Coiled Tubing Applications Section 5 – Fishing

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Fishing

Advantages :
• Coiled tubing is considerably stronger than
slickline or braided line.
• Due to its rigidity , Coiled tubing can
access highly deviated or horizontal holes.
• Pumping fluids through Coiled tubing can Accelerator

improve access to the fish and allow fluid

circulation or acid wash during fishing
operation.
Each fishing operation is unique and may
require tools and techniques be modified or
adapted to suit the application. However, Jar
several basic requirements should be
considered.
The appropriate tools and techniques can only
be determined after considering the details of
the fish, well tubulars, well conditions and
surface equipment. Overshot

w Tools which engage on the inside diameter

of the fish (spears). Fish
• Tools which engage on the outside
diameter of the fish (overshot)
• Magnetic tools used to retrieve small iron
and steel objects.
• Wireline tools.

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Prepared by Eng.Ahmed El Zeftawi
 Coiled Tubing Applications Section 5 – Fishing
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Well Conditions
In some cases, it would be necessary to kill the well prior to fishing operation such a
situation may develop when the retrieved fish length is greater than that inside the riser
and surface pressure control equipment. Killing the well then has some bearing on the
equipment and technique used to recover the fish. Contingency well killing procedures
should be prepared prior to fishing operations in live wells.
Details of wellbore fluid and fill should be considered to allow design of an appropriate
pumping schedule.

Fish Details
The more accurate the information about the dimensions and location of the fish, the
greater the likelihood of catching and retrieving the fish. Locating and identifying the fish
depth and fishing neck aids that range from Leaded Impression Block (LIB) to downhole
camera.
To increase the success of the fishing operation, details should be provided such as the
type, dimensions and profile of the fish, whether the fish is free or stuck and the cause of
stretch or loss in the hole.

Tool String
The tool string must be capable of :
• Catching and holding the fish.
• Applying sufficient tension, or energy through jars, to permit retrieval of the fish.
• Releasing the fish in the event it cannot be retrieved.

Several types of fishing tools may used to catch and hold the fish. Although designs vary ,
the tools may be categorized as follows:

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Prepared by Eng.Ahmed El Zeftawi
Coiled Tubing Applications Section 5 – Fishing
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Several associated tools are generally included in a Coiled tubing fishing string to help
recovery of the fish.
Jars

Jars may move up, down or in both directions to deliver an impact load which helps
release the stuck fish. Down jars are generally used to release the fishing tool from a fish
which cannot be retrieved.

Accelerators

Accelerators should be used in conjunction with jars to store the energy released when
the jars fire. In addition, the accelerator reduces any shock loads which may be
transmitted to the Coiled tubing work string.

Release Tool

A release tool should be included in a fishing string as a contingency in the event the tool
string can not be released from an irretrievable fish.

Surface Equipment

When fishing on live wells, the available length in the riser and surface pressure control
equipment must be sufficient to accommodate the bottom of the fish to be retrieved above
the wellhead master valve or lower pressure control valve. This approach allows the
Coiled tubing equipment, tool string and fish to be safely retrieved from the wellhead while
maintaining the necessary barriers against well pressure and fluids.

When retrieving wireline, the surface equipment selection should include wireline BOP’s
and pressure control equipment.

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Prepared by Eng.Ahmed El Zeftawi