Quartz School for Well Site Supervisors

Module – 8
Directional Drilling

Section – 5f
Side Track Procedures
 Objectives
• Describe the four primary kick-off methods

• Explain where and why each method is preferred

• Design a BHA for each type of method

• Select appropriate Bits for the chosen technique

• Explain the cement plug placement techniques

• Discuss side track options

 Main reasons for side tracking

Stuck pipe or fish

Hole unstable or abandonment

Pilot holes

Hole geometry or well too close to the water contact

Exploration re-drilled as development well

Inability to land or steer because of laminated formations

Easier correlation with straight-hole logs (reentry)
 Wellbore Deviating Techniques

• Side Track with Jetting

• Sidetracks in Open Hole
• Side Tracks using “Whipstock”
• Window Milling and Sidetracking (Casing Exit)
• Cement Plugs for Sidetracking
 What is a Kick-off

• A kick-off is the deflection of well bore

while maintaining control of Azimuth,
Inclination and DLS.
 Kick-off Methods

Lithology is the key to selecting the most appropriate method:

Igneous &
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
1 4 5 6 7 8

Motor
Jetting Whipstock
 Jetting

• Jetting is the utilization of hydraulics to wash a

pocket beneath and to the side of the bit to cause
deflection.

• Jetting was, until recently considered redundant.

However with the increased requirement to exit
mature platforms where clearances between wells
are too tight to utilize anti-collision practices with
steerable motor systems, jetting has become the
only economic alternative.
 Jetting Bits

• Conventional roller cone bits

are commonly used for
jetting and are adequate for
the task :
 Jetting BHA

• BHAs for jetting need to be designed on the principles of

conventional “Rotary Build BHAs”:

• Jetting Bit (oriented)

• Near Bit Full Gauge Stabilizer

• Orientation Sub (UBHO) (dependent on measurement tool)

• Up to 3 Drill Collars ( 12” to 26” hole) or (MWD + 2 DCs)

• String Stabilizer (optional, as is gauge if present)

• Transition string, jars etc. as required

 Jetting Procedure
The steps to follow are:

 Orient BHA prior to commencing (Scribe or

survey)
 Come on bottom using maximum flow rate
(depends on the hole size)
 Spud for +/- 6’ (2m)
 Rotate remainder of double at reduced flow
rate.
 Survey (if retrievable tool or use cont. D&I if
MWD)
 Adjust orientation and distance spudded as
required
 Repeat from 2.
Side tracking in open hole
Does the well need to be plugged?
 Is the formation hard? (direction of dips)
At 2 FPH an open hole side track may be difficult. Unless the
side track is performed in the middle of a sharp DLS, at high
inclination and with heavy tools (6 ¾ plus). There is no
guarantee of success.
Will a casing or liner be run later?
Is there a wash out or DLS that can help?
Risk of catastrophic loss of angle?
Should it be done with one single BHA?
 Gilligan BHAs
Defining a “Gilligan” BHA is easier than defining its use.

Before 1980, these BHAs were used to solve extreme situations (lack of
Build or Side tracks).

Today, they seem to be used for ST only:

Straight holes (Pendulum cannot be used)

Motors cannot be used (odd size or lack of tools)

Gilligan BHAs normally have smaller components mixed with larger ones
to increase flex.
Examples of Gilligan BHAs
Undercutting with a classic rotary BHA
 Side track with Motors

• Performing a side track with a motor and a cement plug is

usually an easy job.

• It can become very hard with a poor cement plug, when

formation is very hard (laminated formation at unfavorable
angle) or simply with the wrong bit selection.

• With a single bend, time drilling will help but not as much
as when a bent sub is used.

• High speed motors usually yield more DLS.

Side track with Motors in Open hole
 Side track with Motors in Open hole

• An “open hole” side track implies the job is

performed without a cement plug.

• Long ago an “open hole” side tracks were

performed to wipe out a sharp DLS.

• When horizontal drilling was initiated, it became

obvious avoiding cement plugs could save a lot
of rig time.

