ECA TLC Procedure

Tough Logging Conditions
Standard Operating Procedure
Consolidation of experience in ECA
PREPARED BY WERNER HEIGL REV. 2.2 JAN-2000

 ECA WIRELINE & TESTING TLC OPERATING PROCEDURE
Table of Contents
1. Pre-Job Preparation.............................................................................................................
1.1 Client Communications.................................................................................................
1.2 Well Data.....................................................................................................................
1.3 Drill Pipe Data..............................................................................................................
1.4 Information For The Client.............................................................................................
1.5 At The Rig...................................................................................................................
2. Prior To Rigging Up.............................................................................................................
2.1 Cable, Rope Socket and Auxiliary Equipment..................................................................
2.2 Tool Check..................................................................................................................
2.3 Drill Pipe and Mud........................................................................................................
3. Rigging Up...........................................................................................................................
3.1 Before POOH With Drill Pipe.........................................................................................
3.2 After POOH With Drill Pipe............................................................................................
4. RIH With Drill Pipe And Logging Tools...................................................................................
5. Connecting CSES To The Drill Pipe.......................................................................................
6. Latching...............................................................................................................................
7. Latch Verification..................................................................................................................
8. Logging Down......................................................................................................................
9. Logging Up..........................................................................................................................
10. Unlatching..........................................................................................................................
11. Rig Down...........................................................................................................................
12. Emergency Procedures......................................................................................................
13. Between Runs Maintenance................................................................................................
14. TLCS Ratings....................................................................................................................
15. Tool Ratings.......................................................................................................................
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1. Pre-Job Preparation
1.1 Client Communications
TLC operations are quite different from normal wireline logging and it involves more people
carrying out different tasks than they’re used to. Also people in town are in most of the
cases not very familiar with TLC operations. As we all know the client does not perceive a
troublesome job as such if you manage to maintain good communications and relations
with the client. On the other hand you can do a tremendous job and a client not feeling very
well because he has been left aside. It is thus of extreme importance to keep good
communications from the very beginning on, throughout the job and eventually with a
follow up in the client’s office.
If clients in your area are familiar with TLC operations a phone call might do it but if it is
new for them or the people involved have different degrees of experience in TLC
operations it’s worth doing a pre-job meeting in their office. They will have a number of
questions about safety, tool combinations, timing, emergency procedures, compressional
and tensile ratings of tools. You also will have questions concerning the well, drilling
problems and drill pipe specs.
1.2 Well Data
The following list contains all necessary information you need to know to do the operation
properly.
 well hydrostatically balanced or not
 all casing data: size, weight, depths
 bit size and TD
 liner top (if applicable)
 directional data: deviation, azimuth, TVD, dogleg severity
 all mud data
 pipe tally
 liner or casing tally (if applicable)
1.3 Drill Pipe Data
This information is critical since you connect your logging tolls to the drill pipe and you
pump your PWCH through it. Also, in case you need to do a back off you definitely want to
have the right pipe in the well in order to be able to run down a FPIT and a back-off bar.
See list below:
 all drill pipe data: size, ID, threads, drift
 heavy weight pipe and drill collars
 jars (if applicable)
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Drill pipe ID is of utmost importance since you will be pumping down a 2-1/8” OD PWCH. It
must have a minimum ID of 2.4” to allow PWCH passage. This also holds for any
crossovers they might want to use. If the driller or company man insists on using jars
emphasize that they have to have a minimum ID of 2.25 in. Drift the jar with the PWCH
and AH-183 connected together.
Generally, jars are not recommended. It is almost certain that the cable birdcages while the
jar is compressing. Jarring is very destructive to logging tools as well. If the driller or
company man insists in using jars advise them to use mechanical jars. Hydraulic jars can
expand open during logging, causing depth discrepancies or unlatching.
1.4 Information for the Client
All the information mentioned above is given to you by the client. You also have to pass on
information to the client such as:
 tool sketch with lengths and total weight
 max. OD of toolstring
 compressional and tensile strength of toolstring (basically determined by the

weakest tool in the string)
 CSES dimensions, make-up torque and tension ratings (a drawing with all
necessary information is easier to understand than a list with figures)
 estimated time breakdown, crew requirements, seismic boat requirement
1.5 At The Rig
Immediately upon arrival on the rig, meet with the company man and confirm thread
connections and ID of the drill pipe to be used.
Review job sequence and safety and emergency procedures.
If the drilling crew is not familiar with TLC logging operations it is worthwhile showing the
TLC video. But remember that the video does not explain the engineer’s and operator’s job
detailed enough.
Have a prepared list of particular safety information relating to the job and rig. Audit rig to
check for particular hazards, especially if it is the first TLC job on this rig.
Relevant issues may include:
 Radioactive sources & explosives.
 Handling and stepping issues on the rig (floor, pumps, rig-up precautions).
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2. Prior To Rigging Up
2.1 Cable, Rope Socket and Auxiliary Equipment
1) Check insulation of logging cable with megohmmeter set to 1000V.
Note: All our logging cables are rated to less than 1000 V; especially the NT cable is
only rated to 560 V. Applying 1000 V to a good cable won’t do any harm but it will most
likely kill a bad one. You better kill it on surface than downhole.
2) Build pull-off rope socket. Our recommendation is a 10-3 rope socket. Its nominal
breaking strength is 4730 lbs (5203-4257 lbs with 10% tolerance). Taking into
account that TVD of the wells we log on TLC rarely exceed 3000 m a 10-3 rope
socket can still be broken without exceeding 50 % of the cable’s fixed-end
breaking strength.
3) After building the rope socket check insulation and continuity again to make sure
there’s no reduced insulation due to a poorly built rope socket.
4) Connect rope socket to PWCH and check insulation and continuity again.
Note: The use of SAH-E is not recommended since it has a lower tensile and compressive
strength than the SAH-F. Also, today’s long combinations require more then 10 conductors,
especially on TLC jobs.
2.2 Tool Check
1) Hook up toolstring as it will be run in the hole including all knuckles, swivels and
DWCH on tool stands or trolleys. Have operators to put on tool turners, standoffs,
centralizer and hole finder.
2) Push PWCH manually into DWCH. You can do it slowly. There is no need for high
speed.
3) Thoroughly op-check and calibrate toolstring. Particularly, caliper and nuclear

