Drilling Practice

DRILLING PRACTICES
STUCK PIPE
Understanding makes the Difference
1
DRILLING PRACTICES
Objectives
➢ To help you Understand and Identify the situations

that could lead to the occurrence of Stuck Pipe.
➢Improve your Knowledge on Preventative Measures
➢Have Confidence in your First Actions.
2
DRILLING PRACTICES
Stuck Pipe Introduction
➢ Stuck pipe has always been a long-standing
problem in the drilling industry.
➢It is estimated that $100’s of millions is spent

annually as a result of stuck pipe incidents.
➢This amount could be drastically reduced by

understanding, good communication, preventative
action and rapid response to keep minor sticking
problems developing into severe sticking problems.
3
DRILLING PRACTICES
STICKING MECHANISMS
CATEGORIES
➢ SOLIDS INDUCED PACK-OFF (SECTION ONE)
➢ DIFFERENTIAL STICKING (SECTION TWO)
➢MECHANICAL AND WELLBORE GEOMETRY

(SECTION THREE)
4
DRILLING PRACTICES
SECTION ONE
SOLIDS INDUCED PACK-OFF
CUTTINGS AND FORMATION CAVINGS

CAN SETTLE AROUND THE DRILL STRING
CAUSING THE ANNULUS TO PACK-OFF
RESULTING IN A STUCK PIPE EVENT.
5
DRILLING PRACTICES
FIRST ACTIONS
1
At the first signs of the drill string

torquing up and trying to pack-off
TORQUE
Reduce the pump speed to half. This will help

minimise the build-up in pressure should the
SPM hole pack-off completely.
Excessive pressures applied to a pack-off

will aggravate the situation.
If the hole cleans up, return flow back

to normal rate.
SPM
6
DRILLING PRACTICES
FIRST ACTIONS
2
If the string packs off, immediately stop the

pumps and bleed down the standpipe pressure.
SPM
If a non ported float valve is installed in the drill

string, it will not be possible to bleed any
trapped pressure off.
When bleeding down any pressure from under

the pack-off, control the rate so as not to “U”
tube solids and plug the drill string.
7
DRILLING PRACTICES
FIRST ACTIONS
3
Leave a low pressure (<500 psi) trapped below the pack-

off. This will act as an indicator that the situation is
improving should the pressure start to bleed off.
TORQUE
4
Holding a maximum of 500 psi on the standpipe and with

the string hanging at its free rotating weight, start to
cycle the drill string up to maximum make-up torque.
At this stage do not work the string up or down.
8
DRILLING PRACTICES
FIRST ACTIONS
5
Continue cycling the torque, observe for any pressure

reduction and returns at the shakers.
TORQUE
If bleed off or partial circulation occurs, slowly

increase the pump strokes to maintain a maximum of
500 psi on the standpipe. If circulation improves
SPM
continue increasing the pump strokes.
9
DRILLING PRACTICES
FIRST ACTIONS
6
If circulation cannot be regained, work the pipe between

free up and free down weight.
Do not apply excessive pull and set down weights as

this will aggravate the situation (50k lbs max).
Whilst working the string continue to cycle the torque

to stall out and maintain a maximum of 500 psi on the
TORQUE standpipe.
Do not attempt to fire the jars in either direction.
10
DRILLING PRACTICES
FIRST ACTIONS
8
If circulation cannot be established increase the

standpipe pressure in stages up to 1500 psi and continue
to work the pipe and apply torque.
9
TORQUE
If the pipe is not free once circulation is established,

commence jarring operations in the opposite direction
to the last pipe movement.
Once the pipe is free rotate and clean the hole prior to continuing the trip.
11
DRILLING PRACTICES
STICKING MECHANISMS
12
DRILLING PRACTICES
Unconsolidated Formations
DESCRIPTION:
An unconsolidated formation can consist of
loose sands, gravel's, silts pebbles or
boulders.
SHALLOW FORMATION
Usually encountered in Top Hole and occurs
when the un-bonded formation cannot be
supported by the hydrostatic over balance.
The formation then falls into the hole and
packs off the drill string.
THIS MECHANISM NORMALLY OCCURS:
While drilling shallow unconsolidated
formations.
13
DRILLING PRACTICES
PREVENTATIVE ACTION:
Build low permeability filter cake to help stabilise the formation.
Seepage losses can be minimised with fine LCM.
Avoid excessive circulating time with the BHA across the

