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ICWEE’13-1
Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Water, Energy and the Environment
Kusadası, Turkey September 21-24, 2013, paper#313
1200
A field application method for estimating the minimum annular The stuck pipe events which led to the sidetrack operations in
velocity to ensure appropriate wellbore cleaning is being fulfilled given wells located in Southern Iraq are analyzed in this paper. All
is based on Fullerton’s approach, [8]. This method assumes that of the remedial attempts such as pumping acid and lubricant
the diameter of the cuttings is 0.25 in, the cuttings density is 2.5 sg materials to free the stuck pipes were unsuccessful. At the time of
and that the annular fluid velocity should be not less than twice the occurrence of stuck pipe events the use of diesel plugs were
the cuttings settling velocity. The approach is based on the density not allowed as per regulations in the scope of environmental
of the drilling fluid, i.e.: if df≤ 12 ppg (or 1.43 sg) then the concerns.
minimum annular velocity is calculated using Equation 4:
3. LITERATURE SURVEY
(4)
In literature the stuck pipe is defined as the situation in which
If df > 12 ppg (or 1.43 sg) then use of the chart given in Figure 2 drillpipe, collars, casing or tubing which cannot be pulled free
is suggested. from the wellbore. The wellbore diameter shall be large in size to
accommodate the casing string designed to be set in place.
Most of the stuck pipe problems occurred in the Southern Iraq Oil
Fields occurred due to marl and sloughing shales, together with
Most of the time drillstrings shall be designed to have a margin of
excessive drilling fluid density in borehole which resulted in stuck
overpull magnitude which may be in the range of 50,000-100,000
pipe incidents. The representative PPFG chart belonging to the
lbs to account for the extra pull force in case of stuck pipe events
Southern Oil Fields in Iraq is given in Appendix-A. Accurate
PPFG charts are very important for the planning requirements of [10], [11].
the wells and interventions in case of stuck pipe incidents.
ICWEE’13-2
Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Water, Energy and the Environment
Kusadası, Turkey September 21-24, 2013, paper#313
The stuck pipe events are preventable if the filter cake of the mud cuttings fallout and the complications imposed on well control
is thin and impermeable, filtercakes otherwise could be damaging management.
in addition to the sticky behaviour which may cause differential
stuck pipe events. Other two main groups of stuck pipe events are Bradley et al. [17] stated that establishing a task force could
Solids Induced Packs Offs and Wellbore Geometry Related stuck reduce the costs associated with stuck pipe events up to 70%.
pipe events. Figure 3 gives the mechanisms of pipe sticking. Influence of drilling crew was found to be the most important
factor as compared to introduction of new technologies. Proper
handover practice whilst the shift changes were one of the
significant reasons of the stuck pipe incidents among the
outcomes of the study performed, which also resulted to give the
importance of using top drive systems in reducing the times to
reduce freeing the stuck pipes.
Guzman et al. [19] found that most of the hole-cleaning stuck pipe
incidents were directly related to getting stuck while pumping out
of the hole and while back reaming tight spots. They stated that
when the annulus is loaded with cuttings and the string attempted
to be pulled upwards the risk of getting stuck is higher. It was
Figure 3. The mechanisms of stuck pipe occurrences. suggested that the project-specific stuck pipe risks and mitigation
Devereux [12] stated that most of the cases of stuck pipe events; measures are distributed and updated as the project is executed
and risks changed. The innovative approaches suggested in their
i.e. over 90%, are avoidable with good planning and listening to
study resulted in a 37% reduction of stuck-pipe occurrences
the hole. The most important factors in the prevention of stuck
during a year in comparison to the previous year.
pipe occurrences are the training and crew awareness.
The wells which had the stuck in pipe penetrated formations of
Azar and Robello [13] mentioned that use of a top drive system marl and limestone with impeded sloughing shale or layers of
would give the ability of reaming and back reaming in full stands sloughing shale formations. However in the early stages of the
while tripping in or out which minimizes the potential occurrence development campaign it noted that the stuck pipe incidents were
of stuck pipe events. inevitable due to lack of field knowledge and competent field
staff.
