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Procedure If Shallow Gas Is Encountered

Priority 1 is to save personnel. Priority 2 is to save rig and equipment.

Sound the kick alarm.

If Drilling when shallow gas is encountered:

Stop drilling but do not stop pumping.


Open the Air Operated Valve on the Diverter Line
Close the Diverter. It is essential that the well is not closed in and that the
diverter lines are kept clear at all times.

If Tripping when shallow gas is encountered:

Set slips.
Stab a fully Open Safety Valve and then close it,
Open the Air Operated Valve on the Diverter line
Close the Diverter.
Make up the Top Drive.
Pick up the drill string until the Kelly cock is above the rotary table and pump mud at the
maximum rate.
Essential personnel proceed to assigned duties, to include personnel to watch for gas
under the drilling rig.
Non essential personnel go to muster points and wait further instructions.
Open pump suction to heavy mud, and/or all fluid reserves and pump at max rate.
Pump twice the hole volume of kill mud at the maximum rate. Then stop and observe
returns at the diverter
Report current situation to HMD drilling office.

Continue mixing kill mud.


Alert Operations / Project of current situation.
Shallow Gas
The Diverter system must be treated as being susceptible to failure as the expected performance under gas flow conditions
cannot be readily predicted. Consequently if shallow gas is encountered, preparation to evacuate the rig should be made at
once.

Shallow Gas Precautions and Preparations

Prior to drilling the hole section where shallow gas is expected hold a safety meeting and the company man and Tool
Pusher to explain procedures.

Confirm if the offset wells have abnormal pressure on the 18-5/8 x 13-3/8 annulus.
Bleed off the annulus pressure

This check should be made throughout the planning stage of the well and finally prior to rig moving onto location.

For In Amenas, this pressure may have to be bled off by Sonatrach or Operations, depending upon ownership of the well.

For In Salah, this pressure will have to be bled down by Operations.

If shallow gas is expected, alert Operations / Project.

All gas detectors (portable) and alarms to be tested prior to spud. Tool Pusher (TP) to show personnel locations of alarms.

The diverter system will be function tested and circulated through prior to drilling the hole section.

An abandon rig exercise to be conducted to review all escape routes and muster point (with alternatives established).
Review alternative escape routes for different wind directions.

No hot work or Preventive Maintenance work to be done without permission of Company man (CP).

Shallow gas flows will not be shut in while drilling as the pressure build up may induce a fracture around the casing shoe.
Shallow gas will be diverted.

The diverter system: 21 annular, spool and air operated valve to be rigged up as per attached drawing.

A float valve is to be run in the drillstring.

Prepare at least one pit (or as volumes allow) of 1.38sg kill mud

The guard at the gate stops all truck entries to rig site. Entry / permission will be given to each truck by the company
representative.

All mud system ready, including cement crew and equipment.

All mud pits (active and reserve) must be filled with mud and pills (this is to minimize the mixing of new mud while drilling).

The water tank must be topped up with water.

Ensure submersible and Varisco Trash pumps are functional and in position

The lined water pit at location will be topped up. All other water pits in the field to be topped up. All transfer pumps to be
checked. Check status of water wells and establish which wells in the vicinity are available for use in the event of an
emergency.

At start of each shift, Driller / TP explain procedures with the crew. If anybody is in doubt / not sure, stop working and
communicate the concern to either the TP or CP then go to the established Muster point (s).

All non essential personnel to be off the drill floor.

Drilling of potential shallow gas horizon should only take place during day light hours.

Flow checks prior to each connection. Also check for losses. Do not pick up Top Drive to MU new stand before no flow /
no loss is verified.

Flow checks after each drill break and mud losses.

Report findings to HMD Drilling office.

Procedure If Shallow Gas Is Encountered


Priority 1 is the safety of personnel. Priority 2 is to save rig and equipment.
Sound the kick alarm

If Drilling

when shallow gas is encountered, stop drilling but do not stop

pumping.

Open the Air Operated Valve on the Diverter Line


Close the Diverter. It is essential that the well is not closed in and that the
diverter lines are kept clear at all times.

If Tripping

when shallow gas is encountered set slips.

when the shallow gas is encountered, first stab a fully open safety valve and then
close it, second

Open the Air Operated Valve on the Diverter Line,


Close the Diverter.
Make up the Top Drive.

Pick up the drill string until the Kelly cock is above the rotary table and pump mud at the maximum rate
Essential personnel proceed to assigned duties, to include personnel to watch for gas under the drilling rig.
Non essential personnel go to muster points and wait further instructions.
Open pump suction to heavy mud, and/or all fluid reserves and pump at max rate.
Pump twice the hole volume of kill mud at the maximum rate. Then stop and observe returns at the diverter
Report current situation to HMD drilling office.
Continue mixing kill mud.
Alert Operations / Project of current situation.

Standing Instructions for Shallow Gas.

BHI Gas Monitoring System.


Increase in Gas.
2 - 5 % Gas: Inform Driller immediately and Co Man, Continue to Drill Ahead.
Inform BASP Mud Eng to Start De-Gasser.
5 20 % Gas. Update Driller immediately and Co Man.
Continue to Drill with Caution and monitor closely for gain and increase in flow.

20 % Gas: Inform Driller immediately and Co Man.


Stop Drilling and Evaluate, Circulate Hole clean to reduce Gas. If Gas Levels reduce,
continue to Drill Ahead.
20 50 % Gas. Inform Driller immediately and Co Man.
Stop Drilling and Evaluate, Circulate Hole clean to reduce Gas. If Gas Levels reduce,
continue to Drill Ahead.
50 100+ % or Gas and Flowing Well.

Inform Driller immediately and Co Man.

Driller to Open Vent line Valve, Close Diverter. Continue Pumping and Divert Gas/
Mud to Flare Pit.

Sperry Sun PDWD Annulus monitoring System.


If Sudden decrease in ECD Value, Inform Driller immediately and Co. Man.
Beware that Gas could be in Annulus.
If Sudden increase in ECD Value, Inform Driller immediately and Co. Man.
Beware that the Hole could be starting to Pack-Off. Stop Drilling and Circulate hole
clean. Be prepared to reduce pump rate if Hole is Packing-Off.

Precautions to take during Drilling from 150 300 meters.

1. Ignition sources, No Hot Work Permits, jobs to be restricted. Keep a gas detector at the rig floor and
monitor the area frequently.
2. Just essential people at the rig floor until 300m been reached.
3. Flow Check every single while drilling between 150 to 220m.
4. If option is to Increase MW discuss with HMD.
5. Line-Up cement unit to be able to circulate in case of rig pumps failure.
NOTE: Clarify with the crew that gas readings do not mean that you need to close the diverter !!.
At least NOT until the situation looks like it is turning uncontrollable.

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