SNUBBING

Snubbing w/HWO Unit course objectives

• Describe the function of the Snubbing Unit and the applications

• Describe snubbing unit components

• Pressure Control and Well Control Equipment

• Snubbing calculations

• Review Load cases

• Pressure testing

• Compare and contrast Snubbing vs HWO units

• Recap
 Snubbing Unit Functions

• System is capable of moving pipe in or out of the well with or without wellbore
pressures

• Used to overcome upward force caused by wellbore pressure

• Snubbing/HWO units are classified by

– Lifting capacity
– BOP / pressure control rating

Model Lifting Snubbing

460 460K 220K
340 340K 188.4K
200 199.1K 103.67K
120 117.81K 60.08K
 Snubbing / Stripping (Applications)

Snubbing: (Pipe Light)

The act of forcing tubulars into the wellbore or controlling the pipe coming out (in
‘pipe light’ condition) when blowout preventers (BOPs) are closed and pressure
is contained in the well.

Stripping: (Pipe Heavy)

The act of running tubulars into and pulling tubulars from the wellbore (in ‘pipe
heavy’ condition) when blowout preventers (BOPs) are closed and pressure is
contained in the well.

The premise of this lecture will be discussed as working in a pressure containment

environment.
 Snubbing Applications

• Running / pulling kill strings

• Fishing operations
• Well kill with pipe off bottom / no pipe
• Cementing
• Stimulating
• Cleaning-out fill
• Plug and abandonment for redrills
• Pipe conveyed perforating

Routine production service work where there is a reason not to kill the well
 Turning Point Question 1

The act of forcing tubulars or controlling the pipe coming out when blow out
preventers are closed and pressure is contained in the well is called what?

1. Snubbing (pipe light)

2. Stripping (pipe heavy)
3. None of above
 Snubbing Components

Control Panel

Traveling Slips

Counterbalance Winch

Telescoping Mast

2 or 4 Hydraulic Cylinders Telescoping Guide Tube

Stationary Slips

Guide Tube

Access Window Pipe Stripper/Annular Preventer

Vent Line
Equalizing Loop
BOP Stack
Ram Preventers
Choke Line
Snubbing Unit (Animation)
 Snubbing Unit Components

–Gin Pole
–Work Basket
–Hydraulic Cylinders (Jacks)
–Traveling Slips
–Rotary Table
–Guide Tubes
–Stationary Slips
–Well Control Stack
–Closing Unit / HPU
–Wellhead Support
 Snubbing Unit Components

• Gin Pole:
- Used to raise and lower
tubulars and other tools to the
work basket

- Usually equipped with 2

winches
 Snubbing Unit Components

• Work basket contains:

- Controls for the jack
- BOP remote control
✓ 2 stripper ram
✓ Blind/shear rams
- Pipe handling equipment
- FOSV

• Height concerns:
- Height can be >100 ft above
the top deck
- Depends on BOP stack &
lubricator
- Two methods of egress
• Ladder & Man Basket
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Pipe tongs:

- Used to make up or break out tubulars

and other tools

- Proper make-up is critical to workstring

integrity
 Snubbing Unit Components

• Slips:
- Traveling (upper) 2 Sets Slips,
- Stationary (lower) 2 or 3 Sets Slips
- Used in tandem to lower and raise
tubulars and other tools.
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Traveling Slips
- Hold tubulars when moving the string up or
down
- Attached to operating cylinders

▪ Stationary slips

- Hold tubulars when the hydraulic lifting

pistons move to allow the traveling slips to get
another bite.
- Two or three sets of stationary slips – One
for stripping, and one or two for snubbing
- Depending on BP - Lower slips used under
pipe heavy condition and upper slips used
under pipe light conditions.
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Rotating Heads

–Used to drill or rotate pipe

–Can install a clamp between the traveling

slips and rotating head when at shallow
depths

–Operational consideration:

