Fishing & Stucks

(1) STUCK PIPE & FISHING
INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 GENERAL
The subjects of stuck pipe and fishing have been consolidated into one Part as they are very often associated.
Each of them is still a major cause of unproductive time within Shell even though both are largely preventable
by good planning and the use of good practices, coupled with an understanding of downhole conditions and the
ability to recognise early warning signs.
Stuck pipe is a very good example of the proverb prevention is "better than cure". The recovery from a stuck
pipe situation can be very time consuming, hence expensive, and in the limit may lead to the loss of the well
with the resultant necessity to redrill it. It may alternatively result in what in the long term may be even worse -
a poor quality well. On the other hand it only requires a short time during the preparation phase of a given well
to consider how such situations could arise and to design it in such a way that those situations are avoided, or at
least minimised. The routine application of normal good practice while drilling the well also goes a long way
towards avoiding problems.
The causes and prevention of stuck pipe have been addressed by a Quality Improvement Team in Shell Expro
(Shell U.K. Exploration and Production). which produced a report titled "The ABC of Stuck Pipe" , followed by
two supplements - "Borehole Stability in Shales" and "Hole Cleaning". All three documents have been
published as EP reports and are highly recommended.
Stuck pipe will usually lead to fishing operations, but it is only one type of fish. Fishing may carried out to
recover any type of undesirable material from the borehole, stuck or free.
1.1.2 FISHING
A "fish" in oilfield terminology is a piece of equipment, or other material, which is in the well and which
satisfies two conditions:
 it was not placed deliberately in its current situation
 it does not extend all the way to surface
Fishing is the name given to the process of getting hold of, and removing, such material.
The first of the above conditions is made in order to exclude from the definition such items as packers, liners,
safety valves, etc.. Removing a particular packer which is no longer required in a well would not be referred to
as "fishing for the packer" but as "recovering (or picking) the packer". If however the normal recovery process
is unsuccessful because the recovery tool fails to engage the packer, or the packer drops down the well or
becomes stuck while being pulled out, it is no longer in its normal situation and further attempts to recover it
would be referred to as fishing. Having said that, the recovery of a permanent packer has all the characteristics
of a fishing operation and is therefore, for completeness, described in Topic 8.
The second condition means that the drilling crew cannot see the fish which they are trying to get hold of
and/or remove. In general they do not know:
 the depth of the top of the fish,
 how the top of the fish is situated horizontally with respect to the borehole - whether it is central
(rarely) or lying against one wall - and how much the hole is enlarged at that depth, or
 the shape and condition of the top of the fish which they are trying to get hold of.
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Fishing is a rather complicated operation and therefore requires:

 a thorough knowledge of fishing tools,
 adequate experience in fishing techniques, and
 good understanding of the stresses which can be applied to the fishing tools and string.
Because such specialized knowledge is required it is common practice to call in a fishing service company for
all but the simple and rapidly accomplished jobs.
There are four types of fish in drilling and workover operations:

 Tubulars, including drill-pipe, drill-collars and production tubing
 Junk
 Downhole equipment
 Wireline equipment
TUBULARS
A part of the drill string, usually but not always including some drill-pipe, is the most common type of fish in
drilling operations. A fish consisting of production tubing is common in workover operations, often with one or
more packers attached to the tubing. The connection between fishing and stuck pipe is that the most effective
way of dealing with the latter is to turn it into a fish by cutting it near to the stuck point and incorporating
special tools into the fishing string.
JUNK
Junk is the name given to any foreign object in the hole. It is, in most cases, relatively small debris originating
in the well or objects which have been accidentally dropped into it. For further details see Topic 1.7.
DOWN-HOLE EQUIPMENT
Packers are virtually the only items of down hole equipment used which are not part of the drill- or tubing-
string, and fishing for this type of equipment is restricted to production testing operations and workovers.
(Packers are used for pressure testing, or securing the well while working on the wellhead, but they are simple
types which rarely fail to be recovered by the normal procedure.)
WIRELINE EQUIPMENT
Wireline logging tools can for one reason or another become stuck in the open-hole section of a well (see Topic
1.9). If they cannot be freed by pulling at up to the weak-point strength of the cable they must be fished for with
drill-pipe.
Some tools are run inside drillpipe or tubing on a "slick" line (monocable). These can stick, or the line can fail
in tension during use (normally because it has been kinked at surface, causing stress hardening and
embrittlement). This then also becomes a fish.
1.1.3 STUCK PIPE/EQUIPMENT
A string of tubulars plus the incorporated equipment is subject to the normal laws of physics, including friction.
When a string is pulled out of the hole the force required is the weight (in drilling fluid) plus the friction. When
running into the hole the supporting force is the weight less the friction. This is a fact of life and cannot be
avoided. It does not mean that frictional forces cannot be controlled to some extent by using a drilling fluid with
more or less lubricating properties, but the statement is still true. A sticking mechanism is something which is
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happening in the hole which causes the force required to pull out to be greater than the weight plus the expected
friction, and/or the supporting force while running in to be less than the weight less the expected friction.
Sticking mechanisms can act while raising the string, or while lowering it, or both.
The difference between the actual and expected forces while pulling out is called the overpull; the difference
while running in is called the setdown weight.
The overpull and the setdown required to move the string can have any value from zero to (in theory) infinity.
If they are zero the hole is said to be "free"; as they increase the hole is said to be getting "tight". Thus stuck
pipe is not an on/off situation that can be defined in absolute terms. In practice the pipe is said to be stuck when
the force required to move it upwards is greater than the tensile strength of the top joint of pipe (after applying
a safety factor). It is of course not necessarily stuck when the weight of the string itself is not sufficient to take
it down the hole as it may still be possible to pull it back out.
If a string sticks while pulling out it may still be possible to lower it. In that case it is free to move up and
down through a certain distance but it is still treated as stuck pipe, because it is recovered by using the same
techniques. Depending on the sticking mechanism the pipe can be stuck with respect to pulling out but still be
free to rotate. The opposite situation is not feasible.
During drilling there are three categories of sticking mechanisms related to the hole, which will be
considered in turn in the following Topic. These are caused by:
 Hole geometry
 Formation (lithological) characteristics
 Differential sticking.
There are also three categories of sticking mechanisms which relate more to operating practices and can
equally well, or only, occur inside casing and can occur during workovers as well as during drilling. These
come under the general categories of:
 Equipment geometry
 Solids other than drilled cuttings
 Corrosion
If a string of tubulars is stuck, and cannot be freed by pulling, rotating and/or pumping, the next step is to
turn the lower part of the string into a fish, by either backing it off (i.e. unscrewing it) or cutting it just above
the section which is stuck. This operation is described in Topic 1.3.
The initial reason for doing this is because of the elasticity of the string. Even though the string may be stuck to
a steady pull, it may be possible to move it (either up past an obstruction or down until it is free again) by
delivering a series of impacts - a procedure called jarring. Because of the elasticity of the string an impact
delivered at the surface would be ineffective at depth, and an impact downwards would buckle the string
probably making the situation even worse. The closer the impact is to the stuck point the more effective it will
be, and for that reason the string is backed off or cut and a fishing string connected to it with special tools,
including a jar - or hammer - at the lower end. In this case the elasticity of the fishing string is put to good use
because the impact is delivered by storing energy in the string by stretching it and then transferring the stored
energy to the hammer.
If the string cannot be moved by jarring it, a possible option is simply to grind it away using a tool called a mill.
In a milling operation it is evidently advantageous to minimise the length of pipe to be milled - another reason
for backing off/cutting the string as close as possible to the stuck point.
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1.1.4 THE ECONOMICS OF FISHING

IN A WELL BEING DRILLED
Before a fishing job is started in a well being drilled it should be considered whether it is economical to fish at
all, or whether the lower section of the hole should be abandoned and the well sidetracked, or even the whole
well abandoned and a new well drilled .
It is a great temptation for the involved staff not to let the problem beat them and to carry on making one
attempt after another to recover a fish long after it would have been more economic to abandon and redrill. For
this reason even if the initial decision has been made to fish, the situation must be reconsidered at each stage
and a new decision made as to whether it is worthwhile continuing.
The factors to be taken into account in making this decision are the cost of fishing and the cost of
sidetracking. The main costs of fishing are:
 The cost of each successive run with the fishing tools, including rig time, tool rentals (including
redressing) and the fishing service companies.
 The cost of failure, which is the probable cost of having to sidetrack anyway. This is the cost as detailed
below multiplied by the probability of failure of the fishing attempt. In this respect it must always be
borne in mind that the probability of recovering a fish decreases dramatically after every unsuccessful
attempt. This is because:
o the methods most likely to succeed are tried first
o each attempt may cause additional damage to the top of the fish and/or to the borehole wall
(or casing if applicable) and make it more difficult for the following attempt
o the passage of time always makes recovery more difficult because of the deterioration of
the borehole and/or the increase of differential sticking forces.
A relatively minor additional cost may be the cost of inspection and/or straightening/replacement of the fishing
string if heavy jarring has to be undertaken, including the cost of transport.
Against the cost of fishing has to be set the cost of abandoning and redrilling part of the well, or even the whole
well. The main costs are:
 The cost of setting one or more cement plugs.
 The cost of carrying out a side tracking operation, taking into account the probability of not being
successful the first time and having to repeat it. (In the absence of actual sidetracking experience
in the area a probability of failure of 25% would be reasonable.)
 The cost of drilling the sidetrack to the original depth.
Other costs may be:
 If applicable, the cost of either milling a window in the casing or cutting and recovering it. The
latter will be necessary if for any reason the sidetrack has to be made at a depth where casing has
already been set, and there is not enough flexibility in the well design to set one more string than
programmed.
 The cost of the replacement of usable equipment left in the abandoned hole, including the cost of
any time spent waiting for it.
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As well as the costs there are several unquantifiable disadvantages associated with fishing and
advantages associated with sidetracking. These are:
 The conditions which caused the fish in the first place will still be there even if the fish is recovered.
 The condition of the borehole wall is always time dependent to a lesser or greater extent and any open
hole will deteriorate during a long fishing operations. Thus, even if the fish is recovered, the hole
section which becomes available again may be of poor quality and lead to additional problems not
directly related to the original one.
 If the top of the fish is in casing, the fishing attempts and in particular any milling operations to dress
the top of the fish may well damage the casing and limit future progress because of that.
 If a sidetrack is drilled there is the opportunity to optimise the new section based on information
already obtained in the original hole. In particular if casing is set in that section its depth can be
optimised.
It may seem from the content of this sub-Topic that the choice is heavily biased towards abandoning a fish and
sidetracking. That is indeed so, especially when the fish is actually immovable, is close to the bottom of the
hole, and the hole has been open for some time. The choice becomes more questionable if a well has taken say
three months to drill to the current depth and much of it would have to be redrilled.
The success rate of previous fishing jobs of the same type in the same area will have a major influence when
making the decision whether to continue fishing or abandon the attempts and re-drill the hole
DURING A WORKOVER
Fishing jobs during workovers are in some ways easier than those encountered during drilling. They are almost
invariably in cased hole which provides guidance for the fishing tools. On the other hand the equipment in the
well is usually smaller and lighter than drilling equipment and requires a correspondingly lighter, more precise
operating technique which is not always easy with a heavy drilling unit. However the main difference between a
fishing job during a workover and one during a drilling operation is that there is in general no option to put a
cement plug on top of the fish and make a sidetrack. If the well is a producer, actual or potential, with open
perforations, then the productive interval must be properly abandoned.
This means that the over-riding consideration is that, if a well is to be abandoned, it must be done according to
company standards, which are themselves almost certainly based on legal requirements. Economic
considerations take second place, and a difficult fishing job will be persevered with for a much longer time than
in a well being drilled.
It is also feasible for the same type of situation to arise in a well being drilled if there is a long open hole
penetrating several porous and permeable formations of which at least one is hydrocarbon bearing. This is
however an infrequent occurrence; it is in any case easier to squeeze cement into an open hole than past
production equipment and through perforations.
STUCK PIPE/EQUIPMENT
This Topic explains how tubulars or equipment can become stuck in the well. The various mechanisms are
described according to the categories mentioned in the Introduction.
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1.2.1 HOLE GEOMETRY

KEY-SEATING
A key seat results when drill pipe under tension wears a slot into the wall of the hole during drilling and tripping
operations (Figure 5.1.01). It often occurs when drilling a directional well.
The slot diameter is usually the same as the diameter of the drill pipe tool joints. The drill collars are therefore
most likely to get jammed in a key seat when pulling out of hole (Figure 5.1.02).
It is often possible to move the drill pipe up and down through they key seat, but still be unable to pull the drill
collars through it. When drill collars are pulled against a known key seat, great care must be taken otherwise
they may be pulled so tight into the key seat that the string becomes stuck.
Recognising key-seating
Key seating is indicated by an increasing overpull, normally during tripping. However, once past a certain point,
a considerable distance from bottom, this overpull disappears.
Here again the circulation is not impeded after the string has become stuck.
When the symptoms described above are recognised in time it should be possible to prevent the string from
becoming stuck by limiting the amount of pull against the key seat.
Figure 5.1.01 : Key seating

