Jar Placement Guidelines – Casabe Project

1 General Information.

Because the jar location in the drill string can mean the difference between success and failure, work is
under way to streamline jar placement programs, making them faster, more powerful and easier to use.

There are two main types of drilling jars, mechanical jars operate using a series of spring, lock and release
mechanism. Hydraulics jars operate using the controlled passage of hydraulic fluid. Hydromechanical jars
are a hybrid of both designs, usually hydraulics up and mechanical down.

The mechanical jar trip up at a pre-selected tensile force, and down at a pre-selected compressional force.
The jar trips only at the set threshold, which is normally beyond the forces reached while drilling. The
position of the mechanical jar during drilling is either cocked or extended (tripped up); It is a matter of driller
preference. Drilling is never conducted with the jar tripped down because unnecessary down jarring might
damage the bit and MWD equipment.

The main difference between the two jars is that the hydraulic jar does not trip at a preselected threshold.
When, and how forcefully the jar trip is determined by the magnitude of the applied tension or compression.
A second advantage is that the hydraulic jar of OD less than 6 ¼” has a larger ID and can more easily admit
a wireline cable than a comparable mechanical jar.

During drilling, it is recommended that the hydraulic jar that fires both up and down be run in the extended
position (ie in tension). If run in the cocked position, there is a risk of unintended firing, unless tension and
compression at the jar are exactly balanced – an unlikely condition. As with a mechanical jar, drilling with a
hydraulic jar in the tripped down position is usually avoided.

The hydraulic jars have an advantage in directional, high angle and horizontal wells. In these conditions,
excess drag may prevent the driller from applying sufficient tension or compression to trip a mechanical jar.
A cocked hydraulic jar, however, will eventually fire, even with minimal tension or compression.

Comparison of Mechanical and Hydraulic Drilling Jars

Capabilities
Overpull setting variability.
Ease of admitting wireline cable
for surveying equipment and
string shots.
Ability to increase or decrease Daily and similar designs can
tension setting from surface.
Temperature sensitivity
Mechanical Hydraulic
One setting made at surface of
Continuously variable downhole,
10,000 lb to 180,000 lb,
between 10,000 and 135,000 lbs.
depending on jar size
Easier passage with larger OD Typically has a larger ID than
tools. Passage difficult or mechanical jar with the same OD,
impossible in high inclination which is an advantage up to an
wells. OD of about 6 ¼”.
Yes
change by 10 -15%
400 ºF bottom hole static is
Negligible. Will function >500 ºF. approximate limit. As temperature
Have been used in geothermal increases, tool may release
wells. sooner and without reaching full
tension.

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
2 Jar Placement.

When the impact system tools are placed in a BHA the following questions need to be asked:

• What mechanism is most likely to result in the drill string becoming stuck?
• Is the drilling jar to be run in “tension” or “compression”?
• Where is the neutral point in relation to the drilling jar when drilling?
• How does pump pressure affect the jarring action?
• Are the BHA design and the drilling parameters within the specifications of the drilling jar and
accelerator tool design constraints?
• Is the well-bore interval of concern vertical, deviated, or horizontal?
• Are the drilling conditions down-hole hostile (high solids in mud, presence of H2S)?
• Is it necessary to run an accelerator and where.
• What is the impact vs Impulse required to free the drill string
• Is it necessary to run DCs or HWDPs

The neutral point is the point at which the drill string moves from a state of compression to a state of
tension while drilling. Placing the drilling jar too close to the neutral point will result in the drilling jar
continuously cycling between compression and tension this could accelerate fatigue damage, decrease
operational life, and may cause the drilling jar to unexpectedly fire

Incorrect jar installation and usage may sometimes contribute more to the problem than to the solution. Here
are a few caveats.

BHA Components. The risk of sticking the jar itself and drilling string above the jar is reduced if drillstring
components above the jar do not exceed jar diameter. Always place the jar away from where the likely stuck
BHA component is.

Jarring Direction. Improper jarring direction can be counterproductive. As a rule, jarring is most effective
when it is opposite the direction the drillpipe was traveling when the pipe became stuck. Always jar opposite
direction to the sticking first and work the pipe sufficient time prior to jarring at the same direction of sticking.

Peak jarring force. Maximum jarring force is based on allowable overpull.

Initial jarring force. Choice of initial varies. Starting with peak jarring force is often preferred when sticking
progresses quickly, such as in differential sticking. Some operators nearly always start at the maximum to
move the pipe ASAP. Others will start lower and work up as needed. An operator advocates jarring lightly in
both directions at first to see which is more successful. Violent jarring in the wrong direction can convert a
minor problem into a major one. If sticking is differential or due to pack off, start with the maximum jaring
load possible. If the sticking mechanism is mechanical or wellbore geometry related that Jarring may start
with smaller loads and can be gradually increased to maximum.

