A valuable reference for students, working engineers, and supervisors alike, this textbook addresses all phases of well control, from the design stage of a well through plug and abandonment. The fundamental science underlying the techniques is discussed, and the practical application of the concepts is covered in detail and demonstrated with example problems.
Contents: Gas behavior and fluid hydrostatics • Pore pressure • Fracture pressure • Kick detection and control methods • Well-control complications • Special applications • Well-control equipment • Offshore operations • Snubbing and stripping • Blowout control • Casing seat selection • Appendices on circulating pressure loss, surge and swab pressure
About the Authors:
David Watson is a consultant petroleum engineer with Southern International Inc. in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He holds a BS degree in petroleum engineering from Texas Tech U.; after graduating, he went to work for Unocal Corp. and was with Unocal for 12 years. Watson’s professional experience includes responsibilities in production and reservoir engineering, but most of his career has been in drilling. He has been an instructor in numerous industry schools on drilling practices and well control and has authored or coauthored papers and articles on pipe design, horizontal drilling, and well control. Watson is a registered professional engineer in Oklahoma.
Terry Brittenham is the president and owner of Southern International Inc. He holds a BS degree with honors from the U. of Wyoming and was employed by Continental Oil Co., Monsanto Co., and Grace, Shursen, Moore and Assocs. before cofounding SII in 1982. Although practiced in many aspects of petroleum engineering, Brittenham has considerable experience in petroleum, geothermal, and scientific drilling operations, including management, engineering, and extensive assignments as a wellsite supervisor. Brittenham has taught drilling practices and well-control short courses since 1979 and has authored or coauthored several technical papers, articles, books, and manuals on drilling. He is a registered engineer in Oklahoma and Wyoming.
Preston L. Moore has been active in the drilling business since 1949, including 14 years of teaching petroleum engineering at the U. of Oklahoma. Moore received the SPE Drilling Engineering Award in 1993 and was named a Distinguished Member in 1996. He is known throughout the world for his drilling practices schools, which he initiated in 1959. Moore has written three books on drilling practices and has authored more than 100 articles in various trade magazines. He is co-owner of three patents concerning well control and is a recognized authority on well control. Moore remains active in the oil industry and is currently helping to develop a school on deep-well drilling and associated costs.