Hopkins and Leicksenring [14] stated that real-time drilling data
management systems could reduce stuck pipe occurrences by
continuous monitoring of all the important drilling data trends via 4. STUCK PIPE OCCURENCES
mudlogger’s computer. They suggested that the torque and drag
trends of the hole will indicate for a possible stuck event, and the Some stuck pipe events occurred in the Southern Iraq Oil Fields is
hole will provide more reliable information if the parameters are summarized together with the BHA, and drilling parameter
registered in a status of non-rotating string and no pumps on. The details. The Lithology of the Southern Iraq Oil Fields are similar
literature suggests that if a hole is drilled in the direction of the to that of the given in Appendix-B, after Al-Saeedi et al. [20] in
maximum horizontal stress then hole instability is minimized. which the stratigraphy/lithology of Kuwait is highlighted giving
Explaining this in other words would mean that; where the the troublesome formations. The main drilling problems being
overburden stress is greater than the horizontal stress then a encountered in the area are not limited to the Major Loss Zones in
vertical borehole is more stable than a horizontal one. Dammam and Hartha Formations, Sulphurous water from
Tayarat/Radhuma Formations, and Wellbore Instability problems
Aadnoy et al. [15] presented a mechanistic analysis of in Burgan Formation.
differentially stuck pipe in deviated wells. They derived equations
to estimate the depth of the stuck point in deviated wellbores 4.1. Well-A Stuck Pipe Incident
based on pull and rotation data register. The differential pressure
across the stuck interval is the dominating factor, which stated as The first stuck pipe event is given for Well-A. The drilling was
to be reduced, which can be done by displacing the well with a continuing in 12 ¼ in hole section at the depth of 2235 m, with the
lighter fluid. following parameters: Q = 3200 lpm, SPP = 3104 psi, MW = 1.15
sg. Observed partial losses at this depth, decreased Q step by step
Niznik et al. [16] stated that concentration if would be high from 3300 lpm to 2500 lpm, drilled to 2247 m, lost 285 bbl mud.
enough while drilling then pack-offs and potential stuck pipes can Continued drilling with 2000 lpm down to the bottom of Mishrif
occur in the Qatar's North Field. They mentioned that drilling an (interval: 2214 – 2378 m). Increased the Q to 2400 lpm and drilled
entire section length with total losses had not been attempted due ahead to 2453 m, SPP = 2000 psi, the lost rate ranged between 30
to the higher risk of mechanically sticking the drill string from and 50 bbl/h. Circulated the hole and spot 130 bbl LCM pill.
ICWEE’13-3
Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Water, Energy and the Environment
Kusadası, Turkey September 21-24, 2013, paper#313
POOH to 2407 m. Attempted to pump out, however SPP increased well was sidetracked by means of a back off at 2168 m; following
to 2500 psi. POOH with 40 tons over pull up to 2265 m. Jarred up all of the fishing attempts, including acid pumping.
and down without success. Lost the flow while back reaming.
Workstring stuck at 2265 m. The stuck pipe event that happened in Well-A would have been
prevented should more attention had been put in place. Proper
Figure 4 shows the drilling parameters and sketch of the BHA at hole cleaning practices must have been applied and minimum
the moment of drilling at 2453 m. The Q indicates that the Q was annular flow rate must have been attained. The circulation prior to
reduced at the depth of 2235 m, the depth at which losses the pull out must have been kept longer.
occurred. The Mishrif Formation is in depletion and loss
circulations are expected. It is observed that at the moment of
4.2. Well-B-ST-1 Stuck Pipe Incident
drilling prior to the stuck pipe event; Q was at a magnitude that is
approximately equal to providing minimum annular velocity. It is The second stuck pipe event is given for Well-B. Figure 5 shows
important to remember that the 19 hours drilling process (between the drilling parameters and sketch of the BHA at the moment of
the 2324-2453 m interval) continued with partial losses, 20-90 drilling at 3276 m. The ROP is observed to have increased
bbl/h. following a change in the major drilling parameters at the depth of
3200 m. While drilling 12 ¼ in hole section at 3276 m, the drilling
The losses resulted in reduction in the Q across the Mishrif, even stopped, and without any circulation at the end of almost 60 hours
though the HI-VIS pills and LCM pills were being pumped at of continuous drilling from 3180 m; the string was pulled out to
regular interval, the accumulation of cuttings in the annulus was 3245 m, the tight spot was over pulled 20 tons. Back reamed to
not able to be prevented. Following the Fullerton’s approach the 3139 m. Serviced the top drive for approximately one hour. RIH
minimum flow rate is calculated to be approximately 1940 lpm if to 3167 m, slacked off 15 tons and reamed to 3276 m. Circulated
the hole diameter was 12 ¼ in in diameter, dcuttings = 0.25 in, MW for one hour and half. Pumped out to 3249 m, and back reamed to
= 1.15 sg, whereas the Q through the pump was as low as 2943 m. Attempted to circulate, however annulus packed off, pipe
approximately 2000 lpm. If the actual hole diameter is taken to be stuck.
non-cylindrical; approximately 13.5 in in diameter, the minimum
flow rate would then be approximately 2200 lpm. The drilling
continued across formations consisting of limestone impeded with
shale layers.
