PREVENTIVE STUCK PIPE

CONCEPT of DRILLING IN THE

% BOX Slid
ing
Rate

Torque and Drag

Flow
ROP

Mud Type
Rhe
olo
gy
Hole Diameter

Hole Angle

d e sign Ri g
BHA
Bit
RPM
• VERY IMPORTANT ! Define the box size and what it will allow us to do………
• Apply a systems approach. Parameters cannot be singled out and optimized separately
• Box dimensions determined by various factors (Rig equipment, Solid control equipment,
well design, BHA, design, drilling practices and most importantly personnel competency.

FLOW RATES AND RPM PER K&M FOR DIRECTIONAL WELLS

HOLE MAX GPM MIN GPM BEST RPM MIN
SIZE RPM
17½” 900 – 1200 800 gpm, with ROP at 20 120 – 180 120
m/hr (65’ / hr)
12¼” 800 – 1100 650-700 gpm, with ROP at 150 – 180 120
10-15m/hr (30-50’/ hr)
800 gpm, with ROP at 20-
30 m/hr (65-100’ / hr)
9⅞” 700 – 900 500 gpm, with ROP at 10- 120 – 150 100
20 m/hr (33-65’ / hr)
8½” 450 – 600 350-400 gpm, with ROP at 70 – 100 60
10-20 m/hr (33-65’ / hr)
HOLE CLEANING (DIRECTIONAL WELLS)
10 ft/min

150 ft/min
100 ft/min 100
ft/min
50 ft/min 50 ft/min

0-3 ft/min 0-3 ft/min

DP

Cuttings Transport – Hole Cleaning

IPM Conveyor Belt
 PREVENTIVE STUCK PIPE
HOW TO DRILL WITHOUT PROBLEMS
• DRILL AS FAST AS YOU CAN EFECTIVELY CLEAN THE HOLE
• USE GOOD CIRCULATION AND DRILL STRING ROTATION PRACTICES
ESPECIALY IN DIRECTIONAL HOLES
– ALWAYS ROTATE (120+ RPM in 12 ¼”) AND RECIPROCATE THE
DRILLSTRING
– BE PATIENT WITH CIRCULATION AND ROTATION FOR A GOOD HOLE
CLEANING
– CONSIDER USING WEIGHTED PILLS TO HELP WITH HOLE CLEANING
• “ALWAYS” LISTEN AND RESPECT THE WELL (PRESSURE, TORQUE,
DRAG,FLOW, TYPE AND AMOUNT OF CUTTINGS AND MUD QUALITY)
– IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MONITOR CUTTINGS VOLUME/QUALITY
– WHEN A PROBLEM OCCURS, THE CORRECT FIRST ACTIONS ARE
ALWAYS CRITICAL FOR NOT COMPLICATING THE SITUATION
• RUN A GOOD QUALITY AND COMPATIBLES MUD SYSTEMS WITH THE
FORMATIONS
– USE BEST QUALITY SOLIDS CONTROL EQUIPMENTS
– REVIEW THE MUD PROPERTIES AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY
• PLAN AND SUPERVISE ALL CRITICAL OPERATIONS (CONECTIONS, TRIPS,
ETC)
– CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR TORQUE AND DRAG DURING DRILLING
AND ESPECIALLY WHILE TRIPPING
– MAKE EFFICIENT CONECTIONS
– HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN AND ENSURE IT IS COMMUNICATED TO
EVERYONE
• USE THE SIMPLEST BHA’S POSSIBLE
• IN DEPLETED ZONES USE LCM MATERIALS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE INTO PERMEABLE FORMATION
• ENSURE GOOD HANOVER NOTES AND GOOD COMMUNICATION IS USED
• MAINTAIN THE RIG FLOOR CLEAN AND ORDERLY