• Setting a cement plug at 90 degrees is not easy.

 Open hole side track

The tie in survey from the old hole should preferably be 100 ft behind
Stabilized or slick?
Side track with Rotary Steerable Systems

• Rotary Steerable Systems, RSS, can be used with

cement.

• Push the bit systems are not adequate for open

hole side track

• The relative weak DLS capability may cause too

much TVD loss.

• After two days (with X5) on an 8 ½ high angle hole,

a Motor had to be run.
 Push the bit limitations

Push the bit systems are probably worse than classic Pendulum
 Side Track with Point the bit systems

It all happens at the bit:

Building a trough from the bit to the 1st touch point is

enough.
 Whipstocks

• Whipstocks are highly effective tools designed to provide

lateral displacement from the well-bore.

• They do not give very large changes in dogleg but due to

the fact that what is provided is done in a very small
change in MD. They generate high DLS values.

• Though whipstocks are a niche market tool their range

and diversity is on the increase.
 Whipstocks

Whipstocks come in five primary types:

• Open Hole Retrievable Whipstocks

• Open / Cased Hole Cemented Whipstocks
• Open Hole Packer Whipstocks
• Cased Hole Mechanical Set Whipstocks
• Cased Hole Hydraulic Set Whipstocks
Open / Cased Hole Cemented Whipstock

Features:

• 2 run (minimum) system

• Hollow, Bladed & Ported tail
• Inexpensive
• Simple & Reliable
• Problems in field when making “Low side”
kick-offs
Open / Cased Hole Cemented Whipstock
 Open Hole Packer Whipstock

Features:

• 2 run system
• Cement inflated Packer
• Costly
• Complex but Reliable (hole conditions)
Open Hole Packer Whipstock
Open Hole Packer Whipstock
Cased Hole Mechanical Set Whipstock

Features:

• 1, 2 or 3 run system
• Mechanically Set Packer
• Inexpensive
• Simple
• Requires Cement Plug or Bridge Plug to set
Cased Hole Mechanical Set Whipstock
 Cased Hole Hydraulic Set Whipstock

Features:

• 1, 2 or 3 run system
• Hydraulically Set Packer
• Costly
• Simple
• Set at any depth or orientation required
Cased Hole Hydraulic Set Whipstock
 Bit Selection for Side Tracking

Bit selection should be based on the short term requirement:

• Is durability a requirement?
• NO
• What are our requirements?
• Ability to side-cut into this formation
• What kind of bit will do this?
 Bit Selection for Side Tracking

There are specialized PDC And specialized

side-tracking bits: Natural Diamond
side-tracking bits:
 Bit Selection for Side Tracking

There are certain characteristics common to fixed

cutter bits designed for side-tracking:
– The bit must not be inherently stable
– Shallow Cone
– Negligible Taper
– Minimal Gauge Protection
– Short Shank
– High cutter density on the edge
 Bit Selection for Side Tracking

When a dedicated fixed cutter bit is not available we need to select

the most appropriate roller cone bit. The qualities that we are
looking are those that will give us the best side-cutting action.

Which bit will be most effective in side-tracking?

a) An insert bit
b) A milled tooth bit
c) It depends on the formation
 Bit Selection for Side Tracking

To decide we need to consider the method used to protect the

gauge in the two different roller cone bit types.

Insert bits are fitted with gauge inserts

Milled Bits have no such apparent protection

 Bit Selection for Side Tracking
Another feature to consider is Skew:

Insert bits mostly have a Low Skew

Milled tooth bits for soft formation have a High Skew

 Bit Selection for Side Tracking

Recap

When a problematic side-track is expected:

Dedicated Side-track bits are most effective

Milled tooth bits are preferred to Insert bits

1-1-X bits are not suitable except in soft formations

Hydraulics must be considered
 Available Data

When Preparing a Side-track it is advisable to use all the

information available to you to ensure success.
Sources of relevant data include:

• Mud Log: Lithology, ROP and Problems

• Wireline logs
• D&M data
• IADC Report
 Bend Setting & Orientation

1. Bend Setting is a function of DLS requirement

Increasing the bend provides a greater offset and

thus a higher side-force.