problem zone. This will help reduce erosion.
Consider soaking viscous pills into formation before POOH.
Start and Stop the pumps slowly to avoid pressure surges.
Control-drill the suspected zone to allow time for filter cake build-up.
14
DRILLING PRACTICES
Minimise annular loading and resultant ECD’s.
Use sweeps to keep the hole clean.
Be prepared for shaker, de-sander and de-silter overload.
Do not exceed flow rate required to clean the hole.
Avoid rotating bits or stabilisers near the problem zone.
Trip past problem zone carefully.
Clean out hole fill prior to drilling ahead.
15
DRILLING PRACTICES
A method successfully used in the North Sea.
Drill 10m-30ft ,pull back to top of section and wait 10 minutes.

* Circulate and Rotate during this waiting period.
If fill is significant when going back on bottom then repeat the process.
Preventing the hole from collapse may be impossible. If so let the hole
stabilise itself with the BHA up out of harms way.
16
DRILLING PRACTICES
RIG SITE INDICATORS:
Rough Drilling Increase in Pump Pressure Fill on Trips
Excessive Drag & Torque Shakers Blinding Mud Loss
Cavings at Shakers Over-pull on Connections
FREEING:
Follow First Actions but be aware that the pressures below pack-off
of 500 - 1500 may not be achievable in shallow formations.
17
DRILLING PRACTICES
Mobile Formations
DESCRIPTION:
A mobile formation squeezes into the wellbore
because it is being compressed by the
overburden forces. The mobile formation
behaves in a plastic manner, deforming under
pressure. This reduces the wellbore size,
causing problems. The deformation occurs
because the mud weight is not sufficient to
prevent the formation squeezing into the
wellbore.

While drilling plastic formations, salt or shale.
18
DRILLING PRACTICES
Mobile Formations
Maintain sufficient mud weight.
Select an appropriate mud system that will not aggravate the mobile
formation.
Plan frequent reaming/wiper trips particularly for this section of hole.

Consider bi-centre PDC bits.
Slow trip speed before BHA enters a suspected area.
Minimise the open hole exposure time for these formations.
Consider using a slightly under-saturated mud system to allow a controlled

washout.
19
DRILLING PRACTICES
Mobile Formations
Over-pull when moving up, takes weight when running in.
Sticking occurs with BHA at mobile formation depth.
Restricted circulation with BHA at mobile formation depth.
FREEING:
Spot a fresh water pill if the formation is salt. (Consider the effect this might
have on well control or other open hole formations).
If moving up, apply torque and jar down with maximum trip load.
If moving down, jar up with maximum trip load.

Torque should not be applied while jarring up.
20
DRILLING PRACTICES
Fractured and Faulted Formations
DESCRIPTION:
Natural fractured system in the rock found near
faults. Rock near the faults can be broken into
large or small pieces and if loose can fall into the
wellbore and jam the string.
Even if pieces are bonded together, impacts from
the BHA due to drill string vibration can cause the
formation to fall into the wellbore.
Can occur when drilling and the first sign of the
problem could be the drill string torquing up and
sticking.
When drilling through faults or fractured limestone
formations there is always a risk of sticking.
21
DRILLING PRACTICES
THIS MECHANISM CAN OCCUR:
In tectonically active zones.
In prognosed fractured limestone.
As the formation is drilled.
Minimise drill string vibration.
Choose an alternative RPM or change BHA configuration if high shock
vibrations are observed.
Slow trip speed before BHA enters a suspected area.
Generally, fractured formations require time to stabilise. Be prepared to spend
time when initially drilling and reaming prior to making further progress.
22
DRILLING PRACTICES
Restrict trip speed when BHA is opposite fractured formations

and fault zones.
Start and Stop the drill string slowly to avoid pressure surges to the wellbore.
Anticipate reaming during trips and ream fractured zones with caution.
Hole fill on connections. Possible losses or gains.
Fault damaged cavings at shakers. Sticking can be instantaneous.