calibrations should not be done in the derrick in order to save rig time. With some long
combos you won’t be able anyway to pull the full string up into the derrick.
4) Shake your toolstring while you simulate an up and a down log. Playback the so
produced file and do a verification listing to check for any unknown software bugs.
5) When the op-check is finished write down the following resistance values using a
Simpson:
1-4, 2-3, 5-6, and all lines to mass. If you are going to run a switch combo write down
the mentioned values of the toolstring you’re going to run on the way down as well as
the values for the toolstring on the way up. This is useful for any kind of
troubleshooting.
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6) If time permits do the same checks with the backup tools.
2.3 Drill Pipe and Mud
Involve company man and tool pusher to check on the following points:
1) Only drill pipe and heavy weight drill pipe is to be used below CSES. Heavy weight
drill pipe needs to be drifted with a drift of an OD ¼ in. less than the ID of the pipe or
crossovers but at least 2.4 in.
2) No oversize element should be run directly above CSES to avoid crushing the cable.
Place a stand of normal DP directly above the CSES to protect the cable. The idea
here is that joint of the stand above the CSES should have the same OD as the CSES
in order prevent crushing the cable.
3) No jars and drill collars to be used.
4) Use a minimum of dope on the pins only. This can be conveniently done when the drill
crew is POOH drill pipe and placing it in the derrick.
5) Flush the drill pipe at TD or during POOH with the highest possible flow rate (16
bbl/min or 2500 l/min) to get rid of any scale, rust, cement leftovers, etc.
6) Mud should be filtered of any LCM, glass beads, iron filings, etc. prior to RIH.
3. Rigging Up
3.1 Before POOH With Drill Pipe
1) Bring all needed equipment to the catwalk or close to the derrick.
2) Feed rope socket through CSES and connect to PWCH. Check insulation and
continuity.
3) Have rig up equipment on the rig floor. Lower sheave wheel can be connected while
crew is pulling out drill pipe. If this is not allowed then have the rig up equipment ready
close by to pull up to the rig floor when POOH drill pipe is finished.
4) Get required permits.
3.2 After POOH With Drill Pipe
1) Hold safety meeting with company man, tool pusher, driller and roughnecks on the rig
floor. Explain sequence of events and point out that everybody involved is equally
important for a successful operation. Make driller understand that he must be in good
communication with the winch man and keep on telling what he is doing at any
moment. Accelerating and breaking the string must occur gently to ease winch driving
and to avoid shocks on the logging tools.
2) Rig up toolstring from bottom to top using a tugger line. Connect DWCH. The tugger
line should be rated higher than tool weight.
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3) Use appropriate slips and dog collar and set DWCH in slips.
4) Insert PWCH through controlled ID sub or cross over into DWCH and check tools as
mentioned in 2.2.
With switch combinations do the following:
 Check all single toolstrings. Check previously measured resistances and verify
proper operation of the switch (~120-150 VDC, 200-300 mA).
 Switch back to the string you’re going to run on the way down, power up to verify
that the switch has switched properly, power down and note following resistance
values using a Simpson: 1-4, 2-3, 5-6, and all lines to mass. Line #7 to mass will
read different since it runs straight in the cable and there are diodes in the circuit.
5) While you’re opchecking the toolstring have the driller pick up the first stand into the
top drive and leave it hanging in the derrick.
6) Remove PWCH. It is not necessary to grease the male connector again because a
thin film of silicon is left thick enough to prevent loss of insulation.
7) Connect lifting cap and lift toolstring to insert radioactive sources. Tape off stairs to the
rig floor and cantilever deck using radioactive signs.
8) Clear rig floor of all unnecessary personnel and get radio operator to make PA
announcement “Handling of radioactive sources on the rig floor. All unnecessary
personnel to stay clear”.
9) Insert radioactive sources thereby minimizing time of exposure, maximizing distance

and keeping sources in shieldings when not needed.
10) Lower string. Ensure area below cantilever deck is clear until sources are well below
its level.
11) Set DWCH in slips.
12) Connect controlled ID sub or crossover to DWCH.
13) Make sure the driller has the correct length of your toolstring including DWCH and
controlled ID sub.
14) Attach latch rings to the PWCH.
4. RIH With Drill Pipe And Logging Tools
1) Have the driller lower the first stand and torque up the first stand and the
controlled ID sub or cross over with the top drive at once. Don’t torque up the
DWCC and the housing DWCH!
2) RIH drill pipe at 3 min/stand or 20 stands/hr.
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3) Tell the driller to start and stop smoothly.
4) After 3 stands radioactive sources are ~100 m or 300 ft below the drill floor. Get
radio operator to make PA announcement:
“Radioactive sources are being loaded on the rig floor. All unnecessary personnel
stay clear.”
5) Minimize the use of pipe dope. Optimally the drill pipe should have been doped on
the way out of the hole as mentioned in 2.3 point 5.
6) Circulate every 10 stands for 5 minutes at a max. circulation rate of 16 bbl/min or

