2. Stuck Pipe Conditions
• Critical to identify the problem.
• Why is pipe or B.H.A. stuck?
• Operation at time of occurrence?
• Answer will point to the solution.
5-17-2000 2
3. Stuck Pipe
Identity SP
mechanism (s)
Estimate
Start working
stuck point Success
pipe
Calculate No success
optimum
fishing time
Switch to
alternative freeing
method
BO pipe
and fish
Stuck Pipe
Flowchart
Continue
working pipe
Decision
Give up trying
to free pipe Pipe freed
Sidetrack/P&A Remedial action
end time
5-17-2000 3
4. STATIC
Is
Down Motion
Possible?
YES NO
Is
Pipe Rotation
Restricted?
YES
Is
Circulation
Restricted?
5-17-2000 4
YES
NO
Differential
Wellbore
Geometry
NO
Is
Circulation
Restricted?
YES
Bridge
Pack-off
Wellbore
Geometry
NO
Differential
Wellbore
Geometry
Is
Stuck Pipe
Flowchart
Pipe Rotation
Restricted?
YES
Is
Circulation
Restricted?
YES
Bridge
Pack-off
NO
Differential
NO
Is
Circulation
Restricted?
YES
NO
Differential
Wellbore
Geometry
5. TRIPPING IN
Is
Down Motion
Possible?
YES
Wellbore
Geometry
NO
Is
Pipe Rotation
Restricted?
YES NO
5-17-2000 5
Wellbore
Geometry
Is
Circulation
Restricted?
NO
Bridge
Pack-off
Wellbore
Geometry
YES
Stuck Pipe
Flowchart
6. TRIPPING OUT
Is
Down Motion
Possible?
YES
Is
Pipe Rotation
Restricted?
NO
YES
Is
Circulation
Restricted?
5-17-2000 6
YES
Bridge
Pack-off
Wellbore
Geometry
NO
Wellbore
Geometry
NO
Is
Pipe Rotation
Restricted?
YES
Is
Circulation
Restricted?
YES
Bridge
Pack-off
NO
Wellbore
Geometry
NO
Is
Circulation
Restricted?
YES
Bridge
Pack-off
Wellbore
Geometry
NO
Stuck Pipe
Flowchart
7. ROTATING
Is
Down Motion
Possible?
YES
Wellbore
Geometry
NO
Is
Pipe Rotation
Restricted?
YES NO
5-17-2000 7
Wellbore
Geometry
Is
Circulation
Restricted?
NO
Bridge
Pack-off
Wellbore
Geometry
YES
Stuck Pipe
Flowchart
8. Jar or Wash Over?
• 1st. Question is, can you circulate?
• Jarring is rarely successful if the hole
cannot be circulated.
• A formation can be mechanically squeezed
by attempting to jar through a tight
spot if the hole cannot be circulated.
• Wash-over is the option that will work.
5-17-2000 8
10. Washover Operations
Washover operations are done in open hole to:
• Cut the formation away from a fish
• Mill junk away from the outside of a fish
• Mill away parts of the BHA that cannot
be washed over
5-17-2000 10
11. Wash Over Pipe
• Minimum size to cover fish with
adequate room for circulation
• Preferred I.D. clearance is 1/4”
• Preferred O.D. clearance is 1/2”
• Length of washpipe to run is determined
by hole conditions, clearance, customer
requirements
5-17-2000 11
12. Hole Conditions
• Local knowledge is important
• Formation hard or soft
• Salt water flow - Gas pockets
• Prone to key seats
• Chalk - WP won’t stick
• Offshore Louisiana, will stick rotating
5-17-2000 12
15. WASHOVER – WASHPIPE
List of Tools Usually Needed:
1.)Washpipe w/ nubbins
2.) Shoe w/ kutrite head
3.) Canfield bushing
4.)Oil Jars
5.) Lubricated Bumper Sub
6.) Elevators f/ washpipe
7.) Slips f/ washpipe
8.) Safety clamp f/ washpipe
9.) Lift sub f/ jars
10.)Bleeder plug f/ drill pipe
11.)Becket & Bails f/ elevators
12.)Crossover subs
5-17-2000 15
16. Wash Over Pipe
• Look through WP before PU
• Check OD & ID; measure length
• Use chain tongs to make up
• Make up to proper torque
• Run safety joint; jars & DC’s
5-17-2000 16
17. Standard Wash Over Assembly
•Wash over back-off safety joint
•Length of wash over pipe
•Rotary shoe
5-17-2000 17
18. Recommended Procedures
• Bit trip to condition mud first
• Can pinpoint exactly the top of fish
• Run washpipe in the hole slow
• Break circulation;record parameters
• After wash over/ high viscosity pill
5-17-2000 18
19. Recommended Procedures
• Easy to stick differentially
• Keep wash pipe moving at all times
• Maintain minimum mud weight/ low water loss
• Use short string of wash pipe with a shoe
designed to cut maximum clearance
between the WP and the bore hole
5-17-2000 19
20. Recommended Procedures
• Don’t leave rig controls unattended
• Inspect boxes & pins on trips
• Change out if in doubt
• Kick Pads in shoe; Knock TJ’s off wall
• Wash over at a moderate rate
5-17-2000 20
21. Only Tool Joints Stuck
Wield a kick pad inside the
shoe to kick the tool joints
off the wall
5-17-2000 21
22. Washing Over
• W.O.B.O. tool; go slow last 5’
• Circulate bottom’s up and work the
string good before connecting with fish
• Protect what you have before going for
more
5-17-2000 22
23. Shoe Selection
• Short tooth or scallop shoes best
for medium to hard formation
• Medium tooth is faster for soft formation
• Flat bottom or ocean wave; used to cut
packers, stabilizers, reamers, tool Jts.
