What actions should be taken during a shut-in procedure if surface pressure continues to increase after initial closure?

If surface pressure continues to increase after the initial closure during a shut-in procedure, it indicates that the influx of formation fluids into the wellbore is continuing or that the wellbore pressure is rising due to other factors, requiring immediate action to prevent a potential blowout. The first action is to verify the accuracy of the pressure gauges. A faulty gauge can give a false reading. If the gauges are verified as accurate, the next step is to ensure that the Blowout Preventer (BOP) stack is properly sealed. Check all BOP elements (annular preventer, pipe rams, blind shear rams) to confirm they are fully closed and functioning correctly. If the BOP is sealing correctly, the continued pressure increase suggests that the influx is still entering the wellbore. In this situation, the most critical action is to begin bleeding off pressure through the choke manifold while carefully monitoring the well. This allows for controlled release of pressure and fluids from the wellbore. The choke should be opened slowly and incrementally to avoid creating a surge that could fracture the formation. As pressure is bled off, the volume of fluid bled off should be carefully measured. This information is used to calculate the influx volume and to determine the appropriate kill mud weight. It is also crucial to monitor the casing pressure during the bleed-off operation. If the casing pressure exceeds the maximum allowable casing pressure, the bleed-off rate must be reduced to prevent casing failure. If bleeding off pressure does not stabilize the well and the pressure continues to increase, it may be necessary to increase the mud weight to control the influx. This requires careful planning and execution to avoid overpressuring the wellbore. Therefore, continued pressure increase after initial closure necessitates careful monitoring, controlled bleed-off, and potentially increasing mud weight to maintain well control.