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Gas Drilling Operations 149

3. As soon as there are steady returns, the mist quantities can be adjusted.
Wait at least 30 minutes before making additional changes after any
adjustment to the mist volume or mixture.
4. If too many changes are made too quickly, it is difficult to determine
the impact of the adjustment.

7.2.3 Making Connections
The procedure for making connections is as follows:
1. The well should be circulated until the returns are free of cuttings or
at least minimized.
2. While circulating the hole clean, reciprocate the pipe slowly to wipe
out any potential mud rings that have begun to form.
3. Gas should be diverted down the blooey line, and the flow rate from
the compressor should be reduced.
4. Pull up the kelly and set the slips. Open the bleed-off line and allow
the gas to bleed off.
5. Slowly break the kelly loose and allow any air to be vented from the
drill string.
6. Make up the next joint of drill pipe as normal.
7. Begin lowering the pipe back to the bottom and return the flow
stream down the drill string. When returns are seen at the blooey
line, drilling can be resumed.

7.2.4 Tripping Pipe
The following procedure should be used in pipe tripping:

1. Tripping can be considered as a series of connections. However, a
major change occurs when the BHA arrives at the surface. If the drill
collar/stabilizer/large OD tools can pass through the pack-off, then
the trip can continue as before.
2. If they are too large to pass through the pack-off, then the diverter
pack-off will have to be removed.
3. By the time the BHA is tripped to the surface, the annulus has most
likely blown down. If this is the case, the trip can continue because
there is minimal danger from a kick.
4. If the well is producing gas or liquids that can be successfully diverted
down theflowlineorblooeylinebythevacuum createdwiththe
compressor flow, then the trip can be continued with precautions
taken on each connection.