2500 l/min. The driller should watch trip tank returns, which should be equal to the
volume of open end pipe. If the mud has a low density, no gelling chemicals or if it
is brine, you can just fill the drill pipe every 10 stands without circulating. Run in to
latching depth, circulate bottoms up and run in with the PWCH.
7) Trip in drill pipe to latch depth. Stop early enough to be able to log the casing
shoe with a caliper when logging up.
8) Circulate string volume at 16 bbl/min or 2500 l/min.
9) While circulating sheave wheels can be rigged up and the CSES and PWCH
brought to the rig floor.
10) Install slotted bushing and lock rotary table. If no slotted bushing is available
rotate bushing splits 90 deg away from cable path.
11) Set the drill pipe in slips.
RIH on floaters:
For practical reasons you don’t activate the drill string compensator because you need to
switch it off every time a stand is connected. There are no calipers open and it does not
hurt if the drill pipe together with the logging tools moves relative to fixed earth.
5. Connecting CSES To The Drill Pipe
1) Check if sheave wheels and cable are properly rigged up in the derrick.
2) Pick up CSES with tugger line 10 m or 30 ft above rig floor. Very useful is a rope
tied to the CSES to have control if the weather is rough.
3) Zero depth system with PWCH at rotary table.
4) Hand-feed PWCH into the drill pipe down to a depth of 100-150 m or 3-500 ft
where it should already run freely.
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5) Lower CSES, disconnect tugger line and screw the sub with a chain tong into the
drill pipe.
6) Pick up a stand of drill pipe and lower it into the top of the CSES.
7) Have an operator pull the cable away and torque up the stand of drill pipe and the
CSES at once using the top drive.
8) Carefully rotate the drill pipe to align CSES packing nut with the upper sheave.
Make sure that the rotary table bushing splits are facing away from cable path
and the rotary table is locked.
Caution: The logging cable can become trapped in the splits in case a slotted bushing is
not available.
6. Latching
1) Have driller set the slips on the stand below the CSES.
2) The CSES should be lowered so that just the packing nut is covered by mud and
the cable is lubricated by mud. Alternatively, finger-tighten CSES packoff nut so
that the cable can still go down but only very little mud will leak around the cable.
3) Start to pump immediately at 9 bbl/min or 1500 l/min to avoid settling of solids

