1

MYP 1413 - DRILLING ENGINEERING &

WELL COMPLETION

Chapter 5 Special Operations

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail
Petroleum Engineering Dept.
Faculty of Petroleum & Renewable Energy Eng.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.

Fishing operation
Underbalanced drilling (UBD)
Coiled tubing drilling (CTD)
Well abandonment

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

Fish - any undesirable object in the well

bore that cannot be withdrawn (e.g. bit cones,
broken pipe, spanner, wire line, etc.)

Definitions

Junk generally considered to be any

relatively small, non-drillable objects
Fishing tool - any and all special pieces
of equipment that must be added to the
string to enable the operator to engage and
retrieve the fish
Fishing - is used in the manner that
encompases both the special equipment and
the special procedures required to remove
undesirable object from the well hole
Note: Failure to recover the fish can require redrilling or even abandoning the well. Therefore, it
is important to consider the cause of fishing jobs and to take every possible precaution to avoid
them.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

Causes & Prevention

1. Problem related to drilling fluid
Stuck pipe
Differential pressure sticking
Inadequate hole cleaning
Lost returns
Hole sloughing
Prevention: Monitor and control drilling fluid to
minimize hole problems
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

Causes & Prevention (ctd)

2. Mechanical failure
Bit or some other drill string component fails due to:
Bad manufacturing
Too long running a tool without changing them
Drilling with old drill pipe
Other equipment failures
(e.g.: drill string twist-off, bit failures, fatigue failure in
crossover)
Prevention: Properly maintain bit or drill string
components
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

Causes & Prevention (ctd)

3. Drill string failure & hole problem
Improper care & maintenance of drilling assembly
Crooked hole problems
Poor drilling practices
Inadequate drill string design
Weight indicator or torque gauge not calibrated
Prevention: Immediately analyzed & practices changed to
avoid re-occurrence of
1. Twist-off & washout
2. Key seat
3. Undergauge hole
4. Junk in the hole
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

Causes & Prevention (ctd)

4. Drilling crew
negligence/accident or
error in judgments
Example: dropping
hand tools down hole
when drill string is on
surface
Prevention:
Always have hole
cover on when not
running drill string
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

Preventing fishing jobs (summary)

Do not compress the drill string (bend, crooked hole)
Rotate the drill string in tension (use sufficient drill
collar)
Use new drill strings (old pipes tend to corrode, wear,
etc.)
Check the equipment (connections, repair, replace, etc.)
Tight the connection properly (do not over or under
tighten)
Use proper muds
Unhurried, extreme caution should be exercised
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

10

Fishing tools
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Fishing for junk

Fishing for drill pipe
Fishing for stuck pipe
Wall sticking
Drill collar recovery
Fishing for wireline
Fishing accessories

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

11

1. Fishing tools for junk

a.
b.
c.
d.

Finger type junk basket (poor-boy junk basket)

Boot sub/junk sub
Core type junk basket
Junk retriever
i. Jet-powered junk retriever
ii. Hydrostatic junk retriever

e. Fishing magnet
f. Jet-bottomhole cutters
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

12

Oldest, simplest, and

cheapest rotary fishing
tool
Rotated slowly and
gradually lowered over
the junk
Move any junk away
from the wall and
deposit under the
basket
Weight is applied to the
tool and bending the
finger inward to trap
the junk inside
Suitable for solid mass
and lying loose on the
bottom of the hole

1a. Finger type junk basket

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

13

1b. Boot sub/junk sub

To collect small pieces of
junk that may impede
drilling by interfering with
the operations of the bit
cones or damaging
diamond bit
Run just above the bit
during normal drilling to
collect small pieces of junk
Usually is run above a mill
during milling to collect
cuttings
The cutting will be
collected into the cup
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

1c. Core type junk basket

A mill shoe is made up on
the bottom of the tool
There are four main types
of shoe (see diagram)
The finger shoe is used
when the junk is relatively
large
The soft-formation shoe is
used for the soft formation
The hard-formation shoe
and flat-bottomed shoe are
used if the formation is hard
and the junk is imbedded in
the formation
14
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

15

1d. Junk retriever

(Jet powered and Hydrostatic)
i. Jet-powered junk retriever
Designed to remove all types of objects from the
bottom of the well bore
The tool utilizes normal circulation, down the drill
string and up the annulus when it is lowered to the top
of the junk
When the tool is approximately 10 feet from the
bottom of the hole, the ball is dropped down the drill
pipe
The ball will position itself in the ball seat and reverse
circulation will begin
The lower pressure inside the tool causes outside mud
to rush into the bottom of the tool and lift the junk into
the barrel
Circulate and begin coring. Combined with the reverse
circulation, this guarantees that any junk on the bottom
is pumped into the barrel and caught by the catcher
assembly
The tool is removed from the hole after cutting 10 to
20 inches of core
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

16

a. normal circulation

b. reverse circulation
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

17

ii. Hydrostatic junk retriever

Operates on the principle of
pressure differential
Once the junk basket over the
junk, weight is applied to the drill
string
The weight will causes the trip
valve to open and the mud surge
into the string and lift the junk
into the basket

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

18

Can be used for

the ferrous junk
which may be
attracted by the
magnet
It has a
passageway for
the drilling fluid
circulated
through them
The mud
circulation may
wash the cuttings
off the top of the
junk

1e. Fishing magnet

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

19

1f. Jet-bottomhole cutters

Used when the junk is
too large and the shape
is odd
Used for breaking the
junk into small pieces
by the explosive
charger
The smaller junk can be
removed by the
conventional method
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

