Saudi Aramco: Stuck Tool Procedures

SAUDI ARAMCO WORKOVER MANUAL
Drilling Technical Department September 2013
CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

SECTION C STUCK TOOL PROCEDURES
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STUCK TOOL PROCEDURES
1.0 GENERAL
Back
2.0 FREEING STUCK TOOL
2.1 Tool Stuck During Logging
2.2 Tool Stuck on Bottom
3.0 STRIPPING OVER
4.0 BREAKING AT THE WEAK-POINT
5.0 FISHING FOR RADIOACTIVE TOOLS

5.1 Fishing Operations
5.2 Handling of a Radioactive Source
5.3 Abandonment of Source

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STUCK TOOL PROCEDURES
1.0 GENERAL
Tool sticking usually occurs in open hole when the electric cable or tool itself
becomes stuck due to differential sticking, getting hung up on junk, key-seating in a
dogleg, and other reasons.
The following are general wireline logging field practices that should be observed:
1.1 Prior to rigging up the wireline unit for logging, fishing tools should be
available on short notice.
1.2 The following cable specifications need to be recorded before the logging job:
the size/type of the cable, maximum allowable pull (50% of line breaking
strength), and weak point rating.
1.3 For example, the multiconductor slammer cable breaking strength from
Halliburton and Baker Atlas are 21,500 lb and 22,200 lb, respectively,
maximum allowable pulls are 10,750 lb and 11,100 lb. For smaller cable
where the breaking strength is 4000 to 5100 lbs., the 50% pull limit is 2000 to
2500 lbs.
1.4 The weak point setting (rope socket) is selected prior to running the logging
tools. It is a function of the depth of the well, tool weight, and line breaking
strength. The weak point setting + tool weight in mud + line weight at TD
should be less than or equal to 50% of the cable breaking strength.
1.5 Service Company Logging Engineer should consult the Drilling Foreman
before pulling beyond the weak point strength.
1.6 Permission shall be obtained from Saudi Aramco management prior to

intentionally breaking the cable.
1.7 Different service companies use different cable heads based on different
cable release mechanisms (Figs. 5C-1, 5C-2, and 5C-3).
1.8 When running pipe conveyed logging and tool stuck risk is suspected, it is
recommended to simulate the logging string behaviour when stabilizers are
added, in order to minimize well contact area.
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All Schlumberger standard logging tools use the same cable head (Fig. 5C-1)
which has a maximum pull of 120,000 lbs.
Rope Socket
Figure 5C-1 Standard Schlumberger Logging Head
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Halliburton uses the Releasable Wireline Cable Head (RWCH), which has a fusible weak link that
can be released electrically at surface. By using the RWCH, a high weak point can be used at the
head which allows pulling to the maximum allowable cable strength (Fig. 5C-2).
Figure 5C-2 Halliburton Releasable Wireline Cable Head
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BakerAtlas uses the Motorized Releasable Cable Head (MRCH) which allows the cable
head to be disengaged from the downhole instrument string on command. To release
the cable head, power is applied from surface panel. A Barrel Nut will slide toward the
motor, thus releasing the collet (Fig. 5C-3).
Figure 5C-3 BakerAtlas Motorised Releasable Cable Head
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Weatherford uses the High-Angle Logging System (HAL) that enables to run logging
tools on highly deviated or horizontal wells where is not possible to access tools by
gravity. This system uses drillpipe to mechanically position standard wireline tools for
logging, mechanically connecting the logging assembly to the end of the drillstring using
specially designed crossover. The entire assembly is tripped into the hole until the
logging tools reach the upper most interval to be logged.
A special designed entry-sub is made up to the drillpipe, allowing the wireline and up
hole wet-connect spear to be lowered or pumped through the drillpipe and latched onto
the downhole assembly. The HAL system provides circulation during the operation,
reducing risk of tools getting stuck.
Fig. 5C-4 Weatherford High-Angle Logging System (HAL)
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2.0 FREEING STUCK TOOL
2.1 Tool Stuck During Logging
Close tool, and attempt to go down if tool is free to descend; make several
attempts if necessary. If tool is not free to descend, pull to maximum safe
tension and hold at that level of tension until the tool becomes free.
2.1.1 If this action does not free the tool, stripping-over should be
performed.
2.1.2 The formation tester (FT) tools (MDT and XPT from Schlumberger,
RDT from Halliburton, and RCI from Baker Atlas) stick easily and
consequently the following precautions should be taken:
1) A dummy run prior to FT logging may be considered.

