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Pipe recovery operations

Pipe recovery is a specific wireline operation used in the oil and
gas industry, when the drill string becomes stuck downhole. Stuck
pipe prevents the drill rig from continuing operations. This results in
costly downtime, ranging anywhere from $10,000-1,000,000 per
day of downtime, therefore it is critical to resolve the problem as
quickly as possible. Pipe recovery is the process by which the
location of the stuck pipe is identified, and the free pipe is separated
from the stuck pipe either by a backoff or a chemical cut. This allows
fishing tools to subsequently be run down hole to latch onto and
remove the stuck pipe. Wireline truck performing pipe
recovery on location in Alberta,
Canada.
Contents
Causes of Stuck Pipe
Free point
Backing off pipe
Tools for cutting pipe
References
External links

Causes of Stuck Pipe

Differentially Stuck Pipe

The geological formation downhole occasionally has a significantly lower pressure than the drilling fluid
being used. When the pipe string comes into contact with the exposed formation the difference in
pressure will cause the pipe to be sucked against the formation. If the rig is able to circulate drilling fluid
back to the surface that is often a good indication of differentially stuck pipe. One technique for freeing
the stuck pipe, or avoiding the issue to begin with, is to rotate the pipe string while pulling out of the
hole.

Key Seated Stuck Pipe

Key seating occurs when the drill string becomes off-centered in the wellbore, and the pipe collars
become caught on a deviation in the wellbore. If the rig is able to move the drill string freely downhole,
but every time the drill string is pulled upward it becomes stuck at the same point, then it is likely that
the pipe is caught in a key seat.

Cave-in Stuck Pipe

An unstable formation can result in a cave in. The collapse of the formation can pin the pipe inside the
wellbore preventing its movement.

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Mechanically Stuck Pipe

This can be the result of objects, i.e. slips or pipe wrenches, being
dropped down the hole lodging against the BHA.

Communication between Wells

In areas with a high concentration of oil wells, it is not unusual for

wells to communicate through the formation for distances of up to
mile. During a fracking operation thousands of gallons of fluid and
sand are pumped down one well to open up the formation
surrounding that wellbore. Often large amounts of that proppant
and fluid will travel through the formation and into a nearby well.
This sand can lodge on top of a packer or coil tubing in the well
sticking the pipe.

Tubing Stuck in Production Wells

Wireline truck rigged up to a coil
Tubing in production wells is often exposed to a number of highly tubing unit in order to cut the coil
corrosive chemicals, such as H2S.[1] This corrosion can deteriorate tubing.
the tubing to the point that it separates from the wellhead causing
the tubing to fall downhole. The impact of several thousands of
pounds of tubing on the bottom of the hole can severely damage the
tubing, causing kinks or a corkscrew effect in the tubing, making it
difficult to retrieve out of the hole. Sand coming in through holes in
the casing or a malfunctioning production packer can also cause
tubing to become stuck in production wells.

Free point
The term free point is used to describe the delineating point between Bent 2 7/8" Tubing
the stuck pipe and the free pipe in a pipe string. Every joint of pipe
above the free point is free, meaning it can rotate freely and be
moved in and out of the hole, provided it was not attached to the remaining joints of stuck pipe below the
free point. A good way to visualize this is to hold a piece of string with your left hand. With your right
hand grab the bottom third of that string. The 2/3rds of the string above your right hand would be
considered free, since you can move the string however you may like. The section of string inside and
below your right hand is stuck, since no matter what you do to the free string it will not affect the string
in or below your right hand.

Pipe Stretch Free Point Estimate

The pipe stretch free point estimate is a good starting point for identifying the free point.

1. Pull the drillstring to the pipe's neutral weight, which is the combined weight of blocks and the weight
of the drill string and make a mark(X1)(in) at the top of the rotary table.
2. Identify the recommended overpull by multiplying 2208.5 by pipe weight/ft. Pull the calculated
overpull(F) (Not to exceed the yield strength of the pipe) causing the free portion of the pipe to
stretch to a new position (X2)‍(in).
3. Use the following equation to calculate the free point from the rig floor:

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Lsp = 735,294(X2 − X1)Wdp ÷ F

where Lsp = depth of stuck point (ft), (X2-X1)= The stretch of the pipe from the reference point
(in.), Wdp = weight of drill pipe (lbs/ft), and F = the additional pull required (lbs.) It is important
to note that the stretch test does not take into account drill collars, heavyweight drill pipe,
and/or wellbore deviation.[2]

The following tools are operated using a wireline truck.