23
DRILLING PRACTICES
FREEING:
If packed off while off bottom then follow First Actions.
Otherwise jar up in a effort to break up formation debris.
Use every effort to maintain circulation.
Circulate high density viscous sweeps to clean debris.
Spot acid if stuck in limestone.

24
DRILLING PRACTICES
Naturally Over-Pressured Shale Collapse
DESCRIPTION:
A naturally over-pressured shale is one with a
pore pressure greater than the normal
hydrostatic pressure gradient.
These shales are most commonly caused by
geological phenomena such as under-
compaction, naturally removed overburden (i.e.
weathering) and uplift.
Using insufficient mud weight in these
formations will cause the hole to become
unstable and collapse.
THIS MECHANISM NORMALLY OCCURS IN:
Prognosed rapid depositional shale sequences.
25
DRILLING PRACTICES
Ensure planned mud weight is adequate.
Minimise hole exposure time.
Use gas levels to detect pore pressure trends.
Predict pore pressure trends using available information.(D.exp)
Do not reduce the mud weight when in exposed shale.
May need to increase mud weight with an increase in inclination.
26
DRILLING PRACTICES
RIG SITE INDICATIONS:
Cavings (splintery) at shakers.
Increased torque and drag.
Gas levels, D exponent.
Circulation restricted or impossible.
Hole fill.
Cuttings and cavings are not hydrated or mushy.

FREEING:
Follow First Actions.
27
DRILLING PRACTICES
Induced Over-Pressured Shale Collapse
DESCRIPTION:
Induced over-pressured shale occurs when the
shale assumes the hydrostatic pressure of the
wellbore fluids after a number of days
exposure to that pressure.
When this is followed by no increase or a
reduction in hydrostatic pressure in the
wellbore, the shale, which now has a higher
internal pressure than the wellbore, collapses
in a similar manner to naturally over-pressured
shale.
28
DRILLING PRACTICES
In water based mud.
After a reduction in mud weight.
After a long exposure time during which the mud weight was constant.
In the casing rat hole.
Non water based muds prevent inducing over-pressure in shale.
Do not plan a reduction in mud weight after exposing shale.
If cavings occur, utilise good hole cleaning practices.
29
DRILLING PRACTICES
Cuttings/cavings show no sign of hydration.
Cavings (splintery) at shakers.
Tight hole in casing rathole.
Increased torque and drag.
Circulation restricted or impossible.
Hole fill.
FREEING:
30
DRILLING PRACTICES
Reactive Formations
DESCRIPTION:
If a water sensitive shale is drilled with less
inhibition than is required. The shale
absorbs water and swells into the wellbore.
The reaction is “time dependant”, as the
chemical reaction takes time to occur.
However, the time can range from hours to
days.
31
DRILLING PRACTICES
Reactive Formations
When using WBM in shales and clays in young formations.
When drilling with an incorrect mud specification,
particularly with an insufficient concentration of inhibition
additives in inverted emulsion OBM and WBM, such as
salts (KCl,CaCL2), glycol and polymer.
Use inhibited mud system.

Maintain mud properties as planned.
Salts such as potassium, sodium, calcium, etc.will reduce the chemical
attraction.
32
DRILLING PRACTICES
Reactive Formations
Polymers can be added to reduce water contact with the
shale.
Monitoring mud properties is the key to detection of this problem.
Minimise open hole time in shale.
Regular wiper or reamer trips may help if shales begin to swell.
Frequency based on exposure time or warning signs.
Hole cleaning should be adequate to clean excess formation i.e.

clay balls,low gravity solids etc.
33
DRILLING PRACTICES
Reactive Formations
Hydrated or mushy cavings.
Shaker screens blind off, clay balls form.
Increase in low gravity solids, filter cake thickness, PV, YP, MBT.
An increase or fluctuation in pump pressure.
Generally occurs while POOH.
Circulation is impossible or highly restricted.

