INTRODUCTION TO STUCK PIPE

Stuck pipe usually involve in finding the right combination of gentle persuasion and
brute force. Gentle persuasion involves in changing downhole condition in order to reduce the
sticking so the pipe can move free on its own. The force used when the hole’s grip on the pipe
may not be coaxed loose and must be overcome by the greatest forces. Stuck pipe also can be
defined as the situation when string cannot be moved from the well. The drill string could be
partially moved and circulation may or may not be possible. Hence, the personnel in the rig
should able to identify the cause of those stuck pipe in order to figure out the right way to free
the pipe.

Force to free the stuck pipe can be delivered by pulling on the pipe, slacking off or
applying and holding torque. Stuck pipe also can be banged free with a jar which is an impact
device installed in the drill string that delivers a blow up, down or both to free the pipe. The
tools used in this way are spotting the fluids, hole conditioning and also changes in hydrostatic
pressure. Diesel oil products prove the successful half the time and are used commonly. Most
of the major oil industries companies have abandoned diesel. Regardless of which base is used,
spotting fluids contains additives that allow them to act as both a lubricant in order to help slide
pipe around bends, and also acts as surfactant to weaken the cohesion force between the mud
cake and pipe.

In order to do free process, the personnel should know the types of sticking that nay
cause to the stuck pipe and identify a few of cause also find the recommendations that able to
do before freeing the pipe. The types of sticking such as differential sticking, mechanical
sticking, massive salt, reactive formations, poor hole cleaning and also the plastic flow shales.
All those types of sticking caused by a few causes that we should able to prevent.
TYPES OF STICKING

 DIFFERENTIAL STICKING

The differential sticking may identify when the drill string is in the stationary conditions.
It’s also can identify when the drill string cannot be rotate or if the drill string can be moved,
the high over pull at connections and while tripping, and also high torque may occur right after
the connections. To reduce the differential sticking, there’s a few recommendations that
suggested by two oil companies. First, Elf companies suggested to stop the circulation to the
lower effective mud weight at the stuck pipe. Then pull the with maximum force and start the
jarring at the once of the maximum force. Next, try to rotate the drill string. As soon as possible,
add surfactant and be sure to the give the additive time to work before washing out the slug. In
case the previous attempts fail, the hole is in stable condition and no risk of gas inflow,
therefore back off the as deep as possible and run with DST tool and screw it into fish.

However, BP also stated their recommendations. BP suggested that start the working
immediately when known the pipe is stuck and slump the pipe with right-hand torque if the bit
is not at the bottom. But if the bit is on the bottom, pull to the maximum immediately and jar.
If the first attempts fail, work the pipe in both directions until the alternative action can be
taken. All aspects of the well control must be considered before lowering the hydrostatic
pressure.

In addition, as mentioned in journal that written by Msahli Ahmed in his thesis in Montan
Universitas, he stated that there are other ways to reduce the differential sticking by listed the
practices that may help in order to minimizing the contact area. First is by using the most heavy
drill pipe or known as Heavy Drillpipe(HWDP) for the weight on bit (WOB) that can be using
to prevent the buckling. Meanwhile, to minimize the still-pipe time, the progressive sticking
test is required when there is potential for tool-joint sticking, then if the pull out force is seen
to increase.

 MECHANICAL STICKING

The mechanical sticking can be identified when the first drill collar or stabilizer caught at
a specific depth when tripping out occur and the tight hole may occur at the same depth on
trips. Therefore, Elf companies suggested to try moving down the torque slowly and jar down.
Then, spot highly the lubricating slug. If that method is unsuccessful, back off as close the
stuck point as possible. Run in with jarring string out of the smaller diameter enough to seat on
running in. However, BP asked to work the pipe down first, when the pipe can work down and
rotate but it cannot be pulled by past the key seat, slowly rotate the string with the minimum
tension.

If there’s any fallen objects, it’s so hard to identify in details. So, Elf recommend to vibrate
the pipe that contain mud while moving the direction opposite when the pipe stuck, while BP
suggested to work the string first and jar at both the directions, then increase the force gradually.

 MASSIVE(PLASTIC) SALT

There are some features to recognise the massive salt which are rapid penetration, torque
increase while drilling, the pressure build-up making circulation is too impossible and also
there’s no cuttings at shale shaker. So the solution that highly recommended by the Elf is to
restore the circulation by doing the back off slowly as possible and treating the mud.
Meanwhile, BP suggested to hold the maximum pull on the pipe while spotting the pill since a
freshwater pill usually used in BHA which could dissolve salt at the stuck time.

 REACTIVE FORMATIONS

The rapid penetration followed by the large volume of cuttings at the shale shaker may be
identified if the pipe undergoes reactive formations or also known as sloughing shale. Others
identify features are easy reaming, pressure surges and over pull when pulling off bottom or
out of hole. Elf stated that it must circulated at high viscosity and low filtrate mud. Next,
gradually clean the hole to inject several plugs to increasing viscosity. The drill string must be
clean gently. While BP suggested to concentrate on the establishing the full circulation and
working the string downward. The rotation of the drill string may help disturb the material
packing off the annulus.

 POOR HOLE CLEANING

The poor hole cleaning may be identified when there is excessive over pull during the
connections and trips. Besides that, high penetration rate and reduced the weight or torque
transmission at the end of a joint. In order to solve the poor hole cleaning, BP company
suggested to do attempt to establish the circulation by focused more on the downhole working
by applying the forces. Then, after the circulation establish, attempt again to disturb the cuttings
or the caving. Besides, use the lower viscosity pills to disturb cuttings beds that may followed
by weighted pills to carry material out of the wellbore. Lastly, rotate the string to disturb again
the cuttings.

 PLASTIC FLOW SHALES

Plastic flow shales also one of the sticking types that may occur the stuck pipe. It can be
recognised when the torque suddenly increased while drilling and mud solids also increasing.
Hence, Elf come out with their method that highly recommend which us attempt the restoration
with the highest maximum pressure if the circulation is not possible detected. Or other
alternative way is back off slowly as possible and proceed with the mud treatment.

As to conclude, all the recommendations listed above are generally stated by Elf and BP
companies. Every oil and gas companies come out with their own way to overcome the pipe
from being stuck during the drilling process.

REFERENCES
Thesis article by:

MSHALI AHMED. (2016). PIPE STICKING CAUSE AND PREVENTIONS. 15.