Re Entry Work

Re entry work: The three main types of whip stocks, the setting, orientation and drilling
off of one type in detail.

The three main types of whipstocks are Circulating, Conventional, and Retrievable style
bottom trip assemblies.

The first step is to ensure that the proper whipstocks and mills are on location, by
determining the size, (OD and ID), the weight and grade. Check that all the necessary
cross overs required, are on location. Measure and record; the lengths, the OD’s and the
ID’s of all the equipment. By ensuring the right equipment is on location immediately,
there may be a chance of correcting/avoiding delays in the operation due to a delivery or
planning error while preparing the well for the whipstock. Verify the drill pipe count on
the rig and if possible the pipe tally to verify depths later on.
The next step will be to determine the depth to set the bridge plug. The bridge plug
should be set 1.5-2.0 meters above a casing collar of a full joint of casing to ensure that
the milling operation is completed through the casing wall and not the collar. Obtain the
tally of the casing run in the hole to assess the positioning of the window to be cut. Check
the RKB against the casing tally, especially if using a different drilling/service rig to
avoid depth errors, or even better would be to run Collar Locator Log. A Casing
Calibration Log should be run as well to determine (especially on a well that’s been in
production) the condition of the casing in terms of wax and scale build up, and can
usually be run with the Collar Locator Log at the same time.
A Casing Scraper run is next ensuring there are no blockages that would interfere with
the bridge plug or whipstock assembly. The Casing Scrapper should be run to a point 10
-20 m below the point were the bridge plug and whipstock will be set. Work the area the
bridge plug and whipstock are to be set several times, circulating throughout. Higher
viscosity sweeps should be run at a rate of 1-2 per circulation (depending on the depth
and circulating times) especially if the well had been in production for awhile and would
have higher degrees of scale and wax build up. Check the shaker screen for evidence of
scale, wax and metal fillings (ditch magnets should be placed in the possum belly of the
shaker and if extras are available in the trough below the shaker). Before tripping out do a
quick pipe count and check against the pipe tally, then strap the pipe on the way out of
the hole.
The bridge plug can now be run in to the determined depth and set in the casing. A drift
run should be run to ensure the well bore is free of restrictions and to verify the bridge
plug depth, to ensure the bridge plug is set properly and to verify the pipe tally. Double
check the pipe tally; by strapping out of the hole. A drift should be run through the drill
pipe as well to ensure the gyroscope will not be prohibited from reaching the depth
required.
At this point, the next step is to set the whipstock. Make up the orientation sub (UBHO
sub) to the starting mill and orient the keyed sleeve to the face of the whipstock. Make up
UBHO sub and the Starting Mill to one joint of drill pipe and attach the Starting Mill on
the whipstock. Remove the shipping guard from the anchor trip mechanism. Trip in the
hole slowly being careful not to jar the drillstring when setting into the rotary table slips
at the connections as this may cause the setting pin to shear off. If this happens the
whipstock will fall to bottom, resulting in a fishing operation, as well as a damaged
whipstock assembly and probably a damaged bridge plug. Trip in, stopping 4-4.5 meters
above the bridge plug. Work the pipe up and down several times to remove any trapped
torque from the drill string. Record the string weight from the weight indicator.
Rig up and run a gyro into the hole stopping 2 meters above the bridge plug. And take
readings to determine the azimuth of the face of the whipstock. Rotate the drill string to
align the whipstock face at the planned azimuth, carefully using the pipe tongs, or chain
tongs if possible instead of the rotary table. Slowly run in the last 2 meters, watching the
weight indicator very closely, stop as soon as the drillstring tags the bridge plug. Recheck
the orientation of the whipstock a minimum of 3 times. Double check the orientation by
pulling the gyro out of the orienting sub and continue to pull up 10-20 meters. Run the
gyro back down and reseat the gyro in the orienting sub, it should indicate the same
azimuth.
If the readings are good, and the azimuth indicates that the face of the whipstock is were
it is supposed to be, pull the gyro out of the hole and check the tattle tale pin to ensure it
is intact and not damaged, otherwise the whipstock may not be oriented properly.
Set down 1,000-3,000 daN on the Whipstock to shear the roll pin and cap screw on the
spring loaded plunger, which will set the slips on the anchor mechanism. After setting the
slip, set down another 3,000-12,000 daN to shear the setting bolt from the whipstock.
After shearing the setting bolt, hoist the drillstring 0.5 meter, then set 12,000 daN on the
whipstock again. Pick up 1 meter and manually rotate the drill string in ensure the setting
bolt has sheared and the starting mill is free from the whipstock.
Now that the whipstock has been set the gyro can be pulled out of the hole.
Break circulation, and begin rotating the drillstring to begin the milling process. Before
lowering the drillstring record the stringweight, when the assembly begins to take weight
mark the pipe (or Kelly bar) and meter in. The rule of thumb for the milling parameters;
rotary speed 50-90 rpm, 3-5,000 weight on bit, and 1 m/hr time drilling. Fairly fast, light
and slow. Whipstock service companies will have their own procedures and if so these
should be followed to the letter, so as to avoid any fault issues due to error, which may
result in a shortpay for the company.
Once the desired milling depth has been reached with the starting mill, circulate the hole
clean and trip out of the hole, strapping on the way out. While the bottom hole assembly
is on the surface inspect the equipment for any unusual signs of wear.
Newer whipstock designs are a one trip deal, and will have a watermelon mill on,
allowing a drill out of the window/milling, otherwise a second run will be needed to
complete the window.
The assembly will be made up of a Window Mill, a Watermelon Mill, a bit sub, drill
collars and the rest of the drill string. Pick up a drill collar; make up the bit sub, the
Watermelon Mill and the Window Mill. Trip the assembly into the hole, strapping in, and
stop 1- 2 meters above the whipstock. Do not hit the top of the whipstock. Break
circulation and rotate the assembly, lower down the drill string slowly, until the rotary
torque increases.
Continue the milling procedures throughout the length of the Whipstock face.
Once through the face of the whipstock, continue drilling until there is 1.5 to 3 meters of
open hole made. While rotating, make a couple of passes throughout the entire length of
the window to ensure there are no tight spots, or edges they may cause problems later on.
Next, pick up above the top of the whipstock and without rotating, make a couple of
passes throughout the entire window to double check for tight spots. Circulate the hole
clean and pill out of the hole. Once out of the hole; gage the Window Mill to ensure that a
full gage hole has been milled. If the mill is drastically out of gage a second mill will be
required and the milling steps repeated. Do not rush the second operation and should be
conducted using the same parameters as the first run.
Trip out of the hole to pick up the directional tools to drill the sidetrack. The whipstock
will remain in position until the completion of the project.