FREEING:
POOH slowly to prevent swabbing.Follow First Actions.
34
DRILLING PRACTICES
Hole Cleaning
DESCRIPTION:
In deviated wells cuttings and cavings
settle to the low side of the hole and form
layers called solid beds or cutting beds.
The BHA becomes stuck in the solids bed.
Cuttings and cavings can also slide down
the annulus when the pumps are turned off
and pack-off the drill string. Avalanching
can also occur while the pumps are on.
35
DRILLING PRACTICES
Hole Cleaning
Good hole cleaning means removal of sufficient solids
from the wellbore to allow the reasonably unhindered
passage of the drill string and the casing.
Several main reasons for solids not being cleaned from the
wellbore are:
Low annular flow rate. Inappropriate mud properties.
Insufficient circulation time. Inadequate mechanical agitation.
TO ACHIEVE GOOD HOLE CLEANING AVOID ALL OF THE ABOVE
36
DRILLING PRACTICES
Hole Cleaning
In 40-65 degree wells cuttings beds will slide down the
low side of the hole.
This can happen while pumping, not just when the
pumps are off.
In highly deviated wells of 65 degrees or more, cuttings
settle very quickly in spite of high flow rates.
THIS IS KNOWN AS AVALANCHING.
37
DRILLING PRACTICES
Hole Cleaning
A cuttings bed of 10% of the hole diameter (1.75 inches
in a 17.5 inch hole) looks harmless enough. Add a drill
string and the situation looks very different.
17.5
Cuttings beds can also increase drag in a well and cause

problems with applying WOB in horizontal holes.
38
DRILLING PRACTICES
Hole Cleaning
Maximise the annular velocity.
Consider using a third mud pump.
Consider using larger drillpipe.
Ensure circulation times are adequate.
Consult hole cleaning charts for confirmation.
Monitor cuttings returns at shakers.
Maximise mechanical agitation of cuttings beds.
Rotation.
Reciprocation.
Optimise mud properties.
Increase YP in near-vertical wells.
Backream while POOH.
39
DRILLING PRACTICES
Hole Cleaning
Over-pulls increasing while POOH from TD in

deviated hole (7-10 stands).
Erratic pump pressure. Poor weight transfer to bit.
Difficult orienting tool face. Absence of returns at shakers.
Presence of re-ground cuttings (LGS). Over-pulls inside casing.
FREEING:
40
DRILLING PRACTICES
Tectonically Stressed Formations
DESCRIPTION:
Tectonic stresses occur in formations where Earth
the earth’s crust compress or stretch the Movement
formation rock. When a well is drilled into such

a formation, the rock can collapse into the
wellbore. Wellbore collapse can occur if the
restraining pressure provided by the density of
the drilling fluid is significantly lower than the
stresses on the rock near the wellbore.
A wellbore that collapses because of tectonic stress usually produces splintery

cavings similar to those produced by overpressured shale. The hydrostatic
pressure required to stabilise a tectonically stressed wellbore may be much
higher than the fracture pressure of the other exposed formations
41
DRILLING PRACTICES Earth
Movement

In or near mountainous regions.
Plan to case off as quickly as possible.
Maintain mud weight within planned window.
If possible drill formation in smaller hole size.
Ensure circulation system can handle additional cavings.
Use offset well data.
42
DRILLING PRACTICES Earth
Movement

Pack-offs and bridges may occur.
Splintery cavings at the shakers.
Increase in torque and drag.
If stuck circulation is likely to be either impaired or non-existent.
Increase in volumes of returns at the shakers relative to hole volume drilled.
FREEING:
43
DRILLING PRACTICES
SOLIDS INDUCED PACK-OFF

END OF SECTION ONE
44
DRILLING PRACTICES
SECTION TWO
DIFFERENTIAL STICKING
FIRST ACTIONS
1
Establish that differential sticking

