Proactively using annular friction can enable safer, more efficient well control

Historically, the effects of annular friction have largely been ignored in conventional well control operations, Paul Sonnemann, Vice President of Technology for SafeKick, said at the 2016 IADC Well Control Europe Conference in Copenhagen. However, new technologies, including real-time hydraulic flow models, make it possible to use annular friction to make well control operations more safe and efficient. In this video from the conference on 19 October, Mr Sonnemann explains why friction has largely been ignored to date and how annular friction can be utilized with conventional well control equipment to circulate out a kick. He also discusses the newly formed IADC Well Control Practices Subcommittee.