IPM
 PREVENTIVE STUCK PIPE
FREE STUCK PIPE (GENERIC)
• Move drill string in the opposite direction of string movement prior to sticking
• Intent to rotate, rotating can solve many problems
• Intent to rotate at neutral point or while applying weight to the string
• Jar opposite direction of stuck pipe.
• If differential sticking is suspected, work pipe with right hand side torque and
apply weight.
– Vertical Wells – More success down
– In directional wells – Success down or up.
• If bit is at the bottom, work pipe with controlled torque, compression and tension.
• Ensure there is freeing agent for freeing stuck pipe mixed in the pill tanks and
ready to pump.
• Work pipe knowing its limits. These limits and over pull values need to be posted,
clearly visible in the dog house and understood by all.
FIRST ACTIONS
Stuck Pipe Mechanism Primary means of Freeing Secondary means of freeing
Differential Sticking Slack off string rotate Maximum force Spotting fluid or U-Tube
Key Seating Work string down and rotate Formation specific if possible
Under gauge hole Work string up with maximum force Formation specific if possible
Wellbore geometry Work pipe in opposite direction of trip Formation specific if possible
Hole cleaning Work pipe up or down increasing flow Packed-off hole procedure
Junk Work string up and down, increasing force Run in hole till over gauge to lose junk
Green cement Jar up with maximum force Pump acid pill
Cement blocks Work pipe up and down Pump acid pill
Collapsed Casing Work string down gradually increase force Specialist job - call the office
Unconsolidated Formation Work string up & down gradually Increase force Downward movement full circulation
Salt Work opposite direction to trip Pump fresh water pill
Plastic clay Work string up & down
Fractured / Faulted Formation Work string with maximum force Pump acid pill if in limestone
Geopressured Formation Work string, gradually increase force Packed off hole procedure
Reactive Formation Work string, gradually increase force Packed off hole procedure

RECOGNIZING STUCK PIPE MECHANISM

M ec ha nis m P a ck - of f D i f fe r e n tia l G e o m et r y
P ipe m ot i on P r io r to S t ic kin g?
M o ving up 2 0 2
Instructions:
R ot atin g up 0 0 2
M o ving D o w n 1 0 2
Answer the questions by
R ot atin g D ow n 0 0 2
circling all the numbers in
S ta tic 2 2 0
the row with the correct
P ipe m ot i on A f te r S t ic kin g? answer
D ow n Free 0 0 2
D ow n R e st rict ed 1 0 2
Add the columns
D ow n im p o ssib le 0 0 0
R ot ate Free 0 0 2
The one with the highest
R ot ate R e stric ted 2 0 2
total is the sticking
R ot ate Im p ossible 0 0 0
mechanism
C ir cu lat i n g P r e s s ur es A f ter S t ick in g?
C irc ula te Fre e 0 2 2
C irc ula te R e stric te d 2 0 0
C irc ula te Im p ossib le 2 0 0
T O T A LS

IPM
 PREVENTIVE STUCK PIPE
TIGHT HOLE INDICATORS-
INDICATORS- TRIPPING OUT

TIGHT HOLE MECHANISM

High
Wellbore Overbalance
Geometry and Fracture
Key Inadequate (Well Profile Permeable Mobile and Geopressured Reactive Unconsolidated Cement Collapsed
Seating Hole Cleaning and Ledges) Sands Formations Faulted Formations Formations Formations Blocks Junk Casing
Sudden Sudden
increased increased
Possible Sudden and Increased drag with Sudden drag with Sudden Sudden
Drag and cycle erratic drags on possible erratic possible and erratic and erratic Sudden
Resistance indication Increased drag resistance connections resistance resistance Increased drag resistance Increased drag resistance resistance resistance
May disturb
cavings.
Continued
pumping out
Effect of May disturb may be May disturb
circulation No Effect cuttings No Effect No Effect No Effect No Effect necessary No effect bridge. No Effect No Effect No Effect

Good
May progress But No
Exaggerate continued May or progress
Effect of May Disturbs and problem by reaming May not requires
Backreaming* remove Key Removes Slow removing filter maybe Slow Disturbs and Good Disturbs and Good lead to specialist
(If Possible) Seat Cuttings Beds Progress cake necessary Progress remove bridge progress removes cavings Progress success tools
* For backreaming operations, follow the backreaming procedures. Try to clean the hole first with good circulation and pipe movement then attempt backreaming if necessary