is the mechanism.
Differential sticking usually occurs:
• After a connection.
• After a survey.
• Opposite a permeable formation.
* Circulation is unrestricted.
45
DRILLING PRACTICES
FIRST ACTIONS
Initially circulate at the maximum allowable rate.
2
Increased circulation may erode the filter cake.
Slump the string while holding 50% of makeup torque of the surface
3 pipe (unless a mixed string of pipe is being used).
Use an action similar to that which is used with a bumper sub.
4 Pick up to just above the string-up weight and perform step 2 again.
Repeat steps 2 & 3. In step 3, increase to 100% makeup torque until the
5
string is freed or until preparations have been made to either:
• spot a releasing pill or conduct U-tubing operations.
46
DRILLING PRACTICES
DESCRIPTION:
Differential sticking occurs when a force holds
the drill string against the wall of the wellbore.
An imbalance between the hydrostatic
pressure in the wellbore and the pore O
pressure of a permeable formation creates the v
e
force. When the hydrostatic pressure is r
greater than the pore pressure, the difference b
a
is called overbalance. The resultant force of l
the overbalance acting on an area of drill a
n
string is the force that sticks the string. c
e
47
DRILLING PRACTICES
With a stationary or very slow moving string.
When contact exists between the drill string

and wellbore. P O
e v
r e
When an overbalance is present. m r
e b
Across a permeable formation. a
a l
b a
In a thick filter cake. l n
e c
e
48
DRILLING PRACTICES
Any action taken to reduce or eliminate one or more
of the causes of differential sticking reduces the risk.
Well Design.
Where possible, design casing setting depths to
minimise overbalance across potential sticking
zones. Limit mud weight to the minimum required
for hole stability and well control.
Mud.
Use oil-based mud (OBM) where possible. Keep
fluid loss to a minimum. Maintain a low
concentration of low gravity solids (LGS). Keep
gel strength low.
49
DRILLING PRACTICES
Stationary String.
Keep the string moving. Pre-plan to minimise
downtime for operations that require the string to
remain static, such as when running surveys,
making minor repairs, etc. Consider rotating the
string during drilling, tripping and connections
while the BHA is opposite high risk sticking zones.
Wellbore Contact.
Minimise BHA length when possible. Maximise
BHA stand-off . Use spiral drill collars.
50
DRILLING PRACTICES
Rig Team Awareness.
The rig team can be made aware of the depth of
permeable formations and the estimated
overbalance in those zones.
Over-pulls on connections and after surveys .
No string movement .
Full unrestricted circulation .
Losses .
High overbalance .
Permeable formation exposed in open hole .
FREEING:
51
DRILLING PRACTICES
DIFFERENTIAL STICKING
END OF SECTION TWO
52
DRILLING PRACTICES
SECTION THREE
MECHANICAL AND WELLBORE GEOMETRY
FIRST ACTIONS
THE FIRST ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT FOR FREEING STUCK

PIPE OTHER THAN PACK-OFFS AND DIFFERENTIAL STICKING.
53
DRILLING PRACTICES
FIRST ACTIONS
1 Ensure circulation is maintained.
2 If the drill string became stuck while moving up,

(apply torque and jar down).
3 If the drill string became stuck while moving

down, do not apply torque and jar up.
54
DRILLING PRACTICES
FIRST ACTIONS
4 Jarring operations should start with light loading of
about 50,000 lbs and then systematically be
increased to maximum load over a one hour period.
Stop or reduce circulation when:

a. cocking the jars to fire up.
b. jarring down
Pump pressure increases jar blow when jarring up,
so full circulation is beneficial but beware of SPM
maximum load at the jar.
5 If jarring is unsuccessful, consider acid pills where

