Work involving wells is fraught with difficulties as there is often very little information about the real time condition of the completion. This lack of knowledge also covers potential damage and even loss of well integrity. Therefore, it is essential for the operator to pay attention to the pressures as recorded and to the quantity pumped. A premature increase in pressure is sign of a potential blockage and continuing to pump risks burst pressure retaining components. Pumping more than an anticipated amount of fluid is a sign of a loss of integrity and a potential leak path somewhere. In either of these two situations, pumping must be stopped and the potential causes analysed.