and gelling. RIH PWCH as fast as possible to save rig time.
Note when using PWCH-SA & DWCH-SA: Always use weights above the PWCH.
Latching speed should be around 5000 ft/hr. Pump rate recommendations are as follows:
2-7/8 in. tubing  5 bbl/min or 800 l/min
3-1/2 in. drill pipe  9 bbl/min or 1500 l/min.
5) Calculate latch depth as the sum of the length of the drill pipe in the hole,
controlled ID sub and 5 ft of the DWCH.
8) At 100 m above latch depth slow down to 3-5000 ft/hr.
9) Have a meter connected to line #7 and #10 to see when the male connector is
entering the PWCH.
10) As you latch on the cable tension will drop and the driller should notice an
increase in pump pressure. Note latch depth.
11) Don’t stop the cable yet. Run in 20 m of slack at 1000 ft/hr and have the driller to
continue pumping.
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7. Latch Verification
1) Verify the latch electrically by measuring the resistances between lines 1-4, 2-3,
5-6, and all lines to mass and comparing it to the values measured uphole during
tool check. There will be a small difference caused by temperature.
2) If proper electrical connection is verified, stop the mud pumps and power up the
toolstring and do any before calibration possible.
Caution: Powering up before achieving a proper electrical latch might damage the
electrical connectors or the tools.
3) When the latch failed the electrical verification you have either latched partially or
you haven’t latched at all.
 If you have latched partially you can actually check how far you got by
measuring continuity between 1-4, 4-3, 3-2, 2-5, 5-6, 6-7 and 7-10. Wherever
the shuttle stopped inside the PWCH it will short two neighboring lines.
 Now the idea is to push the PWCH completely into the DWCH without pulling
the PWCH off. This is accomplished by increasing the pump rate stepwise
and keeping the cable moving to avoid washouts at the CSES.
 Pull back up slowly 15 m.
 Go down again the 15 m with a pump rate 1.5 bbl/min or 200 l/min higher and
verify the electrical latch.
4) To properly make up the cable clamp do the following:
 Clean cable clamp and cable with an oil dissolving cleaner to remove any oil
and dirt. Dry both to increase the friction.
 Mount the clamp on the cable. Leave the two cap screws off the seat and
screw the shear screw finger tight.
 Using a torque wrench apply 25 ft.lbs of torque to the two cap screws only.
Do not torque the shear bolt. If you do that it will become weakened just
under the head and may fail downhole. Make sure the gap between front and
back clamp is present and the same.
Note: We strongly recommend here the use of the 5000 lbs shear bolt since the drag
on the cable while you are logging down can easily exceed 3000 lbs.
6) Stand back and pulltest the cable clamp to 75 % of its rating for 5 minutes. There
should be zero slippage. Slippage is likely to occur with new cables if they are not
seasoned. In this case it’s a good practice to keep the pull on the cable and
loosen the upper cap screw. This will allow the pull to go down to the lower cap
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screw. Tighten upper cap screw again with 25 ft.lbs and check the torque on the
lower cap screw.
7) Tighten packoff nut. Undertightening will allow mud to leak from the drill pipe to
the annulus if circulation becomes necessary.
8) Check that rotary table bushing and CSES are correctly orientated. Ensure rotary
table is locked.
9) Have winch man apply 500 lbs tension to the logging cable and set depth to the
bottom of the toolstring.
10) Flag cable and drill pipe at the same level. With the CSES so close to surface it is
very critical that the winch man runs in cable at the same speed as the driller.
8. Logging Down
1) When everything is ready have the driller put the first stand of drill pipe into the
hole. Start slowly with 500 ft/hr until the computer has begun acquiring data. Don’t
forget to allow flush streams.
2) Watch the cable in the rotary bushings.
3) TLC specialist should stand beside the driller until winch man and driller are
comfortable with the running speed. Remember driller to start and stop smoothly.
4) Set slips and install snatch block so that the cable is away enough to allow free
access of elevators.
Note: If snatch pulley can’t be tied at the V-door CSES can be oriented slightly
sideways to wherever the snatch pulley can be tied to.
5) After first stand set depth to driller’s depth.
6) Install float sub with flapper valve one joint above CSES. The idea is to avoid
backflow. The flapper has to be a RG type (no hole in the flapper, e.g. Baker 4R-
G).
7) Depth control: !!! PIPE TALLY !!!
In contrast to normal wireline operations depth control on TLC theoretically is achieved by spooling
off as much cable as the driller puts drill pipe into the hole. On top of that this has to occur at the
same speed. As you go deeper you have to increase your cable tension by an amount equal to the
length of the cable above the CSES to overcome cable weight. Remember you want to keep 500
lbs overpull on the cable clamp in order to avoid cable slack. If your CSES enters a deviated
section of the hole only the TVD length of the cable above the CSES counts. This consideration led
to the following formula to calculate your tension:
T = 500 lbs + WL
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T = cable tension, W = weight/1000 ft, L = TVD length in kft
As a rule of thumb for 7-46 cables you can add 300 lbs per 1000 ft of vertical cable length.
Unfortunately, during the down log overcoming the cable weight results in an increasing negative
difference with the pipe tally depending on the deviation between DF and max. depth the CSES will
go down to. In other words we spool less cable into the hole than the driller runs pipe in although
our cable tension was what we calculated to overcome cable weight. The reason is friction
between the cable and pipe and casing. There is nothing you can do about that on the down log. If
you strictly stick to pipe tally you spool slack into the well and risking cable damage when you
reverse logging direction causing kinks and birdcages. So, stick to the tension formula.
6) Once driller and winch man are familiar with each other you can increase the
logging speed. Only the winch man determines the speed he’s comfortable with
(without risking an overspeed abort on the computer).
7) Watch head tension. In the vertical section of the well it should read tool weight in
mud. As deviation increases head tension will decrease. In the horizontal part of
the hole it will jump between  500 lbs due to drag. Don’t worry if it stays slightly
negative or it jumps to -1000 lbs and then comes back to a value around zero.
However, if you get compression beyond this observed drag (e.g. 3-5000 lbs and
higher) stop and come up to release compression. Call the FSM and advise the
witness and company man that our tools are not built to withstand high
compression and that it is the oil company’s risk continuing any further. Also
advise them that ACTS or AMS readings only make a measurement at the point
they are located in the toolstring. They don’t tell us anything of what’s going on
above and below. Also torque and bending moments are not measured.
Published compressive and tensile ratings are guidelines only.
8) If client decides to continue proceed as follows:
Stop whenever head tension goes below -2000 lbs. If it doesn’t return to normal
values pick up pipe 10-20 m and try to go down again. Inform the client again of
risks involved when tools are being compressed and that a higher compression
than 2000 lbs is possible but the tools could fail. See chapter 13 for tool ratings.
Point it out clearly that published compressive and tensile ratings are only
guidelines and that these values don’t come from failure tests.
9) Don’t rotate the pipe. If witness or company man decide to do so, make them
aware of the risk of cable and tool damage and call the FSM. If they want to
rotate, write down how much the pipe has been rotated (one turn, half a turn, etc.)
and they direction (clockwise, anti-clockwise) each time you make a rotation. You
need to take this rotation back out before you pull out of hole or your cable will be
wound around the pipe just above the CSES. This makes it very difficult to
remove the cable clamp.
10) If you have difficulties passing an obstruction start circulating at a maximum rate
of 4 bbl/min or 700 l/min or 60 bars (whatever is reached earlier) and try to work
past the tight spot. Once again, in this situation delegate the responsibility to the
company man and the FSM. Don’t take any risk on your own and act as
mentioned above. Advise company man of the risk and call the FSM.
Caution: Cable damage will occur if you circulate at very high pump pressures (>60 bar)
for several hours (washout of cable and rubber seal).
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12) Don’t tag TD. Stop down log 10 m above TD. Start uplog before turnaround to
avoid stopping at TD.
13) Have an operator go to the drill floor and flag the cable and pipe with either spray
paint or tape. Install the cable wiper at the same time.