TIGHT HOLE INDICATORS-

INDICATORS- TRIPPING IN

TIGHT HOLE MECHANISM

High
Wellbore Overbalance
Geometry and Fracture Unconsolida
Key Inadequate Undergauge (Well Profile Permeable Mobile and Geopressured Reactive ted Cement Collapsed
Seating Hole Cleaning Hole and Ledges) Sands Formations Faulted Formations Formations Formations Blocks Junk Casing
Sudden Sudden
increased increased
Unlikely to Sudden and Increased drag with Sudden Drag may drag with Sudden
T IG H T H O L E IN D IC A T O R

Drag and be a Sudden erratic drags on possible erratic increase due to possible Increased Usually no and erratic Sudden
Resistance problem Increased drag resistance resistance connections resistance resistance cavings build up resistance drag indication resistance resistance
May disturb
cuttings.
Continue
washing to
Effect of bottom may be May disturb May disturb May "Flash
circulation No Effect necessary No Effect No Effect No Effect No Effect No Effect cavings. No effect bridge. set cement" No Effect No Effect

Good
progress But No
May continued progress
Effect of improve Disturbs and reaming Disturbs and May or May requires
Backreaming* hole Removes Achieves full Slow May improve maybe Slow Disturbs and Good removes not lead to specialist
(If Possible) condition Cuttings Beds gauge Progress hole condition necessary Progress remove cavings progress bridge success tools
* For backreaming operations, follow the backreaming procedures. Try to clean the hole first with good circulation and pipe movement then attempt backreaming if necessary

IPM
 PREVENTIVE STUCK PIPE
PACK OFF GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Initial Action: Back
Pressure
TO ESTABLISH CIRCULATION:
Apply low pumping pressure (200 – 400 psi); do
not exceed the fracture pressure of any point
of the well.
Try to regain full circulation, if it is not possible
then leave back pressure in the drill string to
monitor for annulus bleed off.
Take weight of string to neutral weight, mark
pipe. Torque up to maximum torque, work
torque down to stuck point and then release.
Repeat torque and release until circulation is
regained or pipe is free.

Secondary Action: Back

Torque up to maximum torque, work torque Pressure
down to stuck point (by working the string)
Start jarring down/up (with minimum force) and
increase gradually to maximum force.
CRITICAL POINTS:
Did it get stuck while going UPWARDS or with
static drill string?
Never jar UP

Did it get stuck while going DOWNWARDS?

Jar!
Never jar DOWN

What is the neutral weight of the string?

Consider hole drag and friction

IPM
 PREVENTIVE STUCK PIPE
DIFFERENTIAL STICKING - FREEING
Initial Action:
Circulate at maximum rate to clean mud
cake around BHA (this may not be
possible due to ECD constraints)
Work with the maximum torque down to Filter cake
the stuck depth and hold the torque in
the string Overbalance
pressure Mud
Stop or reduce pump speed to the
minimum
Drill pipe
Slack off to maximum set down limit.
Allow sufficient time for hydraulic jars to
trip
If the string does not come free hold torque
in the string and continue jarring with
the maximum trip load

Secondary action:
If the string does not come free after 5 to 10 Overbalance
jars blows, continue jarring while pressure
preparing a pipe releasing pills
Filter cake
Consider reducing the MW to safe limit
(Consider Well Control and Hole stability)
Mud
Pump and soak releasing pill as per mud
company recommendations
Drill pipe
When the string is free:
Rotate and work the string
Circulate at maximum rate to clean the hole
Check mud properties

IPM
 PREVENTIVE STUCK PIPE
CAVINGS ANALYSIS
Stress/Chemical Instability Caving
Stress/Chemical Instability Caving σH Newly created fractured surfaces
Blocky angular cavings
Sides are generally not parallel σh
Symptoms
• Heavy Reaming, high torque and drag
• High volume of solids at the shakers
(cavings)
What does it mean?
• MW is very low for wellbore stability
• Mud is not sufficiently inhibitive
•Note that poor inhibition can hide this …
because it turns everything to mush Wellbore Surface

