Recommended Practice: Stuck Pipe in CTD Operations Page 1 of 5

Alaska Drilling and Wells

Recommended Practice: Stuck Pipe in CTD Operations

Authority: CTD Team Leader Custodian: Drilling Representative

Document
Control Document Control
Scope: ADW – CTD Operations
Administrator Specialist
:
Alaska Drilling and
Issue Date: December 1997 Issuing Dept:
Wells (ADW)
Revision Date: April 12, 2001 Control Tier: 4 – ADW-CTD
Next Review Date: April 12, 2004

Upon review consider reclassifying as an Uncontrolled document.

1.0 Purpose/Scope
This Recommended Practice is a controlled document because of the direct HSE impact
associated with the practice.

With ever increasing open hole lengths and aggressive drilling profiles, encountering “sticky”
hole conditions has become more common. The CTD Team has been very successful at dealing
with these situations in a time-efficient manner.

The conditions that can lead to stuck pipe, in order of frequency, are differential sticking, hole
instability (shales/clay), ledges, mechanical, and key seating.

Differential sticking has been by far the most common form of sticking and usually occurs while
drilling when the BHA comes in contact with a newly exposed section of the reservoir still
taking mud filtrate. This often occurs during “stacking” conditions when the BHA stops moving
because of insufficient weight transfer. While it is the most common, differential sticking has
been the least costly in terms of downtime and lost hole. The CTD team has been nearly 100%
successful in pulling free and returning to drilling simply by spotting crude oil (see discussion
below).

Sticking due to hole instability can be observed in shale-like sections of the reservoir. Extruding
clays or swelling shales are seen particularly during tripping and tend to get worse with time.
Reaming these problem areas thoroughly on each BHA or wiper trip is usually a sufficient
remedy. Sloughing shales in the reservoir section are rare but are extremely difficult to contend
with, and conditions usually do not improve by increasing mud weight. When severely
sloughing shales have been encountered, plugbacks/sidetracks have been the most cost-effective
alternative.

Ledges rarely cause sticking but can be encountered both RIH and POOH. Shale/sand interfaces
in the build section are where ledges are most commonly found. The danger with ledges is that
a well can be sidetracked inadvertently if a ledge is tagged RIH at full pump rate. If a ledge is
encountered, varying the pump rate and running speed will usually allow the BHA to skip past
the ledge. Backreaming in the vicinity of the ledge usually prevents future problems in that
area.

Mechanical sticking occurs when a piece of debris (rock, junk, etc) wedges beside the BHA. It
can also be caused by “sand dunes” sticking to the BHA when POOH. Usually, this debris will
Control Tier: 4 – ADW-CTD Revision Date: 04/12/01
Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00001-4 Print Date: 10/3/2021
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems
Recommended Practice: Stuck Pipe in CTD Operations Page 2 of 5

grab the bit (biggest OD), but has grabbed other portions of the BHA as well. Sometimes the
tools can be worked free. Other times it has required disconnecting and fishing in open hole.

Control Tier: 4 – ADW-CTD Revision Date: 04/12/01

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00001-4 Print Date: 10/3/2021
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems
Recommended Practice: Stuck Pipe in CTD Operations Page 3 of 5

Key seating normally should not be a problem in coiled tubing drilling; however, it should be
considered in the rare cases when long term pumping could cause vibration of the coil across an
area of high dog-leg severity, especially in an area where hole inclination is lost. This could
cause the pipe to wear a groove in the formation that would not allow the BHA to pass through.
As with ledges, varying pump rate and running speed should help the BHA to be pulled through.

