SECTION 1

STUCK PIPE HOLE CLEANING

STATISTICS

ROCK TYPES THAT MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS

THE FOURTEEN CAUSES OF STUCK PIPE

HOLE CLEANING

ECD MONITORING

DISUSSIONS
 OMV (Iran)
2007 Stuck Pipe
Training
 Unscheduled Events
% Time by Problem
WELLHEAD PRO BS.
WELL CO NTRO L PRO BLEMS
BO P EQ UIP PRO BLEMS $ 1 .4 million for one stuck pipe
EQ UIP.FAILURE-DRLG
incident on this rig
CASING PRO BLEMS
alone.
DIR RELATED PRO BLEMS
LO ST CIRCULATIO NS
RIG REPAIR
CEMENT PRO BLEMS
MISC.
DRILL STRING FAILURE
WEATHER
EQ UIP FAILURE-EVAL.
HO LE PRO BLEMS/RMG
STUCK PIPE

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
% OF TOTAL TIME
130 WELLS IN 15 COUNTRIES 25.9% avg.
 Cost.
Stuck Pipe by Activity
% Incident.

90
50m
80
70 40m
60
50
30m
40
30 20m

20 10,m
10
0
Drilling Reaming Running in Pulling out

1998
 Stuck Pipe Incidents
Crew Change
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
 The Effect of Shift Change

40 68% More Incidents Occur

During Crew Handover
35
30
Average number of Incidents
25 Without Handover effect
20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15
10
5
0
+/- 0-2 +/- 2-4 +/- 4-6

Time of Crew Handover (Hours)

 Statistics

• 65% Related to planning.

• 25% Operational problems.

• 68% of incidents first 2 hours between

crew change.
• 10% unavoidable.

• Highest incident rate crew change day.

• 15% success rate in fishing.

• 80% failure back off 1st attempt..

• 60% GOM incidents were Differential.

• North Sea. (hole cleaning)

 Standard Geologic Codes and Description
1 micron (m) = 1 millionth of a meter. Sizes of common materials in microns: beach sand – 70m; minimum visual sensitivity – 30m;
minimum touch sensitivity - 20m; red blood cells – 7m.

ROCK ABV CODE GRAIN SIZE DESCRIPTION

Claystone CLst Less than Rocks formed from an accumulation of clay minerals and silt size particles.

& Shale Sh 4 microns

Marl Mrl Less than 4 microns Rocks formed from an accumulation of clay minerals and calcite (calcium carbonate)

Siltstone SLst 4 to 60 microns Rocks formed from an accumulation of mineral grains (quartz).

Sandstone Sst 60 microns to 2mm Sandstone compressive strength, +/- 9000 psi

Conglomerate Cgl Rocks formed from accumulation of primarily granule, pebble and boulder size
Greater than 2mm particles.
Limestone Ls Rocks formed from large deposits of primarily calcite (calcium carbonate) and dolomite
(calcium magnesium.
Dolomite & Dol Compressive strengths; Limestone +/- 20,000 psi Dolomite +/- 24,000 psi;
Chert +/- 83,000 psi; Chalk +/- 6,000 psi.
Chalk Chk Chemical
Chert Cht Rocks
Rocks composed of minerals that precipitated from solution during the evaporation of
Gypsum & Gyp water.
Anhydrite Anhy Evaporates
Compressive strength; +/- 6,000 psi
Salt Sa
Rock formed from cooling of molten magma.
Basement Bm IGNEOUS
Volcanics Volc rock
A fracture in the rock caused by natural forces resulting in failure and displacement of
Fault Flt LT A geological feature
FAU the formation along the fault plane.

Oil O Native Liquid hydration (5.0 to 7.1 ppg)

formation
Gas G Gases hydrocarbon (2.3 ppg average)
fluids
Water War None Water (8.3 to 11.7 ppg)
 Rock Groups: Carbonates
Their relationship to hole problems

Fracture Faulting:
May cause differential sticking.
• Dolomite

Hard:
May cause undergauge hole or
key seating.
• Limestone
• Chalk
May be beds of chert in the
chalk.
 Rock Groups: Non-Carbonates
Their relationship to hole problems

May have boulders in hole, how to

drill or disperse.
• Sandstone
Can be hard to drill and if
permeable can lead to differential
sticking.
• Claystone
• Conglomerate
May be reactive
• Shale
Brittle over pressured shales will
have caving problems.
 Rock Groups: Evaporates
Their relationship to hole problems

Mobile formations.
• Anhydrite
Hard embedded in salt and
may form ledges.
• Potassium/Magnesium salts
can make mud properties
harder to control.
• Rock Salts. (halite)
• Gypsum
Same material as
plasterboard.
 Who is JUGWICCK D. GRUMF?