20

2. Fishing for drill pipe

A common fishing job on a drilling
rig is one that results when the pipe
breaks during normal drilling
operations
Also called twist-off even though
the break usually does not occur
because of excessive torque or
twisting
The pipe crack and separates in
helical break
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

21

Twist-off occurs due to:

Prolonged cyclic bending of drill string
Continue to propagate pipe fails
Usually caused by fatigue in the metal due to:

rough handling
scarred with tong dies
improper make-up torque
bending and torquing

Prevention & minimized by:

Scheduled inspection
Thread dopes
Dogleg severity check
Frequently changing dp joint above dc
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

22

How to detect?
Loss of pump pressure
Loss of weight
Reduction of drilling torque
Lack of penetration rate
The drill string is measured to determine exact location
(sometimes, electric log is run to locate the top)
The break indicate whether the top of the fish has been
damaged or split and whether the break occurred near a
tool joint

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

23

2. Fishing tools for drill pipe

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Impression block
Mill
Overshot
Extension sub
Wall-hook guide
Knuckle joint

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

24

Impression block may be run

if for some reason there is
doubt as to what condition of
the top of the fish is in
Gives visual evidence for
determining the appearance
of the top of the fish
Built up by the soft metal
and mud circulation through
the passageway to wash off
the cuttings/settlings on the
top of the fish so that a good
impression can be obtained
Made up on drill pipe and
drill collar

2a. Impression
block

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

25

2b. Mill
Mill is used if the top of the fish has
been badly damaged or split
Milling is necessary in order to dress
the top of the fish so that the fishing
tool to retrieve the fish will be able to
make a firm catch
High volume circulation should be
maintained to flush the cuttings and
cool the mill

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

26

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

27

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

28

2c. Overshot
Overshot is suitable when the top
of the fish is fairy smooth
Consist of three main parts:
Top sub
Bowl
Guide

There are different types of guides

depends on the type of fish
Commonly a hydraulic jar is
installed between the overshot
and drill collar in case the fish
becomes stuck during fishing
operation
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

29

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

30

See video clip:

Fishing coil tubing (2:10 min.)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

31

2d. Extension sub

If the upper end of the fish
is unengageable, an
extension sub can be
installed between the top
sub and the bowl of the
overshot to lengthen the
area

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

32

2e. Wall-hook guide

If the top of the fish is in
the washed-out section of
the hole, a wall-hook
guide may be used
The string is rotated
slowly and carefully
lowered until the wall
hook tags the fish and the
overshot engage the fish

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

33

2f. Knuckle joint

If the washed-out section of the hole is too
large, it may be necessary to run a knuckle joint
to extend the wall hook and overshot out into
the cavity
The mud pressure is applied to push the piston
down and activate the knuckling action
The fishing string is then lowered and the fish is
caught in the overshot
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

34

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

35

3. Fishing for stuck pipe

Most common cause of fishing job
Causes:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Differential pressure sticking

Key seating
Undergage hole
Foreign objects or junk in hole
Sloughing formation (shale, etc.)
Bit balling
Drill collar balling
Cutting settling above bit or drill collar
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

36

Fishing tools for stuck pipe

a.

Hydraulic jars and jar accelerators/jar impact

amplifier
b. Free-point indicators and string shots
c. Washover operations
d. Outside cutting tools
e. Drill-out tools
f. Pipe cutters
i. Jet cutter
ii. Mechanical cutter
iii. Chemical cutter
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

37

3a. Hydraulic jars and

jar accelerators/jar impact amplifier
Uses stretched fishing string and
compressed gas in the jar accelerator to
snaps the jar piston and drill collar
upward
The mandrel knockers strikes the knocker
sub with great force to free the fish
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

38

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

39

3b. Free-point indicators & string shots

Can be determine by using electromagnetic device
Two electromagnet connected with telescope joint
Run into hole on electric cable/wireline
Turned on electric current magnets attach to inside
pipe wall
Exert pull @ surface pipe above stuck point
stretch
Distance between two magnet = elongation
Elongation measured by sensitive electronic strain
gauge & transmitted to surface
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

40

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

41

3c. Washover operations

Uses wash pipe
with rotary shoe to
wash over to fish
The fish is
engaged, brought
to the surface and
stripped out of the
wash pipe
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

42

3d. Outside cutting tools

Used when other fishing
tools fail to pass the freepoint indicators
Uses enough washpipes to
get to the fish
Engages to the tool joint
and moves knives to
position
Rotates to cut
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

43

3e. Drill-out tools

Sometimes after
backoff, the fish still in
hole may become
plugged
Impossible to go for
further backoff/pulling
operations

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

44

3f. Pipe cutters

Sometimes backoff
by torque fails
because the stuck
pipe turns in hole
Types of cutter
i. Jet cutter
ii. Mechanical cutter
iii. Chemical cutter

High velocity, P &

T jets of gas /
chemical make the
cut
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

45

i. Jet cutter
To cut downhole tubing, drill pipe
or casing
The cutting action is produced by a
circular-shaped charge
Typically leaves a flare on the pipe
string
In order to perform subsequent
pipe recovery operations, it is
necessary to smooth the top end of
the fish with an internal mill,
usually run with an overshot
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

46

ii. Mechanical cutter

See video clip:

Mechanical cutter (1:25 min.)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