ICWEE’13-4
Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Water, Energy and the Environment
Kusadası, Turkey September 21-24, 2013, paper#313
4.3. Well-B-ST-2 Stuck Pipe Incident shear rate viscosity may assist hole cleaning. Properties of the
drilling fluid must be closely monitored; the API fluid loss must
The second stuck pipe occurred in Well-B took place along the be kept as low as possible to prevent the excessive filter cake
deeper sections of the well; after having cored from 3749 m to creation across the permeable levels.
3777 m in 15 hours. Figure 6 shows the drilling parameters and
sketch of the BHA at the moment of coring at 3777 m. When The following best practices are the recommended to prevent
attempted to pump out of hole, after having circulated for two occurrence of stuck pipes while drilling in the Southern Fields of
hours only, noted that the string was differentially stuck at 3775 Iraq:
m. The circulation was performed with a flow rate of 880 lpm.
However the Fullerton’s approach indicates that the minimum a. Periodical High Viscosity pills are suggested to be pumped
flow rate must have been at a rate of 1020 lpm, which reveals that at regular intervals (e.g. 15 m or every two hours) to ensure
the hole cleaning was not at the desired rate. The drilling fluid efficient hole cleaning. The pills will be incorporated into
density was reduced from 1.77 sg to 1.74 sg to have less the mud system and eventually build up a good rheology.
differential pressure across the stuck interval. Attempts to release The drilling fluid rheology may be supplemented with
the string by pulling and slacking off 60 tons did not provide addition of polymer to maintain effective hole-cleaning.
enough pull to free the string. The stuck pipe incident occurred b. While across open hole never keep the workstring stationary,
was reported to be a differential sticking in kind with permeable always ensure the string is reciprocating, rotating and
zone exposed to high overbalance. Successive attempts of circulation in progress if drilling is not continuing.
pumping fluid spots also proved to be unsuccessful. Backed off c. It is suggested that the drilling fluid density is increased to
the string and continued operations performing a sidetrack. 1.20 sg prior to entering the Tanuma and Nahr Umr
Formations. Prior to 50 m or while entering to Nahr Umr;
bridging pills (48 sec/qt) inclusive of sealing and CaCO3
materials are suggested to be pumped not only while drilling
but also when pulling out of hole for any operation in open
hole without bit under rotary table.
d. Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) shall be monitored.
The following ECD management practices are best
practices: Slow pump start-up and breaking of gels, Max
flow rates only as required for good hole cleaning – reduce
flow rates when drill collars are in front of shales, controlled
drilling fluid, minimized surge/swab pressures.
e. Use of two roller reamer in BHA at optimum distances to
reduce the sloughing and prevent tight spots during reaming,
back-reaming and wiper trips.
f. After having drilled each stand the fresh interval must be
Figure 6. WELL-B Stuckpipe-2 information. reamed good enough after ample circulation.
g. In the event of stuck pipe across a limestone formation
The grade of the DP limited the maximum overpull of 100 tons pumping 22% HCl/HF acid to cover the annulus area from
only. The free point indication tools revealed that the bottom hole the bit the top of the carbonate formation and make sure that
assembly was stuck for a length of approximately 100 m, which the acid pill soaks for duration of two hours while
indicated that the freeing pull force is high above the limits of the attempting to rotate the string.
workstring.
6. CONCLUSIONS
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
One of the important findings of this paper is the fact that the
The string shall be kept in motion whenever applicable at all wells shall be time limited to open-hole exposure and the
times if hole cleaning is calculated to be a problem. The loss zone troublesome formations shall be cased off as early as practicably
shall be determined at the earliest convenience and to the accurate possible. The drilling crew shall be very much attentive to all of
level possible for correct mitigation action. the indications the well could give, and read carefully the
meanings and take the necessary actions in a timely manner to
LCM particles of mean size greater than 1/3 size of the smallest prevent occurrence of stuck pipe events. In order to avoid facing
bit nozzles shall not be used when curing the losses. Rule of costly and long fishing/remedial operations preventing the
thumb states that the LCM concentrations greater than 50 ppb for occurrence of stuck pipes is to share the experience that sees
losses upto 50 bbl/h shall be pumped. Denser concentrations may common acceptance not only among the drilling contractors but
not be effective and though result in having excessive filter cakes. also the operators. It is very important to know that it only
It is observed that correctly sized LCM concentrations work requires small cuttings volume, to get stuck and packed off while
efficiently. pulling upwards.
