1.

Pack Off
As soon as it is suspected that the drill string is packing off (reduced flow out, coupled with increasing
pump pressure, the drill string torquing up etc.), the pump strokes should be reduced by half. This will
minimize pressure trapped should the hole actually pack-off completely. Excessive pressure applied
to a pack-off will only make things worse. If the hole cleans up, return flow to the normal rate.

If the string packs off, immediately stop the pumps and bleed down the standpipe pressure [NB this is
not possible with a non-ported float valve]. When bleeding pressure down from under a pack-off,
control the rate so as not to "U" tube solids into the drill string in case they plug the string.

Leave low pressure (<500 psi ) trapped below the pack-off. This will act as an indicator that the
situation is improving should the pressure bleed off.

Holding a maximum of 500 psi on the standpipe and with the string hanging at its free rotating weight,
start cycling the drill string up to maximum make-up torque. At this stage do not work the string up or
down.

Continue cycling the torque, watching for pressure bleed off and returns at the shakers. If bleed off or
partial circulation occurs, slowly increase pump strokes to maintain a maximum of 500 psi standpipe
pressure. If circulation improves continue to increase the pump strokes.

If circulation cannot be regained, work the pipe between free up and free down weight. DO NOT
APPLY EXCESSIVE PULLS AND SET DOWN WEIGHTS AS THIS WILL MAKE THE SITUATION
WORSE. Whilst working the string continue to cycle the torque to stall out and maintain a maximum of
500 psi standpipe pressure.

AT THIS POINT DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIRE THE JARS IN EITHER DIRECTION.

If circulation cannot be established increase the standpipe pressure in stages up to 1500 psi and
continue to work the pipe and apply torque.

Once full circulation is established it is time to consider jarring. If the pack-off occurred while the string
was static or moving up then jar down. If the string was moving down when pack-off occurred then jar
up. (Preparations should be made to jar for up to 10 hours or more).

If the pipe is not free once full 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
operations.

If more information is available when the hole is trying to pack-off then more specific actions can be
taken in order to try and remedy the situation.

If the formations are unconsolidated then they may fall into the well bore as the supporting rock is
removed by drilling. Typically, shallow sands, gravels etc. are not cemented and cannot be supported
by the hydrostatic pressure supplied by the drilling fluids and “flow” or fall into the well bore behind the
drill string causing it to pack off. This is especially the case if little or no filter cake is present. In order
to get free from this, follow the procedures outlined above but bear in mind that the pressures
suggested probably won’t be attainable at shallow depths.

Mobile formations may be squeezed into the well bore like toothpaste due to the overburden pressure
and cause a pack-off behind the BHA. Typically this occurs when drilling salt, but may also occur
when drilling plastic clays. In order to get free from this consider spotting fresh water pills if the mobile
formation is salt. If moving up apply torque and jar down with the maximum trip load. If moving down,
jar up with maximum trip load. Do not apply torque when jarring up. Please note that prior to spotting
large fresh water pills it is advisable to check with the mudloggers and mud engineer that the salts
that will be washed out are not likely to react with the mud e.g. polyhalides with polymer mud. In
addition the mud weight should be increased as this will slow down the creep rate of the formations.
Please note that in order to counter the mobile formations completely the mud weight would probably
need to be increased to weights much higher than the fracture gradient of other shallower exposed
formations.
If the formations are fractured and or faulted then small pieces of rock from around the “shatter zone”
may fall into the well bore and trap the string. Typically this occurs in tectonically active zones,
fractured limestones, basalts etc. Of all the sticking mechanisms this is the one most likely to occur
while drilling, rather than tripping or making a connection. In order to get free follow the above outlined
procedures unless actually on bottom drilling at the time the pack-off occurred then jar up in an
attempt to break up the debris.

Naturally overpressured formations that are drilled into with a negative differential pressure, apart
from possibly kicking, may also become unstable and collapse, packing off the string. Typically this
occurs in shales and claystones. In order to get free follow the above outlined procedures with the
added precaution of increasing the mud weight so that a condition of positive differential pressure
exists. In addition to this the formations may actually acquire the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling
fluids they are exposed to, especially if they are exposed to the fluids for a number of days. If the mud
weight is decreased then an artificial or induced overpressured situation will result, behaving the same
as a naturally overpressured formation.

If the formations are reactive i.e. they absorb water and swell into the well bore then they may pack-
off the drill string. Typically this occurs in shales and claystones and very recent formations, especially
when using water based mud. In order to get free follow the above outlined procedures and take the
precaution of tripping out of the hole using slow running speeds to minimise swabbing effects and the
chances of inducing a kick.

Formations that are under excessive tectonic stress and are being bent and buckled due to
movements in the earths crust may collapse into the well bore and pack-off the drill string in a manner
similar to naturally overpressured formations. Typically this occurs in and around mountainous areas.
In order to get free follow the above outlined procedure for naturally overpressured formations. Please
note that in order to counter the tectonic stress completely the mud weight may need to be increased
to weights higher than the fracture gradient of other shallower exposed formations.

2001, Datalog Technology

2000, Pipe Freeing Sheet, Randy Smith Training Schools
1997, Drillers Stuck Pipe Handbook, Colin Bowes & Ray Procter