2. Orientation is a function of Objective:

Decide what is most important:

• To never reenter the old hole

• To correct the direction of the well toward a target
• To facilitate to the maximum the side-track
 Section milling
1. A 35/40 ft window was the norm with conventional
tools. The knives of a section mill tools would die
out soon after milling a casing collar especially with
hard steel (P110).

2. A cut initiated 5/10 ft below a casing collar would

produce a 35 ft section.

3. Section milling is dependable but time consuming

compared with whipstocks.
Section milling tools

Good stabilization
here is essential
 Cutting a section by other means

1. A section can also be performed by simply cutting

and pulling a casing and milling away the casing with
a pilot mill.

2. In such a case, procedures would be identical to a

side track performed in open hole.
 Cutting and milling a window

Cutting an entire section

Pilot mill
Pipe cutters
 Field case with section milling

• On a well where cement plug appeared very weak,

decision was made to run a double bend motor (3°
ABH & 1°bent sub)
Milling And Sidetracking
Side Track from Cement Plug
 Side Track from a Cement Plug

Cement Plug Fundamentals:

• Setting a cement plug in a well is a common oilfield operation

• A cement plug involves a relatively small volume of cement slurry
• Plugs are placed in the wellbore for various purposes:
– To side track above a fish or to initiate directional drilling
– To plug back a zone or plug back a well
– To solve a lost circulation problem during the drilling phase
– To provide an anchor for open hole tests
– To increase the formation strength/integrity
Cement Plug for Sidetrack and Directional Drilling

Kick Off Point

CEMENT
PLUG

NEW
HOLE
 Reasons for Cement Plug Failures

Lack of hardness

Wrong Depth

Not in place due to sinking to the bottom

Plug slippage when not set on a solid base

Drilling out too soon

Inaccurate well data (which one?)

Insufficient slurry volume

Poor slurry design, poorly mixed cement

Losses due to high ECD while reversing

Poor mud removal

Inclination of the hole

Contamination of slurry both inside and outside of string
Mud Contamination vs. Compressive Strength
Cement Plug Job Design Considerations

At what depth will the plug be set?

Across which formations is the plug going to be set?

At what density should the slurry be mixed?

What is the BHT?

What volume should be pumped?

What is the required thickening time?

How to ensure the cement will not be contaminated by the mud?

Are pipe centralization and rotation necessary?

Can a slightly bent string be used and rotated to place the cement plug?

How fast pipe needs to be POOH

What size of drill string is required

Waiting on cement time?

Reverse circulation vs. Direct circulation?
 Cement Plug Job Design Considerations

Establish of support base and stable interface. This maintains the position of the
plug in the wellbore and most importantly prevents co-mingling of the fluid.

Minimize cement contamination during the process:

1. Preparation of the wellbore and drilling fluid to optimize cement
placement.
2. Effective and complete displacement of the drilling fluid.
3. Sufficient cement volume

The hardened cement must offer greater drilling resistance than surrounding
formation:
1. Proper cement slurry design
2. Proper mixing
3. Adequate waiting-on-cement time
 Slurry Design Overview

Density:
1. In general compressive strength increases with density (W/C ratio)
2. Increasing slurry density raises the density differential between. This increases
the possibility for plug failure.

Compressive Strength
1. It is the most significant variable for kick-off cement plug.
2. It should be higher than the formation (minimum 5000 psi)
3. There is no direct correlation between compressive strengths and zonal isolation.
4. Watch strength retrogression when temperature is between 230F and 250F

Free Water
1. It is the water separation from the cement slurry as the denser cement particles
migrate downward (<1%).

