SPE 128376

A New Criteria to Predict Stuck Pipe Occurrence

M. R. Meschi, SPE, National Iranian Drilling Company, K. Shahbazi, SPE, Petroleum University of Technology,
Ahwaz, Iran, and M. Pordel Shahri, SPE, Petroleum University of Technology, Ahwaz, Iran

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Copyright 2010, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE North Africa Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Cairo, Egypt, 14–17 February 2010.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
Stuck pipe is one of the main problems in drilling oil and gas reservoirs. It usually occurs in high pressure wells and leads to
tremendous delays and costs in Iran, every year. Even if different techniques and guidelines have been developed to reduce the
probability of occurrence of this phenomenon and these have saved drilling industry millions of dollars, they suffer from
exclusive prediction of this event. The reason is that some of these techniques such as sag register incorporate one drilling
parameter such as mud weight only.
In this paper, mud logging and daily reports of 75 wells in one of Iranian Southwest oil fields were studied. The performance
of wells that did not experience stuck pipe was compared with the performance of those that led to stuck pipe.
Mud weight, yield point, plastic viscosity, initial gel strength, Marsh funnel viscosity, dial reading at 600 rpm, solid content,
temperature, washout and the period that pumps do not need maintenance were employed to introduce a new parameter called
Reducing Stuck Index (RSI). It was found that RSI is proportional to the mud weight, initial gel strength; yield point, solid
content and temperature and also inverse of plastic viscosity, Marsh funnel viscosity and dial reading at 600 rpm to the power
of 0.3. For this field, the comparison of RSI of the current well with those of drilled wells predicted the probability of
occurrence of stuck pipe very well.
Monitoring RSI helps the driller to know whether the drilling process results in stuck pipe. If the situation is leading to stuck
pipe, the drilling parameters can be managed in such a way that RSI lies in the safe range and stuck pipe is prevented.

Introduction
During drilling a well, various problems such as wellbore instability, lost circulation, kicks and blowouts, and stuck pipe are
encounterd. The stuck pipe is categorized as one of the major problems because it occurs frequently and leads to considerable
loss of drilling time. In some cases where the pipe is not freed, fishing and even sidetracking should be employed which
imparts a huge financial burden on the final cost of constructing the well.
Differential sticking is the most occurring kind of stuck pipe which is typically due to filter cake build upon a low pressured
permeable zone and excessive contact between the drill string and wellbore. If the pipe is held motionless for an extended
period of time, the differential pressure between the drilling fluid and the low pressured zone will hold the pipe in place
leading to more severe stuck situations.1 Ineffective transport of cuttings results in improper hole cleaning and causing hole
pack off in vertical wells and forming of drill cuttings bed in directional and horizontal wells which both lead to stuck pipe.2-7
Torque and drag are often symptoms of inadequate hole cleaning.3,7-9 Stuck pipe could cause many problems and accounts for
losses of millions of dollars each year in the petroleum industry. Employing the procedures developed, one can manage the
parameters involved in the well and reduce the frequency of stuck pipe which leads to3,6,7

1) Cost reduction for drilling operation (tripping, fishing...)

2) Cost reduction for drilling mud
3) Minimizing time for drilling a well
4) Minimizing damage of BHA and surface equipments

Results and Discussion

Gachsaran formation is located in the South West of Iran and it is one of the most troublesome formations. Because of
particular lithology and plastic behavior, many problems such as tight hole and collapse could occur during drilling which lead
to stuck pipe.10 Furthermore, blowout, losses, calcium ion entries, and tectonic stresses could wind up stuck pipe. On the other
2 SPE 128376

hand, properties of drilling mud play an important role in stuck pipe. In this paper, drilling fluid properties and hole conditions
of 75 wells are compared for stuck and non-stuck situations at different depths.