47

iii. Chemical cutter

To cut all sizes and most weights
of coiled tubing, tubing, casing
and drill pipe
The cut is flare-free, burr-free,
and undistorted
This allows easy engagement of
an overshot without having to
dress the fishtop

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

48

4. Wall sticking
a. Freeing wall-stuck pipe
b. Oil spotting

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

4a. Freeing wall-stuck pipe

Jarring
49
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

4b. Oil spotting

Oil / chemical
spotted around fish
Oil / chemical
penetrates the wall
cake and causes
deterioration and
makes pipe slick

50
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

51

Freeing stuck pipe with HCl acid

A very successful technique for freeing stuck pipe in
carbonate formations, including chalk
spot HCl acid around the contact zone and allow it to soak in
the HCl reaction with these formations will degrade/ dissolve the
formation and thus reduce the pipe contact area
allow to soak into the formation for a minimum of 1 hour, but < 2
hours, before working or jarring on the drill string
repeat the soaking period as required

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

52

5. Drill collar recovery

a.
b.
c.
d.

Taper tap and die collar

Releasing spear
Stuck collar
Anchor washpipe spear

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

53

5a. Taper tap and die collar

Sometimes the drill collars are too large

Use taper taps to engage the fish
Trip out the fish jarring
If all above fail break fishing string at safety
joint

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

54

Taper tap
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

55

Die collar
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

56

5b. Releasing spear

Spear is
lowered to
inside the fish
until the
bumper ring
seats on the
top of the fish
The slips set
and fish is
pulled
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

57

5c. Stuck collar

Keyseats
Run free-point indicators
and string shot and
backoff made 5-6 joints
above stuck point
Run bumper jar and
keyseat wiper

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

58

5d. Anchor washpipe spear

If jarring fails, washover is
needed
Wash pipe washes the fish
free
Spear prevents the fish
from falling

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

59

6. Fishing for wireline

a. Rope spear
b. Cable-guide method

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

60

Run on the bottom

of drill string
Forced into the mass
of coiled wireline to
catch hold of a loop
of line with barbs

6a. Rope spear

Wire-line pipe cutter (ripper)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

61

6b. Cable-guide method

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

62

7. Fishing accessories
a.
b.
c.
d.

Drilling safety joint

Bumper sub
Lubricated bumper sub
Fishing jar

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

63

7a. Drilling safety joint

To provide safe and easy release and make-up whenever
disengagement becomes necessary
The tool is designed to transmit torque in either
direction when placed in the drill, fishing, or washover
string
To assemble:
Install the safety joint in the drill string
Make up the service connection to a torque of
approximately 60 to 75% of the drill string
connections
In drill strings, the safety joint should be located
above the drill collars to avoid compression
In fishing strings, the safety joint should be located
directly above the fishing tool but below the jar or
bumper sub
In washover strings, the safety joint should be
located between the drill pipe and the washover pipe
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

64

7b. Bumper sub

Suitable for all fishing operations
Typical operations include releasing stuck
drill pipe, drill collars, tubing, test tools, and
safety joints
Also, the fishing bumper sub functions well
when used with an overshot or spear
The fishing bumper sub is installed in the
fishing string immediately above the fishing
tool or safety joint

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

65

7c. Lubricated bumper sub

Designed to withstand repetitive and sustained loads in
severe fishing, drilling and well workover operations
The tool can be stroked upward or downward, the
average stroke is between 10" and 18"
Normally installed in the fishing string just above the
fishing tool, safety joint or unlatching joint
Striking surfaces are provided at the limits of the free
stroke movement to produce the impact necessary for
achieving the greatest intensity of bumping action in
either direction
The primary function of the tool is to enable the
operator to release the fishing tool in the event that it
becomes impossible to pull the fish
It will provide the necessary impact and deliver the
torque required to release the tool from the fish
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

66

7d. Fishing jar

Provide hammer type impact

Commonly run in conjunction with overshot, spear, etc.
Utilize compressed fluid energy which drive free moving
piston or hammer against top of jar
Compression by proper dp surface movement
Type: nitrogen, mechanical & torque

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

67

Guide to tool selection

Objective/target

Tools

To recover small junk

Junk basket
Fishing magnet
Reverse circulation junk basket

To recover wireline

Wireline spear

To catch fish externally

Overshot
Short catch overshot
Washpipe

To catch fish internally

Taper tap
Pin tap
Spear
Packet-picker

Other components/tools
used in fishing strings

Bumper jar
Fishing jar
Accelerator
Surface bumper jar
Knuckle joint
Safety joint
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

68

Abandoning fishing
One day to
several
months
Fishing cost
vs
sidetracking
& re-drilling
cost

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

69

What is the underbalanced drilling (UBD)?

UBD is a drilling process in
which the wellbore hydrostatic
pressure is intentionally
designed to be lower than the
pressure of the formation
being drilled.
Performed by reducing
drilling fluid density
This underbalanced pressure
condition allows the reservoir
fluids to enter the wellbore
during drilling operation.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

70

Objectives of UBD
Maximizing hydrocarbon recovery

Reduced formation damage

Early production
Reduced stimulation
Enhanced recovery

Minimizing drilling problems

Reduce differential sticking

Reduce fluid losses
Improved penetration rate
Reduction of ECD in extended reach wells

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

71

Advantages and disadvantages of UBD

Advantages

Disadvantages

Reduced formation damaged/ Increased

well productivity

More complex tripping operation

Eliminate risk of differential sticking

Increased daily cost

Reduced risk of lost circulation

Higher risk & more problem

Increased ROP

Possible increased torque & drag

Improved bit life

More complex drilling system

Improved formation evaluation

More people required

Earlier or faster production

Problem for ustable borehole (e.g.

