LINER APPLICATION

RUNNING LINERS
A Procedural Overview

TERRY HOWARD
TRAINING MANAGER
TIW CORPORATION

DRILLING TECHNICIAN SCHOOL

EXXONMOBIL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
HOUSTON TEXAS

2004
LINER APPLICATION

L IN E R A P P L IC A T IO N S

IN T R O D U C T IO N
P r e - P la n n in g is th e k e y to a s u c c e s s fu l lin e r jo b . T h e fir s t s t e p in p la n n in g
a lin e r is t h e s e le c t io n o f e q u ip m e n t t o m e e t t h e a p p lic a tio n r e q u ir e m e n t
a n d w e ll e n v ir o n m e n t. S e le c t io n o f t h e e q u ip m e n t is g e n e r a lly
a c c o m p lis h e d t h o u g h m e e t in g s a n d d is c u s s io n s b e t w e e n t h e C u s t o m e r s
D r illin g E n g in e e r s a n d t h e S e r v ic e C o m p a n ie s S a le s / T e c h n ic a l G r o u p . A n
e x te n s iv e lo o k a t th e a p p lic a tio n r e q u ir e m e n t, w e ll e n v ir o n m e n t a n d
r u n n in g p r o c e d u r e s is a m u s t f o r t h e p r o p e r s e le c t io n o f th e e q u ip m e n t .
T h is r e v ie w a n d s e le c t io n is o f t e n c o m p le t e d b e f o r e t h e w e ll is s p u d d e d
a n d b a s e d o n p r o je c te d c o n d itio n s . O ft e n t h e s e c o n d itio n s m a y c h a n g e a s
th e w e ll is d r ille d . C o n tin u e d r e v ie w a n d f o llo w u p d u r in g t h e d r illin g o f t h e
w e ll is th e b e s t b y t o in s u r e t h a t w h e n it c o m e s tim e t o r u n t h e lin e r, t h e
e q u ip m e n t a n d p r o c e d u r e s a r e th e b e s t fo r th a t w e ll.

In th is o p e r a t io n a l o v e r v ie w , w e w ill lo o k a t a n u m b e r o f p r o c e d u r e s f o r
p la n n in g a n d r u n n in g lin e r s . T h e g o a l is t o g iv e y o u a f ir m b a s ic
u n d e r s t a n d in g o f th e p r o c e d u r e s f o r r u n n in g a lin e r a n d t h e c o o p e r a tio n
r e q u ir e d b e t w e e n t h e o p e r a t o r a n d t h e s e r v ic e c o m p a n y .

O V E R V IE W T O P IC S
P r e p a r in g a n d P la n n in g t o r u n a L in e r.

A s s e m b ly a n d In s p e c tio n o f e q u ip m e n t.

S h ip p in g to a n d R e c e iv in g a t L o c a t io n .

R u n n in g th e L in e r.

S e tt in g th e L in e r T o p P a c k e r.

D r e s s in g o ff th e L in e r T o p .

P r e p a r a tio n a n d r u n n in g L in e r T o p Is o la tio n P a c k e r o r
T ie -B a c k S tr in g
LINER APPLICATION

P la n n in g a n d P r e p e r a t io n
T h e r e a r e th r e e m a jo r c a t e g o r ie s t h a t m u s t b e a d d r e s s e d w h e n p la n n in g
f o r a lin e r
M e c h a n ic a l D a ta

E n v ir o n m e n t a l Is s u e s

O p e r a tio n a l Is s u e s

M e c h a n ic a l D a t a

T h e p la n n in g p r o c e s s b e g in s w ith t h e M e c h a n ic a l D a ta . D e fin e th e L in e r.
H o w lo n g is t h e lin e r g o in g t o b e ? A t w h a t d e p t h is it t o b e s e t ? T h e s iz e ,
w e ig h t , g r a d e a n d th r e a d c o n n e c t io n o f t h e lin e r. W h a t c a s in g is th e lin e r t o
b e s e t in ? T h e s iz e w e ig h t a n d g r a d e o f th e c a s in g t h e lin e r is t o b e s e t in is
a ls o v e r y im p o r t a n t. M e c h a n ic a l o r H y d r a u lic h a n g e r ? I s a L in e r T o p P a c k e r
r e q u ir e d ? Is t h e lin e r to b e r o ta te d ? A ll o f t h is t y p e in fo r m a tio n is
c o n s id e r e d M e c h a n ic a l d a ta .

