STUCK PIPE

Contents

pages
• Introduction 3-4
• Causes distribution 5-23
• Warning signs 24-36
• Prevention 37-40
• Conclusion 41
• Annex : Details on prevention

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Feb 2006
 Introduction

• Stuck pipe : main cause of drilling problems

• Main cause of stuck pipe : differential sticking
• Stuck pipe problems are related to :
 Well planning (casing, mud, ... programs)
 Operational mistakes due to a lack of experience, training
and / or communication.
• Stuck pipe happens mainly :
 On crew change day.
 At the shift change (70 % of sticking happen within 2 hours
before or after the crew change).
 Generally, it is not linked to difficult formations drilled at crew
change time, but because of driller’s possible lack of care at
this peculiar period of time.

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Feb 2006
 Introduction

• Much more risks in complex wells (highly deviated wells, depleted

reservoirs, etc…).
• Success in resolving the problem :
 Chances of success drop rapidly with time.
 Often the pipes are free after a few minutes of jarring (if the jar is well
located !).
 50 % are solved in the first 4 hours or just after setting pills in place.
 80 % are solved after 2 to 3 days.
 After 4 days, chances are close to 0.
• Keep in mind that :
 There are just a few cases where it was not possible to avoid the
problem !
 It is important to have a fast and well adapted reaction.
 The Driller is the key man, but he is not the only one !

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Feb 2006
 Causes distribution

• Usually two categories of sticking :

 Differential sticking ( the most common cause )
 Mechanical sticking related to :
– The drilling equipment, operations and personnel.
– The formation.

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Feb 2006
 Causes distribution : Differential sticking

• It represents 60 to 80 % of sticking incidents

• It is due to :
 Difference of pressure between the well and the formation.
 Presence of a porous and permeable formation.
 Presence of a filter cake.
 Immobile string in the hole in contact with the wall.

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Feb 2006
Causes distribution : Differential sticking

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Feb 2006
 Causes distribution : Differential sticking

• Worsening factors :
 Time
– The surface of contact between the string and the wall is
increasing.
– If the circulation is stopped, the temperature increases  the
filtration and the cake deposit are increasing.
 Filter cake quality, thickness and behavior.
 Slick elements in BHA having a diameter close to bore hole
diameter.
 Well inclination.

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Feb 2006
 Causes distribution : Differential sticking

• Side force F applied to the drill string : F  P  S / 1000

F : Lateral force in kdaN

P : Differential pressure in bar
S : Surface of contact between the string and the bore hole
wall at the sticking zone in cm2
• Traction T to apply at fish level to free the drill string : T  F  Cf
Cf : Friction coefficient between cake and drill string
– Between 0.20 and 0.35 with WBM
– Between 0.10 and 0.20 with NABM

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Feb 2006
 Differential sticking example

• Ts to apply to the drill string at surface level to free the pipe

 P = 50 bar
 Length of string stuck : 20 m
 Contact length of 2 then 6 cm
 Above stuck point : 2 500 m of 5”, 19.5 lb / ft, G 105, NC 50,
class premium drill pipes
 Mud density : 1.20  buoyancy factor : 0.847
 Friction coefficient : 0.25

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Feb 2006
 Solution of differential sticking example

• With a contact length of 2 cm :

 Surface of contact : 4 000 cm2
 F = 200 kdaN  T = 50 kdaN
 DP weight in mud : Ws = 68 kdaN
 Traction to apply in surface : 118 kdaN

 It is possible to free the string by traction

• With a contact length of 6 cm :

 Surface of contact : 12 000 cm2
 F = 600 kdaN  T = 150 kdaN
 DP weight in mud : Ws = 68 kdaN
 Traction to apply in surface : 218 kdaN

 It is not possible to free the string just by traction

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Feb 2006
 Causes distribution : Differential sticking

• Conclusions
 The surface traction values are realistic.
 Enormous forces to apply to free the pipes.
 2 cm then 6 cm contact length is what can actually happen with
time.
 If the drill string is not freed at the beginning, it is not possible
to free it later on with only the traction on pipes.

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Feb 2006
 Causes distribution : Differential sticking

• Reminder on drill pipes utilization limits :

 If DP used at the tension value given in drilling data handbook,
risk of permanent deformation.
 Be careful with a string composed of several grades,
dimensions, nominal weight : the over pull is limited by the
smallest value.
 When several stresses (traction, torsion, pressure) are applied
at the same time, it will cause a reduction of tubular resistance.

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Feb 2006
 Causes distribution : Mechanical sticking

• Related to the drilling equipment, operation and/or rig personnel

 Key seats.
 Undersized hole.
 Falling objects.
 Stiff BHA.
 Casing failures.
 Cement problems.
 Solids settling in hole.
• Related to the formation
 Mobile formations : shale and salt.
 Falling formations.