Figure 5.1.02 : The development of a key seat
Preventive measures
Key seating can be minimised by:
 reducing the dogleg severity through avoiding severe directional or angle changes.
 installing a stabiliser on top of the drill collars.
 using key seat wipers (string reamers) when key seat forming is suspected.
 setting casing over the built-up section.
 installing a drilling jar.
NOTE: In general the least freeing force is required if it is applied in the direction opposite to the direction of
motion of the pipe when it became stuck.
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Freeing key-seated pipe

The usual procedure for freeing a key seated pipe is by applying a downward force, thus attempting to push the
pipe out of the restriction. When it is impossible to free the string from a key seat by slacking off and torquing
up the string, then the pipe could be backed-off and jars or bumper subs run in.
NOTE: The back-off should be made well above the stuck point so that the top of the remaining fish is in the
main bore hole and out of the key seated portion of the hole. This to ensure that the fishing tools can be
latched on again.
WELL CURVATURE
A stiff or packed-hole BHA can get stuck when tripping through a hole drilled with a flexible or bent sub
assembly. The lateral forces required to bend the assembly to fit the curves in the well means that high forces
are generated between the string and the bore-hole wall, which in turn means that the friction forces are high.
While running in these forces may increase until the friction is sufficient to support the weight of the string, at
which stage no more progress is possible. The situation should have been noticed by the driller long before that
happens as the hook load will have been decreasing with depth, instead of increasing, for some time.
This situation is more complicated than the previous paragraph may seem to indicate. While running in the
weight of the upper part of the string will tend to buckle the string if the bottom end meets resistance. Thus the
weight of the string decreases the bending force which has to be supplied by the borehole wall. While pulling
out through a curve, however, the tension in the string has a component which increases the lateral load at the
point of contact and thus increases the friction forces. In other words if the string seems to be getting lighter
while running in it may already be impossible to pull out.
The only way of preventing this is to be aware of the problem and avoid running a stiff assembly directly after a
flexible one. Several runs with reamers on a string with intermediate flexibility is required in order to wear off
the "corners" and increase the radius of curvature of the hole.
This is, of course, one of the reasons for avoiding unplanned dog-legs.
LEDGES
If a formation consists of bands of a hard competent lithology embedded in a soft or unstable material the latter
will tend to wash away, leaving ledges of hard material jutting out into the borehole. There will then be a
tendency for the stabilisers to catch under the ledge while pulling out. Depending on the exact geometrical
relationships it can be quite difficult to get past such a ledge.
Ledges may also cause problems while running in, but if the bit is above them they can be reamed or the
protruding part knocked off. Preventive measures are aimed at reducing washouts by the proper choice of
drilling fluid type, by controlling its properties and by optimising the pumping rate.
JAMMING A NEW BIT

An undergauge hole is a section of a hole with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the new bit used to drill
ahead. The most common cause of under-gauged holes is gauge wear on the previous bit run. (Other, more
troublesome, causes are described below under "geological factors".)
Hard abrasive formations often wear down the outer diameter of the bit and stabilisers. After replacing the worn
bit by a new one the latter may become stuck while running in near the bottom part of the hole, due to a reduced
hole diameter. This jamming of the bit can be prevented by carefully inspecting the OD of the old bit
pulled and reaming the suspected under-gauged section with the new bit.
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1.2.2 FORMATION RELATED

GEOLOGICAL FACTORS
Plastic formations
In addition to a worn bit, an undergauge hole may also be caused by a plastic formation. After being penetrated
by the bit with a fluid giving a hydrostatic pressure less than the overburden, which is the usual pressure of the
plastic formation, this formation deforms causing the hole to close. One of the formations which most often
causes such a situation is moving salt.
The only preventive measure is to use a drilling fluid dense enough to give overburden pressure at the depth of
the salt. This will usually be impossible due to the risk of creating fractures elsewhere in the hole. In that case
the drilling fluid density should be kept as high as feasible as the flow rate of the salt is proportional to the
pressure difference.
If the pipe become stuck the solution (!) is simple - a pill of fresh water. If this is done the effect of introducing
a light fluid on well control aspects has to be taken into account.
Shales
Shale formations vary considerably in their behaviour.
Sometimes they behave plastically as described above, however it is usually the chemical reactions of the clay
minerals with the drilling fluid that cause hole problems and result in stuck pipe. Once penetrated, there is
usually a critical time during which a shale remains acceptably stable before its reactions generate hole
problems. It may vary from one or two hours to several days. The time required for such deterioration and the
degree of instability are related to many complex factors:
 The degree of compaction of the shale.
 The moisture content of the shale.
 The extent to which water from the drilling fluid is able to invade the formation.
 The angle at which the bedding planes are penetrated.
Borehole instability in shales can often be prevented by raising the drilling fluid density, the use of inhibitive
muds, minimising the open hole time and/or good hole cleaning. Analysis of the data will usually indicate
which is the best solution.
Shales can be considered in different groups: "wet", "swelling", "brittle", "overpressured",
"undercompacted" etc.
Wet or plastic shale ("Gumbo")
This group includes soft unconsolidated clay and shales with a porosity up to 30%. Hole problems will arise
from the plasticity, when large volumes of the cuttings are produced, due to high penetration rates, which clog
together on their way to surface. They develop clay balls which plug the flow lines.
Swelling shale
These contain an appreciable amount of bentonitic clay, which reacts freely with the drilling fluid filtrate. They
hydrate, swell and invade the hole. This leads to tight hole, particularly when first drilled. Repeated reaming
during subsequent round trips is usually needed.
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Figure 5.1.04 : Bridging or hole collapse
Figure 5.1.03 : Hole closed by swollen shale
Brittle or sloughing shale

When the rock is penetrated substantial support by the overburden pressure is removed as a result of the hole
and this causes the stresses to become unbalanced. If in addition a shale is overpressured and has a high pore
pressure it is likely that the formation at the wall of the hole will break away and generate large volumes of
shale slivers (cavings).
These cavings will first be noticed coming over the shale shaker screens as they are much larger than, and a
different shape to, drilled cuttings. They will also continue to form during trips, falling to the bottom of the
hole. The second indication is therefore fill on bottom after trips which needs to be drilled out. As the situation
deteriorates it will be found that so much material falls into the hole during trips that a bridge forms just below
this formation which has to be drilled through to get to bottom. Fill may be found on bottom not only after trips
but also when the pipe is lifted the length of the kelly in order to add a single.
The next stage is partial bridging of the hole while drilling or circulating, marked by :
 A reduction in returns, but not necessarily a total loss.
 An increase in pump pressure.
 Heavy overpulls.
Finally (Figure 5.1.04) the hole will collapse completely, accompanied by:
 Total immobilisation of the drill string
 Usually a total loss of returns.
 A sudden rise in pump pressure.
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Such a collapse can cause a formation below the collapse to be fractured as a result of the pumps not being
slowed down in time. There will subsequently be problems of drilling fluid losses even if the collapsing
formation is stabilised.
Instability of such formations increases as the bedding planes are drilled through at a more acute angle (i.e. for
shallow angles of formation dip, as the inclination of the hole increases). The horizontal stresses in the rock are
significantly less than the vertical stresses, which are mainly caused by the overburden. When a hole is drilled at
a greater angle of inclination, a proportionally greater part of the support of the vertical loading is removed and
the resultant stress imbalance increases.
Total or partial hole collapse will usually result in the loss of the hole, with re-drilling or side-tracking being
necessary to reach the objective. In some cases, depending on the severity of the problem, the drill string can be
recovered by backing off and jarring free, or by using wash-over pipe.
Once so much of the formation has collapsed into the hole that a significant cavern has formed, a possible
solution is to set a cement plug opposite the collapsing formation in order to fill the cavern, give some support
to the cavern walls and prevent pieces of the formation falling into the hole even if the zone of failure continues
to extend. The risk is that when drilling through the cement plug the bit may divert away from the original
trajectory (because the cement has a different hardness than the formation) and it may be impossible to find the
original hole again.
Fractured and faulted formations
In areas close to fault zones or where folding has been severe the formations penetrated by the bit may contain a
multitude of very small slip planes which make the rock incompetent. After the drill has passed through such a
formation it will start crumbling because support has been removed and blocks may fall into the borehole and
jam the bit.
Highly stressed formations
In areas where there has been a lot of geological activity, but where the stresses have not been relieved by
faulting, the less competent formations will have yielded plastically but the more rigid formations will have
yielded elastically and when penetrated by the bit they may still have high stresses locked in. Drilling the hole
relieves that stress in a non-uniform manner and the bore hole wall may fail, allowing large fragments to fall
into the well and jam the string. This type of problem is typical of igneous rocks such as sills which have been
injected in an initially horizontally sheet which has subsequently been folded to a lesser or greater degree. This
is one of the more serious types of problem, and the existence of such an overstressed formation can in fact
make a well undrillable.
SETTLED CUTTINGS & CAVINGS
It is possible for cuttings and cavings to settle round the bit and to pack tight to such a degree that the bit cannot
be pulled through them. Under normal circumstances this will not result in the pipe becoming stuck for any
length of time, or a fishing job, as the solids can be loosened and washed away by normal or high rate
circulation. If however there is a weak formation below the bit the situation could be troublesome.
This can happen while drilling any well if:
 there is a total pump failure while drilling
 the solids laden mud is not circulated out prior to a trip
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The situation can also arise during operations where nothing apparently goes wrong and good practices are
used. In these cases it is a question of hole cleaning. This subject is fully covered in EP 94-1908 - The ABC of
Stuck Pipe Supplement 2, which should be consulted, and will not therefore be dealt with in detail here.
Briefly there are two aspects of hole cleaning which can give problems.
 In a deviated well the drilling fluid flow is along the axis of the well but the cuttings are falling
vertically under gravity. They will thus tend to move up the low side of the hole. If the drilling fluid is in
laminar flow, which is in general desirable to avoid washouts, the fluid velocity near the bore hole wall
will be low and the cuttings will thus tend to gather on the low side and not move up the hole. The drill
pipe will also lie on the bottom of the hole and if it is rotating it will keep the cuttings stirred up and
moving, but if a Moineau motor or turbine is being used the drill pipe will not be rotating and the
drilling fluid will be completely stagnant under it, hence the cuttings will gather there. The layer of
cuttings plus cavings along the low side of the hole is called a solids bed
It is impossible to avoid this effect and all that can be done is to be aware of it and deal with the result
before it becomes a serious problem. The procedure is to pump an alternating series of low viscosity
turbulent pills and high viscosity pills before pulling out, and if necessary pull out with the pumps on
and with rotation.
 The cuttings in any well, but especially a deviated one, can become trapped in a washout, where the
fluid velocity is much less than in the gauge sections of the hole. These cuttings will build up to a
critical point where they fall back into the main flow of fluid and appear at the surface as slugs of
cuttings. If the same thing happens while circulating prior to pulling out the slug of cuttings may remain
in the well and temporarily stick the bit if the latter is pulled up into the slug.
1.2.3 DIFFERENTIAL STICKING

WHAT IS DIFFERENTIAL STICKING
The vast majority of stuck pipe problems arise from differential pressure. This condition occurs in the open hole
when the string comes in contact with a permeable formation, having a pore pressure less than the drilling fluid
head. The string is then held in place by this differential pressure while the other side remained subjected to the
hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid.
Differential pressure sticking can therefore be defined as the force that holds pipe against the wall of the hole,
due to the differential between formation pressure and hydrostatic pressure (see the accompanying Figure).
Note that drilling fluid density does not have to be high for differential sticking to occur, as long as the
hydrostatic pressure is significantly higher than the formation pore pressure.
To summarize, for differential sticking to occur the following criteria are required:
 Hydrostatic pressure must exceed formation pressure.
 A zone of permeability must exist, over which a thick filter cake has been deposited.
 There must be contact between the pipe and the filter cake.
Figure 5.1.05 : Differential sticking

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RECOGNISING DIFFERENTIALLY STUCK PIPE

