1. n. [Drilling]

Uncontrolled flow of formation fluids from a well. An uncontrolled flow of formation fluids from the wellbore or into lower pressured subsurface zones (underground blowout). Uncontrolled flows cannot be contained using previously installed barriers and require specialized services intervention.

A blowout may consist of water, oil, gas or a mixture of these. Blowouts may occur during all types of well activities and are not limited to drilling operations. In some circumstances, it is possible that the well will bridge over, or seal itself with rock fragments from collapsing formations downhole.

See related terms: abnormal pressure,  blowout preventer,  openhole,  pressure hunt,  turnkey