• Surges & swabs make the situation worse by

“fatiguing” the rock. In small holes, ECD may be high
enough to stabilize the borehole while circulating
Natural Planes-
Planes-of-
of-Weakness
Natural Planes-of-Weakness
Tabular cavings
Sides are parallel (due to bedding or
fracture planes)
Symptoms
• Lost circulation
• Mud density during the lost circulation
event is similar in the field
σH
• Induced fractures parallel to the
weakness plane
What does it mean?
• Borehole likely near parallel to weak planes σh
• Higher MW and pressure surges will destabilize hole by
increasing pressure penetration
• Swabs result in lower pressure in bore hole, destabilizing
cavings loose

IPM
 PREVENTIVE STUCK PIPE
CAVINGS ANALYSIS
Under balanced Pressure Caving
Under-balanced Pressure Cavings
Splintered or propeller shaped
Normally appears in low
permeability shales
The well bore diameter is effected
Symptoms
• More pressure than predicted
• Influx
• High volume of cavings (splintery)
• Non uniform wellbore diameter
What does it mean? σH
• Pore pressure exceeded mud column pressure
when the caving was formed
• A permeable formation at the same pore pressure
σh
might flow, creating a well-control incident

Mud Weight vs. Failure

DANGER RISKY SAFE

Pore
Pressure
σh
Sh
MW Too Safe MW Too
Low Mud High
Weight
IPM
 BACKREAMING PROCEDURE
General
A. Backreaming is a critical operation that MUST be personally supervised by the WSS & Tool
Pusher.
B. If tight hole conditions are encountered, follow tight hole procedures. DO NOT start
backreaming immediately.
C. If backreaming is done in tight hole/ high cuttings bed conditions at fast speeds, it may cause
higher ECDs, possible lost circulation, ballooning due to restricted annular sections.
Backreaming can also cause pack offs and wellbore stability problems.
D. The more attention paid to the rate of movement UP while backreaming, the safer it is!!!
While Drilling
Monitor T&D during the entire drilling phase and establish a base line (PU/SO/Rotating weight
and Torque with pumps on and off).
Upon Reaching TD
1. Repeat T&D measurements (PU/SO/Rotating weight and Torque with pumps on and off).
2. Circulate 2-3 bottoms or until well is clean with drilling flow rate, sufficient rotation (80-100
rpm) and full stand length reciprocation. (Adjust RPM depending on Rig, Well and BHA
limitations).
3. Pump weighted/viscous hole cleaning pills with drilling flow rate, sufficient rotation (80-100
rpm) and full stand length reciprocation. Remember a good pill +good GPM+Max RPM+Max
rate of pipe movement = a clean hole.
4. Take T&D measurements (PU/SO/Rotating weight and Torque with pumps on and off).
Compare these values with the T&D values taken in step #1
Tripping-Tight Hole Procedures
5. Perform pre-trip risk assessment meeting with all rig personnel, highlighting potential problem
spots (depths and overpull limitations) and review special tight hole and backreaming
practices.
6. If T&D parameters are improved, begin trip normally (POOH by stands). Do not force the drill
string out of the hole with excessive over pull. Note the location of the tight spot.
7. If the T&D did not change or there is more than 15,000 lbs excess drag (over normal hole drag),
return to bottom if close to bottom. If off bottom, TIH 2-3 stands below the tight spot.
8. Rotate the pipe 30 – 40 rpm to break the gels around the pipe. Bring the pumps on with a low
circulation rate until returns are seen at surface. Increase the pump rate to the drilling rate
and gradually increase rotation to 80-100 rpm.
Backreaming
9. Begin backreaming out of the hole with optimum backreaming parameters (80-100 RPM and
drilling flow rate) monitoring pump pressure, torque and hookload. Determine backreaming
speed based on these parameters. An increase in these parameters or erratic readings in
these parameters can be indication of annulus loading up.
10. Do not backream faster than cuttings being transported out of the hole. The faster you go, the
more problems you will have with backreaming. Backreaming parameters and practices need
to be adjusted for hole angle, condition, diameter etc.
11. Continue backreaming only if parameters are stable or improving. If parameters are NOT
improving or worsening STOP. NEVER force drill string out of the hole while backreaming.
Note the tight spot locations.
12. Go back down 2-3 stands and circulate the hole clean and repeat tight hole procedures.
13. Start backreaming with caution as per step #9. When you get to the same spot, pay more
attention to the parameters.
14. If hole conditions are not improving BE PATIENT while backreaming at the tight spot.