The early signs of differential sticking are increased overpulls on connections. These are due to the increase of
frictional forces in the hole. These signs are, however, similar for other problems.
Even when pipe is differentially stuck a peculiar characteristic of this condition is that the fluid circulation is not
affected.
As mentioned, differential sticking usually occurs when the pipe has remained motionless for a period of time.
Differential sticking therefore may occur when making a connection, but normally a much longer period of
inactivity is involved, such as a deviation survey.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
The following are the elements of standard drilling practice that reduce the chances of differential sticking:
 Minimise the wall cake build up by applying low fluid-loss or oil-based drilling fluids. A low fluid-loss
drilling fluid normally produces a thin hard filter cake which minimises the embedded area compared to
high fluid-loss drilling fluids. Oil-based drilling fluids generally have little or no filter cake and show
high degrees of natural lubricity, thereby virtual eliminating the possibility of differential sticking.
 Minimise the differential pressure by applying a drilling fluid gradient only slightly exceeding the
pore pressure gradient. Caution: Reducing the density of the drilling fluid increases the risk of an influx
by formation fluids while pulling the string.
 Keep the string moving. Most cases of differential sticking occur during a period when the string is
allowed to stand still for a while. Examples are: while connections are made, while taking directional
surveys and during power failures. If possible the string should be either rotated and/or reciprocated
continuously.
 Reduce wall contact area. The number and the position of stabilisers in the drill collar string is
important to keep the assembly away from the bore hole wall. Regular spacing of stabilisers in the drill
collar string can reduce the available contact area. In addition, the use of spiral or square drill collars
will also minimise potential sticking problems.
If differential sticking problems are occurring it is possible to use friction coefficient reducers. The addition of
ground walnut shells can lead to reductions in the drilling fluid friction coefficient by becoming embedded in
the cake and acting as tiny bearings. Additions of diesel oil and specially manufactured lubricants can also show
improvements.
FREEING DIFFERENTIALLY STUCK PIPE

To free a differentially stuck pipe maximum allowable pull and torque should be applied
immediately once the pipe becomes stuck. If this is unsuccessful the following actions are necessary:
 Reduce the pressure differential to its bare minimum value e.g. reduce density of the drilling fluid,
or displace it entirely to a lighter fluid, even brine or oil based mud if available.
 Remove the wall cake by "dissolving" it through spotting pipe-lax pills dissolved in diesel oil or
base oil. This can often take more than a day
 Remove the formation by spotting acid over the stuck interval. This is applicable to acid soluble
formations only, i.e. limestones.
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Care has to be taken with this procedure because the chemical reaction between acid and formation produces
gas which will expand when it is circulated out to surface. This will reduce the hydrostatic column in the well
and could in critical cases result in a kick
1.2.4 EQUIPMENT GEOMETRY

CROOKED OR BENT PIPE
This situation usually occurs after a string of pipe (tubing or drill pipe) has been dropped. It can also be caused
by continuous working down weight on a stuck string. In such a situation the friction may become so excessive
that the maximum allowable surface pull cannot move the string.
The pipe may then have to be recovered in sections.
Figure 5.1.06 : Crooked or bent string Figure 5.1.07 : Wrap-around sticking
STRINGS WRAPPED ROUND EACH OTHER

This situation is illustrated in Figure 5.1.07. It is one which would normally only be encountered during the
workover of a dually completed production well.
1.2.5 SOLIDS (OTHER THAN CUTTINGS)
SETTLING OUT OF SAND OR BARYTES
Sand settling is a condition that often occurs in producing wells, although drill pipe in open hole can also
become sand-stuck. Sanding in of tubing in cased holes may be caused by sand production or a hole in the
casing. These conditions allow sand to settle in the annulus and cause the pipe to become sanded in.
In the case of drill pipe, while cleaning out the well with fluid with low carrying capacities, sand circulated up
the hole can settle out. Sand-stuck drill pipe is treated in the same manner as sand-stuck tubing and washing
over is the commonly applied technique.
Baryte settling is caused by the deterioration of the drilling fluid in the annulus. In some holes temperature
could affect drilling fluid additives causing them to degrade and allow the barytes to settle out.
In open hole, contaminants may enter the drilling fluid and alter its properties. Common contaminants are
formation water, salt, and gases. These conditions may cause drilling fluid deterioration, allowing barytes to
settle out and resulting in a stuck string.
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SETTLING OUT OF FINE SOLIDS

This is a cause of stuck packers during workovers. During the completion of a well it is circulated to an
appropriate clear fluid before setting the packer(s) or perforating. This is referred to as a packer fluid. The
objective is to avoid plugging the perforations with solids from the drilling fluid at the moment of perforation
(for this reason perforating is normally done in an underbalanced situation), and to avoid drilling fluid solids
settling on top of the packer during a long period of production. It is however extremely difficult to filter all the
fine particles from a fluid under the operating conditions of a drilling unit, and even if they look clear to the eye
most packer fluids will still contain microscopic particles. During the course of years these will settle onto the
topmost packer. It needs surprisingly little sediment to stick a packer - a few inches is sufficient, and bearing in
mind that it could be settling out of a column several thousand feet in length the critical initial concentration is
not very high.
JUNK IN THE HOLE
Junk dropped into the hole may wedge at the bit, the top of a stabiliser, the top of the drill collars, a tool joint or
any other location where falling debris would encounter a decrease in the size of the annulus. Typically this
would not be noticed until an attempt is made to lift the string, either to add a single or to trip out of the hole. at
which time the string would become jammed. It often happens that the string is free to move down but cannot
be raised.
CEMENT
Cement can stick pipe in two different ways.
Cement around the shoe of a string of casing can break up due to the impact of the drill pipe against the casing
during subsequent drilling. It can then fall into the hole in blocks and jam the bit or on top of a stabiliser. Such
blocks may be difficult to dislodge by circulation. This is not a common problem.
A more serious situation is that of cement setting round the drillpipe. This can be caused by:
 flash setting of the cement when setting a plug.
 a leak in a string while setting a plug or cementing a string of casing through drill pipe and a stabbed-in
stinger.
 human error, such as miscalculation of displacement time or failure to add retarders when setting a plug.
 embedding the drill-pipe in unset cement when running in to the hole
It can also be the result of an emergency action to contain a blow-out or stop lost circulation.
In this case fishing is obviously not feasible after cutting and recovering the upper section of the cemented-in
pipe. In open hole the best option is usually to sidetrack. In cased hole cutting a window and sidetracking is an
option, but if necessary for casing design considerations, or if the top of the cemented section is not far above
the casing shoe, the string plus cement could be milled down to just below the shoe. This operation goes
surprisingly quickly - several feet per hour is a normal rate.
1.2.6 CORROSION
PACKER
If a packer has been set in an oxygen-rich packer fluid it may corrode during the course of years to such an
extent that the slips cannot be released during a workover and it cannot be pulled free. It then has to be milled.
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PRODUCTION TUBING
If a well has been producing a corrosive fluid for a long period, which could be as short as a few months in
severe cases, the tubing may well be significantly weaker than in its new state. During a workover the tubing
may then part before the bottom hole assembly can be pulled free. By definition the bottom assembly is then
stuck in the hole and has to be recoverd by the normal fishing techniques.
1.2.7 SUMMARY
To conclude this topic a tabulation containing possible troubles, causes and signs during drilling operations is
given.
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LOCATING THE FREE POINT AND BACKING OFF/CUTTING
1.3.1 GENERAL
If pipe is stuck the free point has to be determined prior to starting recovery procedures. Various methods are
available for this purpose of which the two principal ones are the stretch method and the free point indicator
method. These are described below.
After the free point has been determined, the free part of the string may have to be disconnected and removed
from the hole. This can be accomplished by either cutting the pipe or, preferably, backing it off
(i.e. unscrewing it).
The term free pipe refers to the length of pipe in a stuck string of drill pipe, drill collars, or tubing which is
recoverable. The lowest point in the free part of the string is referred to as the free point.
Although the free-point indicator is more accurate than a stretch test neither method of determining the free
point can be relied upon to give the depth to the nearest few feet, thus it is normal practice to cut or back-off the
pipe between one and two full joint lengths above the indicated free point.
Even if a free-point indicator is run a stretch test should be made first in order to provide a first
approximation to the depth of the free point. This will:
 speed up the free point indicator run. No time need be wasted by taking free point indicator
readings at depths very much less than the indicated free point from the stretch test. Readings can
start five or six joints above that point.
 allow a determination of the weights and torque to be applied during the free point indicator run.
1.3.2 THE STRETCH METHOD

The length of free pipe remaining an a straight hole can be estimated by applying two different tensions to the
pipe and measuring the difference in length. The length of pipe being stretched can then be calculated using
Hooke's law. The method is given in Appendix 1.
Stretch readings made as accurately as possible are essential for a successful pipe recovery operation. Reasons
for taking such readings are:
 to speed up the work with the free-point indicator tool. If the free point is estimated from from the
stretch test at say 3,000 m no time should be wasted by taking free-point indicator readings at shallow
depths.
 to determine the weights and torque to be applied during the free-point indicator run.
1.3.3 FREE-POINT INDICATOR METHOD

The free point indicator is an electrical strain gauge device run inside the drill string that can measure axial and
angular deformation between two defined points. Figure 5.1.08 shows a free point indicator tool, in this case in
combination with a string shot.
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The method of operation is to set the tool in

the string, apply tension and torque at
surface, and measure the deformation
between the two points. The string will
stretch and twist at a constant rate per unit
length in totally free intervals, the rates will
vary according to friction where the string is in
contact with the borehole wall, and there will
be no movement at all below the uppermost
point where the string is held fast.
The operation is thus repeated several times
at different depths until by trial and error the
point is located below which the pipe neither
stretches nor twists. That is the free point. The
pattern of the results will indicate if the pipe is
completely free down to the free point, or
whether there are regions of high friction. This
information is useful in planning the fishing
operation.
Before running a free point indicator all
string ID's should be carefully checked to
ensure the tool will pass through, at least as far
as the suspected stuck point (usually into the
bottom hole assembly).
The logging engineer will provide details of
differential pull and torque requirements whilst
using the free point indicator. It is essential to
verify that both the overpulls and torque
specified are within the design limits of the
drill string.
Figure 5.1.08 : Combination free point indicator and
back-off tool
1.3.4 BACKING OFF

The term back-off defines the operation of separating the free pipe from the stuck pipe at a pipe joint. Backing
off is accomplished by applying a shock to the chosen joint while reverse or left-hand torque is applied to the
pipe. The shock will momentarily part the tool joint shoulder so that friction is reduced and it can rotate. The
shock is provided by an explosive charge consisting of primacord folded up inside a length of plastic tubing
and detonated by an electric blasting cap. This simple device is called a string shot and is run by the wireline
logging service company.
Once the back-off point has been selected, the entire string is tightened up with right hand torque and then
tension is applied to the string to give a neutral axial load at this selected depth. Left-hand torque is applied and
worked down the string and the string shot is then detonated at the selected tool joint, using a casing collar
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen
locator to position the shot correctly. The tool joint should then partially or totally unscrew. The chances of
success are improved if the tool joint selected is one which was broken on the previous round trip. More details
of the procedure are given in Appendix 2.
Confirmation of a successful back-off is obtained by being able to pull the free string, obtaining a weight
indicator reading corresponding to the length expected to be free.
1.3.5 PIPE CUTTING
GENERAL
Sometimes it is impossible to effect a back-off and another method of separating the free portion of the string
must be used. Pipe cutting is then the solution. Pipe can be cut mechanically, chemically or by explosive
charges.
When making a cut the full allowable tension should be applied to the pipe. In general that will be 85 % of the
minimum yield strength of the pipe. The tension will assist in parting the pipe and it will also give a good
indication of when this has happened, as the freed pipe will jump as it parts. If no movement is observed efforts
to pull the pipe may not then be successful. This may be due to one of three causes:
 In the case of a non-mechanical cutter, it has not fired.
 A partial cut has only been made (usually due to a defective cutter).
 A cut has been made below the free point.
Jarring on the cut may free the pipe, or sometimes pumping fluid through the cut, after establishing circulation,
may free the upper portion of the string.
MECHANICALLY OPERATED PIPE CUTTERS
The internal cutter consists essentially of:
a drag spring assembly, to be able to activate the setting
mechanism.
slips and cone assembly, to anchor the tool.
a spring, to assist in maintaining uniform feed to the knives.
wedge-shaped knife blocks, to drive the knives upward and
outward to engage the pipe.
special hardened knives which can cut the steel pipe.
"Automatic retraction" permits the operator to set the cutter at any
desired depth, release the tool by simply pulling upward, and reset it at
any other depth all without coming out of the hole.
Internal cutters are available to cut tubing and casing. They may be run
on a cutting string composed of either tubing or drill pipe, depending
on the internal diameter of the pipe to be cut. Further operating
procedures are given in Appendix 3.
It is not normally recommended to cut drill pipe with an internal pipe
cutter. To do so would require a very small diameter pipe. It is
normally very time consuming to procure such a string, to run it and to
lay it out again afterwards. There is also a high risk that the torque
required to cut the drill-pipe would cause the failure of such a small
Figure 5.1.09 : Internal pipe cutter diamer pipe, making the situation very much worse.
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NON-MECHANICALLY OPERATED PIPE-CUTTING TOOLS

