Quartz School For Well Site Supervisors

Quartz School for Well Site Supervisors
Module – 11
Drilling Problems
& Solutions
Schlumberger Private
Section – 3
Fishing Operations
Quartz School. Module 11: Drilling Problems & Solutions / Section 3: Fishing Operations 1/87
Fishing Concepts
Fish
Any object dropped or stuck in a well that interferes with normal operations.
Fishing Job
The operation of removing these objects – specialized field of expertise
• Open Hole
• Cased Hole
Fishing Tools
Specially designed tools for engaging down hole tubulars and recovering them to the
surface
Fishing Economics
Most effective way for determining optimum fishing time and cost
Optimum Fishing Time Calculator
Optimum Fishing Time Calculator
OFT (days) 1.9 Using the equation found from the trendline approximation relating OFT and Cost Ratio:
-0.7847
OPTIMUM FISHING TIME = 0.4003 x (COST RATIO)
Minimum OFT (days) 1.7
Maximum OFT (days) 2.1
0.0500
The curve shows the
Optimum Fishing Time. 0.0450
The red and yellow bars
display the range for
0.0400
0.0350
Optimum
minimum and maximum
Fishing Time
Probability
0.0300
OFTs dependant on the
confidence level entered. 0.0250
0.0200
100% confidence will 0.0150

display a 10% default
0.0100
range!
0.0050
0.0000
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5
Time (days)
Decision Tree Examples for Fishing Operations
RECOVERY: PROB. OF SUCCESS 10%
FISHING COST FOR: 5 Days
116.3 K
FISHING
= % SUCCES + % FAILURE
= 11.6 K + 306.2 K
=
317.8 K
STUCK PIPE
ACUMM COST
NOT RECOVERY: PROB. OF SUCCESS 90%
FISHING COST FOR: 5 Days
74.9 K = COSTO OF FISHING + SIDETRACK COST
= FISHING COST + SIDETRACK COST
340.2 K
SIDETRACK
= COSTO OF FISH + SIDETRACK PLUG AND TIME
224.0 K
CONCLUSION: SIDE TRACK
Plan after 5 days

Fishing Operations
PREVENTION is the first important step to avoid fishing jobs from happening.
“The most economical method of fishing is to develop a plan that precludes factors
and operations that may result in fishing”. C.S Adkins – Economics of Fishing
• There is a set of fishing rules that apply every time:
• Get as much information as possible of well condition (status)
• BHA information (lengths, OD, ID, fishing neck, etc.)
• Casing (Depth, OD, ID, Weight)
• Open Hole (Size, depth)
• Well trajectory (surveys)
• Tight spots / Washout (Caliper log)
• Sketches are very important - mean the success or failure of a job

• Not corrected by wireline measurement
• Two people should keep figures independent and compare periodically
Fishing Tools
• Every well will dictate the tool, there is no one tool to cure all
• Run fishing assembly at moderate speed
• Could cause lost circulation
• Might hit a tight place and become stuck
• When POOH don’t create a swabbing action
• When washing over or washing down
• Be sure if you are getting enough cuttings out to offset the
amount you are washing. If you are not, then it is possible to
build a bridge above the tools and become stuck
Methods of Recovering Stuck Pipe
1. Back off
Unscrew the pipe at a selected threaded joint above the stuck point using an explosive
run on wireline inside or outside the pipe.
“Back-Off” can be “electric” or “mechanic” depending on the procedure and tools used
• “Back-off” is performed if the fishing plan asks for screwing a tool or fishing
assembly into the thread of pipe or BHA component left stuck in the hole
• Drill pipe, drill collars and other drilling tools generally have large coarse threads
that are more suitable for disconnection
• “Back-off” on tubing is difficult because threads are generally fine and longer
• A “string shot” (explosive cord wrapped around a steel bar) is used to loosen the
threads and sometimes it is sufficient to knock the pipe free
• Additional “back-off” of sections of tubing strings left stuck inside casing can be
done with the assistance of special tools (Reversing Tool) connected to the tubing,
after the first mechanic disconnection (“blind back off”)
Methods of Fishing Stuck Pipe
• Reversing Tool for Backing Off Tubulars
2. Chemical Cutters
Use a radial jet of chemical solution (halogen fluoride)