2) Adding friction reducer to the mud may also be considered, if
possible.
3) If an excessive differential pressure situation exists across a
formation, B-FREE pills or similar products should be spotted
prior to taking FT pressure readings or sampling.
2.2 Tool Stuck on Bottom
If tool becomes stuck on bottom of the hole, close tool and pull to maximum
safe tension and hold at that level of tension until the tool becomes free. If
this action does not free the stuck tool, then stripping-over should be
attempted.
3.0 STRIPPING OVER
If the tool fails to unstuck or come free, stripping over should normally be
attempted. Remember to obtain approval prior to breaking the weak-point.
If stripping-over is to be performed, proceed as follows:
3.1 Apply 2000 lbs. tension to the cable.
3.2 Land cable and cut above rotary table.
3.3 Connect spearhead to the hole end of the cable and a spearhead overshot to
the unit end.
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3.4 Strip over wire with Bowen overshot and drill pipe, stand by stand,
maintaining 2000 lbs. tension in the cable.
3.5 Prior to latching on the fish, install a circulating sub and special bushing at
surface to catch the cable; the cable is landed in this bushing.
3.6 Install the Kelly and circulate to clean the overshot, prior to latching on the
fish. After circulating, remove the Kelly, connect spearhead overshot to
spearhead and apply 2000 lbs. tension.
3.7 Lower string and latch onto the fish. A tension decrease when lowering or
tension increase when pulling the string indicates the fish to be connected.
Note: While running in hole with the overshot, a decrease in cable tension
may occur, indicating that the tool has become free. If such a case,
the cable is connected and the tool pulled up until the overshot
latches onto the fish head.
3.8 After latching onto the fish, part the cable at the weak-point with the travelling
block. Remove the spearhead-overshot combination, connect the cable
together and wind in. Pull the string and recover the fish. Do not rotate the
string while pulling out.
4.0 BREAKING WEAK-POINT
4.1 The following are precautionary measures when attempting to recover a

stuck tool by breaking at the weak-point:
A) If the open hole is in reasonable condition or in casing, there is a good

chance the tool can be fished out by breaking at the weak-point and
fishing with an overshot (with an OD slightly smaller than the bit size).
B) This technique should not be used for tools with radioactive source. If a
radioactive logging tool is stuck in the hole, do not continue to work the
tool since this may reduce the weak-point strength. Inform the
concerned parties of the details of the situation.
C) At no time should cable tension be suddenly released. This action can

cause “bird-cages” and broken cables. Tension should be released
slowly and should never drop below 50% of the normal logging
tension.
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D) The service company logging engineer should always direct the

operation when applying and releasing tension on the cable.
5.0 FISHING FOR RADIOACTIVE TOOLS
5.1 Fishing Operations
The following are precautionary measures when attempting to recover a

stuck tool by breaking at the weak-point:
A) Circulate once around prior to latching on to fish.
B) Monitor the mud returns constantly with the Gamma-Ray tool placed in
the return line.
C) Do not locate engage-tool with more than 10,000 lbs. weight.
D) Ensure the maximum allowable pull is not exceeded.
E) No personnel other than service company logging crew are to be near

the mud pit or return lines.
F) Check to ensure that with the tool engaged in the overshot, circulation
remains impossible. Use a circulating sub in the fishing assembly one
stand above the overshot.
5.2 Handling of a Retrieved Source
The following safety precautions should be adhered to when handling a

retrieved source:
A) Limit personnel to the minimum required on the rig floor.
B) Pull the source as far as possible in the derrick (minimum 50’).
C) Cover the rotary table, close rams and then all rig personnel shall leave
the rig floor except the Driller.
D) The Driller will assist the service company logging engineer in laying
down equipment.
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5.3 Abandonment of Source
The radioactive source will be abandoned in place (in hole) if all of the above
actions fail to recover the source (see Chapter 2, Section G “Abandonment
Guidelines” for details).
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SAUDI ARAMCO WORKOVER MANUAL

Drilling Technical Department September 2013

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

STUCK TOOL PROCEDURES

3.0 STRIPPING OVER

4.0 BREAKING AT THE WEAK-POINT

5.0 FISHING FOR RADIOACTIVE TOOLS

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

STUCK TOOL PROCEDURES

1.6 Permission shall be obtained from Saudi Aramco management prior to

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

Figure 5C-1 Standard Schlumberger Logging Head

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

Figure 5C-2 Halliburton Releasable Wireline Cable Head

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

Figure 5C-3 BakerAtlas Motorised Releasable Cable Head

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

Fig. 5C-4 Weatherford High-Angle Logging System (HAL)

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

2.0 FREEING STUCK TOOL

2.1 Tool Stuck During Logging

1) A dummy run prior to FT logging may be considered.

2.2 Tool Stuck on Bottom

3.0 STRIPPING OVER

If stripping-over is to be performed, proceed as follows:

3.1 Apply 2000 lbs. tension to the cable.

3.2 Land cable and cut above rotary table.

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

4.0 BREAKING WEAK-POINT

4.1 The following are precautionary measures when attempting to recover a

A) If the open hole is in reasonable condition or in casing, there is a good

C) At no time should cable tension be suddenly released. This action can

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

D) The service company logging engineer should always direct the

5.0 FISHING FOR RADIOACTIVE TOOLS

5.1 Fishing Operations

The following are precautionary measures when attempting to recover a

A) Circulate once around prior to latching on to fish.

C) Do not locate engage-tool with more than 10,000 lbs. weight.

D) Ensure the maximum allowable pull is not exceeded.

E) No personnel other than service company logging crew are to be near

5.2 Handling of a Retrieved Source

The following safety precautions should be adhered to when handling a

A) Limit personnel to the minimum required on the rig floor.

B) Pull the source as far as possible in the derrick (minimum 50’).

CHAPTER 5 WIRELINE LOGGING AND EXPLOSIVES

5.3 Abandonment of Source

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