Drag and extension force. These two factors can make a jar appear to trip with insufficient or excessive
tension and must be accounted for when relating surface load to tension at the jar. Drag on drillpipe
increases overpull. In vertical wells, drag can be negligible, but in directional wells drag is taken, by rule of
thumb, to increase overpull needed to fire the jar by 10%. For high angle wells, the best way is constantly

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
monitor hole drag and understand BHA weight in a directional hole then use these numbers to decide about
jarring force. Additionally whatever BHA is below the jar needs to be excluded from the calculations.

Extension force, created by pressure inside the drillstring exerted by circulating mud (pump open force), can
also make a jar appear to trip prematurely or late. This may amplify the jarring intensity while jarring up, but
may prevent the jars from firing, or reduce the jarring force while jarring down. Use pumps whenever jarring
up, shut off the pumps or reduce to minimum whenever jarring down.

Drilling engineers obtain satisfactory jarring from empirically determined jar placement. Hydraulic jars mainly
are run in tension (above the neutral point) high enough in the string to permit sufficient weight on bit and to
have enough weight on top to cock them easily from tripped up position. Using the jar in tension between
heavyweight and drill collars reduces the risk of sticking, but the jars should not be positioned at the
transition from drill collars to heavyweight drill pipe or used as a crossover between BHA components.
Rather the jars should either be placed in the drill collars or in the heavyweight drill pipe. There are two main
reasons for this:

1. To achieve a greater peak force. Higher jar position (in tension) also mean less accelerated mass
above the jar, and therefore greater velocity of pipe above the jar and greater peak force.
2. To minimize the possibility of getting stuck above the jar. The higher the jar, the smaller the chance
of being stuck above it. However the required hammer force to be able to jar must always be
considered.
3. Additionally DCs transmit the shock waves 4 times better than the HWDPs. By using DCs, risk of
getting stuck increases but intensity of jarring force on the BHA increases.

A Key point of agreement is that a hydraulic jar is less affected by extension force and neither should ever
be run at or near the neutral point. At this location, it is prone to repeated cycling between compression and
tension which could accelerate fatigue damage, decrease operational life and may cause the jars to fire
prematurely. These fatigue damage causes washouts on the jars sometimes.

The advantage of running the jars in the heavyweight drill pipe is a lower risk of becoming stuck above the
jar. The disadvantages are that the jar may be farther from the stuck points, usually low in the BHA. Also
HWDP does not transmit the shock wave as good as a DC does.

Rule of thumb: Keep 20% of bit weight between the drilling jar and the neutral point (consider
buoyancy)

Statistics shows that the stuck pipe is often closer to the bit than is usually thought. Placing the jar at the
fourth or fifth heavyweight joint, may prevent sufficient force from reaching the stuck point as a result of
dampening of the jarring forces through the BHA.

For horizontal wells the recommendation is to use two jars, a hydraulic jar 50 to 100 ft above the final kickoff
and a mechanical jar in the horizontal section atop BHA. The upper jar is used to free stuck pipe at the kick
off, the most common point of sticking in horizontal wells, and the horizontal jar for stuck BHA. The
mechanical jar is placed in the horizontal section for fear that firing of the upper jar would damage a
hydraulic jar if it is below.

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
3 General Guidelines.

Always place the drilling jar in the transition pipe (HWDP or DC), that is located between the BHA
and drill pipe (Check manufacturer directions)

The drilling jar should be located a minimum of 90 feet away from the top stabilizer in the BHA

The drilling jar should never be run as a crossover between the drill collars and the HWDP or
between the drill collars of different outside diameters (OD)

A minimum of three joints of DC or the equivalent weight of HWDP should be used above the
drilling jar at all times

The largest outer diameter of drill collars and or HWDP above the drilling jar should be equal to, or
slightly smaller than, the outer diameter of the drilling jar

Never run a stabilizer or reamer above the drilling jar

The number of drill collars used to design a BHA should not exceed the amount of bit weight
required plus a safety factor

The OD of the drilling jar and the Accelerator tool should be similar to the OD of the bottom hole
assembly

4 Hydraulic Drilling Jar Operation.

4.1 Jarring.

No presetting or adjustment is required before running or prior to jarring. The HDJ is totally controlled from
the surface using only axial motion. From the neutral position, pull up to the desired load and wait a few
seconds for the HDJ to jar up, or slack off to the desired load and wait a few seconds for the HDJ to jar
down. After impact, return the HDJ to neutral and it is immediately ready to jar in the same or in the opposite
direction. To hit harder pull harder, to hit lighter pull lighter. There is no other operator action required and
the HDJ can be hit in any sequence desired (up only, down only, or up and down).