unconsolidated sand, weak formation,
geopressured shales, salt beds)

Reduced stimulation requirements

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

72 72

UBD: Solving todays drilling problems

Overbalanced

Underbalanced

Difficulty handling unpredicted

influx of gas and water

No problem with influxhandled

by the UBD separation system

Massive formation damage

Reduced formation damage

Lost circulation
Differential sticking

Production flowing from

unsuspected zone
No lost circulation
Drill to total depth

Poor removal of cuttings leads to

slow drilling, more bit damage

Better cuttings removal can double

ROP and maximize bit life

Production limited by formation

damage

Production increased by
50 to 1000 percent

Net Present Valueis the well

profitable?

NPV of well increased by two to

10 times or more

Missed productive zone

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

73

Video Clips:
Underbalanced drilling by Shell (7 min.)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

74

Wellsite
UBD Equipment,
Canada
Wellsite
UBD Equipment

UB operators

Nitrogen

Geology

Separator
Rotating Head

Camp

Mud Treatment

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

75

Closed Loop Circulation System

FLARESTACK
SEPARATOR
SAMPLE
CATCHERS
OIL
TANKS

TOP
DRIVE
SYSTEM

NITROGEN
PUMPERS

CHOKE
MANIFOLD

R-BOP
WATER
TANKS

MUD
TANKS

RETURN
CUTTING
RIG
PUMPS
N2 / FLUID
MIX
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

Rotating BOP
Also called a rotating head or a
stripper head
They are continuously closed around
the drill stem by means of a heavyduty stripper rubber that rotates with
the drill string. Packing provides a seal
between the rotating and stationary
elements.
Useful in drilling with air, gas, foam
or any other drilling fluid whose
hydrostatic pressure is less than the
formation pressure

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

77

UBD Drilling Fluids

GAS
MIST
FOAM
AERATED
FLUID

Air, nitrogen, natural gas

Restricted to hard consolidated zone (little fluid influx)
Increased air volume + small quantity of water + foaming agent
Used when formation produce small amounts of water

Mixed air from compressor + foaming solution

Lifting capacity superior to other drilling fluid
Suitable for formations that are prone to lost circulation
Air or N2 added to liquid phase of drilling fluid
Achieved by injecting air/N2 into standpipe or using parasite string
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

78

1. Air drilling
Air/gas drilling (dust) is a technique used in areas where the
formations are dry i.e., there is no influx of water or liquid
hydrocarbons.
This medium requires significant compressed gas volumes to clean
the well with average velocities of over 3,000 ft/min.
Air drilling benefit:
Increased rate of penetration.
Reduced formation damage.
Improves bit performance.
Lost circulation control.

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

79

Air drilling layout

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

80

Air drilling dusting

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

81

2. Mist drilling
Addition of 6 to 30 bbl/hr of fluid to the air flow.
Clean and lubricates the bit
Cuttings are carried to surface by the mist in two phase flow.

Mist or foam drilling layout

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

82

3. Foam drilling
More than 40 bbls/hr of foaming agent added to the air
flow creating solution of foam and gas phase mixture.
The most versatile of the gas-generated systems.
Mixture of gas phase and foaming solution.
Effective operating range from 0.2 to 0.6 S.G.
Foam flow varies with depth in the hole.
Adjustable effective BHP.
Enhanced lifting and well bore cleaning.

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

83

Foam drilling benefits

Faster penetration rate

Low air requirement
Low fluid requirement
Low hydrostatic head
No formation damage
Continuous DST
Best for large hole
Great lifting capacity
Controllable BHP
No lost circulation
No differential sticking
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

84

Reasons For Foam Drilling

To stop circulation
Reduced mud density & no junk
Foam plugs lost zone (foam bubbles = lost zone plugging agent)
Imrpove drilling rate (low bottom hole pressure increases drilling rate)

Protects reservoir

No formation damage with no flux into wellbore

Flow into hole
Minimal pressure surge
Controllable pressure

Avoid differential sticking

Formation pressure > fluid column pressure (-ve)

Hole cleaning with low fluid volume

Needs :

Only limited fluid volume

Foam agent : to reduce surface tension
Polymers : to strengthen film around air bubbles
Soda ash : to soften water & raise pH to 10
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

85

Mist or foam drilling layout

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

86

Foam flowing out of blooie line bringing cuttings

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

87

Video Clip
Foam drilling (30 sec.)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

88

Foam Drilling Requirements

Requirements:

Stable system / foam : smaller more stable

Tougher : polymer make skin around bubble tougher
Bentonite makes skin around bubble more stable
Stronger bubbles : more foamer + surfactant (polymer etc.)
Soda ash : makes foamer work better & increase pH to 10

Liquid volume requirements:

Begin with 1/10 of conventional mud rate required to produce 120 ft/min
(40m/min) annular velocity
May have to increased up to 50-0% of normal mud volume

Additionl Equipment Requirements:

Foam mixing system (chemical tank + metering pup , etc)
Compressor
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

89

Foam Drilling Limitation

Corrosion when air is used as gas

Saline formation water increase corrosion
H2S or CO2 formation increase corrosion
Wellbore stability (mechanical & chemical)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

90

4. Aerated (or gaseated) drilling

All types of conventional drilling fluids can be aerated
or gasified.
Gas and liquid phase are intentionally mixed to decrease
the density of the fluid (S.G. = 0.55 - 0.9)
Initially designed as a technique to lighten mud to reduce
lost circulation.

