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Open Hole Sidetrack

The document provides instructions for open hole sidetracking. It outlines picking a spot to initiate the sidetrack based on parameters from geology, calculating the angle and distance, and avoiding areas with low inclination. It describes making up the bottomhole assembly with a motor and bit, and slowly drilling a trough above the sidetrack spot while orienting the toolface. The process of slowly time drilling meter by meter is described, building a ledge and testing it before increasing rates. Maintaining toolface orientation and watching pressures and torque for signs of differential sticking are important. Surveying periodically to check inclination and azimuth is also recommended. Patience is key to successful sidetracking.

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Anil
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785 views2 pages

Open Hole Sidetrack

The document provides instructions for open hole sidetracking. It outlines picking a spot to initiate the sidetrack based on parameters from geology, calculating the angle and distance, and avoiding areas with low inclination. It describes making up the bottomhole assembly with a motor and bit, and slowly drilling a trough above the sidetrack spot while orienting the toolface. The process of slowly time drilling meter by meter is described, building a ledge and testing it before increasing rates. Maintaining toolface orientation and watching pressures and torque for signs of differential sticking are important. Surveying periodically to check inclination and azimuth is also recommended. Patience is key to successful sidetracking.

Uploaded by

Anil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Open Hole Sidetrack

Open hole sidetrack: How you would pick a spot, along with the procedures to
successfully complete.

Once it been determined that a sidetrack will be required, trip out of the hole strapping
on the way out. Use a medium speed motor, set to 1.75 fixed or 1.83 adjustable, and a
fresh sharp fairly long toothed tri-cone bit, preferably with gauge protection.
The geologist will generally require a TVD, and section of the well, the sidetrack is to be
drilled. Given those parameters calculate the best angle and distance to achieve the
sidetrack, setting the target of the sidetrack back far enough to allow for the drop in TVD
to best accommodate the requirements of the geologist. Try to avoid sidetracking in an
area were the inclination is below 90 degrees inclination, is dropping in TVD, and as far
below the shoe as possible. Pick a spot were the sidetrack would penetrate through the
bottom of a set that was made high side, thus using the belly of the dogleg and gravity. If
possible the geologist may be able to provide formation details seen through previous
samples, as to a part of the formation that may be softer, which may help to successfully
sidetrack the well bore.
Make up the assembly, setting the motor to 1.83 degrees, or use a fixed bend motor with
a 1.75 degree bend. Use a fresh tri-cone tooth bit. Design the BHA so as to avoid running
any Hevi-weight drill pipe above 60 degrees inclination. Strap in, while tripping in the
hole to ensure accuracy of bit placement on the spot to sidetrack. Record the
stringweight.
Begin the sidetrack by creating a trough 5 meters above/before the spot to sidetrack; this
is done by orienting the tool face to the side and down between 160 left and 160 right,
and working the drillstring slowly. The time taken to achieve this will depend on the
formation being drilled; generally about an hour should suffice. Conduct a survey that
will be used as a benchmark survey later on. Spot the bit and orient the toolface, so as to
achieve the desire inclination that was previously calculated, and by metering in, slowly
time drill meter by meter. The first meter (pending formation) should generally take 2
hrs, the second meter 1½ - 2 hrs, the third, fourth and fifth meters roughly ¾ -1 hour
each. After the first 4-5 meters (pending formation, if softer; 5-6m, if harder; 3-4m) have
been drilled, test the ledge by first marking the single above the table (or Kelly bar), kill
the pumps, and set weight to see if it will hold. If the string falls off with only 2-3,000
daN then repeat time drilling to build another ledge and test again. If the ledge holds 4-
5,000 daN, pull back to the mark on the single and bring the pumps up, and resume
drilling, the rate can now be increased to ½- ¾ hour per meter. The toolface should be
oriented slowly over the next 2-3 meters ending at 80-90 left or right. Bring the toolface
up to 70-80 left or right for a 1-2 meters bring the bit up to ensure the wellbore is drilled
straight sideways not down, or the inclination will drop too much, causing the wellbore to
drop in TVD too much. While time drilling the drum brake should be squeaked by hand,
do not use the Auto-digger, do not rush the project or try to make up any lost time, and
pay attention for signs of differential sticking. Watch the weight indicator closely and the
pump pressure for signs of sidetracking, the indications may be increased differential
pressure and reactive torque, keeping in mind that with time drilling the drillstring may
hang up or may possibly become differentially stuck.
If a connection is required before the sidetrack is completed, do not rotate the drillstring
or work the connection.
Depending on the length of the survey probe to bit, a survey could be shot and the results
compared with the benchmark survey taken earlier. If the probe to bit distance is too long
to determine any results, drill ahead 5 meters and do another checkshot survey, again
comparing the inclination and azimuth of the surveys.
In conclusion the keys to sidetracking are double checking depths, tallies, string
weights, using fresh bits and being very patient.

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