A New Down Hole Tool and Approach To Release Differentially Stuck Pipe

Abstract

A new down hole system and method to use for releasing stuck pipes is presented. New system design, features and limits are compared to commonly used techniques for releasing stuck pipe showing benefits of the new system when dealing with differential stuck pipe incidents. The new down hole system is capable to deliver much greater forces when compared to jars and other down hole accelerators near the stuck point. This system can generate over 40G`s lateral forces continuously down the hole acting on the stuck pipe area. The system can be integrated into a Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) and activated once drill string become stuck or run as a part of the remediate assembly. Different aspects of two types of assemblies are described outlining the benefits and drawbacks. The author will discuss in details the background and rationale to the new technology, including a review of differential sticking challenges and functionality of this new system. The new system was compared to the most commonly used techniques for releasing differentially stuck pipe. Previously not releasable stuck pipe forces of over 1,000,000 lb. can now be overcome with the presented new approach to generate down hole forces near the stuck place. Flexibility in system integration and deployment allows for further optimization in BHA design and cost affective fishing operations in dedicated hole sections. This new approach can be implemented to release the most challenging stuck pipe mechanisms in drilling to minimize NPT and cost associated with stuck pipe, remedial operations and sidetracks. Similar approach can be utilized to release differentially stuck pipes, tubing and completions. The novelty of this stuck pipe release system is the entire down hole system and operations of the overall system using new approach to generate large shocks down the hole. Additional novelty is related to flexibility during integration and deployment of this system. Similar to current shock tools, this system can be placed in BHA, fishing type assemblies and also pumped down inside of the stuck drill string to save time and cost.