Methods:
Standpipe injection
Jet sub
Parasite string
Dual casing string

Clear liquid are preferred.

As an UB fluid, it is easiest to control in small holes.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

91

Aerated fluid drilling layout

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

92

Aerated Drilling - Usage & Advantages

Usage:
Control lost circulation
Avoid differential pressure sticking
Increase drilling rate
Reduce / avoid formation damage
Advantages:
Equivalent mud weight reduction down to 4 ppg
Simple system
Increase drilling rate
No lost corculation
No differential sticking
Minimal formation damage
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

93

Aerated Drilling General Problems

Compressor / nitrogen cost
Rotating BOP
Solid/liquid/gas separation at
surface
Corrosion (except with N2)
Vibration
Hydraulic calculation
Cutting lifting
High torque/drag
Borehole stability
Fire/explosions

Fluid influx
MWD transmission
Underbalanced completion
Pressure surges causing
overpressure or caving
Velocity surges
Hole caving
Environmental problems:
Large volume of water or oil
Oil emulsifying into mud
Residual H2S in cuttings
Foaming with oil

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

94

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

95

What is coiled tubing (CT)?

A long, continuous, jointless
hollow steel pipe that is wound on
a reel and can be coiled or uncoiled
repeatedly as required
The pipe is straightened prior to
pushing into a wellbore and
recoiled to spool the pipe back
onto the transport and storage
spool
Depending on the pipe diameter (1
in. to 4 1/2 in.) and the spool size,
coiled tubing can range from 2,000
ft to 15,000 ft [610 to 4,570 m] or
more
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

96

What is coiled tubing drilling (CTD)?

The use of coiled tubing with
downhole mud motors to turn the
bit to deepen a wellbore
CTD operations proceed quickly
compared to using a jointed pipe
drilling rig because connection
time is eliminated during tripping
CTD is economical in several
applications, such as drilling
slimmer wells, areas where a small
rig footprint is essential, reentering
wells and drilling underbalanced

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

97

Why CTD?
Operational aspects
Easy mobilization
Increased ROP and no differential sticking
Less personnel (logistics)
Fast wireline telemetry and excellent directional control
Ultrashort radius and designer wells to avoid hazards
Reservoir issuesincrease overall recovery
Reduced skin damage while drilling underbalanced
Reduced mud losses
Flatter drawdown profile for water control
Efficient formation evaluation with quick turnaround to CT
logging
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

98

Coiled tubing design

Basic coiled tubing unit components are as
follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Tubing injector head

Coiled tubing reel
Wellhead blowout prevented stack
Hydraulic power-drive unit
Control cab

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

99

Land coiled tubing unit

Gooseneck

Injector head

CT string
Control cab

Reel

Jacket frame

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

100

1. Tubing injector heads

Tubing injector heads are
designed to perform three
basic functions:
To provide the thrust to snub
tubing well against pressure
or to overcome wellbore
friction
To control the rate of tubing
entry into the well under
various well conditions
To support the full-suspended
tubing weight and accelerate
it to operating speed when
extracting it from the well

Tubing injector head on adjustable support legs

and BOP stack
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

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2. Coiled tubing reel

The coiled tubing reel is a fabricated steel spool with a core
diameter of 60 to 72 in. and a 9-ft side-flange diameter
This spool size, about 26,000 ft of 1-in. OD tubing or 22,000 ft of
1-in. OD tubing can be stored on the reel

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

102

3. Wellhead BOP
The BOP system is a critical part of coiled tubing units and
should be used on every coiled tubing service operation
The BOP stack is composed of 4 hydraulically operated rams,
generally rated for minimum working pressure of 10,000 psig
The 4 BOP rams, from top to bottom and their associated
functions are:
Blind ram - seals the wellbore when the CT is out of the
BOP
Shear ram - used to cut the CT
Slip ram - supports the CT weight hanging below it (some
are bi-directional and prevent the CT from moving upward)
Pipe ram - seals around the hanging CT
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

103

4. Power drive
Hydraulic power-drive units are sized to operate all of
the coiled tubing unit components
The prime mover assembly size will also vary with
hydraulic-drive unit needs
The prime mover for a specific coiled tubing unit may
range from a take-off assembly to a self-contained
offshore skid package
Standard prime mover packages on most coiled
tubing units are equipped with diesel engines and
hydraulic pumps

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

104

5. Control cab
Control console design varies by manufacturer, but
normally all controls are positioned on one remote
console
It may be skid-mounted for use offshore or permanently
mounted on land units
The skid-mounted console can be placed at the well site
as required operator

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

105

CT operations from a barge

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

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CT operations on an offshore platform

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

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Video Clip
Coil tubing unit rigging up animation (6:51 min.)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

108

BHA for directional control

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

109

Basic principle of CTD

No drill collars; weight on bit
(WOB) normally applied by
coiled tubing
Coiled tubing size adequate for
WOB and rate cuttings transport
Downhole motor with bend sub
used
Instrument to monitor direction
and inclination as a minimum
Telemetry from BHA to surface
Device to change tool face

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

110

Fishing

Remedial
cementing

Drilling
Wellbore
cleanout
Permanent
installations

Flow control
operations

Fluid
displacement

Application
of CTD

Running
packers
Stimulation

Conveyed
perforating

Flowline

Logging

Sand control

Setting and
retrieving
bridge plugs

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

111

Video Clip
CTD application (2:19 min.)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

112

Advantages of coiled tubing

Saving of kill-fluid costs, this in turn reduces the amount of disposal
fluid required
Reducing expenses by not using a workover rig
Reducing the time the well is off line and the loss of production
involved in killing the well
Obtaining uncontaminated production log while preventing formation
damage
Economic alternative to conventional welded pipe for flow lines
Reduced well site size, since coiled tubing requires fewer pieces of
equipment
Low noise level
Reduced damage to public roads, since coiled tubing requires about a
tenth of the number of truckloads used for transporting a conventional
drilling rig
Lower volume of formation cuttings to be disposed
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

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Limitation of coiled tubing

Life limits
Large CT diameters being used for CTD and the continuous
exposure to drilling fluid pressure greatly increase the amount of
fatigue compared to normal CT service operations
Parameters affect the CT life:
Pumping pressure
CT diameter
Wall thickness
Reel & goose neck geometry
Hydraulic limits
The drilling-fluid flow rate must be high enough to carry the
cuttings out of the hole
The drilling-fluid flow rate is limited by the pressure drops through
the CT and back up the annulus
The downhole motors have a maximum flow rate which often
limits the drilling-fluid flow rate
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

114

EXPLORATION

APPRAISAL

Life of an oilfield
DEVELOPM
ENT

WELL
ABANDONMENT
PRODUCTION

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

115

What is well abandonment?

Abandon refers to the filling and sealing of an unused
well (reaching its economic limit / no more profitable)
according to the requirements of the regulations.
Temporary abandon means the well is temporarily shut in
but not plugged
Well abandonment is a process to permanently shut-in a
well in a safe and environmentally responsible way

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

116

When (reasons) to plug and abandon the well?

The well is a dry hole (e.g. high water cut)
The well has reached its economic limit:
To protect the environment from hazards, such as the pollution of
groundwater
To isolate all hydrocarbon bearing intervals, to block all
overpressured zones & to protect overlying aquifers
The well has sustained irreparable damage (unsafe situation),
typically the result of aging or a natural disaster, such as a hurricane
To remove wellhead equipment & to salvage usable well components
To ensure that there is no obstruction left at the surface or sea bed
Management decision
To comply with regulatory agencies
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

117

Examples for improper well abandonment

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

118

Main targets that must be sealed

Isolation:
Open hole
Separate pay zones
Perforations
Liner tops and channels in cement
Surface locations (3 or 1m on land to 10 to 15 or 3 to 5m, below
mud line offshore)
Damaged sections (wear points, milling, perforations, etc.)
Multi-laterals
Corrosive zones (highly corrosive salt water?)
Special cases (clearing sea floor, rigs to reefs, geothermal, etc.).
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

119

Well abandonment general guideline

PRE-DECOMMISSIONING

Send application, with detail

decommissioning plan

DECOMMISSIONING

Remove tubing & wellhead

Cut & remove
uncemented casing
Test plug

Seal/plug
formation
Clear the location &
Reclaim surface

POSTDECOMMISSIONING

Survey & report

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

120

PDO (Procedure for Drilling Operation)

The details methods to be used to plug and abandon the
wells should be submitted to the HSE for approval in line
with the requirement to obtain consent to re enter any subsea well
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Responsibility to abandon a well

Application to abandon a well
Subsequent report of abandonment
Well suspension (semi-permanent well suspension)
Temporary well suspension
Suspended well
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1. Responsibility to abandon a well

Contractor shall ensure that:
A well or a portion of a well that is not suspended or
completed is abandoned
Where a well is abandoned, it shall be abandoned, if not, it
shall be the responsibility of the contractor, when required
by PETRONAS to properly re-abandon the well

2. Application to abandon a well

The Contractor shall submit to PETRONAS
Request for approval
Programme outlining the procedures of the operations
Reasons for abandonment
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

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3. Subsequent report of abandonment

Produce detailed report include :
Nature & quantities of materials used in the plugging
Location & extend, by depth, of casing left in the well
Volume of mud fluid used

4. Well suspension (semi-permanent well suspension)

Filled with drilling fluid
Cemented

5. Temporary well suspension

Pressure tested casing or cement plug or liner
Kill String
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

123

6. Suspended well
Shall be inspected at
least once a year
Reported to
PETRONAS
Shall be placed on
production or
abandonment within a
period 3 years from the
date of suspension

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

124

See video clip:

Subsea Abrasive Cutting System (2:55 min.)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

125

Well-Plugging methods and materials

A. General Methods
B. Cement
C. Bentonite and Drilling Mud
D. Mechanical Plugs.

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126

A. General Methods
The dry cement is pumped
into a cement pumping truck
which adds the water at the
desired blending rate and
then pumps the liquid cement
down the well.
Second, after the desired amount of cement is pumped, water is pumped behind
the cement to displace the cement in the tubing to a predetermined depth.
When using the displacement method, operators can fairly accurately place the
cement in the well at the desired depth and thereby prevent flow in the wellbore
from the targeted depth intervals.
First, tubing is run into the well to the depth desired for the bottom of the
cement plug where the cement is then placed into the well by pumping down
the tubing. The cement goes out the bottom of the tubing and then flows back
up the outside of the tubing.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

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B. Cement
Using the API cement for cementing a well or for
plugging, various additives are blended into the cement for
specific purposes.
The additives commonly used are:
Retarder
Accelerator
Lost circulation material
Weighting additives
Light-weight additives
Water-loss additives
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

128

C. Bentonite and drilling mud

The use of drilling mud for well plugging relies on
the characteristics of mud weight and gel strength
to prevent upward flow of reservoir fluids.
The bentonite must be in a compressed form The
bentonite must be hydrated for 24 hours.
Bentonite, when placed as a compressed solid and
then hydrated, will form a dense and low
permeability solid mass in the wellbore based on
its character as a clay material that swells when
water is added.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

129

D. Mechanical Plugs
Mechanical plugs are used
in some wells to reduce
the amount of cement
required to plug a well or
to
provide
additional
protection from formation
pressure in the well.
Two types of mechanical
plugs utilized to plug and
abandon wells are a bridge
plug or a cement retainer.

