the fear is based around the pressure that would build beneath the capping stack if it were shut in there. this pressure is higher than what the well is experiencing during flow, as it is open to the surface and pressure is not building.

the pressure would build as the formation stabilizes. this pressure would be equal to the reservoir pressure - the hydrostatic pressure exerted by a full column of reservoir fluid going from the mudline back to the formation.

if the well is truly flowing up the annulus behind the 7" x 9 7/8" casing string, then the this high pressure would exert a burst load on both the 16" casing and the 22" casing. This burst pressure may exceed the ratings of these strings. If that were to occur, rupturing the 16" or 22" beneath the mudline, the high pressure reservoir fluids would then likely find their way to the sea floor via a fracture in the sea floor. this would be called "broaching the mudline."

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Posted by MountainTiger

The foot of Mt. Belzoni

Member since Dec 2008

14672 posts

Posted on 7/13/10 at 10:53 pm to oilfieldtiger

The pressure would be equal to the reservoir pressure minus the head of 13,500 feet of oil. Your point is still valid but I just thought I'd point that out.

But if that happens, wouldn't the broach stop if they then opened the rams back up and relieved the pressure?

This post was edited on 7/13/10 at 10:55 pm

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Posted by Sid in Lakeshore

Member since Oct 2008

41956 posts

Posted on 7/14/10 at 5:50 pm to oilfieldtiger

quote:
oilfieldtiger

quote:
rupturing the 16" or 22" beneath the mudline, the high pressure reservoir fluids would then likely find their way to the sea floor via a fracture in the sea floor.

Would this not also potentially leak KW Fluids once the Relief wells are online?.

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