propelled by an explosive that react with the steel and
cuts the tubular from inside. It is run with wire line and
positioned inside the pipe body.
• More economical than the back off because it is faster!
• Safe for rig personnel since no torque of the pipe is
necessary.
• No flare or burn or swelling of the cut pipe, so it does not
need to be dressed before catching it on the outside with
an overshot or inside with a spear.
• Requires 100 ft of clean fluid above tool when fish cut is
made for a better performance.
Chemical cutter effect
3. Jet Cutter
• End of pipe will be flared where the cut

is made which will need to be removed
• Good when the well is to be abandoned
or when the cost does not allow for use
of the chemical cutter.
• May cause damage to casing or an
adjacent string if the pipe is touching it
when the cut is made.
Effects of jet cutter
4. Mechanical Cutter
Cut the pipe internally or externally using a tool equipped with a set
of knives and run on a small diameter / concentric work string
• Not used very often since it is more economical to use wireline tools
than to run a string
• Should only be used if other options are definitely not available
• Most commonly used in work over operations
• It can be run and operated with coiled tubing
Depending on the condition of the top of the cut pipe then a fishing
tool is selected.
4. Mechanical Cutter - Internal and External Cutter
4. Mechanical Cutter - Internal and External Cutter
• Anchor by slowly rotating to the right whilst

lowering the string.
• The Wiper blocks resist rotation.
• This in turn will move the slips into the engage
position, gently go down with draw-works line
while rotating at 10-20RPM and watching the
torque.
• Free rotation with little or no reverse torque
indicates that the cut is complete.
5. External Catch Tools: Overshot
OVERSHOT 150 series
• Probably used more than any other

fishing tool
• The lower guide directs the fish into
the overshot
• The internal grapple expands to allow
the fish to pass into it
• When upward pull is exerted, the
grapple is contracted by the tapers of
the bowl and holds fish secure
• A packer seals off outside of the fish
allowing circulation through it as long
as the internal diameter of the fish is
not blocked.
• The tool can be released from the fish
by slacking off the string, followed by
right hand rotation
5. External Catch Tools: Overshot
OVERSHOT 70 series
• This short catch overshot releases in the same way as the
150 series overshot by firstly sharply bumping downward and
then turning with right hand rotation.
• The Short catch overshot (series 70) allows you to catch the
outside diameter of a tubular fish which has a SHORT
FISHNECK, for example a DP tool joint
5. External Catch Tools: Die Collar
• Is used for fishing the outside of tubular at the last

attempt to latch onto a fish, when everything fails.
• When the Die collar is engaged onto the fish it is
very difficult to release because of the tool design
• Used when the outer diameter of the fish is not
known.
• When the die collar engages it cuts thread on the
outside diameter of the fish and does not
disconnect easily. It is recommended to run a
safety joint in order to disconnect drill string.
6. Internal Catch Tools: Spear
• Are used for catching the internal