Bridge Plug

Cement Retainer
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Isolation of open hole

Cement Plug 100ft (30m) above and below lower-most shoe in
open hole.
Cement retainer 50 to 100 ft (15 to 30m) above the shoe. Cement
100 ft (30m) below shoe and 50 ft (15m) of cement on top.
Tested to 15,000 lbs load or 1000 psi.

Isolation of perforations
Cement Plug 100ft (30m) above and below perfs (or to next plug).
Cement retainer 50 to 100 ft (15 to 30m) above the perfs. Cement
100 ft (30m) below shoe and 50 ft (15m) of cement on top.
Permanent bridge plug within 150 ft (45m) of perfs with 50 ft
(15m) of cement on top.
Tested to 15,000 lbs load or 1000 psi.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

131

Cased Hole Abandonment Methods

Most secure method of cased

hole abandonment:
Cement retainer and squeeze
cement to seal sand face,
perforations and wellbore.

Typical zonal abandonment:

Bridge plug capped with cement.
Reservoir fluids can attack metal
and elastomers and eventually leak
to surface.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

132

General procedure
1.

Well killing operation

produced fluids are circulated out of the well, or pushed
(bull head) into the formation, and replaced by drilling
fluids heavy enough to contain any open formation
pressures
christmas tree is removed and replaced by a BOP, through
which the producing tubing can be removed
2. Cement/plug the well
cement is placed across the open perforations and partially
squeezed into the formation to seal off all production zones
depending on the well configuration it is normal to set a
series of cement and wireline plugs in both the liner and
production casing to a depth level with the top of cement
behind the production casing
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

133

3. Casing removal
the production casing is cut and removed above the top cement,
and a cement plug positioned over the casing stub to isolate the
annulus and any formation which may still be open below the
intermediate casing shoe
if the intermediate casing has not been cemented to surface then
the operation can be repeated on this string
alternatively the remaining casing string will be cut and
removed close to surface and a cement plug set across the
casing stubs
on land the wellsite may be covered over and returned to its
original condition

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

134

General Recommendations
(refer to API RP 57 for details)
The length of cement plug should be sufficient to provide isolation (~
100 ft may be adequate), generally a plug length of 500 ft. minimum
is recommended
Use either a neat or slightly accelerated cement to speed up the
setting process
Use fiber glass tubing in case there are difficulties in pulling back out
Locate the top of the plug after the cement is hardened
If there are a number of areas to be plugged off over a large interval,
use bridge plug
To improve the quality of cement plug it is recommended that a
balanced plug be used with a water spacer ahead e.g. 10 bbls
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

135

Types of well abandonment

A. Permanent abandonment
Open hole zone
Open hole below casing shoe
Cased hole

B. Temporary abandonment

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

136

Permanent abandonment well schematic

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

137

A. Permanent Abandonment Operations

1. Plugging/isolating perforated intervals using a work string
(a. Displacement method, b. Squeeze cementing, c. Permanent bridge plug)

2. Plugging/isolating perforated intervals through tubing

(a. Through-tubing bridge plug, b. Squeeze cementing, c. Tubing plug/bridge
plug, d. Cement plug)

3. Plugging of annular space

4. Plugging of casing stubs
(a. Cement plug, b. Cement retainer, c. Bridge plug)

5. Isolation of zones in uncased hole

6. Isolation of open hole
(a. Cement plug, b. Cement retainer, c. Bridge plug)

7. Surface plug equipment

8. Testing plugs
9. Clearance of location
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

138

1. Plugging/isolating perforated intervals using a

work string
1a. Displacement Method
A cement plug should be placed opposite all open perforations, extending a
minimum of 100 above and 100 below the perforated interval, or down to
the plug back total depth (PBTD), whichever is less.

100 (30m) min.

100 (30m) min.

perforations
PBTD

100 (30m) min.

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

139

Pump pressure
(bullhead squeeze)

1b. Squeeze Cementing

If the perforations are isolated from
the hole below , squeeze cementing
operations should be accomplished
using a cement retainer, retrievable
cementing tool, existing production
packer , or by the Braden head
method.

Cement
retainer,
retrievable
cementer, or
existing
production
packer

PBTD

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

140

1c. Use of Permanent Bridge Plug

50 (15m) MIN

Bridge plug
150 (45m) MAX

If the perforations are isolated from

the hole below, a permanent type
bridge plug should be set within 150
above the top of the perforated
interval and capped with a minimum
of 50 of cement.

perforations

PBTD

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

141

tubing
Production packer

2. Plugging/isolating perforated
intervals through tubing

Through tubing
Bridge plug

2a. Use of a Through-Tubing Bridge Plug

perforations

Using wireline , a through tubing bridge plug

may be set in the casing above the perforated
interval, provided the perforations are isolated
from the hole below. The bridge plug should
be capped with cement.

