Well killing is a strategy to shut down an active well by using sludge or lethal fluid to block the flow of substances from the well. It can be intentional or accidental, and involves injecting a heavier substance into the well to slow down and eventually block the flow of oil or other substances. Different strategies include reverse circulation, bullheading, and lube and purge. The goal is to contain the flow and seal the well to prevent substances from reaching the surface.
Killing a well is a strategy that is sometimes used to shut down an active well, making it easier to contain the flow of product from the well and to successfully cap the well. While there are several strategies used to achieve this, many will involve the use of what is known as sludge or deadly fluid to effectively block the flood of other substances from the well, relieving the pressure and making it possible to move forward successfully by sealing the well bored. While a well kill can be a deliberate attempt to shut down a damaged or no longer needed well, this term can also refer to an accidental event that was not planned for in advance.
When well killing is intentional, the process involves using a heavier type of substance than the substance that was harvested using the active well. For example, the use of kill mud can be ideal for containing flow from an oil well. Because the sludge is heavier, it can be injected into the well itself, helping to slow down and eventually create a blockage that prevents underground oil from escaping through the well and rising to the surface. Once the oil flow is contained, the well can be sealed or plugged, effectively preventing oil from using the well channel to reach the surface.
There are several strategies used to handle a good kill. The use of mud to block the channel is among the most common and is sometimes referred to as the reverse circulation approach. A different strategy is known as bullheading. With this approach, some type of lethal fluid is actively pumped into the well at a pressure rate that pushes the oil or other substance backwards. This approach is more likely to be used when a well needs to be shut down quickly, but it does contain some risks, as the sudden pressure change could cause ruptures along the well shaft.
When wellkilling is a planned strategy that can be conducted incrementally over a period of time, an approach known as “lube and purge” is often used. This approach involves introducing measured amounts of lethal fluid into the wellbore over a period of time, usually a drillpipe that is introduced into the wellhole and allows the mud to begin settling near the bottom of the hole. This can relieve any excess pressure in the hole itself, which in turn helps minimize the possibility of breakage. As additional amounts of lethal liquid settle in the well, the pressure continues to decrease until the well can be safely plugged.
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