The waiting time between setting the brake and the jarring action will be in the range of 10-60 seconds and
will not be affected by changes in down-hole temperature or hydrostatic pressure or the number of times the
HDJ is actuated. It is never necessary to “warm-up” the HDJ or to circulate to “cool it off”. DRILLING DOES
NOT AFFECT THE HDJ. Full torque in either direction can be transmitted at all times without affecting either
the magnitude or the time delay of the jarring action.

4.2 Finding the Neutral (or cocked) Position.

It is not necessary to slack off (or pull up if jarring down) an exact amount of weight or to control the travel of
the jar to recock. The proper travel will occur automatically if sufficient weight is slacked off (or pulled up) to
allow the necessary travel at the tool. NOTE: When recocking to jar again in the same direction the time
delay of the next blow WILL NOT be affected by overtravel in the direction of neutral. In this case, just
check the Martin Decker. When slacking off weight will not change for a few moments, this is the neutral for
the jar. Same applies when pulling up as well, tension will not increase while traveling up, this is the neutral
point. Normally jar travel is between 8 and 12 inches. Additionally some jars may require some down
movement to cock the jars (consider about 10,000 lbs internal friction)

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
4.3 Pump Open Force.

The jar is subjected to a pump open force that acts on the cross sectional area of the lower mandrel
POF (lbs) = Area (in2) X Diff. Pressure (psi)

4.4 Up Jarring.
• Cocking the jar.

Drill String is lowered

Piston moves down into the detent cylinder – Jar is cocked

• Pulling Up.

Drill string is picked up with an applied force FAPP

The applied force first overcomes the string weight (SW) and the drag (friction due to
motion)

The force exceeding the SW and the Drag the Over Pull (OP) then stretches the drill pipe
OP = FAPP + SW + Drag

The over-pull energy is stored in the drill pipe as stretch

• Free Travel - Jar Fires

Piston moves pass restriction in detent chamber. Fluid by passes metering ring

Drill Pipe contracts at a recoil velocity VC

Piston and hammer weight above the jar goes into free travel moving with the same
velocity VC

VC = F O * VA / AC * E
VC = free contraction speed of collar
FO = over pull
VA = acoustic velocity of steel
AC = cross-section of collar
E = constant for modulus of elasticity of steel

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
 • Free Travel

Free travel of the piston and hammer weight results in stress waves being propagated up
along the HWDP

The stress waves increase the initial velocity through incremental steps to a final velocity
VNEW
VNEW = VC + λ VC

“λ” is the reflection co-efficient where λ=(α-1) / (α+1) and α equals to the cross-sectional
area of the collars to the cross-sectional area of the drill pipe

The waves moves along the hammer weight and is reflected at the hammer weight / drill
pipe interface

Repeat reflections can occur before the piston collides with the anvil

Each reflection increases the velocity by λ * VC

The final velocity attained VN depends on the number of reflections N
N
VN = VC * (1 + 2∑ λn )
n =1

• Collision

After free travel, the piston collides with the anvil

Shock waves are generated equivalent to the final energy gained from moving the
hammer weight at the increased velocity VN
Amplified Energy = (½) M*VN*2

Shock waves propagate towards the stuck point

Each wave releases a certain amount of energy peaks which creates a tensile force that
attempts to move the stuck point up

• Resulting Energy

Impact – is maximum peak tensile force experienced at the stuck point

Impulse – is the tensile force experienced over a period of time at the stuck point

Cocking Jar Pulling Up Jar Fires Free Travel Free Travel

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
 Collision Collision

4.5 Hydraulic Jar in Tension/Compression.

Hydraulic Jar in Tension Hydraulic Jar in Compression

Neutral point below the drilling jar
Drilling jar remains “open” and cocked for down
jarring while drilling
No risk of premature firing of drilling jar when picking
up off bottom
Pump Open Force will help extend the drilling jar
open while drilling, and does not affect the WOB
Used in low angle wellbores where the bottom hole
assembly below the optimal drilling jar placement
provides sufficient weight to drill
Neutral point above the drilling jar
Drilling jar remains “closed” and cocked for up
jarring while drilling
Drilling jar may fire prematurely if drill string picked
up off bottom too quickly
Drilling jar needs to be slowly opened before tripping
out the hole to prevent accidental firing
Unavoidable in highly deviated wellbores where the
bottom hole assembly below the optimal drilling jar
placement provides in-sufficient weight on bit to drill