E n v ir o n m e n t a l Is s u e s
E n v ir o n m e n t a l is s u e s a r e e x t r e m e ly im p o r ta n t in e q u ip m e n t p la n n in g .
W e llb o r e t e m p e r a tu r e , b o t to m h o le p r e s s u r e s , m u d ty p e a n d p r o p e r tie s ,
d e v ia t io n o f th e w e ll a n d s o u r s e r v ic e c o n s id e r a t io n s a r e a ll e n v ir o n m e n t a l
is s u e s . I t is e x t r e m e ly im p o r t a n t in t h e s e le c t io n o f m a t e r ia l f o r t h e
m a n u f a c t u r e o f t h e lin e r e q u ip m e n t a n d a n y e la s t o m e r s t h a t m a y b e
r e q u ir e d s u c h a s p a c k - o ff e le m e n ts a n d s e a ls .

O p e r a tio n a l Is s u e s
O p e r a t io n is s u e s a ls o a r e e x t r e m e ly im p o r t a n t in t h e p la n n in g p r o c e s s . D r ill
p ip e d a t a , s iz e w e ig h t, g r a d e th r e a d m u s t b e c o n s id e r e d . W h e n a lin e r t o p
p a c k e r is to b e s e t , w ill w e h a v e s u ffic ie n t w e ig h t t o g e t it s e t p r o p e r ly . W h a t
s h e a r p in v a lu e d o w e u s e o n t h e s e t tin g t o o l? F o r r o t a t in g lin e r s ,
c e n t r a liz e r s a r e a k e y is s u e . A ls o , w h a t is t h e m a x im u m s u r f a c e t o r q u e
a llo w a b le w h ile r o ta t in g . If e x c e s s c e m e n t is t o b e r e v e r s e d o u t, w h a t a ff e c t
w ill t h is h a v e o n t h e lin e r e q u ip m e n t . T h e lis t o f o p e r a t io n a l is s u e s c a n g o
o n a n d o n , a n d m a y v a r y f r o m w e ll t o w e ll d e p e n d in g o n a p p lic a tio n .
LINER APPLICATION

G e t tin g S t a r t e d
O k , th e e n g in e e r s a n d s a le s s t a ff h a v e m e t , d is c u s s e d t h e is s u e s a n d m a d e
a n e q u ip m e n t s e le c t io n . T h e o r d e r h a s b e e n p la c e d a n d t h e e q u ip m e n t is
b e in g m a n u f a c t u r e d . Y o u a r e n o w o n lo c a t io n d r illin g t h e w e ll. W e 'r e m a k in g
p ro g re s s .

W h e n t h e e q u ip m e n t h a s c o m p le te d th e m a n u f a c tu r in g p r o c e s s , it w ill b e
s h ip p e d t o t h e s e r v ic e c o m p a n ie s O p e r a tio n s D is t r ic t n e a r e s t t o y o u r r ig .
T h e d is t r ic t s ta ff w ill in s p e c t t h e e q u ip m e n t , a s s e m b le a n d t e s t th e
e q u ip m e n t a n d h a v e it r e a d y to s h ip to y o u r lo c a t io n w h e n y o u r e q u e s t it .
L o o k in g g o o d s o fa r.

T h is w o u ld b e a g o o d p o in t t o lo o k a t t h e “ W H A T If ’s ” . R e m e m b e r t h a t t h e
e q u ip m e n t a n d p r o c e d u r e s w e r e s e le c t e d fr o m p r o je c t e d in f o r m a tio n . S o ,
w h a t if t h is in f o r m a tio n c h a n g e s w h ile d r illin g th e w e ll. F o r e x a m p le ,

“ W h a t If ” y o u lo s e c ir c u la t io n a n d lo a d t h e m u d w it h lo s t
c ir c u la tio n m a te r ia l, w ill th is a ffe c t th e e q u ip m e n t . P o s s i b l e

“ W h a t I f ” y o u h a v e t o s e t y o u in t e r m e d ia t e c a s in g h ig h d u e
t o h o le c o n d it io n s , lo s t c ir c u la t io n o r a k ic k , w o u ld t h is a f f e c t
p r o c e d u re s ? P r o b a b ly .