• Select shoes carefully, they vary
• Quality & performance count
5-17-2000 23
27. Weatherford Rotary Shoes
To order specify:
1)Shoe type by letter designation
2)Carbide O.D. & I.D.
3)Connection size and type
4)Body O.D. & I.D. plus length of shoe
5-17-2000 27
29. Differentially Stuck Pipe
Drill Pipe • Apply torque and jar down
• Spot pipe releasing pill A.S.A.P.
• Reduce mud weight to lower
differential pressure
• The hydraulic force holding the
string is commonly
over1,000,000 pounds.
5-17-2000 29
30. 9.5
Inputs:
Drill Collar Diameter
(inches) 6.5
Stuck Length (inches) 240
Imbedment (inches) 0.25
Hole Size (inches) 8.125
Calculations:
Hole Radius = (b) 4.0625
Drill Collar Radius = (a) 3.25
Imbedment 0.25
Center Offset = (c) 1.0625
Total Drill Collar Surface
Area: 4901 sq. inches
Contact Area: 1247 sq. inches
Differential Pressure Inputs:
Mud Weight: 10.5 lb/gal
Formation Pressure: 4650 psi
Depth: 10000 ft
Differential Pressure Calculations:
Hydrostatic Pressure: 5454 psi Note: A negative number denotes
Differential Pressure: 804 psi higher formation pressure than
hydrostatic pressure
Angle "B"
Differential Sticking Force Calculations:
Sticking Force: 1,002,974 lbs force into the wall of the wellbore
5-17-2000 30
a
Angle "A"
c
b
Angle "C"
Instructions:
Input well information into
YELLOW cells. The RED
cells calculate automatic.
31. Key Seat Sticking
• Drill Pipe in tension wears a
groove in the side of the
hole when the well deviates
from true vertical.
• The groove is not large enough
to allow tool joints to be
pulled through it.
5-17-2000 31
32. Key Seat Sticking
Top View
Cross Section
Freepoint wwiitthh ttoorrqquuee aanndd
ssttrreettcchh..
AA ssttuucckk ppiippee lloogg wwiillll sshhooww tthhee
ppiippee ssttuucckk iinn aa sshhoorrtt iinntteerrvvaall
AA bbaacckk ooffff sshhoouulldd bbee mmaaddee 22
jjooiinnttss aabboovvee tthhee ssttuucckk
ppooiinntt..
GGoooodd aapppplliiccaattiioonn ffoorr aa ddrriillll
ccoollllaarr ssppeeaarr..
5-17-2000 32
35. Surface Jars
• The Bowen surface bumper jar is often
used to free key-seated drill pipe and
drill collars.
• Useful for transmitting heavy downward
blows to release grappling tools which
have become imbedded in the fish.
5-17-2000 35
36. Surface Jars
• Surface jars/ start easy/ damage work
string
• Don’t set tripping load higher than weight
of free pipe
• You will be pulling pipe tighter into the
keyseat
5-17-2000 36
37. Surface Jars
• Preset to 30,000# by Bowen
• Adjusted by control ring/ Special wrench
• Right more tons/ To left less tons
• Run on kelly or drill pipe
• Not effective below 3,500’
5-17-2000 37
38. Long Stroke Bumper Jar
• Back-off / run screw in sub, long stroke
bumper jar/ ample drill collar weight .
• Use caution here.
