WARNING iNDiCATORS OF A KiCK
If a kick occurs, and is not detected, a blowout may develop. The drilling crew must therefore be alert and know the warning signs that indicate that an influx has occurred at the bottom of the borehole. Since the influx is occurring at the bottom of the hole the drilling crew relies upon indications at surface that something is happening downhole. Although these signs may not all positively identify a kick, they do provide a warning and should be monitored carefully. Some of the indicators that the driller sees at surface can be due to events other than an influx and the signs are therefore not conclusive. For example, an increase in the rate of penetration of the bit can occur because the bit has entered an overpressured formation or it may occur because the bit has simply entered a new formation which was not predicted by the geologist. However, all of the following indicators should be monitored and if any of these signs are identified they should be acted upon. Some of these indicators are more definite than others and are therefore called primary indicators. Secondary indicators those that are not conclusive and may be due to something else.