9. Logging Up
1) Increase tension by 2000 lbs and set depth.
2) With switch combos you need to switch first, increase tension by 2000 lbs and
then set depth properly.
3) On the first stand pull out cable at the same speed as the pipe. Watch the two
flags on the drill floor.
4) Open calipers and start uplog. Again start slow at 1000 ft/hr until computer is
acquiring data and then speed up.
Note: The slower your logging speed the easier it is for the winch man to keep his
tension constant and the better your depth control. How fast you can go depends on the
toolstring and the depth of the CSES.
4) Depth control during uplog is done the same way as during downlog. You
continuously adjust your cable tension to stay on depth with the pipe tally. This
automatically should result in a tension decrease of 300 lbs per 1000 ft if nothing
strange is going on between the cable, casing and drill pipe. Compare with your
down tally - must be the same or less.
5) Advise the driller to manually push the slips into the rotary table to avoid any
downward movement of the drill pipe. You don’t want to move down with open
calipers.
6) Close caliper after you have checked its reading in casing.
6) One stand before the CSES comes to surface note tension, slack off cable and
remove snatch block. Pull back to tension noted before (should be around 500
lbs).
7) Pull out last stand and set slips on the stand below the CSES but leave the stand
above the CSES connected.
TLC logging on floaters:
TLC logging on floaters is a very special operation and great care is required. Today’s
modern compensating systems allow to compensate for a heave of up to 9 m. However, a
safe logging operation on TLC is not possible any more under these conditions. How much
of heave is acceptable depends on many factors like well geometry, depth of toolstring,
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deviation at casing shoe, etc. Also the extent of lateral movement of the rig plays an
important role. If the heave is only 2 m but the rig cannot be kept stable laterally it is very
likely that the cable gets squeezed somewhere between the BOP and the drill floor.
Our recommendation is as follows:
Depth logging: Don’t use the compensating system because on every connection you
have to switch it on and off. Run wireline and drill pipe uncompensated. However, it gets
dangerous with open calipers at shallower depths or when you come close to the casing
shoe. Always watch head tension to see if and how much of the heave is transmitted
downhole. It is strongly recommended to have an operator pulling and relaxing the cable
via a rope on the rig floor at the same rhythm as the heave. If the heave exceeds 3 m TLC
logging is not recommended.
Station Logging: It is mandatory to have drill pipe and wireline compensated. Several
setups are possible to compensate the cable. If the compensator is mounted in the crown
block you can hook up the upper sheave wheel to the compensator. If the compensator is
moving relative to the derrick you have to hook up the upper sheave wheel with a wire
connected to the derrick and the slip joint. Another possibility is the tension limiting system
built-in in the refurbished units but it has to be checked that it reacts fast enough. As a last
resort the winch man can compensate manually but this is not recommended. Hans
Nielsen in Bergen can be contacted for advice and information about this scenario.
Most likely the compensator will be switched off during tripping from one point to the next.
So, before you can set the tool on the next point the driller needs to switch on the
compensator first. Don’t set the tool immediately since it takes a while to pressure up the
compensator and compensate the drill string. Watch your head tension to see the decrease
in transmitted heave. Be aware that even when the drill string is compensated there is a
certain friction to overcome in the drill string compensator that causes a slight movement of
the pipe. If this movement, depending on the heave, exceeds a certain value the backup
pistons can be bent. Therefore, station logging cannot be done safely if the heave is higher
than 3 m.
Worst case scenario: Imagine the client wants MDT tests or even pumpouts to be
done just below the casing shoe and there’s little deviation. If the heave is higher than 1 m
we recommend doing these on wireline first. Have the cable compensated and try to do as
many tests below the casing shoe as possible. If you don’t manage to go any further down
to the next point pull out and switch over to TLC. RIH and do the remaining points from
bottom to top. The risk is very high that the cable gets damaged on shallow points so
starting from bottom ensures that most of the data is already recorded before you come to
shallow levels.
10. Unlatching
1) With the tension at 500 lbs loosen screws from the cable clamp. Once the cable
is free unscrew the screws and remove cable clamp.
Note: The reason for removing the clamp with 500 lbs tension on the cable is to
balance the cable weight below the CSES. All the cable slack is assumed to be in the
lower section of the drill pipe because we kept on circulating while running in the slack.
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2) Loosen the packoff nut and clear the drill floor.
3) Check the cable around the CSES ( 5 m) for any washouts (feel with your
finger) and kinks.
4) Pull out the slack you have put in before latching and reset depth.
5) The winch man now has to pull up to unlatch tension in order to break the latch
rings and unlatch the PWCH. The tension that has to be applied is theoretically
the vertical cable weight plus the breaking strength of the latch rings. However, it
can take quite a lot of time until the pull reaches the PWCH. We therefore
recommend pulling immediately a tension which is equal to the cable weight plus
75% of the rope socket breaking strength and hold it until you latch off.
6) If you cannot unlatch most likely debris has accumulated in the DWCH. Reverse
circulate with 1.5 bbl/min or 200 l/min while keeping the tension mentioned before
until the PWCH comes free. If you’re still unable to unlatch increase tension to 50
% of fixed ends breaking strength of the cable. Either the PWCH unlatches or the
rope socket breaks. As a last option you can put on the T-bar and break the rope
socket using the blocks and retrieve the cable. The PWCH will be recovered in
the DWCH.
7) POOH cable until PWCH is at 30 m. If you are using a CSES-A you can tighten
the pack-off nut to clean the cable. Another way to do it is to use a rubber “spring”
wiper tied to a rope.
8) Softbreak the CSES with the iron roughneck or chain tongues first. Then
softbreak the joint above. “Softbreak” means loosening the connection but don’t
unscrew and take the CSES or joint off yet.
9) Now, disconnect the stand above the CSES with the top drive. Disconnect CSES
and with a tugger line pull CSES 10 m above rig floor. Have a rope connected to it
to be able to guide it if winds are strong.
10) If PWCH gets stuck in the drill pipe circulate with 1.5 bbl/min or 200 l/min and RIH
30 m. While circulating try to come up and work your way through.
11. Rig Down
1) If another run is planned leave CSES, sheave wheels and cable in place but get
operators to do the between run maintenance for CSES and PWCH as explained
in chapter 11. If no more run is planned then rig down CSES, sheave wheels and
cable.
2) POOH drill pipe and toolstring until DWCH comes to rig floor.
3) Tape off stairs to the rig floor and cantilever deck using radioactive signs if available.
4) Clear rig floor of all unnecessary personnel and get radio operator to make PA
announcement: “Handling of radioactive sources on the rig floor. All unnecessary
personnel to stay clear.”
15
5) Wash toolstring down while driller is picking up to remove radioactive sources.
6) Remove radioactive sources and put them into the radioactive container. Remove
tapes and radioactive signs from stairs.
7) Inform drill crew and have radio operator make a PA announcement: “Handling of
radioactive sources on the rig floor is finished. Normal operations may continue.”
8) Run down toolstring to rig floor and start rigging down. Wash down tools
thoroughly.
9) Check each piece of downhole equipment for damage. In particular check pads,
sonic and induction sondes. Verify that no standoff has been lost in the hole.
10) If another run is planned do the between run maintenance for the DWCH (see
chapter 11) and rig up next toolstring.
12. Emergency Procedures
During TLC operations the worst things which can happen are a kick and stuck drill
pipe or toolstring. However, there are a couple of other problematic scenarios that
need to be considered. It is almost for sure that the company man and the tool pusher
will handle such a situation but find below some hints on what to do in these cases.
1) Well underbalanced:
 Check with company man and driller if flow is occurring and if significant
quantities of gas are entering the well between pipe trips.
 Before POOH drill pipe have driller circulate bottoms up.
 Rig up logging tools as normal. When RIH circulate string volume at 16