• If you wash over, use a short string of
washpipe and watch for the fish to fall.
5-17-2000 38
39. Sloughing Shale or Hole Cave - In
• Usually occurs immediately
below a cavity, caused by
poor filter cake.
• A warning sign during drilling
is hole fill after a
connection or making a
trip.This happens near
bottom.
• If you are stuck, circulation
is greatly reduced or
impossible, the cause is
sloughing shale.
5-17-2000 39
40. Corrective Procedures
• Keep reaming the hole until the string can be
lowered without drag or hole fill.
• Keep the problem below you. Don’t proceed
until hole stability is established.
• It requires high viscous and/or weighted pills
to unload the large volume of shale.
5-17-2000 40
42. Blow-Out Sticking
• What usually occurs in a blow-out
sticking situation is bridging and
more than one stuck interval.
• A free point tool will locate only the top
of the stuck drill string.
5-17-2000 42
43. Under gauge Hole Sticking
• Could be due to swollen shale or
under guage hole. If you got
stuck running a new bit in an
under guage hole, upward
jarring is usually successful.
• If the under guage hole is above
the bottom hole assembly,
due to swollen shale, the
procedure is the same as for
sloughing shale.
5-17-2000 43
44. Lost Circulation Sticking
• Sticking occurs after loosing
circulation and the hole caves in.
• Fishing procedure is the same as for
sloughing shale.
• Washing over is the best option.
• The theft zone must be sealed off
before any wash over operation
is begun.This is accomplished
with time and L.C.M.
5-17-2000 44
45. Differential Temperature Log
• A differential temperature log is used to
determine the depth of lost circulation
zones.
• Fluid taken by the formation is constantly
being replaced by fluid being pumped
into the well.
5-17-2000 45
46. Temperature Survey
• The temperature recorded down to the lost
circulation zone will be cooler than the
temperature of the formation.
• Below the lost circulation zone, the fluid
has been stagnant in the hole and will be
at formation temperature.
• A distinguishable change in temperature is
noticed at the lost circulation zone.
5-17-2000 46
47. Mechanical Sticking
• This occurs due to a foreign object in the
hole, or crooked/cork-screwed pipe.
• Run free point part pipe at the
appropriate place.
• Run attachment tool with jarring
assembly that will jar up or down.
5-17-2000 47
48. Mechanical Sticking
• POH with washpipe
• Run screw in assembly
• Back-off what has been washed over
• May have to jet cut/ cannot transmit torque
• Jar out in smaller segments
• Reduce length of washpipe
5-17-2000 48
49. Mechanical Sticking
“Junk” or Foreign Object
• Jarring is usually successful.
• It may be necessary to wash over
with a short string of wash
pipe using the D. C. spear.
5-17-2000 49
50. Other Fishing Options
• Mechanical failure such as:Twist off, wash
out, etc. run appropriate fishing tool
(usually an OS with jarring assembly)
ASAP
• All cases, identify problem before taking
action. If hole/mud problem, fix it before
fishing tools gets stuck.
5-17-2000 50
52. Options/Cased Hole/ Open Hole
One option in open hole not readily available in
cased hole is:
• Set a cement plug on top of the fish
• Sidetrack the hole
5-17-2000 52
53. Economics of Fishing
Days= Value of fish + sidetrack
fishing costs + rig costs
Sidetracking includes:
• Cost of Whipstock and services
• Cost of cementing and rig time while WOC
• Cost of directional drilling services and rig
time to re-drill hole back to current depth
5-17-2000 53
54. Case History
2/17/97- Winnie, Texas
• 8-5/8 Csg. @ 1056
• 7-7/8 hole to 5572
• Bit stuck 61’ off bottom @ 5511
• Back off inside casing @ 997
• 4514’ fish:Bit,sub,18 D.C.x 6-3/8
5-17-2000 54
55. Trip#1-4:00 P.M. 2-17-97
• Screw in sub,jars,drill collars etc.
• Jar 1 hour: string parted in jars
• Trip#2 w/os: Re. jars 1 joint
• Trip#3 w/386’ 7-3/8” wash pipe
• Trip#4 w/screw in: Re. 499’
5-17-2000 55
58. Trip#15-11:a.m.2-22
• 21 joints = 665’
• Trip# 16 w/screw in: Jar fish free
• Re. 900’ Job Complete
• Re. 4514’ in 7 days: Av. 644’
• Fishing Cost: 7 x $6500 = $45,000
5-17-2000 58
59. Matter of Economics
150,000 + 150,000
$6,500 + $ 20,000
300,000÷26,500 = 11.3 days to fish
Completed job in 7 days
Savings: 4.3 x 26,500 = $113,950
5-17-2000 59
60. Reduce Repairs
• Thread Protectors;all connections
• Store grapples in safe place
• Tongs away WP connections
• True circle tong bushings
• Don’t force grapple; swell bowl
• Cotter pins in safety clamp
• Break all connections on rig
5-17-2000 60
62. Fishing in Cavities
• A critical phase of open hole fishing is
getting a string of wash pipe over
the top of a fish in a cavity.
