As part of the DACO Library series, this week's featured title is The Practical Handbook of Well Control, one of the latest professional references in drilling engineering, published in 2025 by the renowned CRC Press (Taylor & Francis).
Adopting a highly practical approach, the book comprehensively addresses one of the most critical aspects of drilling operations: well control, from preventive measures to the management of critical well control events. Well control is a cornerstone of drilling safety, playing a decisive role in preventing uncontrolled blowouts, protecting personnel, safeguarding drilling assets, and minimizing environmental impacts.
Drawing on international industry standards, extensive field experience, and real-world case studies, the author successfully bridges the gap between theoretical principles and the practical challenges encountered in drilling operations. The book serves as a comprehensive reference for drilling engineers, rig supervisors, HSE professionals, and operations managers.
The book begins by explaining the fundamentals of subsurface pressures, wellbore fluid behavior, hydrostatic balance, and the mechanisms by which formation fluids enter the wellbore. It then systematically examines the causes of kicks and the factors that contribute to the loss of well control.
Subsequent chapters focus on the early detection of kick indicators, monitoring of drilling parameters, well pressure control, and operational management under abnormal conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of timely and informed decision-making to prevent minor instabilities from escalating into major well control incidents.
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to well control equipment and systems. It provides an in-depth examination of the design and operation of Blowout Preventer (BOP) systems, pressure control equipment, choke and kill manifolds, control lines, pressure monitoring systems, and associated components. The selection, operation, testing, and maintenance of these systems are explained in accordance with recognized industry standards.
The author also presents the principal well control techniques, including the Driller's Method, the Wait and Weight Method, and other widely adopted kill procedures. Each method is accompanied by operational calculations, implementation considerations, as well as a discussion of its advantages and limitations.
In the later chapters, the book explores more complex drilling scenarios, including directional and horizontal drilling, deepwater operations, high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) environments, and managed pressure drilling (MPD). It also covers risk management, human factors, emergency preparedness, operational team training, and lessons learned from major incidents in the oil and gas industry.
One of the book's most notable strengths is its emphasis on emerging technologies, including real-time drilling data monitoring systems, intelligent data analytics, artificial intelligence for early kick detection, the Internet of Things (IoT), and decision support systems. This highlights how modern well control has become increasingly dependent on digital technologies, data-driven analysis, and intelligent decision-making.
Author: Rahman Ashena
Publisher: CRC Press (Taylor & Francis)
Publication Year: 2025