Part Number 821.10001.NZ (SAP 100076323.

NZ)

Drilling Recommendations for

Halliburton Cementing Plugs, Float Equipment and Related Cementing
Casing Equipment with Fixed Cutter Bits
During the past several years, much progress has been made in fixed cutter bit designs. Improved technology and
manufacturing processes have improved bit performance and reliability to the extent that PDC (polycrystalline diamond
compact) bits are successfully encroaching into hard-rock drilling applications. Formations that once were reserved for
roller cone bits are successfully being drilled with PDC bits. Additionally, it is becoming more common for PDC bits to
be used to drill out cementing plugs and float equipment. These achievements reflect recent improvements in
technology and the innovation involved in bit design and manufacture.

However, the aggressive cutting nature of many fixed cutter bits is designed to maximize bit performance when drilling
formation. The aggressive nature of fixed cutter bits can cause large debris to be created when drilling through
cementing plugs. Specifically the elastomer and phenolic materials commonly used in the construction of cementing
plugs and floating equipment tend to tear or fragment into large pieces rather than the typical shearing that occurs when
drilling formation. The larger cuttings created when drilling cementing casing equipment is more significant than
cuttings created when drilling formation. Therefore, special consideration must be made when determining procedures
to be followed when drilling out shoe tracks.

General Comments:

Weight on bit (WOB) and weight on target (WOT). The actual force applied by bit face to target being drilled
is not always equal.

• Frictional pressure drop in annulus should be considered during drilling operations where small
operating envelope is used for WOB recommendations.
• With increasing wellbore inclination, frictional drag should be considered when determining actual
weight applied to bit.
• Cutting size variability.
• Bit pump off can be exacerbated by debris plugging
bit or stabilizer junk slots.
• Float equipment and cementing plug materials
supplied by Halliburton are inherently drillable.

A major contributing factor that can lead to an extended drill

out time is incorrectly interpreted WOB as a magnitude of
force applied to target by bit

• Drag or friction between drill string and casing not

included into WOB determination. Especially in wells
with significant inclination, build section or dogleg Figure 1 – This figure graphically represents the loads
associated drillout, such as hydraulic pump off, reduced
severity WOB and drag. Software output for determining
• Hydraulic bit pump off not included into WOB relationship between WOB and WOT.
determination
• Bridging of JSA (junk slot area) of bit or stabilizers with debris from cementing plug
• Rotary Steerable assemblies may require greater attention to detail compared to conventional mud
motor drillout
Page 1 of 5
Contact Tool Systems, Halliburton, Duncan Oklahoma
for material make-up of Halliburton cementing casing equipment.
Email address is resource.casingequipment@halliburton.com
 Part Number 821.10001.NZ (SAP 100076323.NZ)

Key factors that affect PDC bit performance while drilling cementing plugs and float equipment:

• Bit style. (i.e. Cutter size & angle, blade layout, bit profile, bypass area, etc.).
• Bit hydraulics & Hole cleaning issues, (flow rate, # of blades).
• Procedures (i.e. WOB, pump rate, RPM, etc.).
• Target materials being drilled (rubber, aluminum {cast or wrought}, bronze, plastic, concrete, etc.).
All target materials drill best with fixed cutter bits when the target itself is not allowed to rotate.
Proper cementing procedures can help ensure effective placement of cement near and around target.

Procedures for drilling cementing casing equipment vary greatly between locations and geographical areas.
Procedures differ depending on type of formation being drilled and bit type being used. In the case of fixed
cutter bits, more specifically PDC bits, much can be learned from the experience of operators who have tried
different procedures and have developed a successful pattern.

A few common procedures are as follows:

• Maintain low WOB (initial weight on bit to be 300-500 lbs. per inch {525 to 875 N/cm2} of bit
diameter). Allow WOB to drill off before applying additional weight. Watch for bit sticking/slipping
that can occur with sudden increases in WOB. Increased WOB is not necessarily the solution to
increased penetration rate.

Note: Note difference between WOB (weight on bit) and WOT (weight on target). Frictional
pressure drop between BHA and wellbore or casing ID can provide a false WOB indication
without any WOT, often resulting in extended drillout times.

• Low to medium RPM (40 to 80 RPM).

• Maintain maximum flow rate at the bit to aid in debris removal from the bit (5-10 GPM/sq. in. {3 to 6
lpm/cm2} of bit area). Insufficient hole cleaning near the bit can cause debris below and around the bit
to act like a “bearing” thus reducing penetration rate.
• Reciprocate bit only if penetration stops. Reciprocate while maintaining circulation and rotational
speed to ensure proper removal of debris.