“ W h a t If ” y o u r b it w a lk s o ff a n d y o u h a v e t o m a k e a
c o r r e c tio n a n d e n d u p w ith a d o g le g in t h e h o le , w o u ld th is

T h e r e a r e m a n y c ir c u m s t a n c e s t h a t c o u ld a r is e d u r in g t h e d r illin g o f th e w e ll
th a t m a y a ff e c t t h e e q u ip m e n t d e s ig n o r r u n n in g p r o c e d u r e s . C o n s t a n t o p e n
c o m m u n ic a t io n is e x t r e m e ly im p o r ta n t. O u r S e r v ic e M a n a g e r s w ill b e
c o n ta c tin g th e r ig fr o m tim e t o tim e t o c h e c k o n t h e p r o g r e s s . T h e y w ill n e e d
t o v e r if y it e m s s u c h a s D r ill P ip e s iz e , w e ig h t a n d c o n n e c t io n t y p e , m u d
w e ig h t s , p r e v io u s c a s in g s h o e d e p t h s a n d o t h e r it e m s o f im p o r t a n c e , t o
m a k e s u r e w e a r e p r o v id in g y o u w it h t h e p r o p e r e q u ip m e n t a n d p r o c e d u r e s .
W e w ill b e a s k in g a lo t o f q u e s tio n s a n d w ill c e r t a in ly b e g la d t o a n s w e r a n y
q u e s tio n y o u m ig h t h a v e . W e b o th h a v e t h e s a m e g o a l.

“ G E T T H E J O B D O N E R IG H T ”
LINER APPLICATION

ASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION

Prior to assembly of the liner equipment, the running tool, cement
manifold and flag sub are mag particle inspected and each
component part is inspected and measured and these
measurements are recorded. A copy of the inspection sheets will
be sent with the equipment to the rig. The setting tool and cement
manifold are pressure tested. The setting tool is then made up to
the liner hanger assembly and the whole assembly is pressure
tested. The tests are chart recorded. In some areas, ExxonMobil
Engineers witness the assembly process, in other areas a third
party designated by ExxonMobil will witness the assembly of the
equipment.

All items are thoroughly

inspected to make sure they
meet the requirements

Setting Tools and Manifolds

are tested to 5000 PSI. The
final Liner Hanger assembly
is generally tested to 3500 to
3800 PSI
LINER APPLICATION

EXAMPLE INSPECTION FORM

LINER APPLICATION

Accessory equipment
such as float shoe, float
collar, landing collar,
drifts, lift plugs,
displacement plugs and
flag sub are loaded into a
shipping basket.

The Basket provides

protection during shipment
and a keeps everything
thing in one spot for easy
access on location.
LINER APPLICATION

SHIPPING TO AND RECEIVING AT LOCATION

When you call for the liner

equipment to be delivered
to the rig, all the
equipment will be loaded
on a truck and sent to
your location.
Also sent with the
equipment will be a
delivery ticket that lists all
items sent as well as a
copy of the equipment
inspection form

When the equipment

arrives on location and is
off-loaded, review the
delivery ticket and make
sure everything has
arrived on location. Also,
it would be good to make
a visual inspection for
any noticeable damage
that might have occurred
during shipping. If you
have any doubts or see
anything that does not
look right, contact your
nearest TIW Office.
LINER APPLICATION

ADDITIONAL SERVICE TOOLS

Lift Plugs
Lift Plugs are required to pick up flush joint
casing. Lift plugs can be supplied by the
Liner Service company when requested ,
as a third party rental item. If a thread
inspection hand is on location, they may
supply the lift plugs, or the thread
manufacturer (Hydril, Vam, etc) may supply
them. The area, service agreement or
customer preference will generally dictate
who will supply the lift plugs.

