FLAGHD™ fluid loss and gain detection service is the latest generation of early kick detection. Since SLB pioneered the FLAG™ fluid loss and gain detection service, more than 150 successful installations have been performed on all types of rigs, including land, jackup, semisubmersible, and drillship rigs. Now FLAGHD service delivers faster, more accurate flowmetering to reduce invisible lost time and optimize lost circulation material (LCM).

FLAGHD service has an advanced compensation process to reflect the real-time operation context in conventional and MPD mode

• Drillstring movement
• Rig heave
• Drilling fluid compressibility
• Transient flow behavior during pump start and stop
• Managed pressure drilling (MPD) choke effect compensation
• Filtering to eliminate noise

FLAGHD service optimizes and accelerates well construction operations

• Improved detection efficiency with reduction of false alarms
• One-click reports to minimize operator inputs and standardize deliverables
• Compatibility with EC-Drill^® and other MPD systems
• Downhole and backpressure pump efficiency calibration and chart
• Quality control with automated and intuitive process for calibration
• Dedicated human interface

Reduce the NPT linked to wellbore balance events

The primary objective of an early kick detection service is to promptly identify influxes or losses directly from the well at the rig site. By implementing the flowmetering FLAGHD service, the process becomes faster and more accurate, enabling quicker decision making to stop drilling operations in the case of detecting a kick. In MPD mode, the service acts as a secondary well control barrier to identify unplanned gains and losses.

Minimize influx volume to remain below the kick tolerance

FLAGHD service calculates a differential flow measurement between the inflow and outflow. For influx detection, there are two threshold levels. The first level is triggered by an increase in flow, and the second level is activated once the first level’s gain volume is surpassed. For fluid loss detection, there are two levels based on the decrease in flow, whether it is partial or severe.

Reduce invisible lost time during connection

Flowback fingerprinting during connection time or pump stop enables the quick identification of fluid influx or loss. The FLAGHD service flowmetering sensor delivers an outflow signature three times faster than the conventional flow check method. Instead of a 15-minute flow check, an outflow signature is accomplished in just 5 minutes for each pump stop.

Optimize LCM effectiveness

FLAGHD service measures the intensity and type of fluid loss. This crucial information helps the derrick man and the mud engineer adapt various parameters to address this issue. They can mitigate losses in a tailored approach by adjusting the volume, concentration, and type of LCM.

• Early kick detection of influx and loss in deep and ultradeep water operations, exploration wells, HPHT wells, and narrow mud windows
• MPD, EC-Drill, and conventional systems

• Reduce the NPT linked to wellbore balance events
• Minimize influx volume to remain below the kick tolerance
• Decrease invisible lost time during connection
• Optimize LCM effectiveness
• Real-time fracture identification

How it works

The advanced kick detection system delivers flow monitoring and modeling. Kick detection analyzes the evolution of a key parameter, the differential outflow rate. An increase indicates the presence of a kick, while a decrease indicates losses. The magnitude of the deviation indicates the severity of the kick or loss. The FLAGHD service automatically triggers alarms to inform the operator of normal (green alarm) or abnormal (various color alarms based on severity) operating conditions.

SLB provides the expertise in bypass design and fluid mechanics required to install the flowmetering sensors and has a well-defined process for installing Coriolis and electromagnetic sensors on the flowline. SLB installs many sensor sizes, including 8-in, 10-in, and 12-in Coriolis sensors and 8-in and 12-in electromagnetic sensors. FLAGHD service is the next generation of the SLB FLAG service and replaces the existing service.

FLAGHD is a mark of SLB.
EC-Drill is a mark of Enhanced Drilling AS.