• Torque limit will be affected by well

pressure and string weight

• Twist-off occurs when the induced

shearing stress caused by high torque
exceeds the pipe-material ultimate shear
stress
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Control panel:
- Used to control all hydraulic functions of
the Snubbing Unit and select BOP rams.
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Circulation System:
- Pumps, Kelly Hose, Circulating head (king swivel) and flow line used to control
the flow of fluids into and out of the well
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Hydraulic Lifting Pistons

- Provide power to raise or lower
tubulars that are being held in the
traveling slips

- For lighter loads, only 2 pistons

may be used allowing for faster
tripping

- When more power is needed, all 4

of the pistons are used.
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Guy Wires:
- Provide lateral stability to the hydraulic
workover unit

- Minimize bending stresses on well

equipment

- Critical to safe operation of the unit

because of the type and width of base

- 30’ maximum height distance between

guywires

- Engineered for stabilization and safety

Confirm that the tree / wellhead is
capable of supporting the loads
imparted by the HWO / Snubbing
operation. Plan to support if necessary.
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Support Stand
- Takes the weight off the wellhead

- Clamps to riser above the wellhead

- Pull tension on the wellhead w/hydraulic

jacks

- Set manual jacks

Confirm that the tree / wellhead is

capable of supporting the loads
imparted by the HWO / Snubbing
operation. Plan to support if
necessary.
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Guide tube:

- Provides lateral stability to the tubular

under compressive load
- Helps to reduce risk of buckling within
the jacks
- Critical for working under pressure
- Must be sized to the Pipe OD
 Snubbing Unit Components

▪ Work Window:

- Provides an opening below the

guide tube

- Tools with larger OD’s can be

installed / removed
 Well Control Equipment

Well Control Stack: Stripper/Annula

r

Pump & Bleed

• Has to be designed for specific operation Manifold

Stripper Ram

• Stripper / Annular BOP can be used for

wellbore pressure typically less than
Stripper Ram
1000 psi
• Stripper rams should be used if wellbore Safety Ram

pressure exceeds stripper / annular BOP

ratings Blind Ram

• Lubricator used between stripper rams to

Kill Line To Chokes
accommodate tool joint Shear Ram

• Slip rams can be installed for fishing pipe

Safety Ram

• If stripper rams badly leak, safety rams

can be closed while repair made
Tree Valve
 Typical Ram To Ram Snubbing Sequence

Close Lower Ram, bleed Close Upper Ram, Pressure

Snub until Tool Joint
Cavity Pressure, open Cavity, open Lower Ram & continue
blocked by Closed Ram
Upper Ram & Lower Pipe
 Well Control Equipment

Stripper Rubber:
▪ Low maintenance stripping head.

▪ Due to it’s design, it can be utilized until

it leaks, then easily replaced

▪ Usually rated to 3000 psi

Annular: Wear Plate

Head

▪
Packing Unit
Similar to drilling Annular BOPs, but Opening

sized for snubbing applications Chamber

Piston
Closing

▪ Most annular are wellbore pressure Chamber

Sleeve

energized
▪ Can be rated up to 15,000 psi
 Well Control Equipment

Pipe:

- Has to be a designed for specific operation (tri-axial

stress analysis)

- Ability to contain pressure

- Smooth external upset preferred

• EUE wears annular faster

- Confidence in condition of pipe (inspection?)

- Connections capable of withstanding bending loads

 Well Control Equipment

Back pressure valves:

- Typically installed in BHA.
- Run 2 Back Pressure Valves or Dual BPV.