Fluid loss
1. If gas migration is expected, fluid loss should be between 20-100 cc/30min

Thickening Time
1. enough time for placement + POOH + 1.5 to 2 hours
Recommended Cement Properties for Kick Off Plugs
 Volume Considerations for Kick Off Plugs

Insufficient slurry volume is often the cause of cement plug failures. Rule of
thumb is always to place a 500-600 ft-cement plug (excess not included), or
minimum 60 bbl slurry

Consider that at least first 100-150 ft at the top of the plug to be contaminated.

Plug lengths above 700 ft may cause operational problems and are not
recommended.

When possible, utilize an open hole caliper to determine cement volumes. It is
recommended to use caliper volume + 10% to ensure sufficient plug volume

When a caliper is not available, the following guidelines are proposed:
 Supporting a balanced plug
The fluid below cement plug is critical for:
1. Keeping the plug in correct depth
2. Preventing downward migration and contamination of the cement

Ideally, it should have the following characteristics:

1. Gel strength great enough to support the force exerted by the cement plug
2. Maintain difference of density no more than 2 ppg
3. Set a Barite plug
4. A mud engineer can prepare a barite plug. The barite will settle
(barite sag) and will prevent plug slippage.

Other options
1. Bridge plug if inside casing
2. Use Para bow system
3. Pump additional cement plug
4. New technology (CemFlat)
 Balanced Plug
Balancing Circulating
Displacement
Fluid
Spacer

Cement Slurry

Plug Length
 Balanced Plug
Risk of Contamination when POOH
 Balanced Plug Technique

Use smaller diameter Drill pipe or tubing (tail pipe whenever possible to
reduce contamination)

Place a viscous pill on the bottom to support the cement plug.

Batch mix the cement whenever possible, this will provide consistent weight
and rheology

Slightly under displace the plug (usually 1-1.5 bbl ) to avoid contamination
due to mud flow back.

If possible rotate the string

Allow plug to reach hydrostatic balance.

Slowly pull the tail pipe out of the plug to desired top depth (200-300 ft above
the theoretical TOC and circulate at least 1.5 times the annular volume.

Decide if reverse circulating is absolutely necessary (reverse circulating
exerts high amount of pressure on the plug and may cause lost circulation)
Reverse Circulating Excess Cement

L
Coiled Tubing Cement Plug Technique

Coiled Tubing

Cement

Mud
Pump and Pull Method Technique
 Tailpipe (Stinger) Considerations
Description
A piece of aluminum or fiberglass pipe of reduced diameter placed at the
end of the drill string recommended length is 1.5 times the cement plug length.
The stinger is sheared after WOC (optional).

Potential advantages

Smaller disturbance when pulling the drill string out of the cement slurry, after
placement.

Enhanced stability of cement slurry, in case of highly deviated or horizontal
sections. In this case the best practice is to let the cement set with the tailpipe
inside it and break once the cement is set.

Easier to break (by increasing the pull) if the pipe becomes cemented up and
cannot be pulled out. Also cheaper than drill pipe.

For cement plugs set in horizontal wells, the stinger is sometimes left inside the
plug to provide additional reinforcement while the cement sets. This reduces
the chances for the cement slurry to slump under its own weight after
placement.
 Tailpipe (Stinger) Considerations

Potential drawbacks
– Computation of volumes is more complex: you cannot
simply equal the length of fluids in the annulus and pipe
since the cross sections varies.
– In case displacement volume is not carefully calculated, the
cement plug could be displaced while pulling out.
 Classic cementing tools

The two tools above are essential to prevent plugging the

string (especially on a deviated well).
 Diverter Tool

8 holes
phased at 450

Bull Plug

7
5
Drill Pipe Centralization & Diverter Tool

DRILLPIPE
CENTRALIZED
DP Centralization to ensure
homogeneous positive mud
9.0 lb/gal MUD
removal
SPACER
DIVERTER TOOL

Viscous pill placed below
16.0 lb/gal CEMENT cement slurry to avoid
“sinking” cement slurry
9.1 lb/gal VISCOUS BENTONITE PILL
through light 9.0 lb/gal mud.

