Blowouts—A Computer Simulation Study

ABSTRACT A computer simulation study of blowouts was made using a program written earlier. This study shows the predicted effects of various sized kicks on a given wellbore configuration and studies the major variables affecting kick severity in both water- and oil-based muds. The variables include reservoir variations (pressure, permeability, porosity, temperature) and pumping rate at the surface. Results are shown for the effects of each of these variables on an uncontrolled kick. The present program does not include control procedures but does include some examples of flow through a choke. It was intended to show what might happen if no control procedures were initiated and to study the lower limits of kick detectability. Practices are suggested that should make earlier detection of a kick possible so that conventional kill procedures will be more effective. Blowout simulations suggest that pit gain is the most reliable indicator of a kick. It is recommended that pit level measurement systems, capable of detecting a pit gain of less than 5.0 barrels in the entire active mud system, be developed and be used where high pressure kicks are common.