diameter of a tubular fish.
• There are a several types of spear, two
standard are illustrated here:
• Shoulder type mandrel
• Flush type mandrel
• Should run with bumper sub
• Set with left-hand rotation
• Release with right-hand rotation
• The bite must first be broken by sharp
downwards movement of the string the
rotate to the right
6. Internal Catch Tools: Taper Tap
• Is used for engaging the internal diameter of the fish.
• Is only used as a last resort.
• Made of hardened steel like the die collar.
• Run with safety joint to be able to disconnect the
fishing string
Other Fishing Procedures
7. Wire line recovering
Line is Parted
1. Rope Spears and Grabs
• The best tool for fishing parted wire line is
the rope spear.
• Use a stop plate sub, this tool will prevent
the wireline fish from getting wrapped
around you fishing assembly higher up
• Catch wireline near the top and have tension
the string regularly. Wireline is normally
more compacted near bottom
• Can be used up inside a washover assembly
7. Wire line recovering
Line is Intact
1. Cable Guide Method (cut and strip)
• Choose for deep open hole situations or where radioactive
instrument is stuck
• Safest method
• Very high success ratio
• Cutting cable and stripping over is time consuming
8. Loose Junk Recovery
• Tools or equipment accidentally
left in hole
• Broken off in the hole or
accidentally dropped
• Use Impression blocks – if it is
unknown what the fish is or
how it is positioned in the hole.
This will aid in visualization of
how the problem may be solved
to recover the fish.
1. Magnets
• Permanent Magnets
• Have circulating ports around their outer edge so that any fill
covering the junk maybe washed away
• Electromagnets
• Run on a conductor line
• Can make quicker trips and have increased lifting power, they
cannot reach the fish if it is covered with debris.
• Magnets will only pick up ferrous metal and cannot recover
brass, aluminum, carbide and stainless steel.
1. Magnets (cont…)
2. Junk Basket Core Type
• Will circulate out fill and cut core in the formation
• Catchers break core off and retrieve it along with any junk
in the bottom of the hole
• If the catchers snags on the junk and remains stationary the
finger will break off leaving additional junk in the hole
3. Reverse Circulation Basket
• Used for recovering junk at the bottom of the hole
• At the bottom of the body inside is a finger basket.
• Allows debris to pass one way
• Normal circulation can be used,
• When you are ready to fish a ball is dropped
and a sleeve is moved for change the flow.
4. Junk Sub or Boot Basket
• Good for picking up relatively small junk such as
steel cuttings, carbide inserts bit teeth and ball
bearings
• Run directly above a bit or junk mill
• Can be run in tandem 2 or 3 above each if
necessary
• Will only work with circulation running down the
string and up through the annulus
• Junk basket collects loose junk in the basket due
to reduced annular velocity at the junk basket
opening.
5. Junk Mill
• Used for milling on junk for shortening tubular
Fish Milling Operations - Taper Mill & Pilot Mill
• Used for opening up a restriction in steel and also as a guide mill.
• Pilot mill used for milling thick wall tubular guided centrally by the
small pilot.
Skirted Mills
• Is used in milling over fish.
• Ideal in OH as the skirt acts as a very good
guide.
• Used in cased hole, the skirt protects the
inner wall of the casing.
7. Washing Over the Fish - Shoes
• Wash over or Burn Shoe.

• Used for washing and lightly
milling over fish that is stuck in
open hole or in the cased hole.
• Wave pattern type,Castle type,
etc. Depending of the leading
edge shape.
• The leading edge is made up of
crushed tungsten.
Other Fishing Tools - Coarse Thread Safety Joint
• Is used in Drilling, fishing and washover
strings whenever and wherever a
releasing safety connection is needed
Other Fishing Tools – Fishing Jars
• The fishing jar is used in the fishing as a means if

jarring a tight fish free.
• The fishing jar is a single acting jar allowing you
only to jar upwards out of the hole
• This tool is approximately half the length of a
drilling jar
• Drilling jars are double acting and can be used
to jar up and jar down.
Other Fishing Tools – Bumper Sub
• For freeing mechanical stuck by jarring downwards.
• Installed in the drilling string or fishing string just
below the jar.
Other Fishing Tools – Impact String
W ork string
Accelerator
Ham m er weight
drill collars
Hydraulic Fishing Jar
Bum per Sub
Fishing tool
Fish
Fishing Procedures - Weight Indicator Readings
Overpull Limit
Overpull
Normal Pick-up Weight
Free Rotating Weight
Normal Set Down Weight
Set Down
Set Down Limit
Empty Block Weight

Fishing Procedures – Over Pull Limit
• Determined by tensile strength of the drill pipe
• Overpull limit calculation
1. Make a drawing and write the next data:
• Class
• Grade
• Length
• Diameter
• MW
• Weight
• Tensile resistance
2. Calculate the Buoyancy factor = 1 – (MW/Steel Density)
3. Calculate the Buoyancy weights for DC and HW
4. Calculate the Buoyancy weight for DP
5. Sum the weights from steps 4 and 5