Safety Bushing
The Safety Bushing is a sub provided to
allow a cross-over from the casing
connection to the drill pipe. If a kick occurs
while picking up casing, it is necessary to
connect drill pipe or the kelly to the casing.
The Safety Busing has a drill pipe
connection box up and a casing connection
pin down, usually 8 round or buttress. If
premium connections are run, a cross-over
is required to get from the safety bushing to
the premium connection. This cross-over is
available from the Thread Manufacturer
and can be provided by the Liner Service
Company on request as a third party rental.
LINER APPLICATION

Casing Drifts and Drill Pipe Rabbits

Casing Drifts can be supplied by the Liner Service Company on

request.
Drill Pipe Rabbits will be supplied for every liner job that requires
wiper plugs for the displacement of cement. Every joint of the work
string must be drifted, weather it be drill pipe, heavy weight or drill
collars, if the plug will pass through it, it must be drifted. There are
two methods generally used to rabbit the drill string. The preferred
method is to drop the rabbit, with 100 feet of slick liner tied to it,
when pulling out of the hole with the drill string to run the liner. If
the rabbit hangs up in the string, you will find the wire when you
break the connection at the rotary table. Any joint that the rabbit
hangs up in should be removed from the string. The second
method is to rabbit each stand as you run in the hole with the liner.
If this method is chosen, it requires transport of the rabbits from
the drill floor to the derrick stand. Exercise extreme caution with
this method.
LINER APPLICATION

Running the Liner

The float shoe is made up on the bottom of the

first joint of liner. The float collar is generally
made up on top of the first joint. The landing
collar is spaced out above the float collar,
usually one or two joints. This space out may
vary depending on customer requirements or
preferences. These items are generally baker
Landing Collar locked to the casing. After making up these
items, it is a generally recommended practice to
check the float equipment to make sure it is
functioning properly before making up the rest of
the liner.
Conventional Float Equipment
With the top of the last joint picked up, sitting in
the rotary table, fill the liner with drilling mud.
Then pick up until the top of the joint is 30 to 40
feet above the rotary table., then slack back
down. If the fluid level inside the liner has
Float Collar dropped the floats are opening properly.
Auto-Fill Float Equipment
With auto-fill float equipment the float valves are
in the open position to allow drilling mud to
automatically flow into the liner from the bottom.
One way you may check to see that it is filling
properly is to slack off the last joint picked up,
until the top is at the rotary table. Then lay a wet
cloth over the top of the joint. If mud is filling the
inside of the liner, the air will be displaced out
the top of the joint. The wet cloth should puff up
like a balloon as the force of the air being
Float Shoe displaced pushes against it.
LINER APPLICATION

Making up the Hanger

Handling Nipple
A typical liner assembly will arrive
on location pre-assembled and
Strainer ready to make up on the last joint
of casing.
Tie-back Receptacle
Pick up the liner assembly and
Packer Dogs hang in the Drill Pipe Elevators.
Caution should be exercised when
picking up to make sure no
damage occurs. Make up the pin of
the pup joint at the bottom of the
Setting Tool hanger assembly into the top of
the last joint of liner.
Pull the slips and slack off until the
RPOB hanger is near the rotary table. At
this point, the service technician
may perform several checks to
Liner Top Packer ensure everything is functional,
then continue to slack off until the
top of the tie-back receptacle is
just above the rotary table.
The service technician will lift the
Liner Hanger strainer above the top of the
receptacle and mix up a slurry of
pal-mix and pour into the
receptacle. The Pal-Mix is polymer
mixture to deter solids from settling
in on the setting tool.
Pup Joint
Now we can make up the first
stand of drill pipe. Slack off that
Liner Wiper Plug stand and then pick up the Kelly
and circulate the calculated liner
volume.
LINER APPLICATION

RUNNING IN THE HOLE WITH THE LINER

Running Speed is a critical issue with a liner. The large OD of the

Hanger and Receptacle or Liner Top Packer leaves very little
bypass area for fluid to go by the assembly. Surge affect on the
formation is one consideration of running speed. Mechanical
damage to the hanger assembly is another consideration.
The standard run in speed is usually 2 to 3 minutes per stand of
drill pipe from slip to slip. Longer speeds may be required in
potential lost circulation zones or other hole conditions or highly
deviated wells.