The processing method

The selected and studied parameters were: depth (m), mud weight (pcf), Marsh funnel viscosity (sec), solid content (%), Ө600,
Ө 300, Ө 0, temperature (0F), plastic viscosity, yield point, pump operation and washout. All the parameters were considered,
but, each individual parameter could not present proper pattern for reducing stuck pipe. Combination of the parameters could
help us as an indication of stuck pipe and could be used for drilling a new well in this Field.
In drilling industry, one way for reducing stuck pipe is increasing mud weight, but, in some cases in spite of increasing mud
weight, stuck pipe will be occurred. Similarly, this method could not support all cases in Ahwaz oil field.

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In this paper, well parameters such as drilling mud properties and hole conditions were arranged by depth and corresponding
formula introduced for indicating stuck and non-stuck conditions.

The Analysis method

The results were obtained by trial and error method. We defined Reducing Stuck Index (RSI) which contains all the mentioned
parameters. The value of RSI for non-stuck well will be greater than stuck well at particular depth.
The member that was selected was member number 7 of Gachsaran formation of Ahwaz oil field which is categorized as low
pressure gradient zone10. The stuck and non-stuck well data were arranged according to top member and depth. The
corresponding parameters of stuck and non-stuck wells at the same depth of different wells were compared and the logical
relations between these parameters were obtained. In fact, we find the relation between parameters which lead to stuck pipe, so
one can manage the parameters in order to reduce the chance of stuck pipe at the particular depth.

The following steps were performed to obtain the final results.

Step 1:
The effects of Mw, Sld, T, Ө600, Ө300, Ө0, PV, YP and Vism were investigated in reducing stuck pipe. In other words, RSI is
proportional to these parameters in stuck and non stuck conditions at the particular depth. The effects of above parameters on
stuck pipe for the particular depth are shown in Fig. 1- Fig. 9. As it can be seen in the figures, the shaded area is the safe
window for drilling without stuck pipe according to the field data.

Fig. 1: Effect of Mw on stuck pipe at different depth Fig. 2: Effect of solid content on stuck pipe at different depth
SPE 128376 3

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Fig. 3: Effect of Temperature on stuck pipe at different depth Fig. 4: Effect of Dial Reading at 600 rpm on stuck pipe at different
depth

Fig. 5: Effect of Initial Gel Strength on stuck pipe at different depth Fig. 6: Effect of Dial Reading at 300 rpm on stuck pipe at different
depth

Fig. 7: Effect of Plastic Viscosity on stuck pipe at different depth Fig. 8: Effect of Marsh Funnel Viscosity on stuck pipe at different
depth

Fig. 9: Effect of Yield Point on stuck pipe at different depth

4 SPE 128376

Step 2:
Mud weight is an essential parameter in stuck pipe situations that is related to some of other parameters. The relation between
mud weight and solid content, initial gel strength, plastic viscosity, marsh funnel viscosity, dial reading at 600 rpm,
temperature, and yield point according to the field data are shown in Fig. 10 - Fig. 16.

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Fig. 10: Relation between solid content and mud weight Fig. 11: Relation between initial gel strength and mud weight

Fig. 12: Relation between plastic viscosity and mud weight Fig. 13: Relation between marsh funnel viscosity and mud weight
SPE 128376 5

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Fig. 14: Relation between dial reading at 600 rpm and mud weight Fig. 15: Relation between temperature and mud weight

Fig. 16: Relation between yield point and mud weight

According to Fig. 12 and Fig. 14, we can observe that the behavior of plastic viscosity is similar to dial reading at 600 rpm, so
we have:

(PV.θ600 )k Mw……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (1)

According to the Fig. 11 and Fig. 16, we can observe that the behavior of yield point is similar to initial gel strength, so we
have:

(YP.θ0 )m Mw …………………………….………………………………………………………………………………….. (2)

“k” and “m” may have positive and negative sign according to the proportionally to mud weight. The positive sign is for direct
proportionality and negative sign is for reverse proportionality.