bbl/min or 2500 l/min.
 At latch depth keep circulating during rigup of sheave wheels and latch
as per normal operating procedure.
 Now drill pipe should be gas free. Continue normal logging operation until
PWCH is unlatched. If necessary you can circulate in between but don’t
exceed 4.5 bbl/min or 700 l/min.
 Back flow or gas coming up in the drill pipe is avoided when using a float
sub with a flapper valve.
2) Well kicks:
a) No cable in the hole:
 Control kick as per drilling procedures, which is circulating – preferably at

16 bbl/min or 2500 l/min.
16
b) CSES connected at surface, RIH or POOH PWCH:
 Close hydrill and pipe rams.
 POOH PWCH to CSES while circulating (4.5 bbl/min or 700 l/min) to

bring well back under control. Circulating at 9.6 bbl/min or 1500 l/m is
possible but you have to keep the PWCH and the cable moving up and
down..
 If packoff nut is leaking, stop mud pumps first, then stop the cable and
tighten pack-off nut.
c) CSES below BOP, cable outside drill pipe:
 Stop logging, close calipers and power down.
 Have driller connect the top drive and prepare to pump.
 In a gas well, clamp cable to DP, cut and RIH one joint to give pipe seal.
 In an oil well carefully close hydrill around the cable.
 As hydrill begins to make contact with the drill pipe stop the hydrill
activation pump.
 Hydrill will continue to close slightly and eventually obtain a seal of about
99 % around the cable.
 Start circulating and/or pump heavy mud (4.5 bbl/min or 700 l/min). Oil
wells with a surface pressure up to 700 psi have been brought under
control by this way.
 After well has been controlled verify electrical latch and continue logging.
3) Stuck drill pipe:
When the drill pipe becomes stuck and cannot be freed by any other means (circulating, pulling)
the logging cable has to be retrieved so that a free point/back-off operation can begin.
 Remove snatch block.
 Unlatch as explained before.
 Pull PWCH up to the CSES.
 Break the rope socket. If your tension increases 50 % fixed-end breaking

strength of the cable use T-bar and elevator.
 Retrieve cable. PWCH will fall back into the DWCH.
 Now free point and/or back-off operation may begin.
4) Stuck toolstring:
 Immediately apply max. allowable pull on drill pipe and hold. This will be
determined by the tensile rating of the weakest tool in the string since
17
you don’t know where you are stuck. See chapter 13 for tensile and
compressive ratings.
 Close calipers. If you manage to get free open calipers again and
continue logging.
 Call the FSM.
 If you don’t manage to get free try to go down and pull up again. Repeat
it a couple of times to see if you can work through the tight spot.
If you can’t pass the tight spot or if you even can’t go down anymore there is
not very much you can do. You need to increase the pull until you eventually
become free or break the toolstring. It might be a good idea to power down in
that case in order to avoid a short when the toolstring breaks so that retrieved
tools can be used again. Beware of damaging cable if reciprocating stuck
pipe. Keep FSM informed all the time.
13. Between Runs Maintenance
1) PWCH:
 Check insulation from AK-plug with megohmmeter set to 1000 V.
Caution: If it becomes necessary to strip down the PWCH due to a loss of insulation take
great care in removing the hookup wires from the feed-throughs. If you just apply a pair of
pliers on the retainer/boot it is almost impossible to remove them smoothly and not to
scratch or kink the Teflon insulating material of the wire. Usually you have to apply a
certain force and the retainer or boot suddenly slips.
To remove both of them in a safe manner the following technique is recommended:
Fix PWCH into a vice on the workbench. Take a pair of long nose pliers into your right
hand and grip on the retainer/boot close to the feedthrough. Put your left hand onto the
PWCH at the feed-throughs with your left-hand thumb facing to the boot and the pair of
pliers. Instead of pulling the retainer/boot off with your right hand you gently apply pressure
with your left-hand thumb to the pair of pliers. Apply the pressure stepwise and you will see
the retainer/boot come off gently.
A boot-separating tool filed down on one side will allow you to insert it between
feedthrough and boots and guarantee a safe removal of the boots.
Caution: Electrical cleaner must not be used when cleaning the feedthroughs. The
cleaning detergent will evaporate and thereby cool down the contact pins causing air
humidity to condense. Loss of insulation downhole is very likely. To clean the feedthroughs
use only oil-base cleansing detergents like WD-40 or CRC 3-36.
18
 Fill up hose and flushing tool (snail) with oil and stab into PWCH while
slowly pumping in order to clean that little amount of mud trapped at the
bottom of the PWCH.
Note: Insertion of the flushing tool will cause the compensating piston to move to its
uppermost position. As a result oil will be dumped through the pop-off valve to release the
increased pressure. Refilling of the PWCH is required after flushing.
 Now flush PWCH by pumping oil until clean and bubble free oil comes
out.
 Remove flushing tool while pumping slowly.
 Fill up female filler rod and stab into PWCH. Lock it with thumbscrews.
 Disconnect filler plug and connect male filler rod.
 Pump oil until no more air bubbles are coming out.
 Fill return line with oil; connect to male filler rod and pump oil into PWCH
up to 90-100 psi.
 Release the two thumbscrews. While pushing on the filler rod twist it
slightly and remove it. Oil pressure will drop a little.
 Pump a few more strokes and bleed off to atmospheric pressure. The
compensating piston will now be in the correct position.
 Disconnect male filler rod and put back filler plug.
 Replace excluder seal.
2) CSES:
 Check that ball check valve body is not worn out (oval hole).
 Check ball for grooves or cuts which are caused by the cable rubbing
against it during running in and pulling out.
 Check that packing nut is not worn out (oval hole). If it is worn out and
you don’t replace it you will wear out the line rubber.
 Check rubber seal. Replace if necessary.
3) DWCH:
 Wash down DWCH.
 Remove protective sleeve and thoroughly clean male connector and

