Kick detection when drilling with floating mud cap

15 February 2014 We are having some problems with a drillship drilling an exploration well with 750 m water depth.

Total losses was encountered together with a gas kick, the situation was handled by bull heading, then drilling blind with middle annular closed (mud motor) for 90 m until casing setting depth.

Well is now stable, but for the next section - the contingency plan if total losses is encountered is to drill with a floating mud cap.

We will be using the booster line to fill up the riser with mud, and drill with seawater. Pressure gauge in BOP, and choke line displaced to base oil. PWD in BHA.

My question to you folks, - do we have sufficient kick detection system with only pressure variation in BOP, choke line pressure variation and PWD? What do you see as the main risks? 

Pore pressure is normal. Gas is not expected in this section - but that was the case for the previous section as well.

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