Filling Drill Pipe while running in with the liner is a must. Again
customer preference, location and hole conditions may contribute
to how often to fill the drill pipe with mud. Ten stands is the
maximum recommended to run before filling up the drill pipe. This
is not an issue if you are running auto-fill type float equipment.

At the casing Shoe: When the bottom of the liner is thirty feet
above the previous casing shoe it is generally recommended to
stop and break circulation. While circulating, we generally load the
cement manifold and make up to a landing joint and get all the
cement lines rigged up and ready.
If the liner is to be rotated with a hydraulic set hanger, rotate the
liner at this point and record the torque required to rotated. This will
be considered base line torque in the formula to figure maximum
surface torque while rotating the liner in open hole. If you are using
a mechanical set rotating hanger, this should be performed when
pulling out of the hole with the bit immediately prior to running the
liner.

OK now we are ready to go on to bottom with the liner.

LINER APPLICATION

CIRCULATING THE LINER

The general practice for tagging bottom with the liner, is to make
up the landing joint of drill pipe with the manifold attached and
break circulation prior to tagging bottom. The initial circulation rate
is usually kept to a minimum, approximately 1 barrel per minute.
Once circulation is established, slowly slack off and tag bottom
with the liner. Once a firm bottom is confirmed, continued
movement of the pipe is recommended to prevent sticking.
Circulation rates should continue at a minimum until bottoms up is
past the top to the liner. We want to make sure that any well solids
or debris moves slowly by the liner hanger and packer. Remember
the limited bypass area around the liner top. This is a potential
pack-off point. Once bottoms up passes the liner top, the
circulation rate may be raised to a comfortable rate, generally 4 to
6 BPM. Higher rates may be acceptable, if the hole conditions and
equipment are compatible.

SETTING THE HANGER

The procedure for setting the liner hanger is dependant on the

type of hanger, application and sometimes hole conditions.
Hydraulic hangers general required a ball to be dropped, that will
seat in the landing collar or liner wiper plug and provide the
pressure required to activate the setting mechanism in the
hanger. A Mechanical hanger requires manipulation of the pipe to
activate the setting mechanism
LINER APPLICATION

EJ-IB
TSP-RRP
IB-DD

IBTC-R

RRP
LINER APPLICATION

SETTING A HYDRAULIC HANGER

The first step in setting a hydraulic

hanger is to pick the liner up off
bottom to the desired setting
depth. Then drop the ball and let it
gravitate down or circulate it down
slowly. The most commonly used
ball seat is located in the HS-SR
Landing Collar, however in some
applications the ball seat can be
located in the LR Liner Wiper Plug

When the ball lands on the seat

continue to pressure up. The
Shear pin pressure passes through the port
and creates an upward force on
the piston and the setting sleeve.
When pressure reaches the shear
pin rating, the pin will shear and
Setting
Piston the piston and setting sleeve will
Sleeve
Housing move up and push the slips up on
the cone of the hanger. To confirm
the hanger is set, slack off, you
Piston should start losing weight
immediately. Slack off all the liner
Port
weight on the slips and then
increase the pressure until the ball
seat shears and circulation is re-
established.
Common shear values are 1500
PSI to set hanger, 2500 PSI to
shear ball seat. Higher shear
values are available if required
LINER APPLICATION

MECHANICAL HANGERS

RIGHT HAND
OPEN J
ENCLOSED J (EJ)

LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND

ENCLOSED J (EJ) AUTO J
LINER APPLICATION

SETTING A MECHANICAL HANGER

Cone
The EJ-IB-TC Mechanical hanger
shown here, is the most commonly
Slip used mechanical hanger. There are
other mechanical hanger variations
available and all have a similar setting
Slip Arm procedure.
To set a mechanical hanger, first,
slack off and tag bottom with the liner.
Pick up the liner to the desired setting
Cone position and stop the pipe in the
upward stroke. Do not allow any
downward movement. As you pick up
Slip
the liner, the friction of the bow springs
against the outer casing holds the
cage in place and allows the J-Lug to
move to the top of the J-Slot. Set the
slips in the rotary and make sure they
J-Lug are firmly seated to prevent downward
pipe movement when you slack off
weight onto the slips. Slack off all but
Bow 20,000 to 30,000 lbs of the string
Spring weight on the slips. Rotate to the right,
usually 2 to 3 rounds and hold. Pick up
Cage the string just enough to remove the
rotary slips and start slacking off. You
should see a weight loss on the weight
indicator before the string reaches
bottom. This indicates the hanger slips
are set. Slack off all the liner weight on
the hanger.
LINER APPLICATION