DWCH weldment.
19
Caution: Electrical cleaner must not be used when cleaning the male connector. The
cleaning detergent will evaporate and thereby cool down the conductor rings causing air
humidity to condense. Loss of insulation downhole is very likely. To clean the male
connector use only oil-base cleansing detergents like WD-40 or CRC 3-36.
 Wash through the two holes on top of the compensating cartridge to

clean oil compensating piston.
 Check oil level: Top of the piston must align with grooves in the housing.
 Dry male connector and check for any scratches on male insulators. If
insulators are scratched replace male connector (=DWCC) with backup
and also use backup PWCH (scratches might be caused by broken
fingers inside PWCH).
 Check insulation with a megohmmeter set to 1000 V of each contact to

mass as well as between contacts.
 Check that male connector is straight and tight fitted to the weldment.
The center position of the male connector can be easily checked by eye
looking into the DWCH from the upper head.
 Check with your finger that latch fingers are still sharp and inspect latch
rings for a clear and sharp break.
 Apply 0.1 in (3 mm) of silicon grease to the male connector.
 Put on protective sleeve.
20
14. TLCS Ratings
21
15. Tool Ratings
The following list of maximum tensile and compressive strength of logging tools is a
compilation of official WTH and product center figures and field experience where no
official figure was available. Use it as a guide to Fishing or TLC job planning.
Nevertheless, beware, assumptions have been made that sometimes don't apply and
only in isolated cases have the calculations been physically confirmed.
The following list (allowable force) is coming from various sources. Generally, the
following assumptions apply:
 Temperature: 350 degF.
 Pressure: 0 psi at tension, 20.000 psi at compression
 Bending Stress: 43,000 psi for 3-5/8" tool in 18" borehole, and
deviation rate 1 deg/10 ft.
 Safety Factor: 2
The maximum allowable compressive force at a tool joint (threaded ring connection) is
23,000 lbs. The maximum allowable tension is 50,000 lbs. Although there are
published tension/compression ratings of various tools, the actual strength will depend
on many variables:
 Tool Wear
 Corrosion
 Temperature
 Pressure
 Deviation, bent radius (the higher the borehole radius, the higher the
induced stress, hence, the lower allowable push force)
 Borehole diameter
None of the listed values is coming from a destructive test.
Further conclusion:
 The weak link of most tools subjected to TENSILE force occurs in the
thread area.
 For tools under COMPRESSIVE force load, comparisons must be made

to determine which mode of failure will occur first.
 Hydrostatic pressure has a large effect on compression.
If a thorough estimate is required by the client contact the product centers. They can
provide estimates for the specific toolstring you’re going to run.
22
Tool Tensile Strength Compressive Strength Source

lbs lbs
ACTS-B 22.000 22.500 Maintenance Manual
AH-107/108/120 50.000 23.000 10,11,17,18
AH-201 35.000 14.000 15,17,21
AIT-H 20.000 6.000 17,18
AIT-B/C 16.500 1.500 8,10,17,18
AMS-A 50.000 23.000 10,11,17,18
ARI 3.000 2.000 17
Array Sonic (SDT) 28.000 1.700 10,11,17
APS 50.000 10-18.000 7
BGT (BGS) 20.000 20.000 9,10,11,17,18
CBTT (Rotation Sub=0 lb.) 50.000 23.000 17,18
CET (CEM-B) 50.000 6.000 17,18
CMR 50.000 23 23.000 23 21
CNT-G/H 50.000 2.500 10,18
CNT-S 68.000 9.600 14,17
CSAT 50.000 4.400 13
CST-G/U/V 50.000 23.000 10,11,17,18
CST-Z 50.000 23.000 9,17,18
DIT-D/E (DIS) 7.500 2.000 11,17,18
DLT-E (DLS) 3.000 2.000 10,17,18
DPT (DPAS) 10.000 10.000 9,11,17,18
DSI (SMDR-AA/CA/BD/CD)2 5.000 1.500 10,11,17,18
DSI (SMDR-BE/CE)2 3.500 1.000 17
DSLC 50.000 23.000 19
DTA/DTC 50.000 16.700 10,11,17,18
DTPC 50.000 23.000 17
ECS 50.000 10.000
EMA 32.500 ? 18,22
EMC 40.500 ? 18,22
EMM 32.500 ? 18,22
EMS+DTC 32.500 4.000 18,22
EPT-D/G 50.000 7.600 8,11,17,18
FMI 12.000 8.000 11,17,18
HALS 20.000 2.400 17,18
HALS (w/ 4 Gemcos) 20.000 9.400 17,18
HDT (HDSF) 10.000 10.000 9,11,18,18
HGNS 50.000 37.000 17,18
HLDT 15.000 5.000 8,10,11,17,18
HNGS 50.000 10-18.000 7
HRLA 40.000 1.800-7.800 26
HRMS+HRCC 50.000 4.400 3 17,18
ILE-S 68.000 46.000 14,17
LDT (DRS) 40.000 5.000 9,11
MCD-D/G 36.000 9.900 17
MDT 160.000 see 4 25
MDLT 20.000 <2.400 13,17
MEST-B/C (MEDS) 12000 8.000 11,17,18
MIH-W 50.000 23.000 17,18
MLT-AA/AB 11.250 4.100 10,11,17,18
MSCT 22.900 12.500 8,10,11,17,18
NGT-C/D 50.000 20.000 17
NGT-E 50.000 10.000 8,9,10,11,18
NPLC 50.000 5.000 11,17
OBDT (OBDS) 12.000 12.000 9,10,11,17,18
RFT 20.000 19.100 5 17,18
SAH-E 7.000 5.000 10,11,17,18
SAH-F 50.000 23.000 10,11
SAH-H 35.000 35.000 15,17
SAIT 20.000 3.000 23
SAT-A/B 50.000 15.000 9,10,11,12,17,18
SBRE 50.000 10.000 24
SGT-E/L 50.000 23.000 10,11,17,18
SHDT (SHDS) 6.000 2.000 10,11,17,18
SLDT 50.000 14.000 14,17
23
SLS-W 29.700 2.870 10,11,17,18

