Back-Off and FPI Operation Procedure

Well site information

1. To get the borehole assembly of drilling or production string and data of DP
or TBG
2. To know the whys get struck and the estimate struck position
3. Drive approach of rig (Top driver or Rotate table driver)
4. Set position of top wheel (No effect the elevator up and down)
5. Tend towards of the cable after through the top driver

Wellhead notice:
1. Fixation top wheel (operated by drilling crew), the top wheel fix point shall
be able to withstand more than 8 tons of tension.
2. The top wheel position not affects the cable and top driver up and down.
3. If Back-off, the Rotate table drive and using long earrings of elevator were
the best choice; when using Top driver, the waterhole should be install
friction block ( should be consider the cable friction when in the deep well,
and prevent the cable broken) .
4. The elevator and slip should be using a rope tied to prevent loosening.
5. The Kelly up height about 3 meters was more appropriate, and facilitate
personnel to operate.

Wellhead operation procedure:

1. FPI tool string connection sequence:
Single conductor CH + Sinker bar + CCL + Slack joint + Upper anchor +
Sensor section + Lower anchor

2. Check the FPI signal, measure the zero-length of tool string (after the
slack joint was extended)
3. Wellhead drill pipe remained appropriate height (about 3 meters, to facilitate
operation), pick up the top driver to a certain height.
4. R/U and Install the top wheel on the monkey board.
5. The cable head through waterhole of Top driver, connect the FPI tool.
6. Pick up FPI tool string and make zero at top of drill pipe, put the tools into
the drill pipe.
7. Stop running cable and slow down the top drive, top drive will be connecting
drill pipe automatically.
8. RIH
9. Depth correlation base on the special joint length, such as short DP, HWDC
or Xover etc.

10. Check the tools in the string when the tool reaches a certain depth (about
300ft) to ensure that tool is working properly.
11. Pulling the string to neutral point of stuck depth,(string suspending weight
of above struck point, and over pull 35% of string suspending weight is
recommend, also need to consider the effect of wall friction and other
factors ).
12. Open the FPI anchor to fixed on the wall of DP,( to prevent anchor on the
coupling), slack off the cable about 3-5ft.
13. Apply a positive torque on the DP string (right-hand rotation), usually 3
Turns/Km, addition 10% is applied if in the deviation wells, we shall be
stop rotation if the FPI has reached the torque signal on the surface panel
during apply torque.
14. Release the DP torque, pull out 3-5ft of cable, close the anchor, than
continue go down to the next measurement position.
During measurement process, the pipe is free have proved if the surface
panel has reached the torque signal; if the surface panel not reached the torque
signal that meaning the tools located below the stuck point. More measurement
points more precision.
15. During measure the stuck point, we should be record each point depth, pull
tension, apply torque and rotation turns for analysis the exactly stuck point
depth.
4

Back-Off Operation
1. Wellhead Preparation
1) Connect cable head, weight bar, CCL. Check CCL signal, than spark test.
2)

Measure the Zero length (from middle of string shot to middle of CCL).

3)

Switch the surface panel to safety position, remove the safety key and
keep by operator who connects the detonator on rig floor.

4)

Request radio silence; suspend the welding works and other unnecessary
works surrounding wellhead.

5)

Discharge the cable, M/U the string shot, RIH after make zero on the
middle of string shot. (tool string: CH + weight bar + CCL + Xover +
Firing head + shot rod)

6)

Stop running cable and slow down the top drive, top drive will be
connecting drill pipe automatically.

2. Adjust method of DP string before Back-Off

1) Pick up DP string until reach the neutral point weight, so that the
coupling without tension between up and down where is the depth will

be back-off.
2)

The string shot should be located on the coupling above stuck point 2-3
joints DP, the middle of shot rod should be setup on the coupling.

3)

Apply positive torque (right hand) on DP string, than move up and down
to transmit the torque to each coupling below, and than release the
torque.

4)

Apply negative torque (left hand) on DP string; the negative torque shall
be less than positive torque. The negative torque turns depend on drilling
service department.

5)

When the detonating cord was explode, will produce a strong shock and
vibration forces, to make the couplings generate a vibration deformation,
and to unchain elastic deformation of coupling, and with the negative
torque turns to make the coupling released in a moment.

6)

Usually, only one trip Back-off was not successful during operation, so
we hope that through each trip back-off job to be mastery the situation of
borehole, can be provide the best data for next trip Back-off. Such as:
increased torque, add detonating cord or change the Back-off depth, etc.

7)

Sometime, the unsuccessful main reason of Back-off was the torques not
completely transmits to the shot depth. but usually through several times
exploded can be cause the coupling slightly swell and distortion, the
binding force will be smaller, at this time if increase little more negative
torque the coupling will be open.

8)

Finally, if the Back-Off job failed, can be utilized the colliding tools to
explode the DP string and POOH.