He’s the fourteen causes

of stuck pipe !

Junk Differential Sticking Geo-pressured Formation

Under gauge Hole Reactive Formations
Green Cement Unconsolidated Formation
Well bore Geometry Mobile formations
Inadequate Hole Cleaning Fractured/Faulted Formations
Collapsed Casing
Cement Blocks
Key Seating
 Stuck Pipe Definition

When down hole forces prevent us

from pulling pipe out of the hole.

Down hole forces restrict

movement above normal operating
conditions.
 Stuck Pipe Mechanisms
Hole pack off and bridge Differential. Well bore geometry

Settled cuttings. Differential forces Stiff assemblies.

Shale instability. Key seating.
Unconsolidated. Micro doglegs.
Fractured formations Ledges.
Cement related Mobile formations.
Junk. Undergauge hole.
 Hole Bridge and Pack off Definitions and
Terminology

Hole pack of :
Formation solids settle
around the string and we
cannot circulate.

Bridge:
Large chunks of formation
material, junk or cement fall
Into the hole. Circulation is
possible.
 Well Bore Stability Problems

! Reactive Shales (Gumbo)

! Geo-pressured Shale

! Overburden Stress

! Tectonic Stress

! Unconsolidated Formation

! Fractured Formations
 Go to page in 7.9 in handbook Try to gain circulation
Hang off string at free point not
Do not apply torque
and jar up

Apply right hand torque Try to pump out of

Pack off ? Be care full if
Float is in string .
Apply low pressure to string say 500 psi Make sure
you have
partial circulation
Continue to work string

Is there evidence of movement or circulation?

YES
no INCREASE TORQUE IN STEPS
WORKING PIPE

no INCREASE PUMP PRESSURE

CONTINUE WORKING PIPE
CONTINUE EFFORTS
GRADUALLY INCREASING
no INCREASE PULL AND SETDOWN
PULL AND PRESSURE
UNTIL CIRCULATION
INCREASE APPLIED PULL IN RETURNS
no TO MAX OR CIRC RETURNS
Terminology
Packing off – torque and Rpm fluctuations
Surface torque. Total pump Temperature.
Surface weight
on bit
Surface RPM. Time. Flow. ECD
MD- Standpipe pressure
 Pack off indications from LWD
Block position Hook load ECD
Standpipe
ROP mt/hr Surface torque Pressure. Total pump flow

SPP Increase

Ecd increase
High over pulls

Over pulls increasing

RPM Suspension of Cuttings
Swab/Surge Example
Cutting Pick-up After Sliding
 Indications of Settled Cuttings
Driller Trends Indications of Settled Cuttings
Drag Torque Pressure Other
Drilling Increasing, erratic Increasing, erratic Increasing Pressure Surges;
Gradual, decrease
In ROP

Connection Overpull off Slips Surge to Start Back pressure before

Circulation Breaking connection,
Back flow
Tripping Out Overpull off slips; Swabbing
Increasing erratic

Increasing set down Begins with BHA below depth

Tripping In of 35o
Weight; overoull off
slips Hole angle

Back Reaming Overpull off slips; erratic Increasing, erratic Increasing Surge to start circulation;
overpull string pistoning; loss of fluid

Pumping Out Overpull off slips; Increasing Overpull off slips; surge to
increasing, erratic start circ; string pistoning;
loss of fluid
Shaker Trends Low cuttings return rate for ROP. Erratic cuttings return rate. No cuttings returning while drilling.
High cuttings return rate on fine shaker screens. High solids discharge rate at desilter & mud cleaner.

Logger Trends
Rounded, reground cuttings

Mud trends Increasing viscosity and yield point. Increasing low gravity solids. Increasing mud weight.
 Lwd Interpretation Guide
Event/procedure ECD change Other indications Comments
Mud gelation/pump start-up Sudden increase Increase in pump pressure Avoid surge by slow
possible pumps and break rotation

Cuttings pick-up Increase then level as Cuttings at surface Increase may be more
steady-state reached noticeable with rotation
Plugging annulus Intermittent surge Standpipe pressure Pack-off may ‘blow-
increases Surge increase ? through’ before formation
Torque/RPM fluctuations breakdown
High overpulls

Cuttings bed formation Gradual increase Total cuttings expected not seen If near plugging, may get
at surface pressure surge spikes
Increase torque ROP decreases

Plugging below sensor Sudden increase as High overpulls ‘Steady’ increase Monitor both standpipe
pack-off passes sensor in standpipe pressure pressure and ECD
- None if pack-off stays
below sensor
Gas migration Increase if well shut-in Shut-in surface pressure Take care if estimating gas
increase linearly (approx.) migration rate
 LWD Interpretation Guide (2/2)
Event/procedure ECD change Other indications Comments

