Oct 13, 2015
Stuck Pipe Prevention
Prentice & Hill, LLC First Day
Hydrostatic PressureWhere:MW = Mud Weight (ppg)TVD = True Vertical Depth (ft)P = Hydrostatic Pressure (psi)
MEMORIZE THIS EQUATION!!
Hole VolumesV = Hole Volume in BBL/FTD = Hole Diameter in INCHES
Pressure - Area ForcesF = Force (lbs)P = Pressure (psi)A = Area (sq-in)Ff = Force Due to Friction (lbs) = Coefficient of Friction or Friction FactorFn = Normal Force (lbs)
Stuck PipeMost Common Trouble in Overspent WellsAvoiding Stuck PipeUnderstand Different MechanismsPlan to Avoid ProblemsRecognize Symptoms Real TimeTake Proper Actions While DrillingUse Recovery Procedures, if necessary
Solids Induced Pack-offFormation Movement
Inadequate Hole CleaningCAUSES
Solids Induced Pack-offFormation Loose w/ Little or No Bonding Insufficient Hydrostatic to Hold Back Formation
UNCONSOLIDATED FORMATIONSCauses
Pack-off Due to Unconsolidated FormationsPreventionGel up Mud / Run Hi Vis SweepsControl DrillSpot Gel Pill Prior to TOH
Plan / Anticipate:
Solids Induced Pack-offIncrease Mud Weight, if possibleUse Under-saturated Water Base MudPump Fresh Water SweepsDesign Casing to Handle Collapse LoadsCausesMOBILE / PLASTIC FORMATIONSFormation Extrudes Into Well Bore Due to Overburden Forces.PreventionProper Well Planning:
Solids Induced Pack-off
CausesControl Drill & Ream ConnectionsAnticipate Reaming on TripsFRACTURED / FAULTED FORMATIONSPreventionLoose Chunks of Rock Fall into Well BorePlan / Anticipate
Solids Induced Pack-off
CausesRaise Mud Weight, if possibleSet Casing Appropriately OVER-PRESSURED SHALE COLLAPSEPreventionShale Pops Off Wall Due to PressurePlan / Anticipate
Solids Induced Pack-off
CausesUse Inhibited Mud SystemMinimize Exposure TimeBe Prepared for Gumbo AttackREACTIVE FORMATIONSPreventionMud Filtrate Reacts Chemically with FormationPlan / Anticipate
Solids Induced Pack-off
CausesIncrease Annular VelocitiesBetter Mud Properties
Subject of another sectionPOOR HOLE CLEANINGPreventionNot Removing Cuttings From Well Bore
Differential StickingCausesHigh Differential PressuresExcessive Mud WeightDrawn Down FormationsPoor Well PlanningWell Bore ContactPoor Filter CakeLittle or No Pipe Motion
Bad Filter Cake
Differential Sticking - Prevention Minimize Mud WeightImprove Filter CakeSelect Proper Casing SeatMinimize Contact AreaStabilizersHeavy Weight Drill PipeSpiral Drill CollarsKeep Pipe MovingPlan / Anticipate
Mechanical / Wellbore Geometry Sticking Causes KEYSEATINGMinimize Dog Leg SeverityCase Off Curves Soon After BuildingUse Keyseat WiperMake Frequent Wiper TripsBack Ream Out of Hole Abrupt Change in Well Bore Path (Dog Leg) Long Hole Section Below Dog Leg
Prevention
Mechanical / Wellbore Geometry Sticking Causes UNDERGAUGE HOLEAlways Gauge Bit & Stabilizers IN and OUTRun Gauge Protected Bits & StabilizersReam Suspected Undergauge Sections Undergauge Bit and/or Stabilizers Coring (Core heads slightly U.G.)Prevention
Mechanical / Wellbore Geometry Sticking Causes LEDGES & DOGLEGSRun Packed Hole AssembliesReam on Trips Through Problem Zones Limber BHAs Hard - Soft Interbedded FormationPrevention
Mechanical / Wellbore Geometry StickingCausesSHOE JOINT BACKS OFFDo Not Overdisplace CementThread Lock Bottom 3 Joints of CasingDrill Out Carefully
Prevention
Mechanical / Wellbore Geometry Sticking Causes GREEN CEMENTWash Down Carefully to Top of CementPre-Treat Mud Before Drilling Green CementPreventionRun BHA Into Un-set Cement
Mechanical / Wellbore Geometry Sticking Causes JUNKGood Housekeeping on Rig FloorKeep Hole CoveredInspect Equipment FrequentlyPreventionSomething Manmade is Loose in the Hole
Mechanical / Wellbore Geometry Sticking Causes CEMENT BLOCKSSet All Casing As Close To TD As PossibleReam Casing Shoe & Open Hole Plugs Before Drilling AheadHard Cement Falls In From Casing Shoe or FromOpen Hole Cement PlugPrevention
Mechanical / Wellbore Geometry Sticking Causes LINER & SQUEEZE CEMENTINGHazards in Liner CementingToo Much ExcessOverdisplacementSqueeze CementingHold Pressure on Back Side, If PossibleUse Cement RetainersDO NOT Cement Up a Squeeze Packer (RTTS)Cementing Yourself in the Hole
MUD Mud Types / ConstituentsWater Base MudOil Base MudSynthetic Base MudPrimary Functions (Review)Remove CuttingsLubricate and Cool BitProvide Hydrostatic
Mud (continued)Filter Cake 2/32Fluid LossAPI Fluid LossRoom Temperature 100 psi differential
Mud Filter Press
Mud (continued)Filter Cake 2/32Fluid LossAPI Fluid LossRoom Temperature 100 psi differentialHigh Temperature, High Pressure (HTHP)300 F or as specified500 psi differential
Mud (continued)Rheological PropertiesMeasured with Fann Viscometer Funnel ViscosityPlastic ViscosityYield Point
Mud (continued)Mud AdditivesGel (Wyoming Bentonite)BariteChemicalsLost Circulation / Stuck Pipe PreventativesSized Particulate MatterFibrous MaterialAsphalt Snake Oil
Influence of Mud Properties on Various Stuck Pipe Mechanisms
Inadequate Hole CleaningNear Vertical Wells (Incl < 30 deg)Stabilize HoleMaintain Good Annular VelocityKeep Low Shear Rate Viscosities HighYield Stress = 2 (6 - 3)Gel StrengthDo Not Overload Hole Due to Too High ROPClean Hole Prior to Trip
Inadequate Hole Cleaning High Angle Wells (Incl > 60) Cuttings Beds Form, But Are StableHole Cleaning Usually Not A Problem in High Angle SectionCuttings Beds Potential Problem on TripsBack Ream Out of High Angle SectionReminder - All High Angle Wells Have a Moderate Angle (Problematic) SectionProblem Prevention
Inadequate Hole CleaningCausesInadequate Mud Flow PropertiesToo Low an Annular VelocityCuttings Beds in Directional HolesAngle < 30 - Minimal ProblemsAngle > 60 - Minimal Problems30 < Angle < 60 Problem Area
Inadequate Hole CleaningPreventionKeep Mud in Good ShapeWatch Shale Shaker for Too Few CuttingsPump More Fluid (Increase AV)Run High / Low Viscosity SweepsUse Larger Drill PipeAvoid long 30 to 60 Angle SectionsMake Wiper Trips (Ream Out w/ Top Drive)