . pressure is provided below as pseudo - code .
In some implementations, the computer system 106 can
receive pressure measurement signals representative of a
pressure of the drilling fluid in the discharge piping 24 . The 55 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
computer system 106 can determine that a target pressure // // / // // // // //Calculations// // /// // // / /
Begin
/ // /// /// ///
1
parameter of the drilling fluid in the discharge piping 24 is //SPP below which flow will be set to zero in PSIG .. change with each
not satisfied . In response , the computer system 106 can well
adjust the pressure control device 104 to modify the pressure SPPWhere FlowIsEffectivelyZero = 300
of the drilling fluid in the discharge piping to approach the 60 //power fit equation parameters .. change with each well get from matlab
CO = 0 . 1836
target pressure parameter. To do so , the computer system C1 = 1 .8093
106 can at least partially open the pressure control device C2 = 256 .0744
104 and release drilling fluid into the bypass piping 105 at / operator don 't change below here
PastFlow RateGPM = 0
a selected flow rate . The computer system 106 can modify WHILE ( 1 ) // Run Forever
the drilling fluid flow rate in the discharge piping 24 based 65 RTIN _ GBRPDData ( 1 )
on the pressure represented by the pressure measurement RTIN _ TimeSDLFast( 1 )
signals and the selected flow rate in the bypass piping 105
US 9 ,995 ,097 B2
- continued Subsequently , the computer system 106 can determine a
second pressure according to the drilling pipe pressure
if we are bypassing the flowmeter data and we are in a connection schedule at a second time instant. The computer system 106
IF ( GBRPDStep ! = 0 ) can identify a data pair that includes a flow rate of the
we will calculate the flow based on SPP drilling fluid through the bypass piping 105 and the second
IF (GBSPP > SPPWhereFlowisEffectivelyZero )
BypassFlowOut = pressure at the second time instant. The computer system
EXPONENT ((LOGN ((GBSPP - C2)/ C0 ))/C1) 106 can provide the flow rate and the second pressure to the
IF (BypassFlowOut < 0 ) curve fit function and determined a modified drilling fluid
BypassFlowOut = 0 flow rate at which the pressure control device 104 should
END
IF (BypassFlowOut > 300 ) 10 release the drilling fluid to maintain the pressure at the
BypassFlowOut = PastFlow RateGPM second time instant . In this manner, the computer system
END 106 can implement the techniques described here over
ELSE multiple time instants .
BypassFlowOut = 0
END FIG . 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of the
ELSE computer system 106 to regulate drilling fluid pressure in the
Bypass FlowOut = Bypass FlowIn drilling fluid circulation system . The computer system 106
IF (BypassFlowIn < 0 )
Bypass Flow Out = 0 can include a receiver 202 and a transmitter 204, each of
END which can be in electronic communication with the proces
END sor 110 . The computer system 106 can cause the receiver
21
PastFlow RateGPM = NonNegFlow
// use injection flow as measured when not in a connection or not 20 202 to receive signals from the drilling fluid circulation
system 100 and the well bore 102 . For example , the signals
bypassing
NonNegFlow = FlowIn can be pressure measurement signals representative of the
IF ( FlowIn < 5 )
NonNegFlow = 0
pressure of the drilling fluid circulated through the drilling
BypassFlowout = 0 fluid circulation system 100 . The computer system 106 can
END include a transmitter 204 that is in electronic communication
IF ( GBRPDStep > 5 ) with the processor 110 . The computer system 106 can cause
IF (GBRPDStep < 13 ) the transmitter 204 to transmit control signals to at least
NonNegFlow = 0 partially open the pressure control device 104 to release the
BypassFlowOut = 0
END drilling fluid at a selected flow rate , for example , the selected
END 30 flow rate determined as described above .
IF ( GBRPDStep = = 13 ) In some implementations , the drilling fluid circulation
IF (NonNegFlow = = 0 ) system 100 can include a flow meter (not shown ) that is
NonNegFlow = 1
BypassFlowOut = 1 connected to the bypass piping 105 or the discharge piping
END 24 . The flow meter can be connected to the pressure control
END device 104 to measure a flow rate at which the pressure
// the first pass through has all O 's for the outputs. Do not write this to db control device 104 releases the drilling fluid . The computer
IF ( FirstCalc = = 1 ) system 106 can be connected to the flow meter to receive the
PRINT(
"= == = = === = = == = = === == = = == = = === == == == = = =”) flow rate measured by the flow meter. The computer system
PRINT(“ RPD Step = ” GBRPDStep ) 106 can compare the flow rate measured by the flow meter
PRINT(“ Flow In = " , Flowin ) 40 to the selected flow rate determined as described above . In
PRINT (“ Non Neg Flow = " ,NonNegFlow ) this manner, the computer system 106 can implement a
PRINT(“ Bypass Flow = ” ,BypassFlowOut)
OUT_ NONNEGFLOW ( 1, 2 , 1) feedback system for the selected flow rate .