Running in hole Increase – magnitude Monitor trip tank Effect enhanced if

dependent on gap, speed, nozzles plugged
rheology, etc…

Pulling out of hole Decrease – magnitude Monitor trip tank Effect enhanced if
dependent on gap, speed, nozzles plugged
rheology, etc…

Making a connection Decrease in static mud Pumps on/off indicator Watch for significant
density Pump flow rate lag changes in ESD
Barite sag Decrease in static mud High torque and While sliding
density, or unexplained overpulls periodically or rotating
density fluctuations wiper trip to stir-up
deposited beds,
correct mud rheology

Gas influx Decreases in typical hole Increases in pit level and Initial increase in pit
sizes Differential pressure gain may be masked
Liquid influx Decreases if lighter than Look for flow at mudline Plan response if
drilling fluid if relevant shallow water flow is
Increases if influx is expected
accompanied by solids
 Freeing Hole Pack-Off/Bridge

! Initial Action
" Attempt to regain full circulation - if total
pack-off leave 200 - 400 psi pressure on
standpipe and monitor for bleed off.
" Have string at free hanging weight and work
maximum torque to stuck point and then
release. Repeat torque and release until
circulation if regained or pipe is free.
! Secondary Action
" Work torque into string and jar down with maximum
loads.
" Continue initial and secondary actions until pipe is Down
free. Jar!!
! When Pipe is Free
" Circulate hole clean.
400 psi
" Ream the section and continue to clean the
hole.
 Effects of Buoyancy

Buoyancy for Steel

BF = ( 65.5 - MW )
65.5

For Cuttings

BF = 20 - MW
( )
20

1.4 sg
X 100 = 69
1,8sg
 Effects of Annular Velocity
• Mass X Velocity = Momentum
• Friction

F1 = MW2 = F2
MW1
Annular Velocity is dependant on Mud Weight
Laminar

w
lf o
ith
Lifting r w
Force nea
Li
We loose lift in turbulent
flow because the particles
are moving in all directions

0 mud wt
0 lift
Mud Weight
 Disadvantages

• The heavier the mud the

lower ROP.

• Cost increases.

• More difficult to clean

heavy muds.

• The heavier the mud the

greater the APL.
 Median Mud Weight Principle

Median mud weight line

Is good for shales.
Just heavy enough to
support the well bore
Depth Fr
a ct
ur
M e Fast drilling cheap
ud Pr
W es muds but problems
Po ei s ur with hole cleaning
re g ht e
Pr
e ss
ur
e

Pressure
 Yield Point

- + - +
• Yield Point is a measure of
muds resistance to flow due + - + -
to the types of solids in the
mud.

- + - +
• The higher the yield point
the better the carrying
capacity of the mud. + - + -

- + - +
 Gel Strength

• Gel strength is a measure of

the attractive forces between
the solids in the mud when its
stationary.

• They keep the solids in

suspension and it increase
over time.

• Gel strength is a function of the

amount of solids in the mud.
Problems caused by excessive Gel Strength

• Higher pump pressures required

to break circulation.

• Higher pump pressure is required

to circulate mud.

• Higher swab and surge pressures.

• Increase difficulty to remove

solids.

• And increase gas and

entrainment.
Gel Breakdown Example
 Marsh Funnel Viscosity

• Viscosity is a measure of the The effect of Temperature on

resistance to the flow of a liquid
and indicates the thickness of Viscosity
the mud.

• Funnel viscosity allows us to

monitor changes in the mud,

Viscosity
but does not tell us the cause
of these changes.

• Viscosity results from the solids

in the mud. The smaller the
solids the higher the viscosity.

• Remember cold mud will make

the viscosity higher. Temperature
 The Filtration Properties of Mud

Fluid Loss
• A measure of the fluid lost from the
mud to the formation.
• In order for the fluid loss to occur a
permeable formation is required.

Filter Cake (well cake)

• Results from a build up of solids as
filtration progresses. In general high
fluid losses result in thick filter
cakes. Nature of filter cake is
important.

Ideal filter cake is:

A. Thin
Maximising effective hole diameter.
B. Hard
Ensuring that it stays in place.
C. Impermeable
Preventing filtrate from the mud
entering the formation.
 The more inhibited the mud,
the more stable the hole.
INCREASING INHIBITION.