Diverter tool used, to make
sure that there is no
9.0 lb/gal MUD downwards jetting action that
might break/penetrate the pill
No Drill Pipe Centralization & No Diverter Tool

No diverter tool is being used -

9.0 lb/gal MUD
jetting action of cement breaks
the viscous pill and cement
SPACER
slurry “falls” down to the bottom
13.8lb/gal leaving no cement.
15.8 lb/gal
17.5 lb/gal
Bad centralization/standoff
CEMENT
causes bad mud removal, some
BENTONITE PILL
mud behind DP is not removed,
resulting in bad cement, mud
9.0 lb/gal MUD contamination up to POH work
string.
 Cement bond considerations
• Whichever is the technique used, cement bond is
important. Isolation cannot be overlooked.
 Special tools

Plug catcher or Plug Placement tools

1. Provides mechanical separation of the slurry from

displacing fluid
2. Provides an indication of the end of displacement
3. Reduces the probability of over-displacing

Inside BOP

1. Prevents back flow due to out of balance cement plug

2. Are recommended when washouts with no caliper or no
measurable hole size
3. When cement density is higher that mud density (>2.5 ppg)
 “Parabow” and plug catchers

1. The “Parabow” tool provides a solid barrier. This is

very useful when setting a plug far from bottom.

2. The “parabow” is an expendable insert (Umbrella) run

with a retrievable tool. The cement can be pumped as
soon as the “Parabow” is set.

3. Plug catchers allow accurate cement placement.

Similar to sponges, they reduce the risk of leaving
chunks of cement in the DP (Jamming MWD etc..)
Cement Support Tool
 Cement Support Tool

Operating principles
 Operational Considerations - Summary

Condition the well before running the job, using low YP and PV mud, but sufficient weight
to control the well.

Place the plug in a competent formation

Use sufficient amount of cement and Batch mix the slurry

Place a viscous pill below the cement plug whenever possible to prevent cement sliding
down the hole due to density difference.

Use a tailpipe whenever possible

Use centralizers on the tailpipe where the hole is not excessively washed out.

Use spacers and washers to combat the effects of mud contamination

High density cements with a dispersant are useful

Consider rotating the drill string during the placement

Decide if reverse circulating is absolutely necessary (reverse circulating exerts high
amount of pressure on the plug and may cause lost circulation)

Allow sufficient time for the cement to set prior to tagging with directional string
 IPM-PR-WCI-006

IPM
SETTING AND VERIFICATION OF CEMENT PLUGS
PROCEDURE
 Time Drilling

To time drill we need to plan our strategy based on:

• ROP when drilled

• Type & Behavior of Formation
• Well Path close to the Side-track
• Logs of this well or similar offset well
• Use all available sources of information
 Time Drilling
Decide your game plan:

• Time drilling Rate & Distance for each step

• Inform Client Rep & Driller / Tool Pusher
• Maximize Block height
• Be aware of Lag time
• Watch cutting ratios
• Sample catch quality
• Switch to WOB drilling

What will hurt:

• Opposite of all of the above

• Hole wash out (although one could argue that if hole
is washed out formation is probably soft)
• Inclination of the hole
 Kicking off a cement plug
What will help:
– Patience
– Tri-cone bits
– Short gauge PDC bits / Side track bits
– High bend on motor/ Power Drive
• Increasing the bend provides a greater offset and thus a higher
side-force.
– Bent subs (higher offsets will help)
– High speed motor
– Stabilizer above motor (no stab on motor) to increase side forces
– Inclination at the bit (not available in SLB) to evaluate trend sooner
– Measuring amount of cement vs. formation at the surface
What will hurt
– Opposite of all of the above
– Hole wash out (although one could argue that if hole is washed out
formation is probably soft)
– Inclination of the hole
 Cement plug considerations
1. A cement plug may be good enough to isolate but
insufficiently hard to perform a side track.

2. Nowadays, a DD may be required to side track

without knowing plug height and hardness.

3. It is in our interest to recommend the use of side

track bits, tubing, plug catcher and even “Parabow”
to set a proper plug.

