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WellCAP Plus Practice Test

Surface/Subsea

Key

1 Revised 12/5/2004
Surface Stack Questions
1. If the fluid level in a wellbore fell by 1000 ft and has a density of 11.0 ppg, what would be
the hydrostatic pressure reduction?

a) 124 psi
b) 602 psi
c) 572 psi
d) 0 psi

(1000 ft.)(11.0 ppg)(0.052) = 572 psi

2. Identify the Surface BOP component that is not controlled by manifold pressure:

a) HCR Valves
b) Annular
c) Pipe rams
d) Blind rams

3. The 4-way valves on a surface BOP control system should be in block position while drilling,
to prevent hydraulic leaks.

a) True
b) False

4. While a gas kick is being circulated up the annulus using a constant BHP method of well
control, the pit volume will:

a) Increase
b) Constant
c) Decrease

5. Most kicks on trips are caused by a failure to:

a) Make sure that the hole takes the proper amount of mud during a trip
b) Keep mud weight high enough
c) Keep the hole full while tripping out
d) Properly install and test BOP equipment

6. What is the next action to be performed when a kick is taken while tripping, immediately
after the full opening safety valve has been installed?

a) Close the annular

b) Go back to the bottom
c) Turn on the top drive
d) Close full opening safety valve
e) Install inside BOP

2 Revised 12/5/2004
7. What is the correct action if the trip log indicates short fill ups while tripping out of the hole?

a) Flow check, and if no flow then run back to bottom, circulate bottoms up,
and evaluate the problem
b) Stop, spot a high viscosity pill, then pump out of the hole
c) Flow check, and if no flow continue to pull out of hole
d) Shut-in the well

8. When a kick occurs, it is important to get the well shut in as soon as possible because a larger
pit gain will cause a higher SIDPP resulting in a heavier kill mud weight.

a) True
b) False

9. Which of the following circumstances would increase the chance of swabbing in a kick?

a) The collars and bottom hole assembly having small annular clearances
b) Pipe pulled too quickly
c) High mud viscosity
d) ‘Balled up’ bit and stabilizers
e) All of the above

10. A) How much volume should you get back in the trip tank after pumping 25 bbls of a 12 ppg
slug down a drill string with a capacity of 0.0177 bbls/ft? The mud weight in the hole is
10 ppg.

a) 1 bbl
b) 7 bbl
c) 3 bbl
d) 5 bbl

Volume = 25bbl * (12ppg/10ppg) = 30bbl

Trip Tank Gain = 30bbl – 25bbl = 5bbl

B) Calculate the increase in BHP when the slug is still inside the drill pipe.

a) 881 psi
b) 0 psi
c) 300 psi

3 Revised 12/5/2004
11. If the gradient of an exposed formation at 15,000’ is 0.78 psi/ft pore pressure, what is the
expected SICP if the annulus is full of 13.8 ppg fluid?

a) 936 psi
b) 1002 psi
c) 920 psi
d) 876 psi

(15,000 ft)(0.78 psi/ft) = 11,700 psi

(15,000 ft)(0.052)(13.8 ppg) = 10764 psi
11,700 psi – 10,764 psi = 936 psi

12. When should the MISICP (static MAASP) be re-calculated?

a) After an increase in MW
b) After a significant change in mud PV and YP
c) After a long section of hole has been drilled
d) After a significant BHA change
e) All of the above

13. 13 3/8” surface casing is set and cemented at 4,500 ft MD/4,000 ft TVD. The cement is
drilled out together with 15 ft of new hole, using a 10.2 ppg mud. A leak-off pressure of 670
psi is determined.

A) What is the LOT in ppg EMW?

a) 11.9 ppg
b) 13.4 ppg
c) 13.5 ppg
d) 12.0 ppg

4000 ft X .052 X 10.2 ppg = 2121.6 psi + 670 = 2791.6 psi

2792 psi
= 13.42 ppg
(0.052)(4000 ft)

14. What happens to the MISICP (static MAASP) if the mud weight is increased?

a) It decreases
b) Nothing
c) Depends on the design of the mud gas separator
d) It increases

4 Revised 12/5/2004
15. What will the shoe pressure be when the top of the gas bubble reaches the shoe at 5,400 ft
TVD if the mud weight is 11.2 ppg and the casing pressure is 800 psi?