Two non-mechanical methods of pipe cutting are available, either explosive cutters (jet cutters, severing tools)
or chemical cutters.
The jet cutter
The jet pipe cutter uses the shaped charge principle.
Figure 5.1.10 : A jet cutter

Any well fluid through which the cutter must shoot to reach the pipe will attenuate its cutting force. This is why
proper sizing of the cutter to the pipe is absolutely vital for successful cutting. The explosive loads in these
cutters are designed to cut under the most severe conditions with minimal pipe flare.
However it is sometimes required to dress the top of the fish before running fishing tools.
Jet cutters perform very well in tubing and most drill pipe sizes, but for heavy-weight drill pipe and drill collars
the jet has insufficient power to make a cut.
Downhole restrictions inside a stuck string can eliminate the use of jet cutters as, even if the cutter can pass the
restriction, the resulting annulus between the cutter and the larger ID of the pipe below the restriction would
render it ineffective. In such cases a severing tool can be used.
The severing tool consists of a thin walled steel tube filled with explosives and a detonation system varying in
length from 0.3 - 1 m (1 - 3 ft) depending on manufacturer and application. It should only be used as a very last
option as it results in severe flaring of the pipe. This means that pulling back the fish to surface could be
difficult and could damage surface equipment such as BOPs.
The chemical cutter
The term chemical cut refers to radially severed pipe that has been cut with a special chemical forced under
high pressure through a severing head orifice.
The primary advantages of this tool over explosive methods are its ability to sever tubing
without:
 damaging the well casing or adjacent tubing.
 enlarging or leaving a burr on the OD of the cut pipe.
Chemical cutters should be handled with great caution and by specialist personnel only.
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TWIST OFFS
1.4.1 GENERAL
A twist-off is the term used within the industry for the failure in torsion of part of the drill string. This is usually
the result of fatigue or H 2S embrittlement and is not normally a consequence of the pipe becoming stuck. Once a
twist-off has occurred, however, the resultant fish may become stuck for one of the following reasons and must
therefore be removed as soon as possible.
 The fish will be lying motionless in the hole and if it is in contact with a porous and permeable
formation there is a very much increased risk of it becoming differentially stuck, compared with the
situation when it is in constant motion.
 As soon as the string twists off there will be no circulation below the break, and by definition the hole
will not have been circulated clean. Thus all the cuttings in the annulus round the fish will fall to the
bottom of the hole and pack around the bit. In a deviated hole these will form a cuttings bed alongside
the drill pipe and collars on the low side of the hole, increasing the contact area on the tubulars and thus
increasing the friction when the attempt is made to recover the fish.
1.4.2 DRILL COLLAR TWIST-OFF
Partly as a result of drill collars often being run in compression, twist-offs in them tend to be at the connections.
They can be caused by:
 severe buckling of the collars in washed out holes.
 the concentration of stresses in a connection, due to insufficient stabilisation of the lower part of the
assembly.
 overtorquing the connections during drilling or while making up.
 weakening due to a wash-out or fatigue cracks. Failure of a drill collar pin or box is likely to be the
result of a crack which forms at the root of a thread. Initially minute, such a crack will gradually extend
under the stresses developed at the connection during drilling. The remaining cross-sectional area is
reduced and the connection correspondingly weakened to the point where it will fail under the torsional
and bending loads. If developing cracks can be detected before they reach a dangerous size the risk of a
drill collar connection failure in the hole can be greatly reduced. Therefore regular inspection of drill
collar threads is a valuable preventative measure.
 the reduction of outside diameter due to wear. For each size of drill collar, a connection of suitably
balanced design should be used. API RP 7G "Drill Stem Design and Operating Limits" recommends a
connection in which the box resistance to bending is more than twice that of the pin. As the outside
diameter of the box wears during usage this ratio may become less and when it comes below that value
of 2:1 troubles can be expected from swollen boxes, split boxes, fatigue cracks in the boxes at the last
engaged thread, and eventually a twist-off.
1.4.3 DRILL PIPE TWIST-OFF

In contrast to the operating conditions for drill collars, the drill pipe string is normally in tension and the
potentially weakest sections occur in the body of the pipe rather than at the connections (tool joints). Most drill
pipe failures are caused by fatigue, corrosion, mechanical damage and abrasive wear. These factors often act in
combination.
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Although most drill pipe twist offs are not in the tool joint they are commonly very close to it, in the areas
gripped by the slips when the pipe is supported in the rotary table or gripped by the make-up tong. This is
because fatigue failures tend to be initiated at the surface imperfections caused by the slips and tong dies.
Although not so common, drill pipe also fails at the root of the thread on the pin connection, because the cross-
sectional area is reduced there.
Drill pipe twist-offs can result from:

 improper handling methods causing mechanical damage to the pipe body.
 high dogleg severity in combination with critical rotational speed, introducing severe alternating stress
levels within the pipe.
 not regularly changing the drill pipe that is run immediately above the drill collars. As this pipe is
exposed to stresses due to the sudden change in stiffness above the drill collar section, it also may
occasionally be subjected to compressive loading.
 using drilling fluid without corrosion inhibitors or H2S scavenging additives when drilling through
formations containing CO2 or H2S gases.
 poor cleaning, lubrication and protection of tool joint threads.
 failing to inspect tool joint shoulders on connections during (round) trips.
 neglecting to inspect the pipe for wear, corrosion and fatigue cracks regularly.
NOTES:
1. High grade pipe is generally more susceptible to corrosion.
2. According to the drilling contract a drill string must be inspected and maintained to a specified API standard.
But, in addition crews should also visually inspect the pipe and its tool joints for obvious defects and employ
suitable pipe handling practices to avoid damage and ensure a long string life.
PREPARATIONS FOR FISHING A CUT/PARTED STRING

Before a fishing operation to recover a parted string can be started, it is necessary to locate the top of the fish,
determining its condition and prepare it so that a fishing tool can be connected to it.
1.5.1 LOCATING THE TOP OF THE FISH

After part of the string has been left behind in the hole the first action to be taken is, while pulling out, to
measure and record the total length of the recovered part accurately. It is essential to know exactly where the
top of the fish is, and what it consists of, so that when a fishing tool (usually an overshot) is run the driller will
know where to expect the fish and be able to feel for it gently. He needs to know exactly when the tool reaches
the fish and how far over, or into, it the tool can go and does go.
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An example is shown in Figure 5.1.11. This is a typical example of what

is left in the hole when drill pipe twists off. Knowing which joint has
failed, what its length was, and how much has been recovered will tell the
driller how much 5" pipe there is above the tool joint. In the case shown
there is not sufficient to be able to engage it with a 5" overshot, which
would be the normal choice for fishing drill pipe, and a 65/8" overshot will
have to be used instead.
If the fish is not recovered at the first attempt, with an overshot for
example, it may either be because it did not go far enough over the fish
for the grapples to engage the fish, or because the fish had a smaller
diameter than expected and the grapples could not get a firm hold. The
only means of deciding which of these alternative possibilities is correct is
to know the relative positions of fish and fishing tool.
Figure 5.1.11 : Top of fish
If the pipe failed with the bit on bottom that will in most cases be sufficient to give a good estimate of the depth
of the top of the fish. (Not invariably, because in a complicated case the pipe could have parted in two places at
the same time, with one section falling down alongside the other). If the pipe failed, or was cut, with the bit off
bottom, which will be the usual case if the pipe was stuck, it may or may not have fallen, depending on the
situation down-hole It will then be necessary to locate it accurately by going in with a bit and feeling for it
(which may even cause it to fall further down the hole). Apart from the depth of the top fish it is also essential
to know the length of the "fishing neck" (the part to latch onto, above the next enlargement to be encountered on
the fish). Its length and diameter can usually be obtained from the remnants of the last recovered joint.
This data determines the sizes of grapple, guide and extension of the overshot to be run (see Topic 1.6.4).
NOTE: Drawings showing the internal and external dimensions of all tools run into the hole should be kept
on location.
1.5.2 DETERMINING THE CONDITION OF THE TOP OF THE FISH
The shape of the top of the fish will normally determine the next action to be taken.
A reverse picture of this shape can usually be obtained from the shape of the part recovered. This recovered part
should therefore be kept on site for reference purposes throughout the fishing job. However, it may be necessary
to make an impression of the top of the fish to confirm the shape. This can be achieved by running a lead
impression block to the top of the fish. The appearance of the fish top than can be learned from the imprint in
the lead.
1.5.3 PREPARING THE TOP OF THE FISH
If the free section of a drill string has been backed off from a stuck section there will be a standard tool joint
box looking up, and no preparation work will be required. If on the other hand the pipe has parted or split or
been cut the top of the fish will be rough and or burred or more seriously damaged, and may no longer have a
circular shape. In order to connect a fishing tool onto it, it will be necessary to "dress off" the top of the fish -
i.e. mill away the damaged part so that a section with the original size and shape is accessible to the fishing tool,
allowing it to make a firm, positive connection. Care must be exercised in milling the top of a fish. Rotation of
the drilling string should be slow, and it may be necessary to use a pilot mill so that the mill will not jump off
the top of the fish and go down beside it. Also, high-volume circulation should be maintained to flush the
cuttings and cool the mill.
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FISHING TOOLS
1.6.1 GENERAL
Once it is known where the top of the fish is, and what condition it is in, the next step is to get a firm grip on it
with a fishing tool run on the end of the fishing string.
A wide range of specialised tools have been developed to deal with the great variety of fishing problems which
can occur. Experience has, however, narrowed the choice of commonly used fishing tools and assemblies to a
few practical combinations. A limited number of the basic types are normally kept at each rig to avoid delay if
downhole drill string failure should occur.
When selecting a fishing tool for a particular job the more important factors which need to be considered are:
 Whether it can guide itself into the correct position with respect to the fish.
 Whether it will be possible to circulate through the fish
 Whether it will be possible to release the fishing tool from the fish if the latter cannot be pulled out.
Fishing tools for tubular goods can be classified into:
 internal engagement tools
 external engagement tools
 washover tools
 force multiplying tools
 safety release tools
These different types of tool are considered in turn in this Topic following the description of a typical fishing
assembly.
Outlines of the procedures used in fishing operations are given in Appendix 4.
1.6.2 FISHING ASSEMBLIES
A typical standard fishing assembly consists of the following:
 The tool which will engage the fish
 A safety joint (optional):
Inclusion of a safety joint in the fishing string is not always
recommended as experience has shown that jarring will cause
the safety joint to freeze. String shots cannot be used when a
safety joint is included as left-hand torque can not be applied
for a back-off. When a fishing tool is used which, once
engaged, cannot be released, a safety joint must be included.
Taper taps and die collars are such tools.
 Bumper sub
 Jar
 Drill collars.
The number will vary according to purpose from one stand to several
stands.
 Accelerator
If an accelerator is included in the fishing string the number of drill
collars should be reduced.
 Heavy-weight drill pipe (optional)
 Drill pipe
 Kelly.
The kelly should always be used if heavy jarring or high overpulls are
necessary for the operation.
Figure 5.1.12 : Typical fishing assembly
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1.6.3 INTERNAL ENGAGEMENT TOOLS

SPEARS
Spears provide a very good means of engaging a large-bore fish. This is obtained by means of a friction grip
inside the fish. Most spears can be released after engagement. A drill pipe spear and a casing spear are shown in
Figure 5.1.13 opposite
The internal grip is obtained by a set of slips with sharp teeth on the outer face and tapers on the inside,
matching the tapered sections in the body of the tool. The friction spring, which is in contact with the inner wall
of the fish, serves to hold the slips releasing mechanism stationary as the string is rotated slightly to release the
slips and engage the fish.
A typical assembly run is: spear - spear stop - safety joint(optional) - jar - one stand of drill collars - drill pipe -
kelly.
The procedures for fishing with a spear are given in Appendix 4.
During casing jobs a spear for the size and weight of pipe being run is usually on stand-by.
Figure 5.1.13 : Releasing spears
TAPS
Taps are made of hardened steel so they can thread and engage the inner part of the top fish.
They have limited application and are used only when an overshot or spear cannot be used, such as for example
fishing small items such as bits and lifting subs, or any object that can easily be pulled and retrieved when
caught.
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The advantages of taps are that:

 They do not penetrate far into the fish.
 They are tapered, and thus are not sensitive to the exact size of the
opening in the top of the fish.
 They are available down to smaller diameters than are spears .
The disadvantages of taps are that:
 circulation through the fish is not possible once a tap is in place.
 once the connection has been made it can, in many cases, only
stand low overpulls or jarring blows.
 they are non-releasable tools and can only be recovered by pulling
until something breaks (which however may not be too difficult -
see the previous point). They should therefore always be run with a
safety joint on top.
Figure 5.1.14 : Two types of tap
1.6.4 EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT TOOLS