- An “N” nipple” can be run to enable a wireline plug to be

set

- May be installed in other places in the string in addition to

the BHA

- Should be designed to accommodate the service

performed
 Well Control Equipment

Closing Unit:
• Basically the accumulator package for operating all well control components.
• Skid package needs to be located in a safe, accessible area
• Should have a check valve between the HPU and the closing unit
 Operational Considerations

Compression Effects on Surface Pressure

• Surface and bottom hole pressure may increase due to compression

effects of wellbore fluid while snubbing into a closed well

• Surface pressure should be controlled with choke to maintain

constant bottom hole pressure in the well by removing pipe
displacement volume

• Pipe OD² x Pipe Length = Displacement

1029.4
CALCULATIONS FOR SNUBBING/STRIPPING
OPERATIONS
 Forces involved in Snubbing

SF Gravity SF

• Pressure x Area Force (𝐹𝑃𝐴 )

Friction

Forcepushing pipe out = Pressurewellbore x Areapipe

• Snub Force (𝐹𝑠𝑛𝑢𝑏 )

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑙𝑏𝑠 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑥 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 = 𝑛 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 (𝐷2 −𝑑2 )

• Gravity/Weight (𝐹𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ) PxA

𝑙𝑏𝑠
𝐹𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝑊𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑥 𝑃𝑖𝑝𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ (𝑓𝑡)
𝑓𝑡
• Friction (𝐹𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 )
Typically given value in problems but can be calculated on a rig
 Forces involved when snubbing

• Pressure x Area Force

– Wellbore pressure pushing pipe out of the hole
Force lbs = Pressure (psi) x Area in2

Forcepushing pipe out = Pressurewellbore x AreapipeOD

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎(𝑖𝑛2 ) = 𝑂𝐷2 ∗ 0.7854

– Area is the maximum area of pipe that will be

exposed to a differential pressure at the
BOP.
• When ram to ram snubbing, use the actual
pipe OD.

• When snubbing through the annular, utilize

pipe collar/tool joint OD.
 Turning Point Question 2

When snubbing in 1-1/2” nominal OD pipe into a well with 5000 psi surface
pressure, what is the force pushing the pipe out the hole if snubbing from ram-to-
ram?
▪ NOMINAL SIZE ACTUAL OD (Pipe Body)

▪ 3/4” 1.050”

▪ 1” 1.315”

▪ 1 1/4” 1.660”

▪ 1 1/2” 1.900”

1. 8,835 lbs
2. 5,890 lbs
3. 14,176 lbs
4. 7,461 lbs
 Snub Force

Lifting Capacity is always greater

than snubbing capacity due to
greater Effective Area

640 psi Hydraulic Pressure

((52 – 32) x 0.7854 x 640 psi
= 8,042 lb snubbing force
3 in

5 in

52 x 0.7854 x 640 = 12,566 lb 3 in

lifting force
5 in
640 psi Hydraulic Pressure
 Snub Force

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑙𝑏𝑠 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑥 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 = 𝑛 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 (𝐷2 −𝑑 2 )

n = number of hydraulic jacking cylinders

D = cylinder I.D. in inches
d = piston rod O.D. in inches

Question:
A snubbing unit is using 2 hydraulic cylinders. The piston rod is 2” and the
cylinder ID is 4”. How much hydraulic pressure is necessary to create 10,000
lbs of force to push pipe in the hole?

2 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 42 − 22 = 18.8𝑖𝑛2

10,000 𝑙𝑏𝑠
= 530 𝑝𝑠𝑖
18.8 𝑖𝑛2
 Gravity and Buoyancy

Open ended pipe

𝑙𝑏𝑠 65.4 − 𝑀𝑊(𝑝𝑝𝑔)
𝑊𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 = 𝑊𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑥
𝑓𝑡 65.4

Closed-ended pipe (no fluid in the pipe)

𝑙𝑏𝑠 𝑂𝐷2 𝑥 𝑀𝑊𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑒
𝑊𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 = 𝑊𝑎𝑖𝑟 −
𝑓𝑡 24.5

Closed-ended pipe (different fluid density in pipe and annulus)

𝑙𝑏𝑠 𝐼𝐷2 𝑥 𝑀𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑝𝑒 𝑂𝐷2 𝑥 𝑀𝑊𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑒

𝑊𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑡 = 𝑊𝑎𝑖𝑟 + 24.5
- 24.5
 Turning Point Question 3