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Feb 2006
Causes distribution : Mechanical sticking

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Feb 2006
Causes distribution : Mechanical sticking

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Feb 2006
 Causes distribution : Mechanical sticking

• Falling formations due to :

– Unconsolidated rocks :
Absence of matrix : sandy formations.
Laminated shale (rupture along cleavage planes).
– Rupture of the rock due to change in distribution and stress
values around the well (temperature effect, presence of faults).
– Caving (erosion or dissolution) in series formed of an alternation
of soft and hard layers.
– Tectonic activity.

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Feb 2006
 Causes distribution : Mechanical sticking

• Mobile formations  closing and/or shearing of the formation :

 Hydrated shale.
 Massive salt layers when the mud density is too low.
 Faults playing due to :
– Action of mud (lubrication along the fault mirror).
– Stress variation around the well (temperature effect).
– Tectonic activity.

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Feb 2006
Causes distribution : Mechanical sticking

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Feb 2006
Causes distribution : Mechanical sticking

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Feb 2006
Causes distribution : Mechanical sticking

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Feb 2006
Causes distribution : Mechanical sticking

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Feb 2006
 Conclusions on causes distribution :

• To avoid sticking the prime necessity is:

 To have :
– A well adjusted drilling program.
– Adequate drilling procedures.
 To inform the drilling crew :
– Of possible problems.
– About specific procedures to follow.
• Main concern will be :
 Well trained personnel.
 Good communication between anyone involved in making the
hole.
 To report any event happening during the shift.
 Not to hide anything.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs

• It is very important to recognize warning signs in order to identify

correctly the cause of sticking.
• Immediate reaction will help to solve the problem:
 The situation will deteriorate rapidly.
 One type of sticking could generate another one.
• The first action is fundamental : methods used to solve sticking
incidents will differ. If wrong actions are taken, these could
reduced chances of success.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs

• In some sticking types, the signs happen progressively before the

string gets stuck; if signs appear and are detected on time, it is
possible to react and to correct the situation.
• But, with some types of sticking, there are no precursor signs.
 Thus, when it happens, it is important to know :
– Operation under progress, the drilled formations…
– Mud characteristics, well condition, etc.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Differential sticking

• The phenomenon could be fairly sudden without any clear warning

signs.
• However, before getting stuck, there is generally an increase in
friction (torque and drag).
• Differential sticking is characterized by :
 It happens when the string is motionless.
 The string is stuck in both directions.
 The BHA is in front of porous permeable layers.
 The circulation is free and there is no change in pump
pressure.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Key seat

• Sticking happens while POOH.

• The top of BHA is stuck in the key seat.
• A key seat development is easy to identify :
 Catching is more and more important at the same depth when POOH.
 Nothing happens at that depth when RIH.
 Catching point corresponds to a dog leg.
• When string is stuck :
 Free circulation.
 It is stuck in traction upwards and in rotation, but it could be free
downwards.
• While tripping, the crew should :
 Report the catching points and their depth.
 Follow their evolution and check if :
– The situation is getting worse at each trip.
– The catching happens always at the same depth.
– There is a dog leg at that depth.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Undersized hole

• The string gets stuck when RIH a new bit

 That could have a diameter larger than the previous one.
 After a bit has been POOH under gauged.
• The sticking point is close to the bottom of the hole.
• When the string is stuck :
 Normally the circulation is free, but a light increase in pump
pressure could be observed.
 It is stuck downwards and in rotation, but could be free
upwards.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Stiff BHA

• The string gets stuck when RIH a stiffer BHA.

• The sticking point is located in crooked zones.
• When the string is stuck :
 Normally the circulation is free, but an increase in pump
pressure could be observed.
 It is stuck downwards and in rotation, but could be free
upwards.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Falling objects

• Falling objects should produce erratic torque and friction

increase.
• Some missing equipment should be noticed (hand tools, dies, ..).
• The string could be stuck when picking up or POOH.
• When the string is stuck :
 Normally the circulation is free.
 It is stuck upwards and in rotation, but could be free
downwards.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Casing failures

• The string is stuck with part or full BHA in the casing.

• It will happen mainly when RIH.
• When the string is stuck :
 Normally the circulation is free.
 If the string got stuck while RIH, it will be stuck downwards and
in rotation, but could be free upwards.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Solids settling in hole

• It would happen mainly in deviated wells.

• The torque is increasing while rotating.
• The drag is increasing while moving the string .
• There is catching when picking up the string.
• Normally the circulation is free.
• An abnormal low amount of cuttings should be noticed on shale shakers.
• Fairly easy re-drilling is needed when RIH.
• The drill string gets stuck when POOH :
 Progressively, by accumulation of small particles around the BHA; this
will induce a progressive increase of drag while tripping out.
 It could get stuck by cuttings slipping to the bottom when the
circulation is stopped.
• It will be stuck upwards and in rotation, but could be free downwards.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Shale problems

• The torque is increasing while drilling.