OVERSHOTS
The most effective fishing tool is the overshot. This tool should therefore be on site with proper inserts to match
the sizes of all regular string components.
The standard overshot consists of three main parts:
 The top sub, which provides the connection to the running string.
 The body, which contains the gripping elements.
 The guide for centring the tool over the top fish.
The top sub

A locking ring can be placed between the top sub and body to prevent disconnection during backing off the drill
pipe. An extension sub can be installed between top sub and body so that the overshot can be lowered
sufficiently over the damaged top of the fish. This to reach a more sizeable place to engage.
The body
The types of overshot available are: full strength (FS), slim hole (SH) and short catch.
The full strength (FS) overshot, with maximum wall thickness and OD, has the same strength as the string on
which it is run.
The slim hole (SH) type has a reduced outside diameter and is used for small annular clearances e.g. to fish in
tight holes. Its smaller wall thickness means it cannot stand the same loads as the FS type.
Short catch overshots are specifically designed to engage the exposed portion of a fish too short to be engaged
by a conventional overshot, or where conditions prevent lowering the overshot over far enough the fish
The gripping elements of an overshot can be formed either by a spiral grapple or a basket grapple. The type of
grapple to be fitted into the overshot depends on whether or not the "OD" to be engaged is near the maximum
catch size for the particular overshot.
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If the diameter of the fish is near the maximum catch of the overshot, a spiral grapple, spiral grapple control,
and a rubber packer are used (see Figure 5.1.15a) to engage and seal off the top of the fish.
Figure 5.1.15 : Two typical overshots
The spiral grapple is a left-hand helical shaped spiral with a tapered exterior matching the taper of the spiral in
the bowl. Firm engagement with the fish is obtained by sharp teeth on the inside of the grapple.
As the taper inside the body is short, the difference in size between grapple and fish is very limited (maximum
2·38 mm (3/32") to 3·175 mm (1/8"). Grapples are available in size steps of 3·175 mm (1/8 ").
If the fish diameter is well below the maximum catch size a basket grapple and grapple control packer,
which may either be plain or provided with teeth for milling, are employed (Figure 5.1.15b). A basket grapple
is an expandable cylinder with a tapered outside matching the taper inside of the bowl. The inside of the basket
grapple is also provided with sharp teeth like the spiral grapple for firm engagement.
The basket grapple mill control provides a means to dress the top of a mildly burred or distorted fish so that it
can enter the grapple. However, in severe cases the top may have to be dressed with a milling tool. Alternatively
a specially designed mill guide can be used with the overshot. The packer element creates a seal around the top
fish, making it possible to pump drilling fluid down the fish to clean or to place a pill around the fish.
Grapples must have the proper sizing for the fish. It is therefore recommended to try them out at surface on the counterpart of the
fish before running. This may to save both a wasted trip and some embarrassment.
The guide
The guide should match the hole size and preferably be 25mm (1") smaller. When the ID of the hole is much
greater than the OD of the fish plus the OD of the overshot, the tool may pass alongside the fish. In such a
situation the guide should be replaced by an oversize guide or a wall-hook guide.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

DIE COLLARS
A die collar is a fishing tool capable of cutting thread on the outer surface of the top
fish, when screwed on to it.
Its advantage is that it can make a connection to a shorter stub of pipe than can an
overshot.
The disadvantages of die collars are that:
 they are difficult to engage with the fish.
 they can only catch objects with a very limited diameter range.
 once the connection has been made it can, in many cases, only stand low
overpulls or jarring blows.
 they are non-releasable tools and can only be recovered by pulling until
something breaks (which however may not be too difficult - see the previous
point). They should therefore always be run with a safety joint on top.
Figure 5.1.16 : Die collar
1.6.5 WASHOVER TOOLS

To retrieve a stuck fish it may be necessary to run a so-called washover string to flush out any obstruction from
the annulus or to remove the obstruction which is sticking the fish by milling it away.
A washover tool consists of a washover shoe, a washover pipe and a washover safety joint. Washing over is
however a tricky operation because of the risk of either twisting off the wash pipe or getting stuck with it.
The length to be washed over depends on the hole conditions and tolerances.
WASHOVER SHOE
The main function is to cut a clearance between the stuck tool and the bore hole wall.
The applications are:
 to mill over stuck packers.
 to mill over stabilisers and reamers.
 to dress up the top of fish for latching on an overshot.
There are two types of washover shoe:
 Washover rotary shoes (figures 5.1.17 a & b).
 Washover milling shoes (figures 5.1.17 c, d & e).
Figure 5.1.17 : Washover shoes
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When washing over, select the proper type of shoe to fit the job:
 Inside casing: hard facing should be on the inside of the shoe only.
 In open hole: hard facing can also be on the outside of the shoe.
 Where clearance is small: Use a thin walled shoe (check free movement regularly).
WASHOVER ROTARY SHOES
A washover rotary shoe is the toothed bottom section of the washover string which can be dressed with hard
metal or with tungsten carbide. The shoe is used in cutting annular clearance for the washover string around the
fish in open hole. Tungsten carbide is generally applied when dealing with abrasive formations.
WASHOVER MILLING SHOES
These types are always dressed with tungsten carbide on the cutting surface and will be either flat or wavy
bottomed. They are used to mill over obstacles such as stabilisers, stuck packers and string reamers.
WASHOVER PIPE
Washover pipe is heavy walled casing with shouldered connections e.g. "API extreme line" N80 casing.
Collared connections are not often used in view of the very small clearance between the fish and the hole and
the increased risk of becoming stuck due to solids or junk. In areas where differential sticking is a problem, pipe
with a coupling or an external upset may be used, accepting the greater risk of mechanical jamming.
1.6.6 FORCE MULTIPLYING TOOLS
Force multiplying tools can be divided into jars and accelerators.
There are two main types of jars, mechanical and hydraulic.
The simplest type of mechanical jar consists of a "knocker" that can slide up and down inside a mandrel and is
attached to the drill string above it. It uses the momentum of the drill string to produce an impact, either up or
down. Normal practice is, however, to call this a bumper sub, and reserve the name "jar" for more
sophisticated devices.
Mechanical jars operate using a series of springs plus lock and release mechanisms. Hydraulic jars operate
using the controlled passage of hydraulic fluid. Hydro-mechanical jars are a hybrid of both designs, usually
hydraulic up and mechanical down.
All jars operate on the principle that energy can be built up by stretching the fishing string within the yield
limits of the steel and then suddenly releasing the energy through a tripping mechanism in the tool. The
tripping mechanism can be based on:
 friction generated by torque in the tool (e.g. McCullough jar).
 flow restriction of oil through small openings (e.g. hydraulic jar).
 friction generated by springs (e.g. surface jars).
The purpose of accelerators is to store elastic energy so that the impact produced by the jar is intensified.
There are jars for fishing and jars for drilling; these have similar designs but are constructed and used
differently. Fishing jars are not standard drill pipe length, are not designed to withstand the stresses of drilling
and are run in the hole only after backing off. Drilling jars are standard drill pipe length, are durable enough to
withstand drilling stresses and are run in the bottom hole assembly.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

The purpose of all these tools is to be able to generate controlled blows onto a stuck fish. These blows can either
be upward or downward only or selectively applied in both directions.
A jar with a slightly different purpose is the surface jar. This does not apply a blow directly to a fish or a stuck
section of pipe but is installed in the drill string at surface. Although it cannot strike such a hard blow at the
downhole stuck point its advantage is that it can be installed and operated quickly.
Remember:
 Stuck on the way in - jar up
 Stuck on the way out - jar down
THE MECHANICAL ROTARY JAR

A mechanical jar trips up at a preselected tensile force, and down at a preselected compression force. The jar
trips only at the set threshold, which is normally beyond the forces reached while drilling. The position of the
mechanical jar during drilling is either cocked or extended (tripped up); it is a matter of driller preference.
Drilling is never conducted with the jar tripped down because unnecessary down jarring might damage the bit
and measurement-while-drilling equipment.
The release threshold of a mechanical jar is set either downhole or at the surface, depending on jar design.
There are two main designs. One uses the principle of the torsion spring, and its release force can be varied
downhole by 10% to 15% by applying torque to the drillpipe. Left hand torque decreases release tension; right
hand torque increases it. Another design uses an expanding sleeve with slots, lugs and ancillary springs (see
Figure 5.1.18). The overpull necessary to trip the jar can be reduced downhole by increasing the drilling fluid
flow rate.
Figure 5.1.18 : A cross section through a mechanical jar
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HYDRAULIC JARS
Mechanical drilling jars pre-date hydraulic ones, but the idea of a hydraulic jar is not new. Hydraulic jars for
fishing first appeared in the 1950s, but were troubled by seal failures, and were not sturdy enough for drilling
applications.
With advances in seal technology a second generation for drilling appeared in the 1970s and 1980s. Today,
hydraulic and mechanical jars have comparable life expectancies.
The intensity of the blow a hydraulic jar imparts depends on the overpull applied, above the hanging weight of
the free part of the string, before the tripping mechanism releases the tension.
The tripping mechanism of hydraulic jars is not influenced by torque in the string which makes the tool suitable
for situations where, in addition to jarring, also torque can be applied.
Figure 5.1.19 : The principle of operation of a hydraulic jar
Explanation of mechanism
The accompanying figures illustrate the principle of operation of upward jarring hydraulic jars. They are
composed essentially of two parts: a piston assembly which slides inside a cylinder assembly completely filled
with oil.The piston side is connected to the string via the top sub, and the cylinder side to the fishing tool. The
piston rings fit loosely in their grooves and are free to move up and down over a short distance in the grooves
Figure 5.1.20 : Detail of the piston and rings of a hydraulic jar

8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen
During the pulling stroke the rings are forced down against the bottom of the grooves, creating a metal to metal
seal (Figure 5.1.20b). Fluid flow from the upper to the lower cavity in this situation is possible only through the
small grooves in the piston rings (Figure 5.1.19a). The movement of the piston is controlled until it reaches a
series of internal splines or slots in the cylinder body interface (Figure 5.1.19b). Then the obstructed oil flow
between upper and lower cavity is no longer restricted and allows the piston to accelerate upward. A significant
speed is built up until the jar mandrel knocker strikes the upper part of the cylinder assembly (Figure 5.1.19c)
developing a tremendous blow.
The piston assembly is lowered to re-set the tool. This causes the piston rings to move upward in the grooves
(Figure 5.1.20c) exposing bypass relief ports in the piston body. The fluid can thus flow easily from the lower to
the upper cavity with little resistance.
SURFACE JAR
When, during drilling, the string gets stuck in a key seat a
surface jar can be installed on top of the string. This permits
the driller quickly to apply a downward jarring force against
the stuck point.
From Figure 5.1.21 it can be seen that the friction slip is
adjusted within the tapered bowl by the control ring.
Turning the control ring to the right or to the left moves the
friction slip up or down the taper, thereby either increasing
or decreasing its ability to expand. There are internal rings
raised areas) within the friction slip which must pass over
the external rings (raised areas) of the friction mandrel to
pull the jar open position and to produce the blow.
When the surface jar is being opened, the friction mandrel
pulls the friction slip into a reduced section of the taper in
the bowl and against the bottom of the control ring. Hence,
depending upon the position of the control ring, a slight pull
or a pull of many tons is required to trip the jar.
After the surface jar has been installed at surface and a
straight upward pull is exerted, the friction slip rubs against
the enclosed friction mandrel and arrests further movement
while the drill pipe is being stretched. When the pull reaches
the pre-set tripping tonnage, the friction mandrel is pulled
through the friction slip. This results in a downward surge
of the drill pipe in returning to its normal length. The
sudden separation of the main mandrel and bowl assemblies,
which are free to move apart over the length of its 1·2 m
(48") stroke, causes the weight of the free pipe to drop on
top of the stuck part.
When the surface jar is being closed, the friction mandrel
pushes the friction slip into the enlarged section of the taper
in the bowl where it can easily slide through it.
Figure 5.1.21 : A surface jar
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BUMPER SUBS
The bumper sub consists of a mandrel, a mandrel body,
knocker, top sub and seal assembly. The hexagonal shaped
mandrel fits in the correspondingly shaped mandrel body,
where it is free to move up and down over its stroke,
normally 500 mm, while continuously capable of
transmitting torque. The mandrel body joins the
cylindrical middle body. The knocker, containing the
packing rings, screws onto the top of the mandrel. The
packing rings seal between the middle body and the
mandrel. The lower pin is connected to the mandrel (see
the figure).
Bumper subs are normally placed just above the fishing
tool or safety joint. The fishing bumper sub provides a
sharp mechanical downward or upward blow but is
primarily used for downward jarring. This allows
releasing the fishing tool, especially circulating overshots
and spears, in the event that it becomes impossible to pull
the fish. The bumper sub will deliver the sharp downward
blow ( and transmit torque ) that is required to break the
fishing tool's engagement and to release it from the fish.
It also acts as an expansion joint, a device to permit
movement of the upper section without movement of the
lower part of the tool within a limited travel, usually 500
mm (20"). For this reason it is sometimes used as a "feed-
off" tool in combination with a internal cutter. The
bumper sub is placed half stroke after the cutter is set, thus
only the weight of the pipe between the cutter and the
bumper sub is applied to the cutter, assuring a smooth
operation of the cutter. This travel also allows a gentle
approach to the top of fish.
Figure 5.1.22 : A bumper sub
ACCELERATORS
Accelerators, or jar intensifiers, are run in conjunction with downhole jars and usually installed above the drill
collars and jar. Actually an accelerator does not produce a jarring action itself but it intensifies the jarring effect
of the jar placed below it.
An accelerator is essentially a pneumatic spring that stores energy by compressing a chamber with nitrogen,
when a strain is pulled on the running string (see the figure).
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Figure 5.1.23 : Operation of jar and accelerator