Traditional Free Point Tools

The traditional freepoint tool is an electromechanical

tool designed to measure the amount of torque or stretch
of a given length of tubing, drill pipe, or casing. The
traditional freepoint tool uses either bow springs or
magnets to anchor itself inside the pipe. After obtaining
an estimate of the free point by using the pipe stretch
estimate technique, the traditional freepoint tool is run
in the hole to 1000 feet above the estimated stuck point.
The tool is anchored in place. Stretch and or torque is
then applied to the pipe. This allows the pipe recovery
engineer to obtain a baseline reading of the free pipe.
This will give him a starting point to compare his later
freepoint readings to. The tool is then run roughly 500
Applied Electronic Systems Traditional Free point
feet past the estimated stuck point. Stretch and torque
Tool
are applied, and readings are taken. If the tool indicates
that the pipe is stuck at that point the tool is pulled
uphole and readings are taken again. By applying the
bracketing technique, the pipe recovery engineer is quickly able to identify the exact point that the pipe
is free.[3][4]

Halliburton Free Point Tool

The Halliburton Freepoint Tool is based around the magnetorestrictive property of steel. This principle
states that when torque or stretch is applied to free pipe, the magnetization will change. Stuck pipe will
have no change in magnetization. There is a magnet on the bottom of the tool that creates a small
magnetic field. There are four co-planar orthogonal multi-axis high sensitivity magnetometers located
above the magnet. The magnetometers measure the change in the magnetization of the pipe. The pipe is
set at neutral weight, then the tool is run downhole logging the entire pipe string. Once it is at the bottom
of the string, torque or stretch is applied to the pipe. The tool is then pulled uphole logging the entire
string. The tool will detect differences in the magnetization of the pipe, thereby indicating free and stuck
sections of pipe.[5][6]

Backing off pipe

Backing off pipe, is an industry term which means unscrewing the pipe at a desired depth downhole.

Inside Back Off or String Shot

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Once the free point of a stuck pipe string is determined, the stringshot back-off service can be used to
remove the free portion from the well. The string-shot is a metal rod wrapped in explosive primer cord.
The back-off procedure applies left-hand torque to the stuck pipe string. The CCL is used to help position
the string shot at the predetermined pipe joint, and then the string shot is detonated.[7] The explosion
produces a similar effect as an intense hammer blow and allows the joint to be unscrewed at the proper
connection. Several factors such as pipe size, weight and condition, back-off depth, mud or borehole
fluid weight and well temperature are carefully considered when making up the proper string-shot
assembly.[8]

Manual Back Off

Manual back offs are the least preferred technique for removing free pipe from the hole since there is
very little control. When performing a manual back off you take the desired back off depth(ft.) and
multiply it by the weight of one foot of pipe. This will give you a rough estimate of the neutral weight of
the pipe at the desired depth. By setting the pipe at neutral weight at the desired depth you are reducing
any tension on the threads at the desired depth, thereby increasing your odds of the pipe unscrewing
there. The driller will pickup the string to the back off neutral weight, and then left hand torque is
applied until the pipe unscrews. There is no guarantee that the pipe will unscrew at the desired point
making the manual back off the last resort for backing off pipe.

Tools for cutting pipe

Chemical Cutter

Chemical cutters use a propellant to generate pressure forcing the chemical, usually Bromine Trifluoride,
through a catalyst. The resulting chemical reaction is expelled through the severing head of the cutter at
a high temperature and pressure, which cuts the wall of the tubing. The resulting cut is a very smooth cut
that does not require any dressing before further pipe recovery operations can take place.[9]

Jet Cutters

Jet cutters use a circular-shaped charge to produce the cutting action. Jet cutters are
capable of severing pipe despite significant downhole pressure. This makes them an
ideal choice for extremely deep wells, greater than 20,000 feet deep. They typically
leave a flare on the severed pipe string. This flare must be removed, typically by
using a mill, before further fishing operations can take place.[9][10]

Radial Cutting Torch(RCT)