HCl HF
conditions permit.
55
DRILLING PRACTICES
Shoe Joint Backs Off
DESCRIPTION:
The shoe joint may unscrew or “back off” from
the last casing string.
When drilling out below previous casing string.
Keep WOB low until BHA is below casing shoe.
Apply thread lock to bottom three joints of casing.
Do not over displace cement. Especially for liners.
56
DRILLING PRACTICES
Shoe Joint Backs Off
Sudden erratic torque.
Upward movement may be impossible.
FREEING:
57
DRILLING PRACTICES
Keyseating
DESCRIPTION:
Keyseating is caused by the drillpipe
rotating against the wellbore wall and
wearing a groove, or keyseat, in the wall.
When the drill string is tripped, the tool
joints or the BHA are pulled into the
keyseat and become jammed. Keyseating
can also occur at the casing shoe if a
groove is worn in the casing.
58
DRILLING PRACTICES
At abrupt changes in angle or direction in medium-soft
to medium hard formations.
When high sidewall forces and string rotation exist.
When pulling out off the hole.
After long drilling hours with no wiper trips through the
dogleg section.
Minimise dogleg severity.
Perform reaming and/or wiper trips if a dogleg is present.
Consider running string reamers or a keyseat wiper.
59
DRILLING PRACTICES
Occurs only while pulling out of hole.
Sudden overpull as BHA reaches dogleg depth.
Unrestricted circulation.
Free string movement below keyseat depth is possible, if not already
stuck in keyseat.
Cyclic overpull at tool joint intervals on trips.
FREEING:
If possible, apply torque and jar down with maximum trip load.
Back ream out of the hole.
Use keyseat wiper.
60
DRILLING PRACTICES
Undergauge Hole
DESCRIPTION:
Drilling hard, abrasive rock wears on the bit
and the stabiliser's outside diameter (gauge)
which results in a smaller than full gauge
hole. When a subsequent full gauge bit is
run, it encounters resistance in the
undergauge section of the hole. If the string
is run into the hole quickly without reaming,
the bit can jam in the undergauge hole.
61
DRILLING PRACTICES
After running a new bit.
After coring.
When a PDC bit is run after a roller cone bit.
When drilling abrasive formations.
Other sticking mechanisms, such as mobile formations, may give rise to

similar effects.
Core heads are often slightly smaller than bit sizes.
Cored sections should be reamed before running a regular bit to drill ahead.
Failure to ream could result in the bit jamming in the cored section.
62
DRILLING PRACTICES
Use suitable gauge protected bits and stabilisers.
Consider the use of roller reamers.
Always gauge all BHA components both when running in

and pulling out of the hole.
Ream suspected undergauge sections.
Slow the trip speed down before the BHA enters an undergauge zone.
63
DRILLING PRACTICES
Pulled bit or stabilisers are undergauge.
Occurs only when running in the hole.
Sudden set down weight.
Circulation is unrestricted or slightly restricted.
Bit stuck near the bottom of the hole or at the top of the cored section.
FREEING:
Jar up with maximum trip load.
Do not jar down.
Consider the use of an acid pill.
Consider applying torque as a last resort.
64
DRILLING PRACTICES
Ledges and Doglegs
DESCRIPTION:
Ledges
The wellbore passes through different types
of rock and ledges develop where the layers
of differing hardness contact each other.
Doglegs
While drilling the characteristics of the rock
deflect the bit and change its direction.
Likewise, when drilling with a directional
BHA, sudden changes in angle can cause a
kink in the wellbore direction. A dogleg is a
sharp deviation in wellbore direction.
65
DRILLING PRACTICES
THIS MECHANISM USUALLY OCCURS:
When an unsuitable BHA is run.
After a change in BHA.
In hard and soft interbedded formations.
In fractured and faulted formations.
After direction changes.
While POOH.
While drilling with pendulum BHA.
66
DRILLING PRACTICES
Use packed hole assembly to reduce ledges.
Minimise direction changes.
Minimise BHA configuration changes in ledge prone formations.
Consider reaming trips.
Log depths of ledges and other anomalies.
Compare BHA scale drawing against printout from mud logger.
Survey frequently.
Slow trip speed before entering a suspected zone.
67
DRILLING PRACTICES
Avoid prolonged circulation across soft formations.
Limit initial set down weights.
Do not start build angle operations to close to shoe .
Sudden erratic overpull or setdown.
Problems are at fixed depths.
Full circulation is possible.
FREEING:
If moving up when sticking occurred then apply torque and jar down (max).
If moving down when sticking occurred jar up (max). NO torque
If possible back ream/ream slowly past problem area .