a) 3,145 psi
b) 3,945 psi
c) 4,659 psi
d) 5,459 psi

(5400 ft)(0.052)(11.2 ppg) + 800 psi = 3,945 psi

16. What is the reason for SICP usually being greater than SIDPP?

a) SICP is not necessarily greater. It depends on whether you are drilling onshore or
offshore
b) Cuttings are lighter than mud, and therefore reduces the hydrostatic pressure in
the annulus
c) Because the kick migrates up the drill string
d) The annulus HP has been reduced

17. If the reservoir pressure of an exposed formation at 20,000’ TVD is 11,100 psi, calculate the
following:

The SIDPP if the drill pipe is full of 10.7 ppg mud.

a) 15.2 psi
b) 2,600 psi
c) 0 psi
d) 4,436 psi

HP => 20,000’ X .052 X 10.7 ppg = 11,128 psi – 11,100 psi = 28 psi overbalanced,
therefore 0 psi.

5 Revised 12/5/2004
18. What is the ECD based on the following information?

Surface equipment pressure loss 125 psi

Drill string pressure loss 0.12 psi/ft
Bit pressure loss 1,250 psi
Annular pressure loss 0.04 psi/ft
Depth 10,000 ft MD/5,320 ft TVD
Mud weight 12 ppg

a) 12.4 ppg
b) 13.4 ppg
c) 12.8 ppg
d) 13.0 ppg

(0.04 psi/ft.)(10,000) = 400 psi

400
+ 12 – 13.4 ppg
0.052 X 5,320

19. When is the surface pressure greatest during the circulation of a gas kick?

a) Either when the top of the gas reaches the casing shoe or when the BOP is
closed, depending on the hole dimension.
b) When the BOP is closed
c) When the top of the gas reaches the casing shoe
d) When the top of the gas reaches the surface

20. A top hole is being drilled with the risk of encountering shallow gas. Select a procedure that
will reduce the risk involved with shallow gas.

a) Use a weighted mud

b) Pump freshwater pills to cleanse the hole
c) Drill short length of hole
d) Drill a pilot hole

21. During drilling operations if there is an increase in flow, what should be done?

a) Space-out, shut pumps down and check flow. If flow, shut-in well.
b) Sound alarm, pick up off bottom, locate tool joint in proper position; shut pumps
down and monitor pit level indicator for additional gain
c) Continue drilling ahead with caution.

6 Revised 12/5/2004
22. From which gauge would you obtain the slow circulating rate pressure?

a) Drillpipe gauge on the remote adjustable choke control panel

b) Casing pressure on choke manifold
c) The pressure gauge on the cementing unit
d) Drillpipe gauge on Driller’s panel.

23. How should the choke manifold be set up to drill when a hard shut-in will be used?

a) HCR closed Choke open

b) HCR open Choke closed
c) HCR closed Choke closed
d) HCR open Choke open

24. What are the three positive indicators of a kick? (Choose 3)

a) Flow with pumps off

b) Increase in pump strokes and decrease in pump pressure
c) Increase in flow
d) Splintery cuttings
e) Gas cut mud
f) Pit gain

25. Which of the following characteristics is not true about a conventional full opening safety
valve?

a) Stabbed in open position onto a strong flow up the drill string.

b) Is closed manually with a wrench.
c) It is a check valve.
d) Should not be run in the hole in the closed position.
e) Wire line may be run through it when in open position.

26. When selecting BOP elastomer components, what must be considered? (Choose 2)

a) H2S content in well fluids

b) Rated closing ratio
c) Temperature rating of the elastomers
d) Pipe size

27. Why is it important to vent to surface beneath the test plug when testing the BOPs?

a) To help seat the test plug

b) To assist the test plug to seal
c) To prevent damage to the casing or formation
d) So the test string can be pulled dry when pulled out of the hole.

7 Revised 12/5/2004
28. A gas kick is circulated out using the Wait and Weight Method. What will happen to BHP if
the pump pressure is kept constant while kill mud is circulated up the annulus?

a) Increase
b) Remain Constant
c) Decrease

29. Driller’s Method – second circulation (the first circulation was completed correctly). Casing
pressure is held constant while kill mud is pumped down the string.