Tripping into a well with 0 surface pressure. What is the buoyed weight of the
pipe using the following conditions? The wellbore is standing full of fluid and the
pipe is closed ended.

pipe MD = 8000’
Wellbore fluid = 10 ppg
Fluid inside pipe= 8.3 ppg
Pipe OD = 2.0625” / ID = 1.613”
Pipe weight = 3.25 ppf

1. 2.40 ppf
2. 4.10 ppf
3. 0.63 ppf
4. 2.75 ppf
 Calculations for Snubbing/Stripping

Snubbing Considerations / Calculations Prior to Start

• Initial snub force (lbs)
• Pipe Buckling (lbs)
• Balance point (ft.)
• Hydraulic Pressure (psi) limit to avoid buckling

Utilize the arrow method to solve for these forces

• Draw an arrow describing the direction the force is pushing the pipe
• Place all of the up arrows on one side of an equal sign and the down arrows
on the opposite side of the equal sign
 Maximum Snub Force
(When First Joint Is Snubbed)

Calculate the force required to snub pipe in the hole with the following conditions snubbing
ram to ram.
Wellbore pressure = 600 psi Snubbing String - 1 1/4” (Nominal)
Pipe, 1.66” OD Friction - 1000 Lbs

SF Gravity

𝐹𝑠𝑛𝑢𝑏 + 𝐹𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 + 𝐹𝑃 𝑥 𝐴

Force to go in hole Force resisting
Friction F=PxA

𝐹𝑠𝑛𝑢𝑏 = 𝐹𝑃∗𝐴 + 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 − 𝐹𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 Weight =0 lbs

since there is no
pipe in the hole.
𝐹𝑠𝑛𝑢𝑏 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑥 .7854 𝑥 𝑂𝐷2 + 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝐹𝑠𝑛𝑢𝑏 = 600 𝑝𝑠𝑖 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 1.662 + 1000 lbs

𝑭𝒔𝒏𝒖𝒃 = 𝟐, 𝟐𝟗𝟖 𝒍𝒃𝒔
 Balance (Neutral) Point

The balance point when snubbing is the point at which the force due to the
weight of the pipe balances the Pressure x Area force trying to push the pipe
out of the well.

SF Gravity

𝐹𝑠𝑛𝑢𝑏 + 𝐹𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 + 𝐹𝑃 𝑥 𝐴

Force to go in hole Force resisting

Friction PxA

𝐹𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝐹𝑃 𝑥 𝐴

𝑙𝑏𝑠
𝑊𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑥 𝑓𝑡 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 𝑂𝐷2
𝑓𝑡

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 𝑂𝐷2

𝑓𝑡 = Utilize the
𝑙𝑏𝑠
𝑊𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑
𝑓𝑡 appropriate
𝑊𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑
 Balance (Neutral) Point

What is the balance point of the well with the following conditions snubbing ram
to ram? Pipe is being run in closed ended with no fluid in the string.

• Pipe -1 1/4” (nominal) pipe, 2.4 lb/ft, 1.66” OD

• Density of fluid = 8.5 ppg
• Wellbore pressure = 600 psi

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 𝑂𝐷2

𝑓𝑡 =
𝑙𝑏𝑠
𝑊𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑
𝑓𝑡

𝑙𝑏𝑠 𝑂𝐷2 𝑥 𝑀𝑊𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑏 1.662 𝑥 8.5 𝑝𝑝𝑔 𝑙𝑏

𝑊𝑏𝑢𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 = 𝑊𝑎𝑖𝑟 − 2.4 − = 1.45
𝑓𝑡 24.5 𝑓𝑡 24.5 𝑓𝑡

600 𝑝𝑠𝑖 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 1.662

= 900 𝑓𝑡
𝑙𝑏
1.45
𝑓𝑡

When 900 ft of pipe is run in the hole, the weight of the pipe will balance the
force of the wellbore pressure trying to force the pipe out of the hole.
 Buckling Failures