2.0 Definitions

N/A

3.0 General Requirements

N/A

4.0 Key Responsibilities

N/A

5.0 Procedure
5.1 Guidelines for Sticky Conditions

1. In general, when sticky hole conditions are encountered, always keep the pipe moving.
Also, with the exception of ledges seen while RIH, always maintain full pump rate when
tripping pipe in open hole.
2. If differential sticking is encountered, proceed as follows:
 Continue circulating at full pump rate to clean-up cuttings. Note any packing-off.
 Work stuck pipe in 20,000 pound increments to maximum pull of 80,000 pounds
(assume QT100 CT).
 Reduce pump to minimum rate (to lower ECD’s). Work stuck pipe. Consider CT pipe
fatigue management when working pipe in one spot for a long time.
 Spot crude oil per procedure below.
 Once tools pull free, do a wiper trip to the window before resuming drilling.
3. If sticky shales are observed, ream the problem area in and out until clean. The reaming
should be done with the same tool face used to drill this section of the wellbore. While
RIH, sticky conditions may occur with or without motor work. If motor work is seen, it is
important to keep the pipe moving and prevent sidetracking. It may be necessary to
minimize pump rate and push the bit through a small portion of the problem area, then
backream slowly at full pump rate. If no motor work is seen, but a weight reduction is
noticed (common for long/stiff BHAs), maintain full pump rate.
4. Ledges, particularly those found while RIH, should be treated with caution to prevent
sidetracking the well. If the tools take any weight, immediately PU and check tool face. It
may be necessary to reduce pump rate and attempt to “bounce” the BHA over the ledge. If
unsuccessful, run a hole opener or bicentered bit, which allows for more aggressive motor
work and reduces the risk of sidetracking. Once the BHA gets past the ledge, backream the
area thoroughly to ensure clean passage of the tools.

Control Tier: 4 – ADW-CTD Revision Date: 04/12/01

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00001-4 Print Date: 10/3/2021
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems
Recommended Practice: Stuck Pipe in CTD Operations Page 4 of 5

5. Mechanical sticking can occur anywhere in the wellbore and can grab any portion of the
BHA. It usually occurs while POOH when debris or sand duning meets the BHA. It’s not
uncommon to see (via the weight indicator) the debris rolling along the BHA until it catches
an upset or the bit. If the bit becomes stuck, it’s readily apparent from the motor work
(pump pressure). For mechanical sticking, follow these guidelines:
 Maintain maximum pump rate to keep debris above the BHA, and keep the pipe
moving.
 If continued up-movement stops at about 20,000 – 30,000 overpull, stop working pipe
up and start attempting to get downward movement. Again, the key is to maintain high
pump rate and keep the tools moving, even if moving in the downward direction.
 If movement stops in both directions, attempt to orient to work the debris in a different
manner. Continue working pipe, primarily in the downward direction.
 If tools are still stuck, spot crude oil. It’s unlikely that crude oil will work for this
sticking mechanism, but it should be attempted before disconnecting.
 Drop ball, disconnect, and proceed with fishing operations.

n.2 Crude Oil Spotting Procedure

Once it has been decided to pump crude, proceed as follows:

1. Call for approximately 20 bbls of dead crude for pumping two separate 10-bbl jobs.
2. Do not pump any crude unless the Reid vapor pressure at 100ºF is less than 1.5 psi. Obtain
a sample from the truck and perform a vapor test per rig contractor’s procedure.
3. RU the vacuum or gravity truck discharge hose to the inlet side of the centrifugal pump
feeding the rig or service unit pump. Ground all equipment. Use only hammer unions (no
Cam-locks). Ensure driver stands by the truck throughout the operation.
4. Hold safety and operational procedure meeting. Discuss risks and hazard mitigation,
including well control (pumping lower density fluid).
5. Pump 10 bbls of the crude oil, zeroing the totalizer when density drops. Displace with mud.
6. When approximately two (2) bbls of crude are out the bit, SD pumps, and let crude soak for
about five minutes with pipe at neutral weight.
7. Work the stuck pipe without pumping. If unable to pull free, pump a few more bbls of the
crude around to the backside. Soak. Work pipe.
8. Once the BHA is free, PU 20 to 30 feet, continue moving pipe and circulate the crude to
surface. Divert the strung-out crude to the cuttings tank or divert tank. Expect 50 to 100
bbls of contaminated mud to be lost.
9. Have vac-truck operator suck back his hose until dry; if the gravity truck is used, blow back
lines with rig or service unit air. Close-out Fluid Transfer Permit.
10. Perform a wiper trip to the window and back.
11. Resume drilling.

6.0 Key Documents/Tools/References

N/A

Control Tier: 4 – ADW-CTD Revision Date: 04/12/01

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00001-4 Print Date: 10/3/2021
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems
Recommended Practice: Stuck Pipe in CTD Operations Page 5 of 5

Revision Log
Revision Date Approving Custodian/Author Revision Details
Authority
December 1997 Drilling Manager John McMullen Original Issue

April 12, 2001 Mark Stanley John McMullen Inclusion of safety and
environmental hazards and
mitigations into text.
(or, see attached e-mail ) April 25, 2001
Approving Authority signature Date

Control Tier: 4 – ADW-CTD Revision Date: 04/12/01

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00001-4 Print Date: 10/3/2021
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems