You must log in to edit PetroWiki. Help with editing
Content of PetroWiki is intended for personal use only and to supplement, not replace, engineering judgment. SPE disclaims any and all liability for your use of such content. More information
Stuck pipe: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
During drilling operations, a pipe is considered stuck if it cannot be freed from the hole without damaging the pipe, and without exceeding the drilling rig’s maximum allowed hook load. Pipe sticking can be classified under two categories: [[Differential- | During drilling operations, a pipe is considered stuck if it cannot be freed from the hole without damaging the pipe, and without exceeding the drilling rig’s maximum allowed hook load. Pipe sticking can be classified under two categories: [[Differential-pressure_pipe_sticking|differential pressure pipe sticking]] and [[Mechanical_pipe_sticking|mechanical pipe sticking]]. | ||
==Causes and prevention of stuck pipe== | == Causes and prevention of stuck pipe == | ||
Complications related to stuck pipe can account for nearly half of total well cost, making stuck pipe one of the most expensive problems that can occur during a drilling operation.<ref name="r1" /> Stuck pipe often is associated with [[ | Complications related to stuck pipe can account for nearly half of total well cost, making stuck pipe one of the most expensive problems that can occur during a drilling operation.<ref name="r1">Isambourg, P., Ottesen, S., Benaissa, S. et al. 1999. Down-Hole Simulation Cell for Measurement of Lubricity and Differential Pressure Sticking. Presented at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference, Amsterdam, 9–11 March. SPE-52816-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/52816-MS.</ref> Stuck pipe often is associated with [[Well_control|well-control]] and lost-circulation events—the two other costly disruptions to drilling operations—and is a significant risk in high-angle and horizontal wells. | ||
Drilling through depleted zones, where the pressure in the annulus exceeds that in the formation, might cause the drillstring to be pulled against the wall and embedded in the filter cake deposited there ('''Fig. 1'''). The internal cake pressure decreases at the point where the drillpipe contacts the filter cake, causing the pipe to be held against the wall by differential pressure. In high-angle and horizontal wells, gravitational force contributes to extended contact between the drillstring and the formation. Properly managing the lubricity of the [[ | Drilling through depleted zones, where the pressure in the annulus exceeds that in the formation, might cause the drillstring to be pulled against the wall and embedded in the filter cake deposited there ('''Fig. 1<ref name="r2">Santos, H. 2000. Differentially Stuck Pipe: Early Diagnostic and Solution. Presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, New Orleans, 23-25 February. SPE-59127-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/59127-MS.</ref>'''). The internal cake pressure decreases at the point where the drillpipe contacts the filter cake, causing the pipe to be held against the wall by differential pressure. In high-angle and horizontal wells, gravitational force contributes to extended contact between the drillstring and the formation. Properly managing the lubricity of the [[Drilling_fluids|drilling fluid]] and the quality of the filter cake across the permeable formation can help reduce occurrences of stuck pipe. | ||
<gallery widths=300px heights=200px> | <gallery widths="300px" heights="200px"> | ||
File:Devol2 1102final Page 102 Image 0001.png|'''Fig. 1—Principle of differential sticking (modified from Ref. 2.<ref name="r2" />).''' | File:Devol2 1102final Page 102 Image 0001.png|'''Fig. 1—Principle of differential sticking (modified from Ref. 2.<ref name="r2" />).''' | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Mechanical causes for stuck pipe include: | Mechanical causes for stuck pipe include: | ||
* [[ | |||
* Packoff from poor [[ | *[[Mechanical_pipe_sticking#Key_seating|Keyseating]] | ||
* Shale swelling | *Packoff from poor [[Hole_cleaning|hole-cleaning]] | ||
* Wellbore collapse | *Shale swelling | ||
* Plastic-flowing formation (i.e., salt) | *Wellbore collapse | ||
* Bridging | *Plastic-flowing formation (i.e., salt) | ||
*Bridging | |||
Preventing stuck pipe can require close monitoring of early warning signs, such as: | Preventing stuck pipe can require close monitoring of early warning signs, such as: | ||
Depending on what the suspected cause of sticking is, it might be necessary to increase the drilling-fluid density (to stabilize a swelling shale) or to decrease it (to protect the depleted zone and avoid differential sticking). A drilling fluid’s friction coefficient is an important factor in its effectiveness in preventing stuck pipe and/or enabling stuck pipe to be worked free. [[ | *Increases in torque and drag | ||
*Excessive cuttings loading | |||
*Tight spots while tripping | |||
*[[Lost_circulation|Loss of circulation while drilling]] . | |||
Depending on what the suspected cause of sticking is, it might be necessary to increase the drilling-fluid density (to stabilize a swelling shale) or to decrease it (to protect the depleted zone and avoid differential sticking). A drilling fluid’s friction coefficient is an important factor in its effectiveness in preventing stuck pipe and/or enabling stuck pipe to be worked free. [[Drilling_fluid_types#Oil-based_fluids|Oil-based fluids (OBFs)]] and [[Drilling_fluid_types#Synthetic-based_drilling_fluids|synthetic-based fluids (SBFs)]] offer the maximum lubricity. Inhibitive [[Drilling_fluid_types#Water-based_fluids|water-based fluids (WBFs)]] can be treated with a lubricant (typically 1 to 5% by volume) and formulated to produce a thin, impermeable filter cake that offers increased protection against sticking. High-performance-polymer WBFs that are designed specifically to serve as alternates to OBFs and SBFs exhibit a high degree of natural lubricity and might not require the addition of a lubricant. | |||