4. Cement is the best buffer.

5. A long cement plug may produce plug slippage.

 Cement plugs: What has changed?

1. Today, a 4500 PSI compressive strength can be

obtained in 24 hours with a 14.5 ppg slurry.

2. 6000 PSI compressive strength can be obtained.

3. On surface holes in water base mud, 3000 PSI may

be more than enough.

4. Placement techniques have improved (sponge,

plug catchers)
 Determining plug hardness

Case 1: Cement plug is hard enough

A cement that drills at the same ROP as the formation is

OK. At 5 times the ROP of the formation (without
exceeding 150 FPH), Side tracking should be possible.

Case 2: Cement plug is perceived to be too soft

The best action is to wait extra time and to monitor closely

hardness drilling 5 ft every two hours without running
out of plug.

Setting a cement plug on an existing plug eliminates the

risk of plug slippage and therefore contamination.
 Other ways to minimize contamination

Goodies to place plugs more effectively may not be

available on your rig.

If this is the case, there are still options:

Two lines of action may minimize contamination:

- Setting a simple cement plug (prevent plug slippage)
- Set a Barite plug

A mud engineer can prepare a barite plug. The barite

will settle (barite sag) and will prevent plug slippage.
 Tricks and Tips

1. Look at the side track like a fishing job.

2. Concentrate on what you know.
3. Watch out for every change (Inclination, RT)
4. Attempt tagging weight with minimal circulation
5. The cement plug should withstand at least 20000 #
6. On OH side track, try tagging after 20 ft if in doubt.
7. Do not ever drill out completely a cement plug
8. Do not hesitate to use Mud logging info
 Surveys and Cement

1. Define DLS limits with client

2. Do not hesitate in resurveying the hole
3. Do not hesitate in taking check shots
4. Drilling cement at 60 fph is OK on the average ST
5. What matters is to look at trends over a 5 ft interval
6. In oil base mud, the first 200 ft of cement may be soft
7. Do not hesitate to place a 500 ft cement plug
 Conclusions

1. Use all the info you have about the well

2. If ST is caused by an unstable hole it may happen

again if nothing is changed.

3. Keeping DLS low should be easier in soft rock

4. In hard rock, without continuous inc. it may be

difficult to keep DLS low. (long time to wait)

5. Motors have better Side track capability.

6. Side tracking as the well is drilled is easier.

7. Mud compatibility with cement should be checked

 Cement plug considerations
1. Setting a plug across a section should be
easier. There should be no risk of losses
or slippage.
2. Contamination risk should be reduced.
3. In case no under reamer is used,
4. older cement chunks could fall in.
5. In the case of a whipstock,
6. a cement squeeze may be needed
7. before cutting a window.
Old cement
 Tricks and Tips
To evaluate the cement (section milled window):

- PDM: Tag some weight (no pumps, no rotary)

- RSS: Tag some weigh (rotary off, pumps on)

PDM stalling or peaks of torque indicate problems.

(BHA not getting off or steel is in the way).

Inclination check shot surveys allow to confirm initial

whipstock orientation.

When back reaming, tell the driller where to stop.

This way a stabilizer will not catch accidently.

 Conclusions
• Use all the info you have about the well

• Beware of old logs (depth and CBL)

• Motors have better Side track capability.

• Rig Power and flexibility should be known

• Do not hesitate in taking check shots

• Directional driller should be involved in cementing

operations as well as window cutting operations.

• Look at the side track like a fishing job.

• Do not hesitate to use Mud logging info

 Sidetracking
1. Consider open hole sidetracking in soft or horizontal wells
instead of using cement plugs. Formation drillability is the
key, softer/easier/quicker.
2. Evaluate if a cement plug going to be effective in high
angle wells for sidetracking or an open hole whipstock
would be more effective
3. Use the best available directional driller, bit and BHA
configuration to sidetrack
4. Be patient, it takes time. Remember, the cost of setting a
new plug is higher than drilling slower