Well Control Practice Exam Questions And

IADC WellSharp Supervisor Level (Level 4) Well Control Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary objective of well control during drilling operations?

a) To increase the rate of penetration

b) To prevent the uncontrolled flow of formation fluids

c) To reduce mud cost

d) To optimize bit performance

Rationale: The main goal of well control is to prevent formation fluids from

entering the wellbore uncontrollably, ensuring personnel and environmental safety.

• What is the hydrostatic pressure exerted by a mud column with a density

of 12 ppg at 10,000 ft?

• 4,800 psi 1 / 4

• 6,240 psi
• 7,200 psi
• 5,600 psi

Rationale: Hydrostatic pressure = 0.052 × mud weight × TVD = 0.052 × 12 ×

10,000 = 6,240 psi.

• What is the first indication of a possible kick?

a) Flow rate increase while pumps are off

b) Increase in torque and drag

c) Decrease in standpipe pressure

d) Pit level decrease

Rationale: Unexplained flow with pumps off is a key sign of influx entry

into the wellbore.

• What is the primary function of the annular preventer?

a) To shear the drill pipe

b) To divert flow

c) To seal around any shape or size of pipe

d) To close the well permanently

Rationale: The annular preventer can close around irregular shapes, such

as kellys or tool joints, providing initial sealing capability.

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• What is the correct order of BOP closing for well control operations?

a) Annular, lower pipe rams, shear rams

b) Shear rams, annular, pipe rams

c) Annular first, then pipe rams, then shear rams last

d) Pipe rams first, then annular

Rationale: The annular preventer is closed first for initial control; pipe rams

and shear rams are used as backup.

• What is the primary reason for using a choke manifold during well control

operations?

a) To control the backpressure on the well

b) To increase circulation rate

c) To bypass the mud system

d) To reduce hydrostatic pressure

Rationale: The choke manifold allows controlled release of pressure and

maintains constant bottomhole pressure.

• If the casing pressure increases during kill operations, what could this

indicate?

a) Drill pipe leak

b) Choke line friction or plugged choke

c) Mud pump failure

d) Pit gain 3 / 4

Rationale: Rising casing pressure usually indicates increased surface

backpressure or choke malfunction.

• Which method is most commonly used for killing a well after a kick while

drilling?

a) Concurrent method

b) Driller’s method

c) Wait and weight method

d) Volumetric method

Rationale: The Driller’s Method is commonly used due to its simplicity and

safety in most drilling operations.

• What is the main advantage of the Wait and Weight method over the

Driller’s method?

a) Faster initial circulation

b) Requires fewer circulations to kill the well

c) Simpler to execute

d) Requires less calculation

Rationale: Wait and Weight requires only one circulation, reducing total

time and surface pressures.

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