== References == | |||
<references /> | |||
== See also == | |||
[[Differential-pressure_pipe_sticking|Differential-pressure pipe sticking]] | |||
[[Mechanical_pipe_sticking|Mechanical pipe sticking]] | |||
[[Drilling_fluid_types|Drilling fluid types]] | |||
[[ | |||
[[ | [[Drilling_fluid_challenges|Drilling fluid challenges]] | ||
[[ | [[Drilling_problems|Drilling problems]] | ||
[[ | [[PEH:Drilling_Fluids]] | ||
[[Drilling | [[PEH:Drilling_Problems_and_Solutions|PEH:Drilling Problems and Solutions]] | ||
== Noteworthy papers in OnePetro == | |||
[ | Muhammad A. Muqeem, SPE, Alexander E. Weekse, SPE, Ali A. Al-Hajji, SPE, Saudi Aramco: Stuck Pipe Best Practices - A Challenging Approach to Reducing Stuck Pipe Costs, 160845-MS, [http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/160845-MS http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/160845-MS] | ||
G. Yarim, SPE, R. Uchytil, SPE, R. May, SPE, A. Trejo, SPE, and P. Church, SPE, Schlumberger: Stuck Pipe Prevention--A Proactive Solution to an Old Problem, 109914-MS, [http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/109914-MS http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/109914-MS] | |||
== External links == | |||
== | == Category == | ||
[[Category: 1.6.10 Coring | [[Category:1.6.10 Coring and fishing]] [[Category:YR]] |
Latest revision as of 15:00, 26 June 2015
During drilling operations, a pipe is considered stuck if it cannot be freed from the hole without damaging the pipe, and without exceeding the drilling rig’s maximum allowed hook load. Pipe sticking can be classified under two categories: differential pressure pipe sticking and mechanical pipe sticking.
Causes and prevention of stuck pipe
Complications related to stuck pipe can account for nearly half of total well cost, making stuck pipe one of the most expensive problems that can occur during a drilling operation.[1] Stuck pipe often is associated with well-control and lost-circulation events—the two other costly disruptions to drilling operations—and is a significant risk in high-angle and horizontal wells.
Drilling through depleted zones, where the pressure in the annulus exceeds that in the formation, might cause the drillstring to be pulled against the wall and embedded in the filter cake deposited there (Fig. 1[2]). The internal cake pressure decreases at the point where the drillpipe contacts the filter cake, causing the pipe to be held against the wall by differential pressure. In high-angle and horizontal wells, gravitational force contributes to extended contact between the drillstring and the formation. Properly managing the lubricity of the drilling fluid and the quality of the filter cake across the permeable formation can help reduce occurrences of stuck pipe.
Fig. 1—Principle of differential sticking (modified from Ref. 2.[2]).
Mechanical causes for stuck pipe include:
- Keyseating
- Packoff from poor hole-cleaning
- Shale swelling
- Wellbore collapse
- Plastic-flowing formation (i.e., salt)
- Bridging
Preventing stuck pipe can require close monitoring of early warning signs, such as:
- Increases in torque and drag
- Excessive cuttings loading
- Tight spots while tripping
- Loss of circulation while drilling .
Depending on what the suspected cause of sticking is, it might be necessary to increase the drilling-fluid density (to stabilize a swelling shale) or to decrease it (to protect the depleted zone and avoid differential sticking). A drilling fluid’s friction coefficient is an important factor in its effectiveness in preventing stuck pipe and/or enabling stuck pipe to be worked free. Oil-based fluids (OBFs) and synthetic-based fluids (SBFs) offer the maximum lubricity. Inhibitive water-based fluids (WBFs) can be treated with a lubricant (typically 1 to 5% by volume) and formulated to produce a thin, impermeable filter cake that offers increased protection against sticking. High-performance-polymer WBFs that are designed specifically to serve as alternates to OBFs and SBFs exhibit a high degree of natural lubricity and might not require the addition of a lubricant.
References
- ↑ Isambourg, P., Ottesen, S., Benaissa, S. et al. 1999. Down-Hole Simulation Cell for Measurement of Lubricity and Differential Pressure Sticking. Presented at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference, Amsterdam, 9–11 March. SPE-52816-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/52816-MS.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Santos, H. 2000. Differentially Stuck Pipe: Early Diagnostic and Solution. Presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, New Orleans, 23-25 February. SPE-59127-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/59127-MS.
See also
Differential-pressure pipe sticking
PEH:Drilling Problems and Solutions
Noteworthy papers in OnePetro
Muhammad A. Muqeem, SPE, Alexander E. Weekse, SPE, Ali A. Al-Hajji, SPE, Saudi Aramco: Stuck Pipe Best Practices - A Challenging Approach to Reducing Stuck Pipe Costs, 160845-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/160845-MS
G. Yarim, SPE, R. Uchytil, SPE, R. May, SPE, A. Trejo, SPE, and P. Church, SPE, Schlumberger: Stuck Pipe Prevention--A Proactive Solution to an Old Problem, 109914-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/109914-MS