Page 2 of 5
Contact Tool Systems, Halliburton, Duncan Oklahoma
for material make-up of Halliburton cementing casing equipment.
Email address is resource.casingequipment@halliburton.com
 Part Number 821.10001.NZ (SAP 100076323.NZ)

Summary of drillout procedures for PDC bit on the drill string.

1. RIH and tag target. Raise bit 10 feet (3 meters), start circulation and rotation to 40 RPM.
2. Note string weight and zero weight indicator.
3. Lower bit onto target until low to medium WOB is obtained.
4. Monitor torque and penetration rate. Adjust WOB and flow rate as necessary.
Note: As debris is created, increasing WOB may be required to maintain constant WOT.
Excessive penetration rate can adversely affect overall drillout efficiency
Improper cleaning below the bit can increase bit pump-off which will reduce penetration rate.
5. Reciprocate bit once penetration through float collar and plugs occurs. Removal of debris is critical to
successful drillout.

Summary of drillout procedures for PDC bit on mud motor or rotary steerable BHA.

1. RIH and tag target. Raise bit 10 feet (3 meters), establish circulation at flow rate sufficient to establish
100 to 150 RPM. Motor type will determine required flow rate.
2. Rotate drill string at 20 to 30 RPM
3. Note string weight and zero weight indicator.
4. Slowly lower bit onto target until low to medium WOB is obtained (initial weight on bit to be 300-500
lbs. per inch {525 to 875 N/cm2} of bit diameter).

Calculate proper WOB range:

Dbit = bit diameter = in.
Wbit = 300-500 lbs
WOB range between: Dbit x Wbit1 & Dbit x Wbit2 = & lbs.

Increase WOB as needed to overcome bit pump off.

5. Monitor torque and penetration rate. Adjust WOB and flow rate as necessary.

Note:
• As debris is created, increasing WOB may be required to maintain constant WOT.
• Excessive penetration rate can adversely affect overall drillout efficiency.
• Improper cleaning below the bit can increase bit pump-off which will reduce penetration rate.
• Periodic reciprocation may be required to help ensure plugging or bridging of stabalizers does not
occur.

6. Reciprocate bit once penetration through float collar and plugs occurs. Removal of debris is critical to
successful drillout.

The key to a successful drill out of cementing casing equipment is careful attention to drilling torque &
penetration rates. If, at any time, the penetration rate decreases, a change in the procedures (WOB, Pump rate
or RPM) being used should be considered.

Note: Halliburton cementing casing equipment can be drilled with roller cone bits or mills using published
drilling procedures from bit manufacturer. Bit pump off due to debris pack-off should always be considered
during drillout.

Page 3 of 5
Contact Tool Systems, Halliburton, Duncan Oklahoma
for material make-up of Halliburton cementing casing equipment.
Email address is resource.casingequipment@halliburton.com
 Part Number 821.10001.NZ (SAP 100076323.NZ)

Date of job: Company name:

Filled out by:

Location/Well Information
Well name: Location name:
Land/Offshore: Rig Name:
Top drive: Riser/Riser-less:

Cemented casing and bit data:

Casing size: Casing weight:
Bit size: Bit manufacturer:
Bit style: Pre-run bit condition per IADC:
Bit part number: Post-run bit condition per IADC:
JSA (Junk Slot Area):
BHA details with dimensions and lengths:

Float collar manufacturer: Float shoe manufacturer:

Float collar p.n.: Float shoe p.n.:
Float collar depth: Float shoe depth:
Cementing plug manufacturer:
Top cementing plug p.n.: Bottom cementing plug p.n.:
Float shoe setting depth:

Job Data
Mud weight: Oil or water based mud:
Did mud contain LCM: yes or no? Mud YP: Mud PV:
If yes to LCM, what type & what concentration:
Mud solid content prior to running casing:
Mud solid content prior to cementing operations:

Cement Job Details:

Cementing Service Company:
Were top and bottom plugs used: Did top plug bump:
If not, depth it should be tagged: If so, at what pressure: psi.
(Surface gauge pressure / differential at floats)
Time pressure held: Min. Did floats hold:
If not, what type of returns were seen:

Drillout Data:
Depth target was tagged: Weight target withstood prior to drilling:
Description of debris returned to shakers should be documented in the drillout summary below.

Page 4 of 5
Contact Tool Systems, Halliburton, Duncan Oklahoma
for material make-up of Halliburton cementing casing equipment.
Email address is resource.casingequipment@halliburton.com
 Part Number 821.10001.NZ (SAP 100076323.NZ)

Drillout Summary
Periodic data obtained during drillout
Time Depth ROP WOB RPM Pump Torque Target Description
(Δtime / Δ depth) Rate or Comment

Filled out by: Date:

Page 5 of 5
Contact Tool Systems, Halliburton, Duncan Oklahoma
for material make-up of Halliburton cementing casing equipment.
Email address is resource.casingequipment@halliburton.com