TWO TYPES OF BUCKLING FAILURES

SF SF
Buckling

Local
Buckling Friction
Unsupported Length

Column
Stability

PxA
 Operational Consideration in Snubbing Operation

• Tubing integrity
–In tension (yield strength) → necking, parted

–In buckling (critical buckling load) → buckled, parted

–In collapse (collapse pressure rating) → collapsed, parted

–In burst (burst pressure rating) → ballooning, burst, parted

 Maximum Hydraulic Regulated Pressure When Snubbing Pipe
Into Well (To Prevent Buckling)

Calculate the maximum allowable hydraulic pressure that will not exceed the
buckling load on the pipe.
• Critical Buckling Load (no safety factor) – 23,000 lbs
• Critical Buckling Load (with safety factor) – 16,000 lbs
• Hydraulic cylinder ID – 5”
• Piston rod OD – 3”
• Cylinders in use - 2

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑙𝑏𝑠 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑥 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 = 𝑛 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 (𝐷2 −𝑑 2 )

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2 𝑥 0.7854 𝑥 52 − 32 = 25.1𝑖𝑛2

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑥 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 =
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
16,000 𝑙𝑏𝑠 The hydraulic pressure regulator should be set to
= 637 𝑝𝑠𝑖
25.1 𝑖𝑛2 lower than 637 psi to prevent buckling the pipe.
 Turning Point Question 4

Calculate initial snub force (when the first joint is snubbed).

Given:
Wellbore pressure = 1000 psi
Snubbing string = 1 ½” (nominal) pipe, 1.9” OD
Friction (assumed) = 1200 lb

1. 2835 lb
2. 4035 lb
3. 2967 lb
 Turning Point Question 5

Calculate the effective area of the jacks to snub pipe in the hole.

Given:
Wellbore pressure = 1000 psi
Snubbing string = 1 ½” (nominal) pipe, 1.9” OD
Friction (assumed) = 1200 lb
D = cylinder I.D. in inches = 6”
d = piston rod O.D. in inches = 3.5”
Number of cylinders = 4

1. 74.6 sq in
2. 37.3 sq in
3. 50.3 sq in
4. 25.2 sq in
 Snubbing Pressure Test

Pressure Testing:

In snubbing / HWO operations, a set of operations designed to confirm

the ability of the pressure containment system to contain well
pressures.

Equipment to be tested:
1. BOPs
2. Valves, including back pressure valves
3. Connections
4. Choke lines & valves
5. Equalizing valves & lines
 Snubbing Pressure Test

How many potential leak

points are in this system?
 Turning Point Question 6

The amount of snub or lift force that a snubbing jack generates is

controlled by what?

1. The cross sectional area of the

hydraulic piston
2. The length of the hydraulic
piston
3. The amount of hydraulic
pressure available
4. 1 and 3
5. All the above
 Snubbing w/HWO Unit course objectives

• Describe the function of the Snubbing Unit and the applications

• Describe snubbing unit components

• Pressure Control and Well Control Equipment

• Snubbing calculations

• Review Load cases

• Pressure testing

• Compare and contrast Snubbing vs HWO units

• Issues and challenges with snubbing/HWO units

• Recap
 Snubbing vs Hydraulic Workover
Hydraulic Workover (no pressure on well) Snubbing (pressurized well)

Cros
sove
r

“Dutch”
Lubricat
or (top)

• Conventional BOP Stack • Stripper Type Pipe Rams with Spacer spool
• No Equalizing Loop • Equalizing Loop
• No guide tube • Guide tube
• “Heavy” slips only • Both “Light” and “Heavy” slips
 Review

• Describe the function of the Snubbing Unit and the applications

• Describe snubbing unit components

• Pressure Control and Well Control Equipment

• Snubbing calculations

• Review Load cases

• Pressure testing

• Compare and contrast Snubbing vs HWO units