IPM
 Differential Sticking Avoidance Procedures
Well Planning
A. Geological-Identify depleted zones and current depletion pressures. Prepare a geological column with
sand thicknesses, permeability and current BHPs and expected over balance.
B. BHA- Minimize BHA length and wellbore contact, use all spiral DCs and HWDPs. In severe cases
consider a BHA with only HWDP without DCs.
C. Jar Placement
A. Vertical wells- Maximize down jarring impact but ensure there is capacity to jar up as well.
B. Directional Wells- Optimize jar impact for up and down jarring
D. Drilling Fluids- Maintain MWs to provide as low as possible over balance across depleted or risky zones.
A. Lost Circulation Material (LCM)
A. CaCO3- Ensure correctly sized CaCO3 is maintained in the mud system prior to entering into
depleted/problematic formations. Use OptiBridge software to optimize size and
concentration selection of bridging agents.
B. Selection of LCM- Ensure variety of LCM material is available on the rig site and used as
required.
B. Spotting fluids to free pipe- Ensure adequate supply of spotting fluids and diesel are available on
the rig at all times while drilling across depleted areas.
E. Directional Drilling- Try to have largest well target possible to minimize correction runs. Minimize sliding
when BHA is across a risky zone. Optimize well trajectory to maximize pipe rotation.
Drilling Practices
A. Pre Spud /Pre section/ Pre Trip Meetings- Ensure all operational personnel are aware of
differential sticking risk and know location of the high risk zones.
B. Drills to avoid Differential Stuck Pipe- Ensure frequent drills are performed with all rig crews to
mitigate differential sticking.
C. ECD Control- Minimize ECD effect across depleted zones when possible. Consider use of
lubricants to reduce ECDs.
D. Pipe Movement- Keep pipe moving at all times
A. Connections- Rotate the drill string in slips during connections (EXTREME CAUTION)
B. Surveys- Minimize number of surveys across risky zones and maximize pipe movement
during the connection. Do not take surveys on bottom. Have room to work pipe down if
required.
E. Cuttings and Caving Analysis- Monitor cuttings and cavings continuously and record size, type
and volume of cavings. Take pictures. Perform risk assessment to determine if the MW increase
is absolutely necessary or risk associated with cavings could be mitigated by using good
operational practices.
F. Drilling Fluid
A. Mud Properties- Frequently monitor critical mud properties (MW, PV, YP, MBT, API filtrate,
mud cake. Report any tendency changes to Co-Man, TP, MI and office. Maintain API
filtrate as low as reasonably possible.
B. Permeability Plugging Test (PPT)- Run PPT continuously at the rig site to ensure adequate
mud properties are maintained to bridge permeable zones.
C. CaCO3 Pills- Ensure sufficient amount of CaCO3 pills are used while drilling below the high
risk zones. Spot CaCo3 pills across the permeable zones while performing short trips.
G. Electric Logs- Use MDT Stickiness software to determine risk of running MDT across risky
sections. Consider TLC as an option to mitigate risk or eliminating MDT.
First actions and Freeing Techniques
A. First Actions- Place the drill string in neutral point at estimated stuck point and rotate the drill
string with maximum torque.
A. Vertical Wells- Work pipe down with maximum slack off weight possible
B. Directional Well- Based on estimated stuck point work pipe up or down with maximum load
available.
B. Spotting Freeing Pill- Prepare the freeing pill without losing time and place as per mud company
recommendations.
C. Fishing Economic- Run fishing economic to determine optimum fishing time. Evaluate chance of
getting free after 24 hrs. If pipe can not be freed or backed off within 24 hrs, evaluate the options.
(back off/sidetrack, continue fishing)

IPM