68
DRILLING PRACTICES
Collapsed Casing and Tubing
DESCRIPTION:
Casing can collapse because.
Wellbore pressure exceeds the casing’s
rated collapse pressure.
The casing was worn or corroded to the extent
that the wellbore pressure now exceeds the
casing’s original rated collapse pressure.
Casing wear because of friction or corrosion
decreases the wall thickness and therefor the
effective collapse pressure.
Often discovered when BHA hangs up inside
the casing.
69
DRILLING PRACTICES
THIS MECHANISM CAN OCCUR WHEN:
When pressure testing casing. If a leak to the annulus is
occurring and the pressure exceeds the collapse rating
The casing fluid is lost.
Casing is buckled due to aggressive running.
Tectonic stresses exceed collapse pressure.
Avoid casing wear.
Use good cementing practices. Cement to surface or as high as possible.
Use corrosion inhibitors.
70
DRILLING PRACTICES
BHA hangs up when RIH.
Calliper log shows collapsed casing.
FREEING:
Jar out of the hole if possible.
71
DRILLING PRACTICES
Green Cement
DESCRIPTION:
If the top of the cement is higher than
predicted, the BHA may be run into the
cement and cause it to flash set.
If circulation is attempted with the drill string
in soft cement, the increase in pressure can
also cause the cement to flash set.
High clean-out rates can cause the unset

cement below set cement to flash set.
72
DRILLING PRACTICES
While running into the hole to dress off cement.
Do not rely solely on surface cement samples.
Be aware of setting times.
Know the calculated top of cement .
Do not rely on weight indicator to find top of cement.
Begin washing down two stands above theoretical top of
cement in large holes.
Consider washing down three of four stands above
theoretical top of cement in small holes.
Pull back two stands before attempting to circulate
if set down weight is observed.
73
DRILLING PRACTICES
Control drill when cleaning out soft cement.
Consider pre-treating mud system prior to drilling out
cement.
Increase in pump pressure leading to inability to circulate.
Loss of string weight.
Sudden increase in torque.
Green cement in returns and discoloration of mud.
FREEING:
Bleed off any trapped pump pressure.
Jar up with maximum trip load.
Attempt to establish circulation.
74
DRILLING PRACTICES
Junk
DESCRIPTION:
Debris can fall into the wellbore from surface
or downhole equipment, which then jams the
drill string in the hole.
THIS MECHANISM USUALLY OCCURS WHEN:
Housekeeping on the rig floor is poor.
The hole cover is not installed.
Downhole equipment fails.
75
DRILLING PRACTICES
Encourage good housekeeping and regular handling
equipment inspections.
Keep the hole covered.
Inspect downhole equipment before and during running into the hole .
Inspect slip and tong dies regularly.
Install drill string wiper rubber as soon as possible.
76
DRILLING PRACTICES
Repair and maintenance work recently carried out on
rig floor.
Missing hand tools or other equipment.
Circulation unrestricted.
Metal shavings at shakers.
Sudden erratic torque.
Inability to make hole.
FREEING:
77
DRILLING PRACTICES
Cement Blocks
DESCRIPTION:
The drill string can become jammed in the
hole by cement blocks falling around the
string.
THIS MECHANISM NORMALLY OCCURS WHEN:
Hard cement becomes unstable around the

casing shoe, open hole squeeze plugs and
kick-off plugs.
78
DRILLING PRACTICES
Allow sufficient curing time before drilling out or
kicking off.
Ream casing shoe and open hole plugs thoroughly
before drilling ahead.
Limit casing rathole length.
Slow trip speed down before BHA enters shoe or plug depth.
Use fibre additives to increase integrity of cement.
Maintain sufficient distance between paths of platform wells to
reduce possible cement blocks from adjacent wellbores.
79
DRILLING PRACTICES
Circulation unrestricted.
Cement fragments.
Rotation and downward movement may be possible.
Erratic torque.
FREEING:
80
DRILLING PRACTICES
STUCK PIPE DIAGNOSIS CHART
OPERATION FORMATION INDICATOR
CONNECTION
PUMP PRESS
SANDSTONE
LIMESTONE
CIRCULATE
REAM OUT STUCK PIPE ADDITIONAL IDENTIFIERS KEY
RETURNS
TRIP OUT
DRILLING
TORQUE
REAM IN
MECHANISM
TRIP IN
CHALK
SHALE
DRAG
SALT
ROP
* * Differential High overbalance. Circulation unaffected
* * * * * Sticking No pipe movement * Likely
Key Seating Circulation unaffected. Rotation and * Highly
* * * * * downward movement may be possible * Likely
CLASS EXERCISE
* * Undergauge Hole Circulation unaffected. Check gauge of
* * * * last bit and stabilisers Increase
* Wellbore Circulation unaffected. High dog legs Sudden
* * * * Geometry where stuck. Interbedding Increase
* * * * Poor Hole Pumping reduces over-pulls. High cutting
* * * * * * * * * Cleaning returns with viscous pills. Fill on bottom Decrease
Junk Circulation unaffected. Downward motion Sudden
* * * * * * M may be possible Decrease
Green Cement Still inside casing. No circulation or
* movement possible M = Metal
Cement Blocks Circulation unaffected. Rotation and
* * * * * * * C downward motion may be possible C = Cement
* Collapsed Casing Circulation unaffected. Stuck point inside S = Check
* * * * * casing Shakers
Unconsolidated Fill on bottom. Non cutting material on
* * * * * * * * S Formations shakers
* * * Mobile ROP may increase when drilling into
* * * * * * * * * S Formations Halite
* Fractured/Faulted Possible mud losses. Irregular shaped
* * * * * * * * * * S Formations rock fragments on shakers
* Geo-pressured Pressure cavings on shakers. Possible
* * * * * Formations pore pressure increase
* Reactive Drilling with WBM. Sticky clay on shakers
* * * * * * * * Formations
81