W total = (WHW+WDC)+WDP1
6. Subtract the W total to the DP Tensile Strength
Overpull Limit = DP1 Tensile Strength – W total
7. If there are more than one DP grade, then calculate the Buoyancy
Weight for DP2 and addition it to W Total calculated in step 5
8. Calculate the Overpull limit subtracting DP2 Tensile Strength.
9. The Overpull limit will be the minimum calculated
(Note: Sometimes, the limiting factor is the rig capacity).
Data:
Outside Acum
Diameter Lenght Length Weight [lb
DP2
Item [in] Amount Description [ft] [ft] Pin Box / ft]
1 8 1/2 '' 1 Barrena 0.82 0.82 4 1/2 Reg 90.00
2 8 3/8" 1 Estab 4.92 5.74 4 1/2 Reg Box 4 IF 90.00
DP1 3 6 1/2 '' 1 DC Corto 7.38 13.12 4 IF 4 IF 90.00
4 8 3/8" 1 Estab 4.92 18.04 4 IF 4 IF 90.00
5 6 1/2 '' 1 DC 29.53 47.57 4 IF 4 IF 90.00
6 8 3/8" 1 Estab 4.92 52.49 4 IF 4 IF 90.00
HW 7 6 1/2 '' 5 DC 147.64 200.13 4 IF 4 IF 90.00
8 4 1/2 '' 3 HWDP 88.58 288.71 4 IF 4 IF 41.00
9 6 1/4 '' 1 Jar 32.81 321.52 4 IF 4 IF 41.00
10 4 1/2 '' 15 HWDP 442.91 764.44 4 IF 4 IF 41.00
DC
11 4 1/2 '' 489 DP 4 1/2" 4,644 5,409 4 IF 4 IF 27.37
Mud Weight: 13.74 ppg

DP grade E-75, Premium
Fishing Tool Shop
Fishing Tools
Fishing Tools
Logging Tools Fishing
With the “Cut and Thread” Procedure
Step 1 – Hang Sheave in Derrick
• Try to hang sheave with fishing sling so

it will not interfere with the handling of
drillpipe
• Lower sheave must be moved away
from rotary to prevent interference with
rig floor operations and cable contact
with top drive
• Stay away from under sheave while
derrick man hangs it
Use Longest Links Available
• 108” ones are standard; try to use 140” ones or
longer
• Inspect every 5,000’ and before going into
open hole for cable wear, damage of fishing
equipment, and tightness of fishing equipment
• If available, install roller assembly on top
drive to eliminate cable rubbing; If one is not
available, have rig make one
• Do not use the Varco Wireline Adapter
commonly known as “Bicycle Wheels”
Flexible Wire Rope Sinker Bar Assembly
• Use instead of rigid fishing

weights when possible on top
drive rigs
• The flexible weight passes
smoothly around the top drive
as the block is lowered
Tension Device
• Switch to TDK if using CMTD

(Prevents cable backlash)
• Compare TDK and CMTD
readings so that fishing
operation is performed under
correct tension
• Do not pre-load lower sheave
with air hoist tension; Sheave
should hang freely until weight
is applied
Step 2 – Cut the Cable
• Pull 1,000 to 2,000 lbs over normal
tension and secure T-Bar cable clamp
to cable
• If hole is straight, cut cable 5 to 7 feet
above rotary table
• If hole is deviated, cut cable 10 feet
above rotary table plus 1 foot for every
1,000 feet greater than 10,000 feet
• Use proper size cable bushing in T-
Bar and mark cable to ensure there is
no slippage
Rig Up Spearhead Overshot
• Use tapered cones from LEH-Q on top of
fishing weights
• If available, use heavier-shorter fishing
weights with knuckle joints and swivel or
Wire Rope Weight with Swivel
• Minimum restrictions for all drilling
hardware (jars, drill collars, and heavy
weight) must be known to determine size of
overshot guide to use
• Always use the largest guide that will fit
through drilling hardware
• Never use “after-market” rope sockets
Rig Up Spear
• Never use spears which contain “W’s” in
their work order numbers
• Always use Hexagon Adapter when
stripping over;
• Hexagon Adapter will stop on top of no-go if
dropped accidentally
• Only use plain adapter when drill pipe ID is
too small for Hexagon Adapter and switch
back to Hexagon Adapter as soon as drill
pipe ID permits
All connections should be tightened to
• Never use “after-market” rope sockets
235 ft-lbs and retightened every 5000
ft during drill pipe RIH.
A 160 lb person standing on a 1.5 ft long pipe wrench
while tightening will produce 240 ft-lbs of torque.
Jumping on the wrench will increase the torque.
Step 3 – Assemble Overshot
• Assemble 4-11/16” overshot, spiral type
grapple, and no-go (preferred method)
• If basket type grapple is used, assemble 5-3/4”
overshot, basket grapple, and no-go
• If fishing for AMS, use extensions to engage
below bottle-neck section and choose
appropriate guide shoe
• ALWAYS VISUALLY INSPECT grapple for proper
size for job and NEVER install a used grapple
Thread Cable Through Overshot
• Remove hex adapter, pass well end of cable through down hole
overshot and reinstall hex adapter
• Remember, 2 1/4” hex adapter will not pass through the smaller ID
no-go
Install Drain Sub
• Drain sub with blow out disk