In case the flow rate is reduced due to the loss circulation, the Each stuck pipe incident or event must be analyzed in detail, and
hole may become dirtier, for this reason elongated periods of the root cause must be put on the table by drilling engineering
circulation may be established. Increasing the yield point and low experts. The necessary recommendations must be issued at the
ICWEE’13-5
Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Water, Energy and the Environment
Kusadası, Turkey September 21-24, 2013, paper#313
earliest and the key findings must be distributed to all parties 9. REFERENCES
involved in the Field development.
[1] G.T. Byrom, “Casing Depth and Size Determination,” in
The well should be treated accordingly, and the indications being Casing and Liners for Drilling and Completion, Houston, TX:
given by the well shall be well understood in a timely and Gulf Publishing Company, 2007, ch. 3, sec. 3.2, pp. 97-100.
practical manner. The response of the driller is going to be the key [2] A.T. Bourgoyne, M.E. Chenevert, and K.K. Millheim, “Rotary
whether to face the stuck pipe event or not, unless the event was Drilling Process,” in Applied Drilling Engineering,
inevitable due to a well design issue or other technical reason. Richardson, TX: Society of Petroleum Engineers, 1986, ch. 1,
Stuck pipe events are evitable with continuous efforts including sec. 1.10, pp. 32-37.
conducting meetings with crew prior to the commencements of [3] W.B. Reinhold, and D.A. Close, “Drilling Optimization-The
the shifts, studying the offset wells in detail, understand sticking Driller’s Role,” SPE Drill & Compl, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 5-12,
mechanisms, and taking the actual stuck-pipe events as lessons Mar. 1997.
learnt. [4] Petroleum Engineering Handbook, Volume II: Drilling
Engineering, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Richardson,
The hydraulic parameters must be more effective ensuring the TX, 2007, pp. 89-118.
hole cleaning is not an issue together with preventing the [5] B. Mitchell, “Fishing,” in Advanced Oilwell Drilling
circulation loss occurrence. One of the solutions to prevent Engineering Handbook & Computer Programs, 10th ed.
drilling through the fractured/depleted reservoirs is the application Lakewood, CO: Mitchell Engineering, 1995, ch. 7, pp. 560-
of Managed Pressure Drilling, which may be studied in a separete 564.
dedicated study to understand the feasibility. [6] E. Ozbayoglu, O. R. Ettehadi, M. Ozbayoglu, and E. Yuksel,
“Hole-Cleaning Performance of Gasified Drilling Fluids in
7. NOMENCLATURE Horizontal Well Sections,” SPE Journal, vol. 17, no. 3, pp.
912-923, Sep. 2012.
[7] R.O. Ettehadi, "’Determination of Cutting Transport Properties
C = coefficient of friction
of Gasified Drilling Fluids," Ph.D dissertation, Pet. & Nat.
dc = largest cutting diameter (ft)
Gas Eng., Middle East Tech. Univ., Ankara, Turkey, 2010.
dcuttings = cuttings diameter (in
[8] The Drilling Engineering Distance Learning Package, OAG
dh = wellbore diameter (in)
Training material.
hm = mud cake thickness (in)
[9] T. Eren, "Real-time-optimization of drilling parameters during
g = acceleration due to gravity (ft/sec2)
drilling operations," Ph.D dissertation, Pet. & Nat. Gas Eng.,
MW, df = drilling fluid density (sg)
Middle East Tech. Univ., Ankara, Turkey, 2010.
L = Contact length of pipe with the cake (ft)
[10] Drilling Engineer, Petroleum Engineering Department,
Pd = differential pressure (psi)
Heriot Watt University, UK, 2005, pp. 25.
rh = radius of the borehole (in)
[11] S. Miska ed., “Dynamic Loading of Drill Pipe During
rdc = radius of the workstring (in)
Tripping,” in Developments in Petroleum Engineering
Vmin = minimum annular velocity (ft/min)
Developments in Petroleum Engineering (Vol. 2), Houston,
Vs = slip velocity (ft/sec)
TX: Gulf Publishing Company, 1988, ch. 11, pp. 339.