Releasing the Setting Tool

There are several different styles

of setting tools available.
Application requirements will
Upper dictate which setting tool will be
Bushing used. The SJ Setting tool shown
here is the tool most commonly
used today. It is designed to set
right hand set mechanical hangers
and can provide the ability to rotate
around a ledge or tight spot while
Mandrel
running in with the liner.
To Release this tool, once the liner
weight has been set down on the
Clutch Spring liner hanger, continue to slack off
drill pipe weight until you shear the
pins in the setting tool. This will
allow the mandrel to move down
and disengage the clutch. Right
hand rotation will then release the
setting nut and disengage it from
Clutch
the liner setting collar. Generally
21 torque free rounds at surface
will release the tool. Then pick up
on the drill pipe string and you
Shear Pins should notice a weight loss on the
weight indicator indicating the liner
Setting Nut
is free.
Other mechanical release tools
also require shear pins and right
hand rotation. The hydraulic
release tool is released with
SJ Setting Tool pressure and has a mechanical
release backup if the hydraulic
release cannot be achieved
LINER APPLICATION

SJ LN
Setting Tools

H1-PL RP-RRP

SJ-T Packer Dogs

LINER APPLICATION

CEMENT MANIFOLDS

The Heavy Duty Cement manifold is

Lift Nipple
designed for use on a Kelly Drive
Upper Pump Down
Rig. It provides a means of
Valve Plug circulating mud and cement into the
drill pipe while circulating and
conditioning and during the cement
job. The pump down plug is stored
between the plug retainer pin and
the upper valve while circulating
and pumping cement. The ball for
Lower setting a hydraulic hanger is stored
Valve in the ball dropping sub.
When you reach bottom with the
liner and are ready to circulate and
Plug condition the hole, connect the fluid
Retainer
lines to the fluid input connection on
the manifold. The upper valve is
closed and the lower valve is open.
Fluid input
After conditioning, drop the ball, if
required, by screwing in on the ball
dropping sub pin. The ball will fall
Ball Dropping into the bore and travel down hole
Sub to set the hydraulic hanger. To
Swivel cement, connect the cement lines to
the fluid input and pump cement.
Stop pumping and open the top
valve, screw out the plug retainer
pin and then close the lower valve.
Start pumping with displacement
fluid. After 3 or 4 barrels have been
pumped, open the lower valve
again.
 LINER APPLICATION

TOP DRIVE MANIFOLD

The Top Drive Manifold provides

the same functions as the Heavy
Duty Manifold, but is set up to
work with a top drive rig. The rigs
Top Drive
Swivel top drive is made up to the top of
Anchor Arm
the swivel and provides the fluid
input for drilling mud. The Fluid
Input Connection on the Swivel
provides the means to introduce
cement to the well. The anchor
arm provides a means of securing
the swivel and allowing rotation of
the drill pipe for setting tool
release or rotation of the liner.
Pump Down
Fluid input Plug The Plug Dropping Sub is
attached to the bottom of the
Swivel and has a ball valve that
remains in the closed position
until the plug is released. A By
Pass Valve allows drill fluids and
Plug Release cement to be pumped around the
Ball Valve plug. When it is time to release
the plug, open the ball valve and
close the by pass valve and begin
pumping. After several barrels
have been pumped open the
bypass vale and leave open for
By Pass the remainder of the
Valve displacement.
Other subs, such as a Ball
Dropping Sub or Flag sub can be
added to the bottom of the plug
dropping sub as required.
LINER APPLICATION