aids in grapple cleaning and
prevents pulling wet drill pipe
after disk is blown
• Install above down hole
overshot assembly
• Commonly used in the US
Step 4 – Thread Through
• Slowly pull overshot
assembly to derrick man to
thread through bottom hole
assembly
• Make sure minimum
restrictions are known
Remove T-Bar
• Tighten overshot to bottom of

first stand of drill pipe
• Stab spearhead overshot, pull
cable tension, and remove T-
bar cable clamp
• Remove IDW and position
spooling arm to one side
When Slips Are Set
• After the slips are set, a floor hand
should position elevators away from
spearhead assembly until elevators are
clear of assembly. If not done, elevators
could catch hex adapter and cause
cable to break
• Afterwards, install C-plate, slack off
cable, and release overshot with
special tongs
Step 5 – Flag Line
• After tripping in with drill collars,

jars, and heavy weights, flag line at
drum and bottom sheave with rags,
tape, paint, etc...
• When spearhead overshot is
positioned over drill pipe by the
derrick man
• Derrick man will thread overshot
assembly through drill pipe
Flag Line Again
• Flag line again at drum and

at the bottom sheave when
spear is stabbed in
spearhead overshot
Trip In Slowly
• Maintain Proper Cable Tension

(1,000 to 2,000 lbs plus normal)
• Pay particular attention to top
drive; If weights are in danger
of hitting top drive, slack off but
do so carefully
Step 6 – Rethread Overshot
• Pull overshot to derrick man who will

thread through another stand of drill pipe
(watch flag at at drum)
Stab Overshot
• Attach drain sub to second stand of
drill pipe
• Position pipe over spearhead overshot
and slack off until “the other flag ” on
the drum is reached
• Keep hands in safe position
Make Overshot Connection
• Make overshot connection, pull
enough tension to remove C-plate,
and adjust tension again to normal
plus 1,000 lbs to 2,000 lbs
• Re-tighten connections to 235 ft-lbs
every 5000 ft.
Step 7 – Make Up Drill pipe
• Drill pipe is made-up and

tightened
• Slips are pulled and the
descent begins
• Do not rotate pipe in hole
• Observe tension
Step 8 – Install Circulating Sub
Circulate One Stand Above Fish
• Cuttings and debris should be removed

from down hole overshot assembly by
circulation of mud at a one stand
maximum
• Only circulate long enough to ensure
grapple is clean
• Never circulate too long or too fast;
cable damage will occur
Engage Fish
• Maintain normal tension plus 1,000 to 2,000 lbs and approach fish
slowly;
• Observe tension and set at least 2,000 additional pounds on fish;
• Pull at least 2 joints of drill pipe (60’) and observe tension
• A minimum tension loss of 2,000 lbs should be observed to confirm
latch (a tension resulting in 0 after pulling pipe would be a definite
indication of engagement)
• Repeat this engagement procedure at least twice
• If tension does not decrease, the fish in not engaged
• DO NOT ROTATE PIPE AFTER ENGAGING FISH!!!
Step 9- Blow Drain Sub Disk
• Apply mud pump pressure to blow disk in sub

