AUTOMATED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECOGNIZING WELL CONTROL EVENTS

An automated method and system for recognizing a well control event includes determining a state of drilling operations. When drilling operations are in a circulating state, a benchmark for a relative flow value. The relative flow value is based on a flow of drilling fluid into a well bore and a flow of drilling fluid out of the well bore. A limit on variation of the relative flow value is determined from the benchmark. A cumulative sum for the relative flow value is determined over time in response to the relative flow value exceeding the limit. A well control event is recognized based on the cumulative sum.