AN INHIBITED
MUD SALINITY.
INCREASING WILL
NOT REACT
WITH THE FORMATION
AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRILLED

Fresh Fresh
Calcium
Water Water Sea water Potassium Magnesium Potassium Polymer Oil base
based
Bentonite Lignosulphanate mud's muds mud's mud's mud's
mud's Magnesium/
mud's mud's
mud's

NON INHIBITIVE FULLY INHIBITED

Minimum Circulating Strokes Calculation (12-1/2” Hole)
00 To 350
0’ `4500’

To
350 550
4500’ To 6500’
550 +
6500’ To13,000’

Multiply each hole section length by CSF and total the adjusted measured depth
Adjusted MD = (sect LTH X CSF) + (sect LTH x CSF) + (sect LTH x CSF
= (4500 X 1.4) + (2000 X 1.8) + (6500 X 2)
= 6300 + 3600 + 13000
= 22,900 Total Adjusted MD
Calculate the minimum circulating strokes required to clean the hole
MIN CIR STKS = Total Adjusted MD X Bottoms-up STKS
Measured Depth
22,900 X 15,000
= 13,000
= 26,423 Strokes Current bottoms up strokes
 Hole cleaning calculations
Transport index ratio.

• Hole cleaning example.

• Consider a gauge 17-1/2 hole at a 40 degree inclination. Mud weight 1.35sg, PV=40
YP =30 . The penetration rate =30m/hr.
• Rheology factor =0.93 [ see page 3.6]
• Angle Factor = 1.24 for 40 degrees [ see page 3.7]
• Transport index [ Ti]:

• Ti = 1.35X 0.93X 1.24

= 1.56
100 1 increase the flow rate allows the hole to be cleaned faster.

2 increase the transport index ratio,

FLOW RATE This can be achieved by :
From the chart of flow rate against ROP Increasing the mud weight.
The flow rate required to clean the hole is
1150gpm for 30meters/hr Increasing the Rheology Factor. [pv and yp]

Increasing any of the above factors will have an effect on the

Go to Others.
Rig site handbook page 3.4
 Minimum Circulating Strokes Factor (CSF)
Hole Size 26” 17-1/2 – 16” 12-1/4” 8-1/2”
Angle
00 – 350 2 1.7 1.4 1.4
350 – 550 2.5 2.5 1.8 1.6
550 + 3 2 1.7

Procedure:
# Separate the wellbore into sections by hole angle

# Multiply each hole section by CSF

Adjust measured depth = All sections lengths X CSF totalled

# Calculate the minimum circulating strokes to clean the hole

Min circ stlks = tot adjusted measured depth X bottom up stks

measured depth
Minimum GPM Versus Hole Size/Angle

Hole Size 26” 17-1/2” – 16” 12-1/4” 8-1/2”

Angle

00 - 350 700 GPM 500 GPM 400 GPM 300 GPM

350 - 550 1250 GPM 950 GPM 650 GPM 450 GPM

550 + 1100 GPM 750 GPM 500 GPM

Maximum recommended flow rate is 60 GPM per inch of bit diameter

 Basic Hole Cleaning Factors Recap

# Penetration Rate

# Hole Instability

# Annular Velocity

# Mud Rheology

# Circulation Time

# Hole Angle
 Settled Cuttings Preventive Action Recap

# Maximum flow rate for hole cleaning.

# Do not allow ROP to exceed ability to clean

hole.

# Consider wiper trips when using a down

hole motor.

# Wipe the hole before connections.

# Maximise string motion to clean the hole.

# Consider pumping sweeps.

# If necessary, stop drilling and circulate hole

clean.
 Recap tripping practices

Always plan your trips.

Keep an up to date mud log on the floor.

Know were your doglegs are.

Know what over pull to use. This will vary

according to the hole conditions.

Keep a written record of depths of over pulls

and reamed sections.

While circulating the hole clean prior to a trip

Note pick up weights ,slack off and rotating
weights.
 Exercise:
Inadequate hole cleaning

1. List the 4 main reasons why good hole cleaning may not be
achieved.

2. What factors can account for these reasons?

3. What is the effect of inadequate cleaning on down hole

conditions.

4. What are the effects of this problem on the drill string while:

a) Drilling
b) Tripping

5. How can stuck pipe occur as a result of inadequate hole

cleaning.
6. Mass x velocity =?
 Answers. Inadequate Hole Cleaning
1. i. Uncontrolled penetration rate.
ii. Incorrect mud properties.
iii. Insufficient circulation time.
iv. Insufficient annular velocity.

2. i. Directional considerations in soft formations.

ii. Poor solids control / reactive formations.
iii. Only circulating bottoms up.
iv. Nozzles too small / Pump Failure/ Hole washed out.

3. Increased pressure / possible lost circulation slower

drilling rates.

4. a. Increase torque / increase drag on connections.

b. Higher swab pressure and surge pressure high drag
factors.

5. Settling of cuttings around bit and on low side of hole.

6. Momentum.
Discussion time