• Pump slug; especially for oil base mud
• (Do not trip out with oil base wet string; it’s
unsafe)
• Afterwards, repeat engagement process
before breaking weak point to make sure tool
was not blown out the overshot
Reconfirm Engagement
• Repeat engagement process at least twice to
ensure tool is still in down hole overshot
• Again, observe tension and set at least 2,000
additional pounds on fish;
• Pull at least 2 joints of drill pipe (60’) and observe
tension
• A minimum tension loss of 2,000 lbs should be
observed to confirm latch (a tension resulting in 0
after pulling pipe would be a definite indication of
engagement)
Break the Weak Point
• Install T-Bar and calculate cable
stretch required to break weak point
• (Depth) X (Stretch Coefficient)
• Move cable up and down within stretch
limit with block to work tension to
weak point
• Use block to break weak point and
record tension at which break occurs
• Make sure rig floor is clear and inspect
lower sheave chain
Step 10 – Install TIW Valve
• Install TIW valve before spooling cable

onto drum
• This could aid in controlling well if
trouble occurs
Tie Square Knot
• Cut off rope sockets on both well end and unit end of cable
• Tie square knot in cable, pull tight , and tape ends
Spool Cable
• Observe square knot as it goes over
upper and lower sheaves
• Afterwards, reinstall IDW to measure
cable Schlumberger
Step 11 – Tripping Out of Hole
• Do not rotate pipe while tripping out of hole;

• Rotation may cause fish to disengage and fall
out of down hole overshot
• DO NOT ROTATE DRILLPIPE!!!
At Surface
• Install make-up plate at first

available tool collar and remove
overshot assembly
• Remove remaining tool string
with air hoist, cover hole, and
finish breaking and cleaning
tools in rat hole
• Make sure air hoist is rated for
tool string
Removing Fish
• Remove guide and bump tool
vertically against rig floor to free
grapple control
• Spin tool and grapple out of
overshot by turning in a clockwise
motion
• (Tool should come free without
applying excessive force)
• If another method is used to release
tool, remove electronics from
housing in overshot to minimize
damage
Fishing with Top Drive
• Assembly made on 15 ft of
cable piece
• Sinker Bars
• Spearhead with cone type

rope socket
Fishing With Top Drive
• Top Latch Assembly
• Sinker Bar Assembly
Further Information
• FishingwithSlickline.pdf
• ReverseCutandThread.pdf
• LoggingWhileFishingBestPractices.pdf

Quartz School For Well Site Supervisors

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Quartz School For Well Site Supervisors

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Quartz School for Well Site Supervisors

100% confidence will 0.0150

CONCLUSION: SIDE TRACK

Plan after 5 days

• Sketches are very important - mean the success or failure of a job

Use a radial jet of chemical solution (halogen fluoride)

• End of pipe will be flared where the cut

• Anchor by slowly rotating to the right whilst

• Probably used more than any other

• This short catch overshot releases in the same way as the

• Is used for fishing the outside of tubular at the last

• Are used for catching the internal

2. Junk Basket Core Type

• Will circulate out fill and cut core in the formation

3. Reverse Circulation Basket

• Used for recovering junk at the bottom of the hole

4. Junk Sub or Boot Basket

• Good for picking up relatively small junk such as

• Wash over or Burn Shoe.

• The fishing jar is used in the fishing as a means if

Hydraulic Fishing Jar

Bum per Sub

Free Rotating Weight

Normal Set Down Weight

Set Down Limit

Empty Block Weight

5. Sum the weights from steps 4 and 5

(Note: Sometimes, the limiting factor is the rig capacity).

Mud Weight: 13.74 ppg

• Try to hang sheave with fishing sling so

• Use instead of rigid fishing

• Switch to TDK if using CMTD

• Drain sub with blow out disk

• Tighten overshot to bottom of

• After tripping in with drill collars,

• Flag line again at drum and

• Maintain Proper Cable Tension

• Pull overshot to derrick man who will

• Drill pipe is made-up and

• Cuttings and debris should be removed

• Apply mud pump pressure to blow disk in sub

• Install TIW valve before spooling cable

• Do not rotate pipe while tripping out of hole;

• Install make-up plate at first

• Spearhead with cone type

• Top Latch Assembly

You might also like