This document provides instructions for backing off stuck pipe using either a top drive or rotary table to apply left hand torque. It describes determining the maximum safe overpull and torque limits, running a free point indicator tool, locating the joint to back off, setting slips and applying left hand torque to transmit it down the string until the stuck point is reached. Once the required torque is achieved, a back-off charge is detonated in hopes of releasing the stuck section of pipe.

1. A. Backing off stuck pipe - Preliminary remarks:
a. The neutral weight is calculated as the weight in air of the string above the stuck point.
b. In order to avoid unintentional b/o (back-off), the maximum M/U torque should be applied
before turning to the left.
c. Determine maximum overpull to be applied to the string. Beware of tapered strings!
d. Determine maximum torque which can be applied to the string under tension (Dril. Eng.
Notebook, section C). The b/o torque will be the smallest between 85% of the make up torque
and the calculated maximum torque.
e. When running a b/o shot, safety procedures related to handling of explosives should be
followed.
f. In order to be able to use the top drive as a "lubricator", during the running of wireline tools we
should have made up below the top drive one joint of drill pipe and a kelly cock. This, should
allow to pull the logging tools above the kelly cock and to close the well, if necessary.
B. Free Point Indicator (FPI) running procedure:
1. Install wireline sheaves on the rig floor.
2. Pass logging cable through lower and upper sheave.
3. Lift and attach upper sheave to the crown block.
4. Set string in slips.
5. Break connection, above kelly cock and close same.
6. Remove plug on top drive, install nut c/w brass bushing. Pass wireline through top drive. Pull
block high enough to allow the logging tool to pass between kelly cock and top drive.
7. Connect wireline to FPI tool.
8. Open kelly cock, RIH FPI.
9. Connect top drive.
10. Determine joint to back-off. POOH.
11. Pull FPI above kelly cock and close same.

2. 11. Brake joint above kelly cock and pull block.
14. Lay down FPI. Brake cable connection.
15. Prepare to run b/o shot.
C. Back-off procedure:
C1. Left hand torque can't be applied by the top drive.
1. If all safety precautions have been taken (including radio silence), connect cable head to b/o
tool.
2. Pull b/o tool inside top drive. Make up connection above kelly cock, open same. RIH to 100m
below sea bed. At this point radio silence is no longer required.
3. RIH to b/o depth.
4. Pull string to neutral weight, set in slips and secure same.
5. Using the rotary table, turn string to the left applying the required b/o torque.
6. Engage top drive brake.
7. Turn off power from rotary table and check that brake is holding.
8. Pick up string slowly to free the slips. When it is certain that brake is holding, remove slips.
9. Work torque down by picking up 20 tonnes over the neutral weight, and down 20 tonnes
below the neutral weight. Repeat this operation several times and stop at neutral weight.
10. Set string in slips and secure same. Engage rotary table and release top drive brake.
11. Repeat steps 5 to 10, until the whole torque has been transmitted to the stuck point i.e. no
further turns can be made to reach the b/o torque.
12. Apply b/o torque. Engage brake. Remove slips. Apply 10 tonnes tension over the neutral
weight.
13. Correlate and set b/o charge in front of joint to b/o. Detonate.
14. The Martin Decker should show an almost instantaneous loss of weight as the string backs
off. If it does not, working the string and applying LH torque may complete the b/o.

3. 15. Check that the correct joint has been backed off:Pull the wireline 5 m and then the string 5 m.
Do not pull the string before the wireline. Log the first few joints. The tool joints should all be 5
m higher up.
16. POOH to 100 m below sea bed. Make P/A asking for radio silence.
17. Brake top drive connection.
18. Pull tool to surface, close kelly cock.
19. L/d b/o tool. Brake cable head. Pass wireline through cable and replace top drive plug.
C2. Left hand torque can be applied by the top drive.
(Replace steps 4 to 12 from C1).
4. Pull string to the neutral point.
5. Using the top drive, apply the back-off torque.
6. Engage the top drive brake.
7. Work the torque down the string by picking up 20 tonnes over the neutral weight and down 20
tonnes below the neutral weight. Repeat this operation several times and stop at neutral weight.
8. Release the top drive brake, keeping torque applied.
9. Repeat steps 4 to 8, until the whole torque has been transmitted to the stuck point i.e. no
further turn can be made to reach the torque figure.
10. Apply b/o torque, Engage top drive brake.
11. Apply 10 tonnes over the neutral weight.
12. Continue with step 13 of the programme.