5 Accelerators

The Drilling Accelerator tool amplifies the final impact and impulse energy released by a jar. The increased
energy delivered is the summation of the energy stored in the Accelerator tool and the energy stored in the
drill pipe. The Accelerator is designed to ensure maximum jarring efficiency in directional or crooked holes
where wall drag is a problem, or in shallow holes where pipe stretch is insufficient. The Intensifier is
positioned in the bottom hole assembly close to the BHA. As tension is applied, the Intensifier will extend,
storing the energy of the applied tension. This stored energy is released when the jar fires, accelerating the
drill collars upward. It operates in the same manner as the jar, but in both up and down directions. Some
companies use intensifier some use accelerator. What actually it does is it provides extra stretch to the drill
string.

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
5.1 Design
• The Accelerator tool consists of an outer cylinder and an inner mandrel connected by a piston
chamber.
• When a force is applied to the Accelerator tool the silicon liquid is compressed by the moving
piston.
• When the force is released the silicon liquid expands (like a spring) moving the piston back to its
original position.

5.2 Reduced Cross-Sectional Area

• More efficient reflector point – increases the reflection of incident stress waves therefore increasing
the velocity of the movement of the mass above the jar
• Effectively stops harmful vibrations from moving up towards the drill floor

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
5.3 Benefits

• The Accelerator tool enhances the performance of the drilling jar by storing and releasing the strain
or compressive energy, of the applied force, closer to the drilling jar allowing a more efficient
transfer of energy
• Able to amplify the drilling jar’s impact and impulse forces when jarring up or down
• Creates a hydraulic disconnect in the drill string assisting with stopping the vibrations in the drill
string

6 Jar Placement Analysis – Casabe Project.

6.1 Jar Placement - Vertical Wells.

BHA.

6.2 Trajectory

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
6.3 Jar placement Software Results

Normally, in Casabe project, the stuck pipe incidents have occurred while tripping out of the hole.
Considering that our main jarring direction is down, using 5 DC and 25 HWDP as shown in the previous
table, and using double stands, the best position for the jar is between the HWDP with 5 joints below and 20
joints above the jars.

The jarring up impact will be 10 klbs less than the best jarring up placement. That is 5% less impact if it is
compared with the best jarring up position.

6.4 Jar Placement - Directional Wells.

6.4.1 BHA.

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
6.4.2 Trajectory

6.5 Jar placement Software Results

Normally, in Casabe project, the stuck pipe incidents have occurred while tripping out of the hole.
Considering that our main jarring direction is down, using the directional BHA and 25 HWDP as shown in
the previous table, and using double stands, the best position for the jar is between the HWDP with 4 joints
below and 21 joints above the jars.

The jarring up impact will be 10 klbs less than the best jarring up placement. That is 5% less impact if it is
compared with the best jarring up position.

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
7 Accelerator Analysis.

7.1 Vertical Wells.

Using a similar BHA and just adding an accelerator two joints above the jar, the impact force is increased
from 156 Klbs to 441 Klbs (jarring down). This is a 300% increase. It is optimal position which is different of
just jar optimal position.

7.2 Directional Wells

Using a similar directional BHA with the addition of an accelerator two joints above the jar, the impact force
in increased from 138 Klbs to 396 Klbs (jarring down). It is optimal position which is different of just jar
optimal position.

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

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Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project
The LIH cost per well in Casabe project is 79 K$, a cost estimation for the rental of an accelerator is 1500 $
per well (300 $/day). Using an accelerator could help to improve the chances for recovery from a stuck pipe
event because the first impact after get stuck will be greater and it will increase the possibility for success.

The first jarring in a differential case is the most important. Usually when you are successful freeing a
differential stuck by immediately jarring w/ high power the string gets stuck several other times w/ equal or
lower sticking force while making connections and pulling out in front of the trouble zone. Not while
circulating. The addition of an accelerator will increase the impact power in all cases.

Note: All these calculations were made using National Oil Tools software for jar placement, using hydraulic
jars and a double acting hydraulic intensifier. For the Casabe Project case where Weatherford tools
are being used (ie Dailey drilling jars), Weatheford software should be used to find the best jar
placement (using Weatherford tool data and recommendations).

Prepared by: MC Jar Placement Guidelines

13/13
Reviewed by: RU/GY/CL Casabe Project