Tool Tensile Strength Compressive Strength Source
lbs lbs
SLS-Z 29.700 1.650 10,11,17,18
SPA-A 48.600 23.000 8,10,17,18
SPCS 68.000 50.000 14,17
SRFT 50.000 7.800 6
SSLT 13.000 4.400 14,17
STCS 20.000 20.000 16,17
STGC 50.000 17.000 14,17
TCC 50.000 20.000 10,18
USIT 40.000 4.000 10,11,17,18
WXT-A 100.000 ? 26
1
No official figure. SRPC estimate.
2
Incl. SSIJ.
3
8000 lbs with stiffener kit.
4
MDT modules compressive strength depends on mud pressure and temperature (excl. MRPA).
Mud Pressure Temp Compressive Strength
[psi] [degF] [lbs]
5.000 160 248.000
10.000 240 166.000
15.000 320 85.000
20.000 400 2.000
5
Tensile/compressive rating can be improved to  120.000 lbs by the use of reinforced side rails P692898.
6
SPC InTouch 4-Nov-98, compressive strength is for a 6 in. hole and 1.2 g/cc mud.
7
SPC InTouch estimate for complete IPLT string, 4-Nov-98.
8
TLC News WTH, Jul-95.
9
TLC maintenance manual MH78000.
10
WTH TLC Forum Aberdeen, Jun-94.
11
GFE project Scott Wertanen, 1993.
12
EPS mechanical engineering, Mar-86.
13
SRPC InTouch estimate, Nov-98.
14
SKK InTouch, Aug-98.
15
SPC InTouch, Aug-98.
16
VPC InTouch, Jul-98.
17
VPC TLC homepage (http://www.sugar-land.vpc.slb.com/basi/tlc/Tool_ratings.html).
18
MEA Do-it-Rite (http://www.dubai.wireline.slb.com/tech/doit/tlc/sw6av050.tlc.html).
19
Standard rating 3-3/8 in. threaded connection.
20
Mohammad Afzal (ASA-Technique Mechanical Services), Email 9-Sep-98.
21
SPC InTouch, Apr-99. CMR max. tensile and compressive ratings are 100.000 lbs each without the safety
factor of 2. The given values come from the rating of the threaded ring connection.
22
EMS product reference page SKK (http://www.fuchinobe.skk.slb.com/svd/fieldinfo/ems.html).
23
SPC InTouch, Apr-99.
24
SRPC InTouch, May-99.
25
OP9.0 WRM.
26
InTouch product reference page.
27
SPC InTouch, Jan-2000.
24

ECA TLC Procedure

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ECA TLC Procedure

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Tough Logging Conditions

Standard Operating Procedure

Consolidation of experience in ECA

PREPARED BY WERNER HEIGL REV. 2.2 JAN-2000

1.1 Client Communications.................................................................................................

1.2 Well Data.....................................................................................................................

1.3 Drill Pipe Data..............................................................................................................

1.4 Information For The Client.............................................................................................

1.5 At The Rig...................................................................................................................

2. Prior To Rigging Up.............................................................................................................

2.1 Cable, Rope Socket and Auxiliary Equipment..................................................................

2.2 Tool Check..................................................................................................................

2.3 Drill Pipe and Mud........................................................................................................

3.1 Before POOH With Drill Pipe.........................................................................................

3.2 After POOH With Drill Pipe............................................................................................

4. RIH With Drill Pipe And Logging Tools...................................................................................

5. Connecting CSES To The Drill Pipe.......................................................................................

11. Rig Down...........................................................................................................................

12. Emergency Procedures......................................................................................................

13. Between Runs Maintenance................................................................................................

14. TLCS Ratings....................................................................................................................

15. Tool Ratings.......................................................................................................................

1.1 Client Communications

1.2 Well Data

 well hydrostatically balanced or not

 all casing data: size, weight, depths

 bit size and TD

 liner top (if applicable)

 directional data: deviation, azimuth, TVD, dogleg severity

 all mud data

 liner or casing tally (if applicable)

1.3 Drill Pipe Data

 all drill pipe data: size, ID, threads, drift

 heavy weight pipe and drill collars

 jars (if applicable)

1.4 Information for the Client

 tool sketch with lengths and total weight

 compressional and tensile strength of toolstring (basically determined by the

 estimated time breakdown, crew requirements, seismic boat requirement

1.5 At The Rig

Review job sequence and safety and emergency procedures.

Relevant issues may include:

 Radioactive sources & explosives.

2.1 Cable, Rope Socket and Auxiliary Equipment

1) Check insulation of logging cable with megohmmeter set to 1000V.

2.2 Tool Check

3) Thoroughly op-check and calibrate toolstring. Particularly, caliper and nuclear

6) If time permits do the same checks with the backup tools.

2.3 Drill Pipe and Mud

3) No jars and drill collars to be used.

3.1 Before POOH With Drill Pipe

1) Bring all needed equipment to the catwalk or close to the derrick.

4) Get required permits.

3.2 After POOH With Drill Pipe

With switch combinations do the following:

9) Insert radioactive sources thereby minimizing time of exposure, maximizing distance

11) Set DWCH in slips.

12) Connect controlled ID sub or crossover to DWCH.

14) Attach latch rings to the PWCH.

4. RIH With Drill Pipe And Logging Tools

2) RIH drill pipe at 3 min/stand or 20 stands/hr.

3) Tell the driller to start and stop smoothly.

6) Circulate every 10 stands for 5 minutes at a max. circulation rate of 16 bbl/min or

8) Circulate string volume at 16 bbl/min or 2500 l/min.