Experimental Investigations of Gas Kick for Single and Two-Phase Gas-liquid Flow in near Horizontal Wells

Abstract

Multiphase flow in pipelines is of great importance and broadly used in several industries for various applications. A multiphase flow is a complex physical phenomenon where more than one phase occurs. In oil and gas exploration process, more attention has been given to the well drilling operation to fulfill the extreme high demand of natural gas. Well drilling operation and technology has transformed to ultra-high pressure and high temperature reservoirs. This transformation has negatively impacted the drilling conditions and the safety of the drilling rig, as a gas kick would become more likely to occur at these extreme conditions. The resulting uncontrolled gas kicks may ignite and explode causing dramatic blowouts associated with very serious consequences, including financial losses, damaging the environment, and loss of personnel’s lives. The early detection of a gas kick is therefore essentially needed for timely response with appropriately well control measures.