When the jar trips the expansion of the gas in the accelerator will amplify the jarring effect by accelerating the
drill collars in such a way that a jarring impact several times the weight of the drill collars is obtained.
Purposes
During conventional jarring operations, with either mechanical or hydraulic jars, the intensity of the blow is a
function of, and proportional to the accelerated movement of the entire running string above the jar. This
accelerated movement will often be considerably diminished by friction of the running string against the wall of
the hole. In such cases much of the energy will be lost.
Also, at very shallow depth, the lack of available stretch in the running string causes a great loss in the
effectiveness of the jarring action.
Therefore the accelerator provides means to store the required energy immediately above the jar and drill
collars, to effectively offset the loss of stretch in the running string.
The use of an accelerator clearly allows fewer drill collars to be used in a specific case than would otherwise be
possible. This is particularly true at shallower operating depths, where excessive numbers of drill collars are
sometimes used, to utilise mass in place of available stretch. Use of too many drill collars for their great mass is
often damaging to the tools and the running string, and should be avoided.
An accelerator is capable of utilising its hydraulic fluid to cushion the shock of the running string as it rebounds,
after each jarring stroke. This reduces the inherent tendency to cause shock-damage to the tool and running
string to a minimum.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

1.6.7 SAFETY JOINTS

A safety joint is basically a special sub with a coarse right-hand helical thread, comprising an upper pin section,
a lower box section and two packing elements (see the figures on the opposite page). When installed in a fishing
string it is usually located immediately above the fishing tool and below the accessory tools such as jars,
bumper subs etc.
The safety joint is easily disengaged by left-hand rotation so that the tool which engages the fish can be left in
the hole (attached to the fish) while the remainder of the string is removed. It is necessary to be able to do this if
the fish cannot be freed and the fishing tool does not have its own releasing mechanism, e.g. a taper tap.
A safety joint can also be used to enable parts of the fishing string, such as for example a jar which has failed, to
be changed without disengaging the overshot or other tool from the fish. It is much easier to reconnect the two
halves of the safety joint than to repeat the whole exercise of catching the fish with the overshot.
Special safety joints are used in washover strings which, because of the small clearances, have a relatively high
probability of getting stuck around the already stuck string. They are identical to standard safety joints except
that there is a drill pipe box connection on top and a pin connection down corresponding to the washover pipe
thread. These must be installed between the washover string and the drill pipe. A regular cross-over sub is not
allowed.
Figure 5.1.24 : A standard safety joint
Figure 5.1.25 : A washover safety joint
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1.6.8 LEFT HAND FISHING TOOLS

A number of tool rental and/or fishing companies stock a large selection of left hand fishing tools and left hand
running string. These tools can be used in a similar way as right hand tools except the make up torque has to be
applied to the left.
The big advantage of these tools is that left hand torque can be applied downhole which can unscrew stuck pipe
or tools very easily.
DEALING WITH JUNK
1.7.1 THE TYPES AND ORIGIN OF JUNK

Junk is the name given to any foreign object in the hole. It is, in most cases, relatively small debris originating
in the well or objects which have been accidentally dropped into it.
Examples of the sort of debris often found are bit nozzles, bit teeth, bearings, reamer parts, broken slips and
cuttings from milling operations. Examples of the sort of objects which fall into the wells are hand tools and
tong dies which are dropped while being replaced.
Junk may wedge at a collar, a tool joint or other enlargement in the bottom hole assembly and jam the string. If
larger objects fall to the bottom they may prevent further progress. Smaller objects which fall to the bottom may
be pushed into the wall of the borehole and never produce any adverse effects. Sometimes larger objects are
also pushed into the bore-hole wall, or into a washout, and thus cannot be recovered; the danger is then that they
may subsequently fall back into the bore-hole while drilling ahead and jam on top of the bit.
The worst possible piece of junk is a drilling bit which has been unscrewed after tripping out of the hole and
then accidentally dropped upside down back into the hole.
To prevent junk dropping from surface into the hole during a trip it is strongly recommended that a rubber drill
pipe wiper is used both while running in or pulling out the pipe. A cover plate must always be kept on the rotary
opening whenever there is no pipe or other equipment in it.
The following tools are available for dealing with junk:
 junk subs
 junk baskets
 junk magnets
 mills
1.7.2 JUNK SUBS

While drilling ahead normally a junk sub may be used above the bit to collect small metal particles, such as bit
nozzle and teeth fragments or swarf from previous milling operations, if it is suspected that these may be
present. A junk sub is always included in the string in the bit run prior to running a diamond bit, since this bit is
easy damaged by junk. If there is loose metal in the hole there is a fair chance to shatter the diamonds.
During fishing, when a milling job is performed, a junk sub is usually run above the mill to collect the heavier
metal cuttings, which cannot be circulated to surface.
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Principle of operation
Small metal particles are carried out of the hole by the drilling fluid stream if the velocity and viscosity of the
drilling fluid is sufficient. This is usually the case around the outside diameter of bit and junk sub. At the top of
the sub, however, the clearance between the pipe diameter and the hole increases suddenly, causing a reduction
of the drilling fluid velocity. Consequently the junk then falls back and settles in the cylinder.
Figure 5.1.26 : Junk sub
1.7.3 JUNK BASKETS

A junk basket is a specialised fishing tool requiring a special trip into the hole to recover junk. and is not to be
confused with the junk sub. The two types available are:
 The conventional core-type junk basket.
 The reverse circulation junk basket.
CORE-TYPE JUNK BASKET
This tool is used to fish for large pieces of junk lying on the bottom
of the hole which may or may not be imbedded.
A mill-type shoe on the bottom of the tool enables a core of 30 to 60
cm (1 to 2 ft) to be cut.
Circulation is started just before the bottom is reached after which
the tool is lowered to clean top of junk and remove settled cuttings.
The tool is then rotated slowly while lowering it. On reaching
bottom the weight is increased gradually and a one to two feet core
is then cut, which should include the part fished for.
After the junk is forced into the barrel by this short core, rotation
and circulation is stopped, and the core is broken. The upper and
lower catchers in the basket will prevent the junk, and the cored
section, from dropping out of the barrel.
Figure 5.1.27 : A core-type junk basket
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REVERSE CIRCULATION JUNK BASKET

This basket can catch junk by utilising reverse circulation.
On reaching bottom it is first cleaned of cuttings by straight
circulation. Then the heavy metal particles are allowed to settle
back. A steel ball is dropped and the fluid path through the tool is
changed (see Figure 5.1.28).
The circulating fluid is now jetted outward and downward against
the full circumference of the hole, where it is deflected in a manner
that directs objects into the long hollow barrel of the basket, where
they are kept by the catcher.
Also here an additional core can be cut similar to the conventional
basket.
Figure 5.1.28 : A reverse circulation junk basket
1.7.4 JUNK MAGNETS
Most metal particles are susceptible to a

magnetic field and can therefore be removed by
means of a fishing magnet.
These fishing magnets are very powerful
permanent magnets provided with ports so that
drilling fluid can be circulated through them. The
magnet is lowered on pipe into the hole to top of
the junk. Circulation is then started to clear the
top of the junk from cuttings. When it is clean,
the junk is picked up by the magnet by setting it
down with little weight.
MAGNET INSERTS FOR JUNK BASKETS
Magnet inserts are available to convert a reverse
circulation junk basket to a fishing magnet.
The insert is machined to fit into the position
normally occupied by the catcher.
Figure 5.1.29 : A fishing magnet
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ADDITIONAL GADGETS
Various types of skirts made up on the bottom of the magnet keep junk from being knocked off during the trip
out of the hole. Also, adapters are available so that the magnet may be run with wireline instead of drill pipe to
speed up the operation. However, this practice is not recommended in open hole as there is little strength and
control on tension when running it on wireline. It should only be considered in cased hole. Sometimes, if a
diamond bit is to be used in subsequent drilling or coring operations, a fishing magnet is run prior to running the
diamond bit.
To save the magnetic strength of the fishing magnets they are provided with an iron cover disc. This disc must
be removed before running in and reinstalled after use.
1.7.5 MILLS
When the size or shape of a top fish has to be changed a mill (Figure 5.1.30) is used to shape it before a
retrieving tool is run.
Figure 5.1.30 : A selection of mills

In other circumstances mills are used to mill up part or even the whole fish. Special mills are also used to cut a
window in the casing.
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PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED EQUIPMENT

1.8.1 POSSIBLE SITUATIONS
DRILLING OPERATIONS
During drilling operations it is very rare that equipment other than components of the drill string or wire-line
tools (see Topic 9) has to be fished.
Occasionally equipment is installed with the intention of subsequently recovering it. In that case the recovery
operation would not be known as fishing unless the standard procedure is not effective.
As mentioned in the introduction the most common piece of equipment which is installed and later recovered is
a packer. A simple type of packer is used for pressure testing the casing/wellhead/BOPs, or securing the well
while working on the wellhead/BOPs. These rarely fail to be recovered by the normal procedure. Packers are
also used in production testing, including drill-stem testing. These sometimes become stuck, especially open-
hole packers during DSTs and have to be fished for.
Other equipment which may be installed for later recovery/removal are so-called "bridge plugs" and cement
retainers. Either one or both of these are used if cement has to be squeezed at a particular depth in order to
repair a leak, for example in casing or at a liner top. In that case the bridge plug may be set below the leak in
order to prevent the cement going down the hole and/or a cement retainer set above the leak to protect the upper
section of the well from the squeeze pressure (in the latter case the lower end of the cementing string would be a
so-called "stinger" which stabs into the cement retained). Both of these tools are very closely related to packers.
Very rarely does equipment have to be removed which was installed with the intention of being left
permanently in place. One possible scenario would be a bridge plug set during the abandonment of the lower
section of the hole, followed by a change of mind concerning that lower section. Other than that, which again
belongs to the packer family, nothing comes to mind. Windows have to be milled in casing, but that is not
considered to be a fishing operation.
WORKOVER OPERATIONS
During workover operations it is common to have to fish for production equipment. Again the most frequently
encountered problem is with packers.
Production packers are of two types - permanent or retrievable. Permanent packers are designed to remain
attached to the casing when the tubing is pulled and re-run; retrievable packers are attached to the tubing for
removal with it (by a straight upward pull or by rotation depending on the type of packer). The name
"permanent" is misleading - permanent packers are often run with the intention of later removal, and in fact are
designed to make this a relatively simple process. Retrievable packers can sometimes not be removed with the
tubing and then in fact become more difficult to retrieve than permanent packers. Causes for this could be a
weak, corroded tubing, debris on top of the packer, frozen or broken slips, etc.
Other equipment which may become stuck, or have to be fished for other reasons is:
 sucker rods and pumps in beam-pumped wells
 wireline equipment (safety valves, tubing plugs)
A description of retrieval techniques is given in Subtopic 1.8.2.
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1.8.2 RETRIEVAL TECHNIQUES

PERMANENT PACKERS
Permanent packers are recovered by using a combined packer milling and retrieving tool (Figure 5.1.31).
Whether this tool is called a "packer picker" or a fishing tool is a matter of semantics. It is to all intents and
purposes a purpose designed fishing tool and is therefore described in this Part.
Figure 5.1.31 : Operation of the packer milling and retrieving tool
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