OUT_ BYPASSFLOW ( 1 , 2 , 1 )
PRINT(
FIG . 3 is a flowchart of an example process 300 of
" = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
regulating drilling fluid pressure in the drilling fluid circu
ELSE 45 lation system . The process 300 can be implemented as
FirstCalc = 1 computer -readable instructions stored on a computer -read
END
SLEEP( 1000)
able medium (for example, a non -transitory computer -read
END // End Real- Time While Loop able medium ) and executed by one or more data processing
apparatus ( for example, a processor ). For example , the
50 process 300 can be implemented by the computer system
In some implementations, the selected flow rate can be 106 . At 302 , pressure measurement signals representative of
determined by executing the curve fit function at different a pressure of a drilling fluid in discharge piping is received .
time instants . The drilling fluid pressure can vary according The drilling fluid is discharged by at least one drilling fluid
to the drill pipe pressure schedule over the different time pump into a discharge piping at a drilling fluid flow rate. The
instants . At each time instant of the different time instants , drilling fluid pump has an inlet connected to the discharge
the computer system 106 can execute the curve fit function piping and has an outlet connected to bypass piping .
to determine the drilling fluid pressure that will satisfy the At 304, it is determined that a target pressure parameter of
drill pipe pressure schedule at that time instant. For example ,
the computer system 106 can determine a first pressure the drilling fluid in the discharge piping is not satisfied . The
according to the drilling pipe pressure schedule at a first time target pressure parameter in the discharge piping can corre
instant. The computer system 106 can identify at least one 60 spond to a drilling fluid pump rate schedule according to
data pair that includes a flow rate of drilling fluid through the which the drilling fluid pump discharges the drilling fluid
bypass piping 105 and the first pressure at the first time through the discharge piping . At 306 , a pressure control
instant. The computer system 106 can provide the flow rate device is adjusted to modify the pressure of the drilling fluid
and the first pressure to the curve fit function and determine in the discharge piping to approach the target pressure
the selected flow rate at which the pressure control device 65 parameter by at least partially opening the pressure control
104 should release the drilling fluid to maintain the pressure device and releasing drilling fluid into a bypass piping at a
at the first time instant. selected flow rate , in response to determining that the target
US 9 ,995,097 B2
pressure parameter is not satisfied . At 308 , the drilling fluid modifying the killmud flow rate in the discharge piping
flow rate in the discharge piping is modified based on the based on the pressure represented by the pressure
pressure represented by the pressure measurement signals measurement signals and the selected flow rate in the
and the selected flow rate in the bypass piping such that the bypass piping such that the targetpressure parameter
target pressure parameter of the drilling fluid in the dis - 5 of the kill mud in the discharge piping is satisfied .
charge piping is satisfied . 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is a
FIG . 4 is a block diagram of an example architecture of Driller 's method .
the computer system 106 of FIG . 1. The computer system 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is a Wait
includes one or more processors 408 and a computer and Weight method .
readable medium 410 ( for example , a non -transitory com - 10 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the target pressure
puter-readable medium ) storing computer instructions parameter in the discharge piping corresponds to a kill mud
executable by the one or more processors 408 to transmit pipe pressure schedule according to which the fluid pump
well data up hole based on bandwidth . The computer system discharges the kill mud through the discharge piping, and
can include one or more network interfaces 402 and one or wherein the method further comprises modifying the kill
more input devices 404 . The computer system can also 15 mud flow rate in the discharge piping based on the pressure
include one or more output devices 406 , for example , the represented by the pressure measurement signals and the
display 122 , and the like. The components of the computer selected flow rate to satisfy the drill pipe pressure schedule .
system can be coupled by a bus 420 . 5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
A number of embodiments have been described . Never identifying a subset of the plurality of data pairs;
theless , it will be understood that various modifications may 20 providing each flow rate of killmud and each pressure in
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the the bypass piping included in each data pair in the
disclosure . In some implementations , downhole pressure subset to a curve fit function ; and
while- drilling (PWD ) data can be used to determine the executing the curve fit function to determine a modified
pressure parameter as an alternative to or in addition to kill mud flow rate .
pressure in the drilling rig standpipe 26 . In addition , the 25 6 . The method of claim 1, further comprising:
drilling fluid circulation system 100 and the computer sys - measuring a plurality of flow rates ofkill mud through the
tem 106 can be implemented as a single system or as bypass piping ;
separate systems. measuring a plurality of pressures in the bypass piping ,
each pressure measured for a corresponding flow rate
What is claimed is: 30 of the plurality of flow rates; and
1. A computer- implemented method of killing a well, the storing the plurality of flow rates and the plurality of
method comprising: pressures as a plurality of data pairs which include the
maintaining kill mud pressure in a discharge piping identified one or more data pairs .
during a well kill operation by : 7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving pressure measurement signals representative 35 measuring a flow rate at which the pressure relief device
of a pressure of a killmud discharged by at least one releases the kill mud ; and
fluid pump into the discharge piping at a fluid flow comparing the flow rate to the selected flow rate .
rate, wherein the fluid pump has an inlet connected 8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting
to the discharge piping and has an outlet connected control signals to at least partially open the pressure control
to bypass piping ; 40 device to release the kill mud at the selected flow rate .
