METHOD FOR DETECTING FORMATION PRESSURE

Methods and systems are described for drilling a well while distinguishing circulated gas or air from pumps-off gas in a drilling fluid at downhole pressure and temperature. A well is drilled with a drilling fluid, drill string, and drill bit. Drilling fluid is pumped through the drill string, drill bit, and into an annulus between the drill string and a wellbore. The drill string comprises one or more sensors sensing a parameter indicative of circulated gas or air in the drilling fluid flowing through the drill string, one or more sensors being behind and near the drill bit. The sensors measuring gas in the drill string may be at the same level as gas detectors in the annulus. The measurements are communicated to a human-readable interface at the surface, allowing an operator to determine if pressure of the wellbore fluid is greater than formation fluid pressure.