The tool consists of a bushing (with a pin connection for a milling shoe and a box connection for a stinger ), a
milling shoe, a stinger and a packer retriever. On the top the bushing is connected to the running string and on
the bottom the milling shoe and the stinger are connected. The stinger has an extension sub that allows the
packer retriever to be lowered completely through the packer and the mill out extension of the packer during
milling operations. The retriever has a cage or catch sleeve which collapses while running through the packer
bore but returns to its full size when it is through the packer.
The tool is run on a running string (preferably with one or two junk subs, a soft blade stabiliser, sufficient drill
collars and a fishing jar above it) to just above the packer. There should be sufficient length of kelly above the
table to complete the operation without adding another joint. The manufacturers recommended values of rotary
speed and pumping rate are established prior to stabbing into the packer and starting to mill. Once the top slips
and rubber element are milled, the packer will start to slide. Rotation is stopped and the packer pulled free. A
flow check should be performed because of the possibility of trapped gas below the packer. After the check the
packer should be pulled out of the hole slowly because the well could be swabbed in if the rubber element is not
milled completely. If pulling is difficult it might require additional milling.
RETRIEVABLE PACKERS
The methods available for recovering retrievable packers are:
 cutting the tubing above the packer and catching it on a separate trip with the appropriate internal or
external fishing tools and jars. This is the most appropriate method if the packer is stuck because of
debris; the latter can be washed out of the hole after cutting the tubing and before running the overshot
or spear.
 washing over and cutting the packer out if necessary; the problem with this technique is that the packer
may then fall, or part of it just rotate with the washover tool without the body coming free.
Sometimes, if the formation permits, it is possible to pressure up below the packer through the tubing to provide
additional lifting force.
BRIDGE PLUGS, CEMENT RETAINERS AND OPEN-HOLE PACKERS
The normal method of dealing with these would be to run a junk mill or flat bottomed mill and remove material
from the top downwards until the fish becomes free and falls. Subsequent steps would depend on the
circumstances. If deepening is not required, and the geometry of the hole permits, the remains of the fish can be
pushed to the bottom of the hole and left there. If it has to be removed to obtain access to deeper parts of the
well it may be possible to fish it with a spear or a taper tap. Alternatively it can be milled completely away. This
operation would probably involve dumping cement on the fish to hold it firm against rotation and would
terminate with dealing with a substantial amount of junk as dealt with in the previous Topic.
SUCKER RODS AND BEAM PUMPS
This equipment would be recovered using overshots.
WIRELINE EQUIPMENT
If wireline equipment is stuck inside tubing and is not recoverable by the standard wireline recovery tools
there are two options:
 Run coiled tubing to circulate on and clean the top of the fish and then run the standard wireline fishing
tools either on a heavier gauge wire line or on the coiled tubing itself.
 Recover the tubing with the fish inside it.
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Fishing for wireline, coiled tubing and radioactive sources

This Topic completes the subject of fishing by giving information about the retrieval of three different types of
fish.
1.9.1 RETRIEVAL OF WIRE LINE EQUIPMENT

In fishing of wireline two situations occur, one where the wireline is still intact and connected to a stuck tool
and the other situation is where the wire has parted. There is also differentiation in type of wireline i.e. electric
line or steel line.
CUTTING AND THREADING

In case a downhole logging tool becomes stuck, pulling
on the cable is not usually effective. The maximum
allowable pull on the cable is very often too low to free
the stuck tool, and there is a high probability of
accidentally breaking the line or parting the weak point,
which would reduce the chance of recovery. If the
wireline is still intact it is best to use a cable guide
method (over-stripping): the wireline will hold the fish in
a centralised position and will serve as a guide for the
overshot. This method of fishing is called "the cut and
thread technique" and a brief description is given in
Appendix 5 (it is also discussed in the Well Engineers
Notebook).
This method has a high probability of recovery. Its
successful implementation depends critically on good
communication between the driller, the derrick man and
the wireline logging control cabin.
Sometimes while running in with the pipe it is observed
that the logging string is free before the overshot is at the
fish. This happens when it is the cable that is stuck by
differential sticking and not the tool.
FISHING OF PARTED WIRELINE Figure 5.1.32 : A two pronged grab
Several different tools can be used for the fishing of
parted wireline, including centre rope spears, two-
pronged rope grabs (Figure 5.1.32) and box taps.
When a wireline breaks it forms a spiral in the borehole and the top end drops a surprisingly short distance (a
few percent of the total free length). The larger the line and the smaller the diameter of the hole the less the line
will drop.
The fishing of wireline is often a time consuming exercise since each run with a spear will probably only
recover a short length of wire.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

1.9.2 RETRIEVAL OF COILED TUBING

Coiled tubing fishing is similar to fishing for conventional tubulars but it presents its own characteristic
problems. Fishing will probably require killing the well first. When coiled tubing parts, it is in tension and tends
to corkscrew once broken. The top end of the fish is normally stretched and elongated with a somewhat necked
outside diameter over several feet. If a normal overshot is used, it could push the fish further downhole and
create additional problems. Overshots with split grapples and guide springs have been designed especially for
coiled tubing. These overshots (also called continuous tubing overshots) are made to allow the coiled tubing to
be swallowed inside the overshot and the running string (this could be another reel of coiled tubing). Sometimes
several hundred feet of coiled tubing have to be engaged before the fish can be held securely. When the fish is
returned to surface a splice is made with the coiled tubing on the reel and it is then reeled in, in the normal
manner. Often this requires ingenuity. Problems that can be expected are for instance that the coiled tubing is
elongated and the OD reduced so that the injector head, used to grip and drive the coiled tubing into or out of
the hole, cannot move it. Lengths of coiled tubing will have to be cut and removed using clamps and elevators
until the section with a reduced diameter has all been removed and the injector can work effectively again.
Always remember to adhere to the proper well control procedures.
1.9.3 FISHING FOR RADIO-ACTIVE SOURCES
The fishing of radio-active sources is often strictly regulated and controlled by government agencies because of
the potential for radio-active leakage into the environment.
The source should be recovered intact if at all possible from an economical and environmental viewpoint.
However, if it is considered that there is a risk of damaging the source container by attempting to fish it,
resulting in a contamination of the drilling fluid by radioactive material, the local authorities would probably
require it to be cemented in place and that section of the hole abandoned.
Normally, approval from the government must be gained by issuing a plan of abandonment which will give
assurance that there is no reasonable probability of fluid flow past the source, and that the latter will not be
encountered if the hole is side-tracked.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

Appendix 1
Stretch test calculations
The length of free pipe remaining in a straight hole can be estimated by applying two different tensions to the
string and measuring the difference in the resulting stretches. The length of free pipe is then determined either
from charts or by using the following equation:
The plain end weight of drill pipe is found by calculating the linear weight of the pipe from the pipe dimensions
and the density of steel. If the latter is taken as 7854 kg/m3 or 490 lbs/ft3 , and D, d are in metres and feet as
appropriate, then in kg/m3 and lbs/ft3 will be given by the following:
Since no allowance in the equations above is made for hole-pipe friction and the effects of the heavier tool
joints, the calculated value of L is only approximate.
To ensure that the stretch measured is actual stretch and not due to straightening buckled pipe, the block has to
support at least the total weight of the string in drilling fluid at the start of the test. In other words the string
should be pulled until the weight reading is equal to the pre-stuck situation. When this weight is pulled the
string is marked at a point level with the rotary table.
Then a fixed amount of additional pull (overpull) is applied and the string marked again. The amount of
overpull is obviously limited by the maximum allowable pull on the pipe.
The distance between the two marks is the stretch , due to the differential pull , so that the length of free
pipe, , can be calculated from the equations on the previous page.
Summary:
 Calculate the maximum allowable pull on the drill pipe.
 Calculate the weight of the string in the drilling fluid.
 Pull at least the total string weight in drilling fluid. Mark pipe "a"
 Pull an additional amount DP. Mark pipe "b"
 = a- b
 Use the equation to calculate the depth of the stuck point.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

Appendix 2
Backing off procedure
It is explained in Topic 3 that backing off is accomplished by applying a shock to the chosen joint while reverse
or left-hand torque is applied to the pipe. The left-hand torque should normally be worked down the string in
stages, particularly in deviated wells. To avoid mechanical back-off, the total left-hand torque applied should
not be more than approximately half of the tool joint make-up torque used for the weakest drill pipe connection.
Applying left-hand torque should proceed as follows:

 Sufficient tension should be applied to the string to get a neutral point at the selected tool joint. The
string should then be marked as a reference at a fixed point, normally flush with the rotary table.
 Approximately half the required left-hand torque should be applied to the string, remaining of course
within the design limits of the weakest component. The string is then worked up and down while
maintaining the torque. It will be found that the amount of rotation required to maintain the same value
of torque increases as the pipe is worked, showing that the torque is affecting an increasing length of
pipe as the up and down motion breaks the friction with the bore-hole wall or casing.
If the kelly is not used for rotating the string, rotary tongs are used to hold the torque in the pipe.
Note that torque should only worked down the string by applying overpulls to keep the reference marker
on the string above the level indicating the neutral point. The string should not be slacked off below this
marker, as mechanical back-off is risked in the upper section of the hole.
 When working the pipe no longer results in a decrease of torque at surface it can be assumed that the
torque has been worked all the way down to the stuck point. The remainder of the planned torque is then
applied and the process repeated.
Operations involving torque are always hazardous due to the large amount of energy stored in the pipe,
which acts as a spring. All non-essential crew should therefore be kept well clear of the working area.
Specific safety precautions to be taken are:
 the tongs must be in good condition.
 the dies for both tong and slips should be sharp, clean and of the correct type.
 double back-up lines should be used on the tongs.
 the hook should not be locked while any torque remains in the string.
 the slip handles should be chained firmly together to prevent them from jumping out of the rotary table.
 If the kelly is used the drive bushing must be locked in the rotary table, otherwise it may jump out while
working the string.
After detonation the connection may be only partly unscrewed, releasing only part of the left-hand torque.
Residual left-hand torque therefore must always be released first before picking up the string. If there is no
back-off at all the full left-hand torque remain in the string. Watch out!
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

Appendix 3
The operation of internal cutters
The cutter should be thoroughly examined to assure that it is properly assembled, that all threaded connections
are made up tightly and that it is properly dressed for the size pipe to be cut. At great depths, in crooked holes
and where existing rig equipment makes it very difficult to control the amount of weight applied to the internal
cutter, it is recommended that a stroke sub and stabiliser be made up above the cutter.
The stabiliser is usually made up one joint above the cutter. It tends to centralise and minimise any swaying
action which might interfere with the smooth operation of the cutter. The stroke sub is run a number of joints
above the cutter and stabiliser. This tool consists basically of two telescoping members, a mandrel in a body,
free to slide with relation to each other, but provided with mating splines for transmitting torque.
Figure 5.1.A1 : Operation of the internal pipe cutter

Before lowering it in the well, check the tool to be sure that it is locked and that the cutter is in a released
position with the slips and knives fully retracted.
CAUTION: Prevent disengagement of the lock as the tool is lowered into the well. Right-hand rotation will
release the locking mechanism and set the cutter in operating position. If this should occur, slowly raise the
cutting string, this will reset the cutter in running position.
Careful measurements should be maintained while running in to assure that the cut is made at the desired depth.
All measurements should be taken with the knives as the reference point.
Upon reaching the desired cutting depth, the tool is anchored by slowly rotating to the right while carefully
lowering the string. The drag springs resist rotation and lowering by friction against the pipe wall. This
disengages the locking mechanism of the slips upward and downward causing the knife blocks to force the
knives outward to start the cut. Slight additional weight is applied while slowly rotating to the right. The main
spring in the upper part of the cutter is partially compressed by the applied weight and assists in maintaining a
uniform feed to the knives.
After the internal cutter is set in the pipe as explained, the stroke sub is in the fully closed position. Since the
tool is provided with a 3 m (10 ft) stroke, the cutting string is then picked up 1.5 m (5 ft) so that the only weight
on the cutter is the predetermined weight of the pipe between the cutter and the stroke sub. In this manner the
variables of rig equipment and the inadvertent application of too much weight is eliminated and a smooth cut
can be made. Excess weight will cause the knives to dig into the pipe, burning the knife points.
Cutting is accomplished by slow rotation to the right (10 to 18 rpm) with just enough weight being applied by
the pipe between the cutter and the stroke sub to feed the knives into the metal.
Free rotation, with little or no reverse torque, indicates that the cut is completed. To prove the cut, increase the
rotating speed; and if no increase in torque is noted, it will indicate that the cut has been successfully completed.
The tool may now be released for removal from the hole, or to be reset to make additional cuts as desired. Raise
it one foot what will cause the grip jaws to disengage and lock. The tool is ready to be raised or lowered, as
desired.
If a stroke sub is not used the string is slacked off approximately 2 mm (1/16") at a time and never more than 3
mm (1/8 ") . Lowering 30 mm (11/4 ") without torque increase will also indicate that the cut is completed.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen
Appendix 4
Fishing procedures
This Appendix gives the practical operational procedures which are applied in
fishing jobs.
GENERAL
 Circulate clean on top of the fish before pulling out to run a fishing string.
 If possible, touch the top of the fish and measure the length of the string
while coming out of hole to ensure that the depth of top fish is known
accurately.
 If pulling out and leaving a part of the string in the hole as a fish, check
the bottom end of the retrieved string and from this plus drawings of the
equipment left in the hole determine the shape and size of the fish.
Figure 5.1.11, repeated here, is an example of why a 5" overshot can not catch the
remnant of this 5" drill pipe. The distance to the 65/8" tool joint is obviously too
short.
Figure 5.1.11: Top of fish
 Determine what the best chances are with the available fishing tools and select the most suitable one for
the job.
 Check if the top of the fish needs to be dressed.
 Ensure that the overshot or spear is fitted with the correct parts to engage the top fish:
Overshot:
o Check the correct size and type of grapple. If possible check this on what was recovered from the
hole.
o Use a proper size guide shoe so that there is no chance to bypass the fish.
Spear:
o A stop ring must be installed above the spear to prevent too deep an entry into the fish, and to
enable the jar to be reset.
o A pack-off rubber must be installed on the spear to allow circulation through the fish when
latched on.
o A careful check should be made to verify that the correct spear body, slip size, friction block and
pack-off ring and stop ring are installed for the tubular to be fished.
o The mechanism must be checked.
 Use proper torque values for fishing string make-up, and measure the length, the OD's and ID's of the
fishing string exactly.
 Use an accelerator, particularly in the case of a deviated well or a shallow fishing job.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