determining that a target pressure parameter of the kill 9 . The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring
mud in the discharge piping to kill the well is not the kill mud flow rate through the bypass piping .
satisfied ; 10 . A system for killing a well , the system comprising:
in response to determining that the target pressure at least one surface fluid pump connected to discharge
parameter is not satisfied , adjusting a pressure con - 45 piping connected to an inlet of a wellbore , said pump
trol device to modify the pressure of the kill mud in operable to discharge kill mud through the discharge
the discharge piping to approach the target pressure piping at a flow rate ;
parameter by at least partially opening the pressure a pressure control device having an inlet connected to the
control device and releasing kill mud into a bypass discharge piping and having an outlet connected to
piping at a selected flow rate , wherein the pressure 50 bypass piping ; and
control device is connected at an inlet to the dis a processor connected to the surface pump and the pres
charge piping and at an outlet to bypass piping ;
Ging . sure control device , the processor operable to maintain
determining the selected flow rate at which the at least kill mud pressure in the discharge piping during a well
partially open pressure control device releases the kill operation by :
kill mud by : 55 receiving pressure measurement signals representative
identifying one or more data pairs , each data pair of a pressure of a kill mud discharged by the pump
including a flow rate of kill mud through the into the discharge piping;
bypass piping and a pressure in the bypass piping; determining that a target pressure parameter of the kill
providing the flow rate of kill mud through the mud in the discharge piping to kill the well is not
bypass piping and the pressure in the bypass 60 satisfied ;
piping included in each data pair of the identified in response to determining that the target pressure
one or more data pairs as an input to a curve fit parameter is not satisfied , adjusting the pressure
function , and control device to modify the pressure of the kill mud
executing the curve fit function to determine the in the discharge piping to approach the target pres
selected flow rate at which the at least partially 65 sure parameter by at least partially opening the
open pressure control device releases the kill mud; pressure control device and releasing kill mud into
and the bypass piping at a selected flow rate;
US 9 ,995 ,097 B2
10
determining the selected flow rate at which the at least fluid pump into the discharge piping at a fluid flow
partially open pressure control device releases the rate, wherein the fluid pump has an inlet connected
killmud by : to the discharge piping and has an outlet connected
identifying one or more data pairs , each data pair to bypass piping ;
including a flow rate of kill mud through the 5 determining that a target pressure parameter of the kill
bypass piping and a pressure in the bypass piping ; mud in the discharge piping to kill the well is not
providing the flow rate of kill mud through the satisfied ;
bypass piping and the pressure in the bypass in response to determining that the target pressure
piping included in each data pair of the identified parameter is not satisfied , adjusting a pressure con
one or more data pairs as an input to a curve fit 10 trol device to modify the pressure of the kill mud in
function ; and the discharge piping to approach the target pressure
executing the curve fit function to determine the parameter by at least partially opening the pressure
selected flow rate at which the at least partially control device and releasing kill mud into a bypass
open pressure control device releases the kill mud ; piping at a selected flow rate, wherein the pressure
and control device is connected at an inlet to the dis
modifying the killmud flow rate in the discharge piping charge piping and at an outlet to bypass piping;
based on the pressure represented by the pressure determining the selected flow rate at which the at least
measurement signals and the selected flow rate in the partially open pressure control device releases the
bypass piping such that the target pressure parameter kill mud by :
of the kill mud in the discharge piping is satisfied . 20 identifying one or more data pairs , each data pair
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the well kill opera including a flow rate of kill mud through the
tion comprises the Driller' s method . bypass piping and a pressure in the bypass piping ;
providing the flow rate of kill mud through the
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the well kill opera bypass piping and the pressure in the bypass
tion comprises the Wait and Weight method . piping included in each data pair of the identified
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the target pressure 25
parameter in the discharge piping corresponds to a kill mud one or more data pairs as an input to a curve fit
pipe pressure schedule according to which the fluid pump function ; and
discharges the kill mud through the discharge piping, and executing the curve fit function to determine the
wherein the processor is operable to maintain kill mud selected flow rate at which the at least partially
pressure in the discharge piping during a well kill operation 30 open pressure control device releases the killmud ;
by modifying the kill mud flow rate in the discharge piping and
based on the pressure represented by the pressure measure modifying the kill mud flow rate in the discharge piping
ment signals and the selected flow rate to satisfy the drill based on the pressure represented by the pressure
pipe pressure schedule . measurement signals and the selected flow rate in the
14 . A non - transitory computer-readable medium storing 35 bypass piping such that the target pressure parameter
instructions executable by a processor to perform operations of the kill mud in the discharge piping is satisfied .
comprising: 15 . The medium of claim 14 , wherein the operations
maintaining kill mud pressure in a discharge piping comprise
co a Driller's method.
during a well kill operation by : 16 . The medium of claim 14 , wherein the operations
receiving pressure measurement signals representative 40 comprise a Wait and Weight method .
of a pressure of a kill mud discharged by at least one * * * * *

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