Operation Procedure
Operation Procedure
1. Whipstock System
The whipstock system comprises from bottom up, a Permanent Packer, Hinge
Connector, Whipstock Slide, Shear Bolt, Milling Assembly, Running Tool, and
separated by a Flex Joint (5” HWDP).
The milling assembly is flexibly attached to the whipstock slide by means of a shear
block mounted on the face of the whipstock. The milling assembly is hydraulically
linked to the packer, and is isolated from communication to annulus internally until
the packer is set and circulation is required.
Perform a gauge and scraper run where the whipstock will be set.
The stiffness of this assembly will serve to identify any problem doglegs or
restrictions in the hole that may hamper running of the whipstock assembly.
3. Setting depth of the Whipstock
The whipstock can be set at any depth. It is set hydraulically, therefore there is no
requirement to interact with a cement plug or bridge plug to set the whipstock. As
with any whipstock sidetrack, it is recommended that the whipstock should be set
between 2 casing collars. This is to ensure integrity between the anchoring packer
and the milling and drilling assemblies.
4. MUD
It is therefore necessary to confirm the mud characteristics and rig pump capacity to
correctly set up the hydraulic parameters for the system operation prior to running
the whipstock assembly in hole.
5. Other Requirements
6. Running Procedure
6.2 Check that the correct quantity of setting shear screws is installed in the packer.
6.3 Pick up the Whipstock from the catwalk. Secure Whip in the rotary table (rams
shut).
6.4 Bolt the Mill Assembly to the Whipstock:
Connect the Whipstock to the Mill Assembly with the Shear Bolt. Attach the
Hydraulic Line to the connection on the bottom of the Milling Assembly and back of
whipstock.
6.5 Fill Whipstock and Mill Assembly / Running Tool with Hydraulic oil, allow air to
bleed out, fit piston ensuring the top of piston is below the top running tool box
connection.
6.6 Make up flex joint to Running Tool above Mill Assembly. Run the Whipstock &
Mill Assembly below the rotary table to the top of Flex joint.
Pick up BHA and run in hole slowly (3 minutes slack off time for 1 stand). Refer to
dogleg checklist for doglegs greater than 4 degrees. Watch the weight indicator
carefully and record up-weights regularly.
Position the bottom of the whipstock assembly at ± 4 ft. above a casing collar. Note
up and down weights.
Once at setting depth, monitor string weights. Pressure up to set packer at +/- 1500
psi increase pressure to 2000 psi and hold for 10 min. Pressure up to 3000 psi and
shear burst disk in mill.
Slack off +/-22.000 lbs and over pull +/-22.000 lbs to prove packer is set.
Pick-up +/-50,000 lbs over pull and shear bolt, work the bolt as required to initiate
the shear.
Milling