PBTD

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

142

Pump pressure
(Bullhead squeeze)

2b. Squeeze Cementing

Production Packer

Perforated intervals may be

abandoned by bullhead squeezing
cement through the tubing into the
perforations.

Perforations

PBTD

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

143

Tubing cut off

Packer

2c. Use of Tubing Plugs/

Bridge Plugs

Squeeze trough tubing

Packer

Bridge plug in tubing

Packer
Wireline plug in
landing nipple
Casing

Where there are several perforated

intervals open but isolated by packers,
abandonment may be accomplished
by setting a wireline plug in a landing
nipple or a bridge plug in the tubing
between the two zones to be isolated ,
excepting the uppermost interval. The
uppermost interval should be squeeze
cemented.

PBTD

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

144

2d. Cement Plug

If unable to squeeze cement into perforated
intervals , tubing should be perforated and
a balanced cement plug spotted in the
tubing-casing annulus and in the tubing
using the displacement method

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

145

3. Plugging of Annular Space

No annulus space that extends to the ocean
floor should be left open to the drilled hole
below. If this condition exists, the annulus
should be plugged with cement.

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

146

4. Plugging of casing stubs

4a. Cement Plug
100 (30m) MIN

100 (30m) MIN

Cement plug should be set so as to

extend a minimum of 100 ft
(approximately 30 m) above 100 ft
below the stub

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

147

4b. Cement Retainer

50 (15m) MIN

RETAINER

50 (15m) MIN

100 (30m) MIN

A retainer may be set at least 50 ft (15

m) above the stub and a volume of
cement calculated to extend a minimum
of 150 ft (45 m) should be pump below
the retainer. The retainer should be
capped with a minimum of 50 ft (15 m)
of cement

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

148

50 (15m) MIN

BRIDGE
PLUG

50 (15m) MIN

4c. Bridge Plug

A permanent bridge plug may be set
at least 50 ft (15m) above the stub
with a minimum of 50 ft (15m) of
cement on top. For stubs terminating
in open hole below a casing string, the
provision of Pars 6.2.4 and 6.2.5
apply.

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

149

5. Isolated of Zones in Uncased Hole

100 (30m) MIN

WATER ZONE
100 (30m) MIN

100 (30m) MIN

OIL ZONE
100 (30m) MIN

In uncased portions of wells, cement

plugs should be placed to extend a
minimum of 100 ft (30m) below the
bottom and 100 ft (30m) above the top of
any oil, gas, or fresh water zone in order
to isolate them in the strata in which they
are found and to prevent migration into
other strata.

100 (30m) MIN

GAS ZONE
100 (30m) MIN
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

150

6. Isolated of Open Hole

6a. Cement Plug
100 (30m) MIN

100 (30m) MIN

Cement plug should be placed by

the displacement method so as to
extend a minimum of 100 ft
(approximately 30 m) above 100 ft
below the casing shoe.

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151

6b. Cement Retainer

RETAINER
50 (15m) MIN
50 (15m) MIN
100 (30m) MAX
100 (30m) MIN

A cement retainer with effective back

pressure control may be set not less
than 50 ft (15m) nor more than 100 ft
(30m) above the casing shoe, and a
volume of cement pumped through
the retainer calculated to extend at
least 100 ft below the casing shoe. A
minimum of 50 ft of cement should
be placed on top of the retainer.

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

152

6c. Bridge Plug

50 (15m) MIN

BRIDGE
PLUG

150 (45m) MAX.

If lost circulation exists or is

anticipated, a permanent type bridge
plug may be set within 150 ft (45m)
above the casing shoe and capped
with a minimum of 50 ft of cement.
The plug should be tested prior to
placing subsequent plugs.

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

153

7. Surface Plug Requirement

Cement plug of at least 150 ft with the top of the
plug 150 ft or less below the ocean flow, should be
placed in the smallest string of casing which
extends to the ocean floor

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154

8. Testing of Plugs
The setting and location of the first plug below 150
ft surface plug should be verified either:
Placing a minimum pipe weight of 15,000 psi (66,700
Newton) on the cement plug or bridge plug.
- The cement placed above the bridge plug not to be
tested.
Testing the casing against the plug a minimum pump
pressure of 1,000psi (6,900 kPa) with no more than
10% pressure drop during a 15 minute period
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

155

9. Clearance of Location
All casing, wellhead equipment, piling and
protective structures shall be removed to the
satisfaction of the governing authority (min. of 6 ft)

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

156

B. API Temporary Abandonment Operations

Any well which is to be suspended or temporarily abandoned should
be cemented as recommended
A permanent or retrievable bridge plug or a 100 ft. or more cement
plug should be placed in the casing at least 15 ft. but not more than
200 ft. below the ocean floor
Ocean floor

Ocean floor

15 (5 m) min.
200 (60 m) max.

15 (5 m) min.
200 (60 m) max.
Bridge
plug

Temporary abandonment Bridge plug

Cement
100 (30 m) min.
plug

Temporary abandonment Cement plug

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

157

Temporary abandonment well schematic

157

Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM

158

Conclusions
Abandonment operations can be expensive,
however these costs can be minimized with
prudent well design, suspension and choice of
abandonment method.
A continuous improvement program has enabled
equipment design operational program to be
optimized; and these improvements have in turn
reduced costs and minimized environmental and
safety risks.
Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak Ismail, UTM