1.375in OD Jet
Radial cutting torches use a mixture of powdered metals Cutter used for
contained inside the torch body, those metals burn at a very cutting coiled
high temperature on ignition by the gas generator. The tubing.
resultant molten plasma is then ejected through the radial
graphic ceramic nozzle and onto the target tubing. The result
is a clean, non flared cut. The highly energized plasma is capable of overcoming
nearly any wellbore condition, and has a cutting success rate of 77%.[9] The RCT
does not contain explosives; this greatly reduces transportation costs and
2 3/8in tubing cut logistical problems.[11]
with a RCT
Drill Collar Severing Tool (DCST)

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The Drill Collar Severing Tool is often used to separate heavy weight drill pipe or drill collars. The DCST
contains an explosive charge at either end of the tool; both charges are detonated simultaneously. The
explosive shock waves meet in the center of the tool and combine to produce a very high energy wave
capable of cutting through the thickest of pipe. The severed pipe is typically split and deformed,
requiring milling.[10]

References
1. EPA Article on H2S Corrosion [1] (http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/200048ZZ.txt?ZyActionD=Zy
Document&Client=EPA&Index=1991%20Thru%201994&Docs=&Query=&Time=&EndTime=&Search
Method=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&Us
eQField=&IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0&XmlQuery=&File=D%3A%5CZYFILES%5CINDEX%20D
ATA%5C91THRU94%5CTXT%5C00000001%5C200048ZZ.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=an
onymous&SortMethod=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g
8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=p%7Cf&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&
BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=1)
2. Pg. 417 Petroleum Engineering Handbook for the Practicing Engineer, Volume 2 by M.A. Mian [2] (ht
tps://books.google.com/books?id=SX6PTJq5I04C&pg=PA417&lpg=PA417&dq=pipe+stretch++free+
point&source=bl&ots=Xh589WTsZx&sig=5zFxSOmaN_8yzxohK7uvtNIxCts&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6v-TU
O6vIuOA2wWQvoGYAg&ved=0CEwQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=pipe%20stretch%20%20free%20poi
nt&f=false)
3. Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)Journal Paper "An Overview of Free Point Tools," DEC 1998
[3] (http://www.onepetro.org/mslib/app/Preview.do?paperNumber=00016154&societyCode=SPE)
4. GE Sondex Freepoint Indicator (http://www.ge-energy.com/products_and_services/products/wireline
_systems/pipe_recovery_technology_free_point_tool.jsp)
5. Offshore Technologies Conference (OTC) Conference Paper (2010) Game Changing Technology
Developments for Safe and Cost Effective Determination of Free Point in Horizontal and Vertical
Wells (http://www.onepetro.org/mslib/servlet/onepetropreview?id=OTC-20933-MS)
6. SPE Case Histories of a New Wireline Logging Tool for Determination of Free Point in Support of
Drilling and Pipe Recovery Operations [4] (http://www.spe.org/events/lacpec/2009/en/technical/docu
ments/119907_CalvinKessler.pdf)
7. http://wirelinehq.com/wireline-basics/wireline-casing-collar-locator/
8. "Baker Hughes Pipe Recovery" (https://web.archive.org/web/20131219013214/http://c14503045.r45.
cf2.rackcdn.com/v1/82c9d753f1526807964d1205f80114b3/30216-pipe-recovery_-brochure.pdf)
(PDF). Archived from the original (http://c14503045.r45.cf2.rackcdn.com/v1/82c9d753f1526807964d
1205f80114b3/30216-pipe-recovery_-brochure.pdf) (PDF) on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
9. SPE, "Effect of Well Variables on the Performance of Chemical, Jet, and RCT Tubing Cutters",SEP
2009 [5] (http://www.spe.org/ejournals/jsp/journalapp.jsp?pageType=Preview&jid=EDC&mid=SPE-11
0776-PA)
10. SPE Conference Paper, "Drill Pipe Cutting At Ultra High Pressure: A Proven Capability For Stuck
Pipe Hazards", 1-3 MAR 2011 [6] (http://www.onepetro.org/mslib/servlet/onepetropreview?id=SPE-1
39511-MS&soc=SPE)
11. MCR Oil Tools-RCT (http://www.mcroiltools.com/PRODUCTS/RadialCuttingTorch/tabid/83/Default.as
px)

External links
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