Advanced Well Control

A valuable reference for students, working engineers, and supervisors alike, Advanced Well Control 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.

Well-control fundamentals have been understood and taught since at least the early 1960s. Accident statistics have demonstrated the merits of training, and most individuals involved in drilling or other well operations have received some well-control training. Yet, for various reasons, well-control problems and blowouts persist in the industry. The consequences of a blowout (personnel safety, environmental impact, and financial outlays) more than justify efforts to develop effective countermeasures. This book addresses almost all phases of well control, and we hope that its content will contribute to those efforts. We anticipate that the book will be used as a text to train young engineers and as a reference for working engineers and supervisors.