• Bit and BHA balling could happen.
• Catching will take place when picking up the string.
• The increase in pump pressure could lead to the impossibility to
circulate.
• A reduction of the amount of cuttings should be noticed.
 Shale particles will be dispersed in the mud and thus an
increase of the solids content in the mud should be noticed.
• The mud rheology will change :
 increase of plastic viscosity, yield value.
 Slight increase of mud density.
• The presence of plastic shale will be noticed on shale shakers, in
the flow line, ...
 It could lead to an entire plugging of surface lines.
• A systematic re-drilling of the same zone will take place when RIH.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Salt formations

• The ROP is fast.

• The torque is increasing while rotating.
• The drag is increasing while moving the string .
• The increase in pump pressure could lead to the impossibility to
circulate.
• There will be no cuttings on the shale shakers if the mud is not
adapted.
• Catching will take place when picking up the string.
• A systematic re-drilling of the same zone will take place when RIH.
• Changes in filtrate salinity and mud rheology will be noticed.

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Feb 2006
 Warning signs : Falling formation

• Fast ROP followed by large amount of cuttings on shale shakers.

• Catching in the same zone while tripping.
• Re-drilling fairly easy when RIH.
• Large amount of cuttings on shale shakers after RIH, when circulating
again.
• While drilling, cuttings on shale shakers coming from formations already
drilled.
• Formation of caves that could lead to drill several holes at the same depth.
• String gets stuck when POOH
 Depending of the dimension of falling elements
– Progressively by accumulation of small particles around BHA
 Progressive increase of drag while tripping out.
– Sudden sticking if fall of particles of large size (cement blocks, etc.).
– Could get stuck when motionless (sliding operation).
• Normally free circulation, but an increase in pump pressure could be
observed if large amount of falling elements.
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Feb 2006
 Conclusion on warning signs

• Symptoms are almost the same in several cases :

 Often free circulation and no change in pump pressure.
 Often no precursor signs.
• To make a correct diagnosis, the following are needed :
 The formations already drilled :
– Lithology, depth of any unconsolidated formation, shale and salt
layers, permeable zones.
 The well conditions :
– Presence of dog legs, of caves.
– Cuttings transport problems, ...
 What happened the previous days :
– Catching while tripping, amount of cuttings.
– Torque and drag while drilling.
– mud properties changes, ...
• Importance of communication and reporting.

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Feb 2006
 Prevention

• Best prevention
 Competent, well trained personnel with good experience.
 Personnel watching carefully and continuously hole reactions.
 Good communication between all the persons involved.
 Well known equipment limits.
 Adequate drilling procedures, carefully followed.
• Remember
 Only very few cases where it is not possible to prevent stuck pipe
 The driller = Key man
– If fast and well adapted reaction  just few minutes to free the pipes
– Wrong or delayed reaction may lead to : a loss of many days, of
expensive equipment and a compulsory fishing job.
 The prevention is not only the concern of the drilling personnel on the
rig but of everybody involved in making and designing the well.
 Need of good communication at every level.

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Feb 2006
 Stuck pipe prevention

• Programme
 Trajectory selection.
 Casing programme.
 Mud programme.
 Drilling equipment selection.
 Specific procedures.
 Special operations.

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Feb 2006
 Stuck pipe prevention

• While drilling
 Avoid falling objects from rig floor.
 Ensure proper well cleaning.
 Ensure bore hole stability.
 Reduce contact between wall and drill string.
 Be patient when tripping through mobile zones.
 Minimize drilling phase duration.
 Ensure an accurate control of trajectory.
 Avoid differential pressure sticking.
 Think that MWD could help to prevent problems.
 Have a drilling jar in the string.
 Try to reduce dog leg if any by under-reaming

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Feb 2006
 Stuck pipe prevention

• While tripping
 Ensure that the bore hole is properly cleaned before POOH.
 Trip carefully in the open hole.
 Check the bit diameter when the bit is at surface.
 Take care when RIH stiffer BHA and / or a new bit, especially in
a deviated well.
 Take care of any key seat and be ready for remedial action in
case of occurrence.

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Feb 2006
 Conclusion

• Sometime opposite ways to prevent sticking :

 Density increase to hold mobile formations.
 Density decrease for differential sticking.
• But a lot of measures are valid for different cases :
 Have a well adapted drilling programme.
 A mud well adapted to the formations.
 Smooth trajectory, lubricants in the mud.
 Minimum surface of contact between string and bore hole.
 Jar in the drilling string.
 Correct use of drilling equipment.
• It is important to have skilled rig crew especially the driller, but as
well to have clear procedures, good communication and to keep
every body informed on well conditions.
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Feb 2006