SETTING A LINER TOP PACKER

Today, around 70 percent of liners are deployed with a liner top

packer. The liner top packer provides a positive liner to casing seal
at the liner top. Reasons for running the Liner Top packer range
from isolation of the hydrostatic pressure in the annulus above the
liner or to check the incursion of gas in the cement during the set
up time, or to isolate the open hole from applied pressures such as
reversing out excess cement.
Most Liner top packers are compression set packers. Mechanically
deployed force is applied downward on the top of the packer
setting sleeve to compress and extrude the rubber pack off
element and affect a seal. The success of the seal is dependant on
getting the proper amount of required force applied to the packer.
The average liner top packer requires an optimal 70,000 lbs and a
minimum 50,000 lbs of force applied at the top of the packer.
The primary issue when deploying a liner with a compression set
liner top packer, is can you transmit the required weight to the liner
top with the drill string that will be used. Well deviation, dog legs,
liner top depth and drill pipe size are some of the areas that must
be reviewed when a liner top packer is to be set. Drag and pipe
buckling are important to understand in accurately predicting the
available force that can be applied to the liner top.
Running a Torque and Drag program for your well is the best way
to ensure you can properly set the liner top packer. From
experience, we know that liners deployed on 5” drill pipe with a
liner top below 5000 ft, the necessary weight is fairly easy to
achieve. Liners deployed on drill pipe smaller than 5”, often
experience buckling affects that would prevent the necessary
weight from reaching the liner top. Sometimes, addition of heavy
weight or drill collars can remedy the situation.
The best solution is pre-planning. Always ask your liner service
company to provide a Torque and Drag Program for your well.
LINER APPLICATION

AT TIW
ask us for

DRAGon ™
LINER TORQUE AND DRAG
OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM

DEVELOPED FOR TIW

BY
T.H. HILL ASSOCIATES, INC.

DRAGon TM
LINER APPLICATION
LINER APPLICATION
LINER APPLICATION

DRESSING OFF THE LINER TOP

After the cement job is completed and the setting tool retrieved out of
the hole, sometimes several hundred feet of cement will need to be
drilled out above the top of the liner. You will probably notice in the
Drilling Program the statement “Exercise caution when drilling
cement on top of liner”. You have to drill the cement right to the top
of the liner. However if you tag the top of the liner with the bit and drill
on it for awhile, it could cause damage to the liner top that could
cause problems with a Liner Top Isolation Packer or a Tie-Back Seal
Nipple. The pictures below show liner top bit damage.
LINER APPLICATION

PREPARING TO RUN A LINER TOP ISOLATION PACKER

OR TIE-BACK SEAL NIPPLE
When you plan to run a liner top isolation
packer or tie-back string the first step is to
prepare the tie-back receptacle located at the
liner top. We want to make sure it is free of
any cement stringers and to check for and
eliminate any damage the liner top may have
sustained during the clean out and drill out
operations.
This usually is achieved by running a set of
polish mills in and polishing out the ID of the
receptacle to remove any cement stringers
inside, as well as a top dress mill to smooth
any liner top damage.
The Polish mill blades are made of 1018 mild
steel and act like an impression block of sorts.
This gives us the ability to look at the marks
on the blades and analyze what damage may
have occurred at the liner top. It also is an
indicator that the space out of the mills was
correct. The Top Dress Mill is usually dressed
with carbide on the lower portion of the blade
to remove any bit burrs or mild liner top
damage. However, severe liner top damage
may require additional mill runs.
When running a Liner Top Isolation packer, a
casing scraper run is recommended prior to
running the mills. In some cases the casing
scraper may replace the top dress mill and be
run with the mill run. This is only
recommended if a casing scraper is available
that has a ring below the scraper dressed with
carbide.
LINER APPLICATION

RUNNING AND SETTING A LINER TOP

ISOLATION PACKER
LINER APPLICATION

SUMMARY

In this course we have only scratched the surface of the many

operational issues and procedures for running a liner. We hope we
have given you a good basic understanding of the procedures and
how they apply to running your liner.

• Proper Planning is important

• Selecting the right equipment for the right application
• Make sure the procedures fit the application
• Torque and Drag Program for Liner Top Packers
• Exercise caution when drilling cement off a Liner Top
• Preparation for running an Isolation Packer or Tie-Back

IF you have any questions, please feel free to ask. You can contact
any TIW Service District or please do not hesitate to give us a call
at TIW Headquarters in Houston, Texas. We are always willing to
work with you to make sure you have a complete understanding of
the operations of running a liner.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TIME AND ATTENTION