Step 3:
Temperature and Marsh funnel viscosity are related to other parameters as mud weight. Therefore, if we plot similar figure for
temperature and marsh funnel, we can obtain the similar results as mud weight:

(PV.θ600 )k T………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (3)

(YP.θ0 )m T …………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….. (4)

(PV.θ600 )k Vism……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (5)

(YP.θ0 )m Vism …………………………….……………………………………………………………………………...…. (6)

Step 4:
Increasing yield point and initial gel strength cause the reduction in stuck pipe probability. Plastic viscosity and
dial reading at 600 rpm have inverse effect on reducing stuck pipe occurrence. The plot of 1/PV versus depth is
shown below to show that stuck pipe probability is reduced with decrease of plastic viscosity (Fig. 17).
6 SPE 128376

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Fig. 17: Effect of plastic viscosity on stuck pipe probability in Ahwaz oil Field

Therefore, according to the above relationship we can introduce Reducing Stuck Index (RSI) which is proportional to yield
point and initial gel strength directly and inversely proportional to plastic viscosity and dial reading at 600 rpm.
YP.θ0
RSI = ………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………...…. (7)
PV.θ600

The relation between RSI and above parameters for different depths of Ahwaz oil field according to the equation 7 is plotted in
Fig. 18.

Fig. 18: Relation between RSI and depth for stuck and non stuck wells

If the mud temperature increases, the plastic viscosity decreases 2-3. Also if marsh funnel viscosity increases the plastic
viscosity and dial reading at 600 rpm increases. According to these relations the exponent of relation 3 has a negative sign.
1
T……………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (8)
PV.θ600

Moreover, we have inverse relation between temperature and Marsh funnel viscosity.
1
T……………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (9)
Vism

Corresponding to the mentioned relation the relation 5 has a positive sign.

PV.θ600 Vism………...…………...………………………………………………………………………………………… (10)

If we put the relations 8 and 9 in the equation 7 we will have:

YP . θ0 . T
RSI = ………………………….……………………………………………………………………………...…. (11)
Vism . PV . θ600

Yield point is the resistance which exists opposite to mud flow due to electrochemical force or gravity force between particles.
These force is created as result of positive and negative charges on/or around the surface of solid particles. Therefore, yield
point depends on concentration of solid particles and ions in the mud. On the other hand, if the solid particles of mud increase,
the stuck pipe probability decreases leading to the increase in RSI. Therefore, we can modify the equation 11 as follows:
SPE 128376 7

YP . θ0 . T . Sld
RSI = ………………………….……………………………………………………………………………...…. (12)
Vism . PV . θ600

Mud weight affects on adequate hole cleaning by the buoyancy force which acts on generated cuttings. As the mud weight
increases, the stuck pipe probability decreases and RSI increases, so we can modify equation 12 as follows:

YP . θ0 . T . Sld . Mw
RSI = ……………………...……………………………………………………………………………...…. (13)
Vism . PV . θ600

Equation 13 for stuck and non-stuck conditions at different depths are plotted for Ahwaz oil field in Fig. 19. According to this
figure, if the combination of parameters leads to a RSI which is located in the shaded area, the stuck pipe does not occur.

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Range of Reducing Stuck Index is between 100.5 and 5105.5 which is a wide range that may cause errors. In order to prevent
the error, the power of equation 13 is reduced to 0.3.

Fig. 19: relation between RSI and depth for stuck and non stuck wells

Pump repairs, drill pipe and bit nozzles washout, survey runs and each factor which causes circulation to be stopped will
intensify stuck pipe probability. This factor is called destructive factor. In equation 13 and figure 19, the destructive factor was
not examined. In the following section the effects of pump failure and washout on Reducing Stuck Index is investigated.

Pump stoppage
Pumping stoppage causes annular velocity reduction and inefficient hole cleaning. When a pump is stopped, the output of the
pump reduces and causes to reduce annular velocity. The time for pump stoppage should be considered as 24 hours per day
because studied factor are reported as daily work. Difference between annular velocity before and after pump stoppage is
shown by ΔVann.
Pump stoppage reduces hole cleaning and the probability of stuck pipe increases or, in the other words, the RSI decreases.
Pump stoppage is shown by Pump Failure Factor (PFF) which is dimensionless and less than one.

