Journal of Loss Prevention in The Process Industries, Vol.40, 43-54, 2016
Monitoring of down-hole parameters for early kick detection
Kick or influx poses a serious risk to the safety of the wellbore. Early detection of fluid influx from formation is crucial to minimize the possibility of a blowout occurrence. There is a high probability of delay in kick detection, when using an exclusively surface-based kick detection system. Down-hole monitoring techniques have a potential to detect a kick at its early stage. Down-hole monitoring would be particularly beneficial when the influx occurs as a result of a lost circulation scenario. This paper presents an experimental study to investigate the occurrence of a kick based on the changes in mass flow rate, pressure, density, and conductivity of the fluid in the down-hole. Pressure sensor, a Coriolis flow and density meter, and a conductivity sensor are employed to observe deteriorating well conditions in the down-hole. These observations can assess the occurrence of a kick and associated blowout risk. Monitoring of multiple down-hole parameters has the potential to improve the accuracy of interpretation related to kick occurrence, reduce the number of false alarms, and provide a broad picture of down-hole conditions. Moreover, the most sensitive parameters that get affected by the kick are identified. A methodology to detect the kick without false alarms is also reported. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.