Drilling Practice

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Drilling Practice

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DRILLING PRACTICES

Understanding makes the Difference

➢ To help you Understand and Identify the situations

➢Improve your Knowledge on Preventative Measures

➢Have Confidence in your First Actions.

➢It is estimated that $100’s of millions is spent

➢This amount could be drastically reduced by

➢ SOLIDS INDUCED PACK-OFF (SECTION ONE)

➢ DIFFERENTIAL STICKING (SECTION TWO)

➢MECHANICAL AND WELLBORE GEOMETRY

CUTTINGS AND FORMATION CAVINGS

At the first signs of the drill string

Reduce the pump speed to half. This will help

Excessive pressures applied to a pack-off

If the hole cleans up, return flow back

If the string packs off, immediately stop the

If a non ported float valve is installed in the drill

When bleeding down any pressure from under

Leave a low pressure (<500 psi) trapped below the pack-

Holding a maximum of 500 psi on the standpipe and with

Continue cycling the torque, observe for any pressure

If bleed off or partial circulation occurs, slowly

If circulation cannot be regained, work the pipe between

Do not apply excessive pull and set down weights as

Whilst working the string continue to cycle the torque

Do not attempt to fire the jars in either direction.

If circulation cannot be established increase the

If the pipe is not free once circulation is established,

Build low permeability filter cake to help stabilise the formation.

Seepage losses can be minimised with fine LCM.

Avoid excessive circulating time with the BHA across the

Consider soaking viscous pills into formation before POOH.

Start and Stop the pumps slowly to avoid pressure surges.

Use sweeps to keep the hole clean.

Be prepared for shaker, de-sander and de-silter overload.

Do not exceed flow rate required to clean the hole.

Avoid rotating bits or stabilisers near the problem zone.

Trip past problem zone carefully.

Clean out hole fill prior to drilling ahead.

Drill 10m-30ft ,pull back to top of section and wait 10 minutes.

Rough Drilling Increase in Pump Pressure Fill on Trips

Excessive Drag & Torque Shakers Blinding Mud Loss

Cavings at Shakers Over-pull on Connections

THIS MECHANISM NORMALLY OCCURS:

Plan frequent reaming/wiper trips particularly for this section of hole.

Slow trip speed before BHA enters a suspected area.

Minimise the open hole exposure time for these formations.

Consider using a slightly under-saturated mud system to allow a controlled

If moving down, jar up with maximum trip load.

Restrict trip speed when BHA is opposite fractured formations

Fault damaged cavings at shakers. Sticking can be instantaneous.

Otherwise jar up in a effort to break up formation debris.

Use every effort to maintain circulation.

Circulate high density viscous sweeps to clean debris.

Spot acid if stuck in limestone.

Ensure planned mud weight is adequate.

Minimise hole exposure time.

Use gas levels to detect pore pressure trends.

Predict pore pressure trends using available information.(D.exp)

Do not reduce the mud weight when in exposed shale.

May need to increase mud weight with an increase in inclination.

Increased torque and drag.

Gas levels, D exponent.

Circulation restricted or impossible.