Vann t p
PFF = ( × ) ………..…………...……………………………………………………………………………...…. (14)
Vann + ∆Vann 24

Drill pipe washout

If impact force created by the jetting action of drilling fluid exiting from the nozzles of drilling bit increases, the hole cleaning
improves. According to equation 15, we can conclude that impact force depends on pump output, specific gravity, and
pressure loss across the bit.

Fj =0.01823 Cd q ρ∆P……..………...……...……………………………………………………………………………...…. (15)

Pressure at standpipe gauge is the total pressure loss in the mud circulation system which is applied to all part such as drill
string and bit. Equation 16 shows the pressure drop across the bit which leads to washout of bit nozzles 3. According to this
washout, the cross section areas of flow in the bit increases and causes a reduction in pressure loss across the bit. As the
pressure loss in the bit decreases, the impact force decreases, too. This results in inadequate hole cleaning.

8.311×10-5 ρq2
∆Pb = ……..………...……...…………………………………………………………………………………...…. (16)
Cd 2 A2t
8 SPE 128376

In this section, washout of drill pipes are expressed as washout factor (WOF) that is dimensionless and less than one.
P w
WOF=( ) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… (17)
P+∆Pb

The pressure loss due to washout is increased by time. If pipes had microscopic fractures, due to pressure loss they may be
converted to macroscopic fractures and finally result in twist-off of the drill pipe. The indication of pressure loss is the
reduction of pressure at stand pipe gauge, so we must control stand pipe pressure accurately 2.
Now, we modify the equation 13 according to pump failure factor and washout factor:

YP . θ0 . T . Sld . Mw 0.3

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RSI = ( ) PFF×WOF………….....………….………………………………………………………...…. (18)
Vism . PV . θ600

For try 1 we choose one for power of pump failure factor and washout factor (p and w). After calculating RSI for this situation
we find that the RSI in the stuck area becomes greater than RSI in non-stuck area, so we must choose another power for PFF
and WOF. After 4 tries, we obtain the following formula for RSI in which the RSI of stuck area is less than non-stuck one in
Ahwaz oilfield:
For turbulent flow:

YP . θ0 . T . Sld . Mw 0.3
RSI = ( ) PFF×WOF……..……………...…………………………………………………………...…. (19)
Vism . PV . θ600

In which:

Vann t 1
PFF = ( × ) ………..…………...……………………………………………………………………………...…. (20)
Vann + ∆Vann 24

P
WOF=( ) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...… (21)
P+∆Pb

For laminar flow:

RSI = YP . θ0 . T . Sld . Mw 0.3

……………………...…..………………………………………………………………………...…. (22)
( )
Vism . PV . θ600

Fig. 20: Relation between RSI and depth for stuck and non stuck wells

Conclusions
A new combination of drilling parameters named RSI was introduced for stuck pipe reduction in member number 7 of
Gachsaran formation of Ahwaz oilfield as a function of depth. The developed window indicates a safe area for combination of
parameters for drilling a well without stuck pipe in this field. Above this window is restricted because drilling parameters have
limit values according to drilling and well conditions. Below this window is unfavourable because stuck pipe is occurred in
this situation.
SPE 128376 9

Acknowledgments
The authors wish to express their appreciation for valuable data from National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) and National
Iranian South Oilfield Company (NISOC).

Nomenclature
Mw = Mud weight (pcf)
Vism = Marsh funnel viscosity (sec)
Sld = Solid content (%)
Ө600 = Dial reading at 600 rpm
Ө300 = Dial reading at 300 rpm

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Ө0 = Initial gel strength (lb/100ft2)
PV = Plastic viscosity (cp)
YP = Yield point (lb/100ft2)
RSI = Reducing Stuck Index
PFF = Pump failure factor
Vann = Annular velocity before stopping pumps (ft/min)
∆Vann = Difference between annular velocity before and after stopping pumps (ft/min)
t = Pump daily working time (hr)
P = Power of pump failure that is selected by the authors
WOF = Washout factor
P = Standpipe pressure (Psi)
∆Pb = Pressure loss at bit (Psi)
W = Power of washout factor that is selected by authors

References

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