BHP will:

a) Decrease
b) Remain constant
c) Increase

30. If Bottom Hole Pressure is held constant while circulating out the influx, the pressure on the
casing seat will not increase after the influx has passed the shoe.

a) False
b) True

31. If the drill string volume is less than the annulus volume, the Wait and Weight Method has an
advantage over the Drillers Method with respect to PcMax.

a) False
b) True

32. When using the Wait and Weight Method, the pump is brought up to speed holding casing
pressure constant but the ICP is 500 psi above what your drillpipe schedule predicts it should
be. What should you do assuming no trapped pressure?

a) Everything is OK. Just follow your drillpipe schedule

b) Calculate a SPR pressure from the initial circulating pressure and refigure
your schedule
c) Hold casing pressure constant until mud reaches the bit
d) Change to a different choke

8 Revised 12/5/2004
Answer the next 4 questions (# 33 thru # 36) using the following information:

TD 15,000 ft MD / 14,200 ft TVD

Casing 9 5/8”, 45 lb/ft, Set at: 10,400 ft MD / 10,050 ft TVD
Original Mud Wt. 12.5 ppg
SIDPP 550 psi
SICP 1000 psi
GAIN 25 bbls
Pre-recorded information is as follows:
FRACTURE Mud Weight 15.4 ppg (EMW)
CAPACITY of 19.5 lb Drill Pipe 0.01776 bbl/ft
CAPACITY of 9 5/8” J55 Casing 0.0732 bbl/ft
SCR Pressure @ 30 spm 900 psi

33. The MISICP (static MAASP) is:

a) 1515 psi
b) 1520 psi
c) 1568 psi
d) 2141 psi

(15.4 ppg – 12.5 ppg)(0.052)(10,050 ft) = 1515 psi

34. The kill weight mud required to balance formation pressure is:

a) 13.8 ppg
b) 13.9 ppg
c) 13.2 ppg
d) 13.3 ppg

550psi
= + 12.5 = 13.3 ppg
(0.052)(14,200ft)

35. The initial circulating pressure is:

a) 350 psi
b) 1900 psi
c) 1450 psi

900 psi + 550 psi = 1450 psi

9 Revised 12/5/2004
36. The final circulating pressure is:

a) 900 psi
b) 958 psi
c) 1543 psi

13.3
900 psi X = 958 psi
12.5

37. An influx is being circulated out in the first circulation of the DRILLER’S METHOD at 35
spm and 1000 psi. The operator increases PUMP SPEED to 40 spm but holds PUMP
PRESSURE constant. The initial SIDP pressure was 500 psi.

A) What happens to BOTTOM HOLE PRESSURE?

a) Decreases
b) Remains approximately the same
c) Increases

1000 – 500 psi = 500 psi

2
500 psi X ⎛⎜ 40 ⎞⎟ = 653 psi
⎝ 35 ⎠
653 + 500 psi = 1153 psi
1000 – 1153 psi = 153 psi Under-balanced

B) And by how much? (continued from above)

a) 653 psi
b) 500 psi
c) 153 psi

38. Select 3 positive kick indicators while tripping from the following list. (Choose 3)

a) Short Fill-ups tripping out

b) Increase in drag
c) Pipe coming out wet
d) Returns while tripping in
e) Excess pit gain while tripping in
f) Positive flow with pipe static

10 Revised 12/5/2004
39. Select two true statements about annular preventers. (Choose Two)

a) Can be locked in closed position

b) Can close on open hole
c) Should not be used continuously in temperatures above 180°F
d) Pipe cannot be stripped through it

40. Select the false statement about ram preventers.

a) Can be locked in closed position

b) Are wellbore pressure assisted
c) Recommended for stripping operations
d) Designed to hold pressure from below

11 Revised 12/5/2004
Subsea Stack Questions
1. When drilling in shallow gas areas without a riser, which of the following 2 statements are
true? (Choose 2)

a. Kicks are easier to detect

b. It will be easier to move off of location
c. ECD is much greater
d. There is less risk to the crew with no riser installed, if a kick occurs.