T = tension (klbs)
[12] S. Devereux, “Drilling Problems-Avoidance Planning,” in
W = projected width of the contact area (in)
Practical Well Planning and Drilling Manual, Tulsa, OK,
s = cuttings density (lb/ft2) PennWell Corporation, 1998, ch. 2, sec. 2.9.2, pp. 302-307.
m or df= mud density (lb/ft2) [13] J. J.Azar, and G. R. Samuel, “Rotary Drilling for Oil and
= mud viscosity (cps) Natural Gas,” in Drilling Engineering, Tulsa, OK, PennWell
Corporation, 2007, ch. 1, pp. 1-18.
8. ABBREVIATIONS [14] C. J. Hopkins and R. A. Leicksenring, “Reducing the risk of
stuck pipe in the Netherlands,” SPE/IADC Drilling
AV = Annular Velocity Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1995, pp. 757-765.
BHA = Bottom Hole Assembly [15] B.S. Aadnøy, , K. Larsen, and P. C. Berg, “Analysis of stuck
ECD = Equivalent Circulating Density pipe in deviated boreholes,” J. of Pet. Sci. and Eng., vol. 37,
HI-VIS = High Viscosity no. 3, pp. 195-212, Mar. 2003.
LCM = Lost Circulation Material [16] M. Niznik, W. Elks, and S. Zeilinger, “Pressurized Mud Cap
MW = Mud Weight Drilling in Qatar's North Field,” IADC/SPE Managed
NPT = Non Productive Time Pressure Drilling and Underbalanced Operations Conference
POOH = Pull Out of Hole & Exhibition, San Antonio, TX, 2009, pp. 1-11.
PPFG = Pore Pressure Fracture Gradient [17] W. B. Bradley, R. S. P.D. Jarman, , R. D. Wood, T. R.
SPP = Stand Pipe Pressure Schofield, R. A. Auflick, and D. Cocking, “A task force
Q = Flow Rate approach to reducing stuck pipe costs,” SPE/IADC Drilling
WOB = Weight on Bit Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1991, pp. 1-6.
[18] G. Yarim, U. Rodney, M. Richard, T. Alejandro, and P.
Church, “Stuck Pipe Prevention--A Proactive Solution to an
Old Problem,” SPE Annual Technical Conference and
Exhibition, Anaheim, CA, 2007, pp. 1-12.
ICWEE’13-6
Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Water, Energy and the Environment
Kusadası, Turkey September 21-24, 2013, paper#313
[19] J. M. Guzman, M. E. Khalil, N. Orban, M. A. Mohiuddin, J. APPENDIX-A: PPFG (Pore Pressure Fracture Gradient) Chart of
Verma, and S. Ganda, “Stuck-Pipe Prevention Solutions in Southern Iraq
Deep Gas Drilling; New Approaches,” SPE Saudi Arabia
Section Technical Symposium and Exhibition, Al-Khobar, PPFG Graph
Overburden Gradient
MW_Actual_Zb-202 (Time Analysis)
Raudhatain 206,” SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology 250 TOC 250 m
Conference and Exhibition, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2003, pp. 20- Lower Fars (Ls,Sh)
22. 500
Ghar (Sd,Grv,Ls,Sd)
Dammam (Ls)
A
750
20 in. CSG @
Rus (Anhy,Dol)
Ummer-Radh (Dol)
1000
1250
Tayarat (Dol)
1500
Shiranish (Dol,Marl)
Hartha (Dol,Anhy)
1750
C
Depth (m TVD)
Sadi (Ls) B D A
A 13 3/8 in. CSG @
2000 C
D
Tanuma (Sh,Marl) C
Khasib (Ls,Silt)
Mishrif (Ls)
2250
Rumalia (Ls)
Ahmadi (Sh,Ls)
2500
Mauddud (Ls,Chlk)
3000
Shuaiba (Ls,Marl,Sh,)
Zubair (Sh,Sst,Silt)
B
U-S-St-Mbr(3rdPay)
3250
M-Sh-Mbr
L-S-St-Mbr(4thPay)
L-Sh-Mbr TOC 3452 m
3500 Ratawi (Ls,Sh) B
9 5/8 in. CSG @
Yamama (Ls,Marl)
3750
0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3 3.2
7 in. Liner @
Pressure Gradient (kgf/cm 2/10 m)
ICWEE’13-7
Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Water, Energy and the Environment
Kusadası, Turkey September 21-24, 2013, paper#313
ICWEE’13-8