• This could be a make or break situation
as to the success or failure of the
fishing job.
• Most people do not realize this until it
is too late.
5-17-2000 62
63. Too Much Weight
• Inexperienced personnel use too much
weight and spend too much time trying
to force a shoe over the top of a fish.
• Generally, they will make the situation
worse in some way.
• About one hour is long enough, especially
when other methods are available.
5-17-2000 63
64. Eliminates Other Options
• You can damage the TOF to where it will
not screw together.
• You can split the shoe or, even worse,leave
it in the hole.
• You may sidetrack the hole entirely.
• Once the damage is done, it closes the door
on other options.
5-17-2000 64
67. Fishing In Cavities
• Have tools on location for alternate course
of action
• Do explain to Co. Man the consequences of
using force
• Do call your Supervisor for a 2nd. opinion
• If possible have Supervisor come to rig for
support
5-17-2000 67
68. Getting Over TOF
• Useful tool is Trahan Bushing
• Allows for better control of weight applied
to get over fish
• Especially helpful when slips ride to one
side of the rotary
• Setting the slips adds too much weigh to
shoe
5-17-2000 68
69. Trahan Bushing
4 1/2 O.D. Clamp-tong dies
Portable Kelly
6’
4 1/2
D.P.
5-17-2000 69
70. Function of Trahan Bushing
• The Trahan Bushing acts as a portable
kelly if the rig does not have a top
drive or power swivel.
• It allows you to get over the fish and not
have to pull back off it to make a
connection.
5-17-2000 70
71. How to Apply
• Set the slips on the drill pipe leaving
about 5¢ above the rotary.
• Place bit breaker over the pipe and in the
RKB pin holes.
• Strip the Trahan Bushing over the drill
pipe and into the square bit breaker.
5-17-2000 71
72. How to Apply
• Attach the clamp to the drill pipe.
• This is how the pipe is rotated.
• Attach the kelly to the string.
• Circulate and rotate as you slack off to
approach the top of fish.
5-17-2000 72
73. How to Apply
• The Trahan Bushing is collapsible like a
telescope.
• It allows for about 5¢ of travel.
• After getting over the fish, remove the
bushing in the same manner.
5-17-2000 73
74. Fishing In Cavities
• Watch for increase in pump pressure as
the wash pipe goes over the fish.
• May run feeler pins in shoe.
• If you can tag the fish ;you can get over it
5-17-2000 74
75. Other Options
• Shorten wash pipe
• Use crippled shoe
• D.C. spear with out slips
• Kick sub to re-top fish
5-17-2000 75
78. Re-Top Fish with Spear
Washpipe Shear
Pin Bushing
1 Jt. W.P.
W.P. Wiper
Bushing
Shoe
1 Joint Drill Pipe
Drill Collar
Spear Mandrel
NO SLIPS!
Wiper
Saftey Joint
5-17-2000 78
79. Kick Sub
“J” Type
unlatching
joint
3 Jts. D.P.
Kick Sub
5-17-2000 79
Kick Sub
Be sure of measurements
Idel Pump-Rotate 1/4 Rd.
Good success rate
Don’t jet too long
80. Re-Top Fish with Kick Sub
New top
safety joint
In Gage Hole
Kick Sub
Old Top
Cavity
5-17-2000 80
81. Consequences
• Bad decision # 1: Stuck @ 9104; backed off @
9104
• Screw in, jar, soak 48 hours
• Bad decision # 2: Ran 377’x 7-3/8 WP w/o bit trip
• Wash pipe stopped at 7140; reamed to 7180
• Bit trip; reamed 6673 to top fish in 29 Hrs.
5-17-2000 81
82. Consequences
• Bad decision # 3 Ran Lebus spear
against advice.
• Bad decision # 4, Attempt to get over
fish 3hrs.
• Left shoe in hole; junked hole
5-17-2000 82
83. Overruled by Company Man
• If you have followed the correct procedures
and are overruled by the Company Man;
• Record what took place in tally book and
resume.
• Have Company Man sign resume.
5-17-2000 83