2. As gas enters the choke line (displacing the mud), surface casing pressure will:

a. Remain constant
b. Increase more rapidly
c. Decrease more rapidly
d. None of the above

3. If the surface casing pressure is not reduced by the amount of choke line friction, what
will be the effect on the casing shoe pressure?

a. The shoe pressure will be increased by the amount of the choke line friction
b. The casing shoe pressure will not be effected
c. The casing shoe pressure will be decreased by the amount of the choke line
friction
d. None of the above

4. A spring assist closure valve (fail-safe valve) on a sub sea stack is designed to:

a. Close if hydraulic pressure is removed while the valve is open

b. Close instantly if the flow rate through it is too large
c. Remain open if hydraulic pressure is removed while the valve is open
d. None of the above

5. Flow has been detected with drill pipe across a subsea BOP stack. The annular close
button was pressed and the pilot light changes. However, all gauges and the flow meter
remained static. What is now the best option to close the well in?

a. Place the function in the block position

b. Change pods and try again
c. Use the bypass
d. Have the Toolpusher close from his remote station

12 Revised 12/5/2004
6. In a 3,000 psi subsea system, power fluid at the SPM operating a ram preventer has a
pressure of:

a. 1,200 psi
b. 1,500 psi
c. 3,000 psi
d. 1000 psi + sea water hydrostatic

7. For a conventional floating rig, the riser is the high pressure containment pipe used
during well kills.

a. True
b. False

8. The pilot lines and power hoses are under pressure in both pods while drilling. Is this
statement true or false?

a. False
b. True

9. What is the ‘Memory function’ on the Driller’s BOP Panel?

a. This is the system to show the Driller the BOP is in the drilling mode
b. To show the last function before a ‘block’
c. To assure the Driller the Pipe Ram is locked
d. A warning used when an error occurs in the system

10. When a function is operated, which one of the following is true?

a. SPM valves will operate in both pods

b. SPM valves will operate only in the active pod
c. The light confirms the function has taken place
d. The solenoid sends a signal to confirm the well is shut in

11. Which one of the following does not operate from manifold pressure in a subsea pod?

a. Failsafe valves
b. SPM valves
c. Hydraulic latches
d. Ram locks
e. Blind/shear rams
f. Pipe rams

13 Revised 12/5/2004
12. Severe lost returns occurred while drilling with 14.8 ppg mud resulting in the mud
dropping out of sight in the riser. The annulus was filled with approximately 280 bbls of
seawater (8.6 ppg). What was the reduction in BHP after the annulus was filled?
____284_____ psi

Data:
Riser ID 18 3/4"
DP OD 5”
Rig Floor to Mud Line 3900'

(18.75)2 - (5)2 = .3174 b / f

1029

280 bbls / .3174 b / f = 882’

(14.8 – 8.6) x 882’ x .052 = 284 psi

13. What are the reasons for requiring ram locking devices on subsea BOP’s? (Choose 2)

a. Increased force when closing the ram

b. Increased closing speed
c. Lock the ram in the closed position during disconnect
d. Assist in shearing pipe
e. Lock the wellhead to the connector
f. Lock the LMRP to the BOP
g. Maintain ram closed in the event of power fluid loss.

14. What is the first and most critical step in clearing the trapped stack gas?

a. Open the annular to allow gas to migrate to surface.

b. Open the lower most choke valves.
c. Isolate the wellbore.
d. Close the diverter system

14 Revised 12/5/2004
Answer the next 2 questions from the following information (questions 15 & 16):
On a floater the drill pipe has been hung off on the rams and the well has been killed using the
Wait and Weight Method.

18 3/4" 15m BOP's

5" 19.5# DP

RKB to mud line 6500'

Mud Weight 13.4 ppg
Kill Mud Weight 14.9 ppg
Atmospheric Pressure 14.7 psi
Pressure gradient of gas None (0 psi/ft)
Distance from hang off rams to choke line = 7 feet

15. What is the pressure on the trapped stack gas? ___5036_____ psi

6500’ x 14.9 ppg x .052 = 5036 psi

16. Calculate the volume of gas if it were allowed to migrate up through the riser.
___760____ bbls.

(18.75)2 - (5)2 = .3174 bpf x 7’ = 2.22 bbls

1029
P1 V1 = P2 V2
5036 x (2.22 bbls) = 14.7 x (V2)
V2 = 760 bbls

17. When using Oil Based or Synthetic Based Muds (OBMs or SBMs) in deep water, the
biggest concern is detecting a kick before it reaches the BOP stack.

a. True
b. False

18. When using Oil Based or Synthetic Based Muds (OBMs or SBMs) the most reliable
indicator of an influx is:

a. An increase in flow
b. An increase in ROP
c. Pit Gain
d. An increase in background gas

15 Revised 12/5/2004