SPEARS
A typical assembly run is:
spear - spear stop - safety joint(optional) - jar - 27 m (90 ft) drill collars - drill pipe - kelly.
The procedure is:
 Run in to just above top fish.
 Before engaging the fish, circulate to clear away any cuttings which have settled around the top of the
fish.
 Record the pump pressure at low pump rate.
 Record string weight up and down before latching on.
 Lower the string very carefully while engaging. If the string has to be turned the tongs should be used.
 An increase in circulating pressure normally indicates that the fishing tool has entered the fish.
 After latching on to the fish, and if possible, circulate bottoms-up to clear cuttings and debris from
around the fish.
NOTE: Before any attempt is made to free the fish check the maximum allowable pull and torque for both the
fish and for the fishing string.
CAUTION: When pulling out with a fish do not rotate and set the string gently in the slips. This to reduce the
risk of losing it. It is recommended that the pipe is spun out after breaking the tool joint connection.
OVERSHOT
The procedure is:
 As the top of the fish is reached by the overshot, rotate the string slowly to the right, preferably with
chain tongs, and lower the overshot over the fish.
 After the slips are engaged, pick up the string and pull. If it is not possible to free the fish, start the pump
to circulate, and at the same time maintain an overpull.
 If it is desired to released the overshot from the fish, slack off sufficiently to release slips and rotate
slowly to the right while carefully picking up approximately 38 mm (11/2") for each full turn of the
overshot.
 If excessive pull has been taken and the slips are embedded in the fish preventing prompt release, slack
off and bump down to break the grip. Rotate slowly to the right and raise the string until the tool is clear
of the fish.
 To release from a recovered fish, follow the same procedure while holding the fish protruding below the
overshot.
 Precautions:
 Unless an upward strain is maintained, never rotate the fishing string to the right while the overshot is
supposed to remain engaged with the fish.
 Always shut off the circulating pumps before lowering the overshot over the fish to prevent damaging
the packer.
HYDRAULIC JARS
The procedure is:
 Check the deadline anchor gap and proper recording of the weight indicator.
 Remove excess equipment from the swivel as far as possible e.g. kelly spinner, hoses, etc.
 Every effort should be made to jar with the kelly attached. If this is operationally impossible, a square
shouldered connection should be connected for jarring purposes. Never jar with an 18-degree taper
elevator. Secure the elevator latch with rope or chain.
 Before running in the hole check the connections of the cylinder assembly for proper make-up according
to manufacture's instructions. Make sure that the tongs are correctly positioned when torquing them up.
If you are unsure about this consult the operating manual because the tool is easily damaged.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

To jar :
 either raise the string sufficiently to take the stretch judged necessary to produce the required upwards
impact, or slack off the weight selected to produce a downwards impact.
When selecting the stretch for jarring up or the set-down weight for jarring down, allowance should be
made for the pump-open effect (jar thrust) which increases an upwards impact and decreases a
downwards impact. Charts are available, or the pump-open force can be calculated (the pressure
differential across the bit multiplied by the net washpipe cross-sectional area).
 set the brake
 wait for the jar to hit.
The first blow may take from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on circumstances. The
variables are the depth of operation, the amount of stretch in the string, whether an accelerator is used,
the down-hole temperature and the shape of the hole.
For example, when a crooked hole prevents a uniform stretch over the entire string, it is impossible to
exert as much pull at the jar as would be the case if the hole were straight.
 if jarring for lengthy periods, slip the block line at regular intervals and check the derrick regularly for
loose bolts, clamps, sheaves, etc..
The operator should use caution in the amount of pull to be applied to the jar. It is easy to exceed the safe
working load for the particular jar in use, especially on the first pull. The tendency to speed up the jarring action
by applying additional load is also a frequent cause of overloading the jar.
The velocity, and the relative impact load of the blow is controlled by the amount of stretch taken in the running
string, or the set-down weight applied, and the weight of the drill collars installed above the jar.
After a blow has been generated it is necessary only to close the jar and then to re-take the necessary stretch in
the string or slack off the required weight to strike the next blow.
The jar should not be used in the closed position to apply overpulls over and above those required to trip the jar.
Extra overpulls should be applied only when the jar is open and tripped.
NOTE: A jar will usually be brought out of the hole in the open position. It should be closed, removed from the
string and laid on the derrick floor. Once closed, the jar should not be left suspended from the elevators,
especially with any appreciable weight suspended below it. The jar can open, dropping the length of its travel
and may cause damage to the rig or injury to the crew.
SURFACE JARS
In operations with a surface jar, this jar is installed in the string just above the rotary table, or at the joint nearest
the table. If circulation is desired, the kelly can be connected to the top of the jar, otherwise a stand is installed.
Set the jar for light blows and begin jarring operations, gradually increasing the force of the blows as jarring
proceeds. 1500 - 2000 N (300-400 lbs) should be sufficient to close and re-set the jar.
CAUTION: Do not set the tripping force of the jar higher than the string weight between the surface and the
point where it is stuck. If that is done, it will result in the pipe being pulled tighter into the key seat.
ACCELERATORS
The accelerator should be located in the running string immediately above the drill collars; just below the drill
pipe. The jar should be located immediately below the drill collars and just above the fishing tools. The
sequence from the fish upward should therefore be: fishing tool, jar, drill collars, accelerator and running string.
The fishing operation will be carried out in a conventional manner; after the fish is engaged by the fishing tool a
strain is pulled on the fishing string. This will cause the accelerator to stroke out 0.15 - 0.35 m (6"-13"). The
pull is maintained till the tripping of the jar is noticed. Successive blows are struck as described under jarring
action.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

SAFETY JOINTS
After inspection and lubrication of the coarse threads the safety joint is made up like an ordinary tool joint with
one tong on the box section and one tong on the pin section. The safety joint should be made up with the correct
make-up torque as given for the regular pipe connections.
To disconnect the safety joint
 Break the safety joint by rotating the string to the left one to three turns one turn in straight shallow
holes, two or three turns in deep or crooked holes.
 While maintaining this left-hand torque, slack off the weight of the string till zero point is below the
safety joint.
 Now, pick up the string until at least 4,500 N (1,000 lbs) of weight but not more than 9,000 N (2,000
lbs) remains over the calculated string weight above the safety joint. If less than 4,500 N (1000 lbs) of
weight is applied there is a chance, due to hole condition and depth, of still having tension on the safety
joint resulting in a binding of the helical threads and therefore difficulty in releasing. If more than 9,000
N (2,000 lbs) is applied, the safety joint will release but the possibility of damaging the shoulder at the
point of disengagement is likely.
 Apply additional left-hand torque to unscrew the safety joint. As the broad helical thread unscrews, it
will lift the pipe six to eight times faster than a tool joint thread.
 During the releasing of the safety joint, the indicated string weight will decrease. The operator should be
careful to maintain this reduction in string weight at less then 4,500 N (2,000 lbs).
To re-engage the safety joint
 Lower the string into the hole until the pin section contacts the box section.
 Carefully apply 4,500 N (1,000 lbs) of weight and rotate slowly to the right. An increase in torque will
indicate that the safety joint has re-engaged.
NOTE:
Use lubricating oil or a similar lubricant to lubricate the coarse helical threads of the pin and box section of the
safety joint. Do not use lead or zinc base greases, since it may increase the torque to break the connection.
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

Appendix 5
Cutting and threading
Preparing the line
The cable is set under tension to remove any slack and the cable hanger, which will rest on the rotary table, is
clamped on the cable. The cable is then cut 2-3 m (6-10 ft) above the hanger, and a spearhead rope socket is
made on the end of the cable remaining in the well. Allow for sufficient excess line ! A rope socket, sinker bar
and spear head overshot are made up on the end of cable hanging in the derrick (Figure 5.1.A2). With the
overshot engaged to the spearhead, the wireline can be put under tension again. When the cable hanger is
removed a C-plate is used to hang the cable in the rotary table.
Threading the cable through the drillpipe

The spearhead overshot is released and drawn up to the
monkey board. The stand of drillpipe with an overshot
dressed to fish the logging tool is picked up and held over
the rotary table. The derrick man guides and sends the spear
head overshot down the stand of drillpipe. The spear head
overshot is attached to the spear head in the rotary. A little
strain is pulled on the cable and the C-plate is removed. The
drillpipe is then lowered through the rotary table and set in
the slips. The C-plate is placed on top of the drillpipe tool
joint sticking up in the rotary table. The spear head
overshot is released, pulled up to the monkey board and fed
into the next stand of drill pipe. This procedure is repeated
until the overshot is within a short distance of the fish
(Figure 5.1.A3).
Figure 5.1.A2 : The cable guide fishing assembly
Approaching the fish

A special circulating head is installed on the last stand and
circulation is started to clean the end of the pipe, the
overshot and the top of the fish. The fish is then engaged, a
record of pump strokes per minute versus pressure will
indicate if the fish is caught in the overshot.
Breaking the weak point
Once established that the fish is caught the cable hanger is
clamped on the cable below the rope sockets, the rope
sockets removed and the hanger is set in the elevators. The
weak point is broken by pulling on the cable with the
elevators. The cable is pulled out of the drill pipe. The
string is then pulled out of the hole with the fish attached.
NOTE: Never try to break the weak point in a wire line by
pulling with the winch. The greatest tension in a wireline is
at the surface and if the line parts there rather than at depth
the recoil will be violent.
Figure 5.1.A3 : Cable guide fishing method
8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

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(1) STUCK PIPE & FISHING

8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

Fishing is a rather complicated operation and therefore requires:

There are four types of fish in drilling and workover operations:

8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

1.1.4 THE ECONOMICS OF FISHING

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1.2.1 HOLE GEOMETRY

Figure 5.1.01 : Key seating

Freeing key-seated pipe

JAMMING A NEW BIT

1.2.2 FORMATION RELATED

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Figure 5.1.04 : Bridging or hole collapse

Figure 5.1.03 : Hole closed by swollen shale

Brittle or sloughing shale

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1.2.3 DIFFERENTIAL STICKING

Figure 5.1.05 : Differential sticking

RECOGNISING DIFFERENTIALLY STUCK PIPE

FREEING DIFFERENTIALLY STUCK PIPE

8:36 PM 6/7/2007 M A-Mohsen

1.2.4 EQUIPMENT GEOMETRY

Figure 5.1.06 : Crooked or bent string Figure 5.1.07 : Wrap-around sticking

STRINGS WRAPPED ROUND EACH OTHER

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SETTLING OUT OF FINE SOLIDS

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LOCATING THE FREE POINT AND BACKING OFF/CUTTING

1.3.2 THE STRETCH METHOD

1.3.3 FREE-POINT INDICATOR METHOD

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The method of operation is to set the tool in

1.3.4 BACKING OFF

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NON-MECHANICALLY OPERATED PIPE-CUTTING TOOLS

Figure 5.1.10 : A jet cutter

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1.4.3 DRILL PIPE TWIST-OFF

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Drill pipe twist-offs can result from:

PREPARATIONS FOR FISHING A CUT/PARTED STRING

1.5.1 LOCATING THE TOP OF THE FISH

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An example is shown in Figure 5.1.11. This is a typical example of what

Figure 5.1.11 : Top of fish

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1.6.3 INTERNAL ENGAGEMENT TOOLS

Figure 5.1.13 : Releasing spears

The advantages of taps are that:

1.6.4 EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT TOOLS

The top sub

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Figure 5.1.15 : Two typical overshots

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Figure 5.1.16 : Die collar

1.6.5 WASHOVER TOOLS

Figure 5.1.17 : Washover shoes

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THE MECHANICAL ROTARY JAR

Fishing & Stucks

Fishing & Stucks